Pedosphere 16(6): 735--744, 2006
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2006 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Temporal stability of sward dry matter and nitrogen yield patterns in a temperate grassland |
XU Hong-Wei1 , WANG Ke1, J. S. BAILEY2, C. JORDAN2 and A. WITHERS3 |
1 College of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029 (China). Email: hwxu@zju.edu.cn;
2 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Food and Environmental Science Division, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX (United Kingdom);
3 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Plant Testing Station, 50 Houston Road, Crossnacreevy, Belfast BT6 9SH (United Kingdom) |
| ABSTRACT |
| The objectives of the present study were to examine the spatial patterns of sward dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) yields in a grass silage field at first, second, and third cuts over a 3-year period; quantify their temporal stabilities with temporal stability maps; and assess the potential for site-specific management in each pasture-growing period using classified management maps. At cut 1, the spatial patterns of DM and N yields proved to be well defined and temporally stable and were likely to be due to differences in the net N mineralization rates across the field during spring. In contrast, at cut 2, the patterns of DM production were patchy and temporally unstable. It was concluded that, in principle, a simple site-specific approach to N fertilization would be possible in this field during spring at cut 1. At later harvests, the rationale for a site-specific approach to fertilizer management was less clear with logistics appearing to be more complex and less feasible. |
| Key Words: cool temperate grassland, dry matter yield, spatial variability, temporal stability |
| Citation: Xu, H. W., Wang, K., Bailey, J. S., Jordan, C. and Withers, A. 2006. Temporal stability of sward dry matter and nitrogen yield patterns in a temperate grassland. Pedosphere. 16(6): 735-744. |
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