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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319859
Title: Nitrogen fertilizer management impact on dry matter yield of warm-season grasses

Author
item WEERASEKARA, C - University Of Missouri
item Kitchen, Newell
item JOSE, SHIBU - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2015
Publication Date: 8/3/2015
Citation: Weerasekara, C., Kitchen, N.R., Jose, S. 2015. Nitrogen fertilizer management impact on dry matter yield of warm-season grasses. Meeting Abstract. Poster.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Perennial warm-season grasses are being studied extensively as lignocellulosic herbaceous bioenergy feedstocks as they exhibit numerous ecosystem benefits. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management and harvesting management are considered as critical management practices which effects on both the dry matter yield and the harvest quality. The objective of this research was to (1) measure the influence of N fertility management on the dry matter yield and (2) quantify the effect of the harvesting management on the dry matter yield. The research was conducted in 2014 on four field sites located in Missouri. Yield response was found in two of the four sites. Generally, split applying N had no advantage. Grass yield from warm season grass mixed with native legumes was equivalent to non N- fertilized treatments. Harvesting in June followed by end of growing season harvest did not result in yield improvement. Lignocellulosic quality characteristics are still being evaluated in order to understand the energy response to management practices.