Seasonal nitrogen deficiency in hill country pastures

Abstract

Seasonal nitrogen deficiency in sheep grazed hill pastures was measured in a series of fertiliser trials. Large responses were recorded in most seasons with the largest over the late spring period when growth rate was increased by 33.6 kg DM/ha/day under a high nitrogen regime. Despite differing seasonal pasture production on warmer and cooler aspects slopes, nitrogen responses on each aspect were similar in most seasons. The extra production under the high N regime was from the grass component consisting predominantly of non-ryegrass species. Legume production, which generally contributed little to pasture yields, was not affected much by fertiliser N application.