Applications of nitrogen and phosphorus increased forage yields from 12 to 53 percent in 2003 during Saskatchewan trials conducted in Scott and Indian Head.
Indian Head yields maxed at 1,400 kilograms per acre in 2003 and 1,000 kg per acre the previous year. The 2003 Scott yields maxed at 1,300 kg per acre, but were lost to weather conditions in 2002.
Agriculture Canada researchers Stewart Brandt and Guy Lafond conducted the field studies using established forage stands that had been low yielding.
Phosphorus was applied as either surface broadcast monoammonium phosphate or surface dribbled or coulter injected ammonium polyphosphate.
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Other treatments included an unfertilized check, a coulter check and a coulter-injected nitrogen-only trial. Phosphorus was applied at an annual rate of 33 pounds per acre and a triple rate of 100 lb. per acre. All treatments received the soil test recommended rate of nitrogen and a blanket application of potassium and sulfur.
Results showed that application of nitrogen alone always yielded less than when applied with phosphorus. Using phosphorus at three times the annual rate provided the highest forage yield, indicating the rate of phosphorus was the limiting factor at both locations.
