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Title: NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION IN ENDOPHYTE INFECTED GRAZED TALL FESCUE

Author
item Schomberg, Harry
item Franzluebbers, Alan
item Stuedemann, John
item WIKINSON, S - ARS RETIRED

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2001
Publication Date: 11/5/2001
Citation: Schomberg, H.H., Franzluebbers, A.J., Stuedemann, J.A., Wikinson, S.R. 2001. Nutrient distribution in endophyte infected grazed tall fescue. Agronomy Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Grazing animal effects on nutrient cycling may be greater with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) because of endophyte produced alkaloids alter animal behavior. Tall fescue pastures, established in a Typic Kanhapludults soil near Watkinsville, GA, were used to measure fertility (134-15-56 and 336-37-139 kg N-P-K ha-1 yr-1) and endophyte (low, 0 to 29% and high, 65 to 94%) effects on P and K distribution. Soil cores were collected 1, 10, 30, 50, and 80 m from permanently located shade and water sources at eight depth increments down to 1.5 m. Nutrient accumulation was greatest 1 m from shade and water sources where P, K, and Mg concentrations were 1.7 to 8, 2.5 to 15, and 1.1 to 1.5 times greater, than average concentrations at the remaining distances depending on depth and fertility level. Accumulation of P, K, and Mg in the area 10 to 80 m from shade and water was limited. Summed for the 0- to 300-mm depth and on a per ha basis, extractable P was 64% greater in high than in low endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures at 1 m from shade and water sources (703 vs. 428 kg ha-1, LSD=93) and averaged 252 kg ha-1 for remaining distances. Endophyte levels did not affect K distribution and only affected Mg distribution under the low fertility treatment.