Location: Soil Dynamics Research
Title: Long-term response of bahaigrass pastures to elevated atmospheric CO2 and fertility management: Forage qualityAuthor
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2024 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Southeastern US pasture systems remain understudied agro-ecosystems as affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration. A long-term study of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) assessed responses to elevated CO2 on a Blanton loamy sand (loamy siliceous, thermic, Grossarenic Paleudults) For 10 years, both managed and unmanaged systems were assessed for impacts on forage quality. Pastures were exposed to ambient or elevated (ambient plus 200 ppm) CO2 using open top field chambers. Based on extension and soil test recommendations, an N treatment was applied where half of all plots received N [(NH4)2SO4] at 90 kg ha-1 three times yearly, while remaining plots received no N; these two treatments represent managed and unmanaged pastures, which are common in the Southeast. Forage samples from yearly summer harvests were sent to Auburn University Soil, Forage & Water Testing Laboratory. This is the same conduit that producers use to assess forage and feed samples. These routine analysis included percent moisture, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, Lignin, total digestible nutrient, relative forage quality, NO3-N and elemental content (Ca, K, Mg, P, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn), digestible protein, crude fiber, Net energy L, Net Energy M, Net energy G, and metabolizable energy. Findings based on these analysis will be discussed. |
