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The element composition of herbage at urine patch sites in a ryegrass pasture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

K. N. Joblin  and
R. G. Keogh
K. N. Joblin
Affiliation:
Applied Biochemistry Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
R. G. Keogh
Affiliation:
Grasslands Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Summary

The variation in the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in autumn regrowth herbage across a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pasture has been measured. The regrowth resulting from urine return by sheep to a pasture takes the form of an ‘island’ of herbage in which nitrogen (27%) and potassium (28%) are significantly higher than, and calcium (20%), magnesium (10%), phosphorus (24%), and manganese (40%) are significantly lower than in the surrounding herbage. Because of the selective grazing behaviour of sheep the possible implications for animal health of this pattern of element composition across a pasture are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 92 , Issue 3 , June 1979 , pp. 571 - 574
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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References

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