Research note: Level of nitrogen fertilization and the dry matter yield of Digitaria eriantha cv. Irene in the Transvaal middleveld

Abstract

N fertilizer was applied as a single dressing in spring at 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg N ha^‐1 a^‐1 to an established Digitaria eriantha pasture, previously used as a hay crop. The only significant increase in dry matter (DM) yield was obtained with 80 kg ha^‐1 a^‐1. The DM production per unit of nitrogen (N) applied also reached a maximum with 80 kg N ha^‐1 a^‐1. The distribution of rainfall also influenced DM yield.