Influence of Rates and Timing of N Fertilization on Quality and Biomass Yield in Virginia Pastures.

Nitrogen fertilization can improve biomass yield and nutritive values of forages, however little research has considered the influence of split spring and fall N applications on pasture productivity. Experiments were conducted at two different locations within the Ridge and Valley of Virginia to evaluate the effect of split N application at different rates on pasture biomass yield and nutritive values. Treatments consisted of seven N rates (0, 46, 92, 138, 185, 231, and 277 kg N ha^-1) that were split applied each fall and early spring. Plots were then harvested the following May. Our preliminary data indicated that both N rate and time of application affected biomass yield and nutritive values of forages.