Influence of Supplemental Run-Off Water and Fertilizer on Production and Chemical Composition of Native Forage

Abstract

Utilization of runoff water to produce additional forage is essential in a balanced range management program. This. is especially true in the northern Great Plains where limited and erratic precipitation results in frequent drought periods. The use of water spreading systems to collect and distribute runoff water over "run-in" range sites has generally resulted in greater forage production (Mooney and Martin, 1956). However, the extra moisture received on several "run-in" range sites on the heavy clay soils of western South Dakota has failed to produce forage in proportion to the amount of moisture available. Poor grazing management and/or low fertility could nullify the benefits ex-1 Contribution from Soil and Water Conservation R e s ear c h Division,

Nitrogen Fertilization, Botanical Composition and Biomass Production on Mixed-Grass Rangeland

“…& J.G.Smith) Gould] wheatgrasses increased, and weeds often invaded. Cosper and Thomas (1961). Hyder and Bement (1964) and Patterson and Youngman (1960) found that weeds often increased in response to N to the extent that desirable species could not compete.…”

Fertilization and Its Effect on Range Improvement in the Northern Great Plains

“…Similarly, results from a 6-year study in North Dakota showed that 2 years of fertilization, with 90 lb of nitrogen on a heavily grazed pasture, did more to improve range condition and production than did 6 years without grazing (Rogler and Lorenz, 1957). Studies in western South Dakota indicated that maximum forage production from utilizing runoff water could not be obtained without fertilization (Cosper and Thomas, 1961).…”

Effect of Nitrogen and Irrigation on Yield and Botanical Composition1 of Western Montana Range1

“…Other investigators have shown that the results of fertilizer application depend on the moisture supply and the species present. Cosper and Thomas ( 1) found that supplemental moisture increased the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer but decreased the effectiveness of phosphate on western South Dakota range. They found that annual forbs responded to nitrogen better than to phosphate whereas 79 Willhite et al ( 6) had reported that forbs responded to phosphate more than to nitrogen in irrigated mountain meadows.…”