Competition and Fertilization as Influences on Grass Seedlings

Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus starter fertilizer with two levels of weed competition in seedings of five grass species were evaluated by stand counts, total sod reserves, and subsequent forage yields. Weed competition reduced the stand of fertilized switchgrass but did not affect the stand of any other grass on any fertilized treatment. Weed competition, primarily crabgrass, reduced total sod reserves in big bluestem, indiangrass, and M-blend bluestem. The second year's forage production of all species was reduced to 28 to 70% of the production from weed free plots. Fertilization did not improve the stand establishment but did increase the forage yield of weeping lovegrass, switchgrass, and indiangrass.