Time of Fertilizer Application on Desert Grasslands

Abstract

In most fertilization studies on desert grasslands, little attention has been paid to soil moisture conditions at the time of application. Results have been highly variable and fertilization has not been accepted as an economical management practice. These studies were designed to determine if the time of application could be adjusted to soil moisture conditions in order to insure maximum response to fertilization. In general, fertilization of desert grasslands after the start of the summer rainy season gave best results in three of four sites studied. Applying fertilizer after soil moisture is present helps prevent fertilizer losses during a dry season. Maximum response to the fertilizer is assured because application is just prior to the time of the greatest demand for nutrients.