Abstract
Changes in dry matter yield, crude components, nutrients uptake($P_2O_5$, $K_2O$, CaO, MgO) and sulphur containing amino acid(cysteine, methionine) of orchardgrass(Dacty1is glomerata. L) and alfalfa(A4edicago sativa. L) by gypsum application(as sulphur source, 0, 2. 5, 10, 20kg SIlOa) were investigated to understand the effect of sulphur on herbage production in pasture, which was established in 1987 as means of hand broadcasting. The effect of gypsum on dry matter yield at different cutting times during growing seasons has not been found both in orchardgrass and in alfalfa, but in respect to annual total dry matter yield there were increment in herbage yield (P<0.05) of alfalfa at 5, 10, 20kg SIlOa in 1989 and the amounts of sulphur taken up in herbage slightly increased according to the rates of gypsum application. Maximum apparent recovery of sulphur was 7.55% at 2kg SIlOa in orchardgrass and was 17.8% at 5kg S/lOa in alfalfa. There were no any great differences in the content of crude components of both species and this trend was similar with the mineral contents of orchardgrass. But in alfalfa, the amounts of $K_2O$, CaO, and $P_2O_5$ taken up were increased by gypsum application and the increment in the amounts of minerals taken up in herbage at 20kg SIlOa were 14.9 of $K_2O$, 9.1 of CaO, and 2.5kgIlOa of $P_2O_5$ as compared to those of at untreated plot. Cysteine and methionine were not influenced by gypsum applicaton not only in orchardgrass but also cysteine in alfalfa, however, the content of methionine in alfalfa was slightly increased at 2, 5, lOkg SIlOa and at 20kg SIlOa was reverse.
