Abstract
To determine the effects of potassium($K_2O$) fertilization level(0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha/year) on the growth, dry matter(DM) yield, nutritive value and nitrate nitrogen($NO_3$-N) concentration of grasses grown under shading condition, this experiment was carried out in Grassland Div., LES, 1989. The plants were sampled on different growing seasons (spring, summer and autumn) and growth stages (grazing and soiling), respectively. Shade was controlled artificially ca. 45-50%, and the level of nitrogen fertilization was 200 kg/ha/year in all treatments. Higher DM was produced in spring 1, 453 kg at grazing and 2, 364 kg/ha at soiling stage, and DM production was increased with increasing level of $K_2O$. In this experiment, the optimum amount of $K_2O$ fertilizer was 200 kg/ha. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, DM digestibility, and relative feed value of grasses were not affected by $K_2O$ fertilization, regardless of growing season and growth stage. The $NO_3$-N concentration of grasses grown in spring was very low (ca. 1.0%), regardless of growth stage and $K_2O$ level. However, $NO_3$-N concentration was very high in summer and autumn season, also $NO_3$-N was decreased significantly with increasing level of $K_2O$ fertilization (P<0.05). Application of $K_2O$ fertilizer, therefore, is thoughs to be desirable for reducing $NO_3$-N concentration of grasses, especially in summer and autumn season. So annual split fertilization of $K_2O$ could be recommended on woodland pasture.
