REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
FORAGES AND HAY CROPS

Orchardgrass and Smooth Bromegrass

S. J. Donohue and H. J. Savoy, Jr.

• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  Samples should be collected five weeks after cutting (or five weeks after growth begins in the spring) and before plants flower. Collect above-ground portion of 20 plants.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  

  Macronutrients
  N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
  2.50–3.50%	0.25–0.35%	2.50–3.50%	0.30–0.50%	0.15–0.30%	0.20–0.30%

  
  

  Micronutrients
  Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
  50–250 ppm	50–200 ppm	20–50 ppm	3–10 ppm	5–20 ppm

  
  

  Important Ratios

  Maintain the N:S ratio between 10:1 and 15:1 for ruminant nutrition.

• DRIS Norms

  No DRIS norms have been established.

• References

  Donohoe SJ, Evanylo GK. 1998. Sampling instructions and nutrient sufficiency ranges for tissue analysis. Blacksburg (VA): Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Publication 452-211.

  Donohue SJ, Rhykerd CL, Holt DA, Noller CH. 1973. Influence of N fertilization and N carryover on yield and N concentration of Dactylis glomerata L. Agron J 65:671–4.

  Gordon CH, Decker AM, Wiseman HG. 1962. Some effects of nitrogen fertilizer, maturity and light on the composition of orchardgrass. Agron J 54:376–8.

  Griffith WK, Teel MR, Parker HE. 1964. Influence of nitrogen and potassium on the yield and chemical composition of orchardgrass. Agron J 56:473–45.

  Kresge CB, Younts SE. 1963. Response of orchardgrass to potassium and nitrogen fertilization on a Wickham silt loam. Agron J 55:161–4.

  Reid RL, Jung GA, Kinsey CM. 1966. Nitrogen fertilization in relation to the palatability and nutritive value of orchardgrass. J Animal Sci 25:636–45.

  Reid RL, Post AJ, Jung GA. 1970. Mineral composition of forages. Morgantown (WV): West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin 589T.

Electronic Document Prepared by:
Catherine Stokes, Communication Specialist
Agronomic Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. July 2000.