Back to Research & Demonstration

Measuring the fate of soil applied mono-ammonium phosphate to established alfalfa through yield and forage analysis testing

 

Project Details

  • Project Lead: Raymond Bittner (Manitoba Agriculture, retired)

  • Years: 2016-2019

  • Project Status: Complete

  • Funding & In-Kind Support: Growing Forward II, Canadian Agricultural Partnership

  • Location: Brookdale Farm

  • Scope: Demonstration

  • Keywords: Fertility Management, Perennial Forages

Approach

One application of fertilizer was applied in 2016. In 2016 - 2019, forage and soil were tested for phosphorus levels.

Key Findings

Yield: For the combined four years, the addition of phosphorus increased yield.

Soil Phosphorus: The level of soil phosphorus generally dropped every year.

Forage Dietary Phosphorus: Phosphorus in the forage generally decreased in the years following application.

Alfalfa Crowns: Alfalfa crowns decreased over time. Number of crowns was similar between treatments.

Alfalfa Stems: The number of alfalfa stems varied through the years. Low stem counts in 2018 and 2019 are likely due to both phosphorus depletion and low precipitation.

Phosphorus Removal: Plots with no added fertility still removed phosphorus. However, well fertilized plots removed more phosphorus.

Related Projects at MBFI:

Industry Resources: