TALL FESCUE RESPONSE TO PLACEMENT OF UREA AMMONIUM-NITRATE SOLUTION

Several studies have shown that cool-season grasses may respond more to subsurface (knife) applications of fluid fertilizer than to surface applications. However, optimum depth of knife application has not been clearly identified. A field study was conducted from 1984 to 1986 to determine the effects of 5-, 10-, and 15-cm knife and surface band (dribble) and broadcast applications of urea/NH4NO3 solution at 84 and 168 kg N ha-1 on forage yield and N use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and on soil N levels. Knife applications of N at or below 10 cm resulted in higher inorganic soil N concentrations at intermediate harvest than did surface applications.