The effects of sheep manure application time and rates on yield and botanical composition of secondary succession rangeland

Abstract

This experimental study was conducted in Samsun/Turkey on a secondary succession rangeland during 2006-2008. Botanical composition of the experimental area consists of 28% legumes, 64% grasses, and 8% of other species. Target rates of sheep manure were 0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, and 100 kg total N ha(-1), based on the manure analyses results (according to N rates in sheep manure). The sheep manure was applied at two different times. Means of 3 years of experimental period and total dry matter yield was obtained from the manure treatment of 75.0 kg N ha(-1) and 50 + 50 kg N ha(-1) (4153 kg ha(-1), and 3813 kg ha(-1), respectively). With respect to the three-year average, ratios of legumes, grasses, and other plants ranged from 20.8 to 40.7%, 41.6 to 66.9%, and 10.7 to 20.7%, respectively. Although ratios of legumes, and other plants increased in the all of the treatments, grass ratios decreased. The crude protein content of obtained rangeland hay ranged between 107.0 and 143.0 g kg(-1) in 2006, 93.0 and 123.4 g kg(-1) in 2007, 116.3 and 166.4 g kg(-1) in 2008. The maximum benefit was provided from the application of 75.0 kg N ha(-1) with a sum of (sic) 971.2 ha(-1).