Effects of water and nitrogen on seed production of creeping red fescue

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Plant Science
• Main Author: Fairey, N. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2008
• Subjects: Peace River
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjps07006; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjps07006

In order to address a paucity of information, a study was conducted in the Peace River region of northwestern Canada to determine the effects on seed production of creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. var. rubra) of six water treatments [natural precipitation and 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200% of the average, cumulative, long-term precipitation (LTP) of 459 mm yr -1 ] in combination with four N-fertilization regimes (zero + 102, 34 + 68, 68 + 34, and 102 + zero kg ha -1 N for the first + second crops, respectively). The 2-yr seed yield exceeded 2900 kg ha -1 when N was supplied to just one of the two seed crops, viz. with 150 to 200% LTP when N was applied only to the first seed crop, and with 125 to 150% LTP when N was applied only to the second seed crop. Under the prevailing, long-term, moisture environment at the study site (100% LTP), total seed yield over two production years was greatest (2136 kg ha -1 ) with 68 + 34 kg ha -1 N. The effects of the water and N treatments on seed yield were not associated with the mass of root organic matter recovered after the harvest of the second seed crop. These results confirm, and begin to quantify, numerous visual observations in the Peace River region that seed yields of creeping red fescue are restricted by insufficient precipitation. Key words: Creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra, grass seed production, nitrogen fertility, water, soil moisture