Abstract

Omitting P and K from fertilizer that supplied 672 kg/ha of N to ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) growing on a Tifton loamy sand of medium-available P and low-available K content reduced forage yield 45% without affecting the protein, carotene, and xanthophyll content of the grass. Increasing the ratio of P and K to N above a 4-1-2 (N-P₂O₅-K₂O) fertilizer ratio failed to increase protein, carotene, and xanthophyll contents except at very high N rates (1,008 kg/ha). Excellent yields of carotene (4,838 g/ha) and xanthophyll (7,649 g/ha) were obtained from Coastal bermuda fertilized with 672 kg/ha of N with P₂O₅ and K₂O to make a 4-1-2 ratio and cut at 21-day intervals. This forage averaged 18.0% protein.

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