IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZATION EFFECT ON A NATURALIZED PASTURE OF MAGALLANES, CHILE

Abstract

This study was carried out in a farm located at Rio Verde county, 96 km north to the city of Punta Arenas, Chile. The experirnent started On spring 1998 and ended on fall 1999. The objective was to define irrigation and fertization effects upon a natural magallanic pasture, consisting mainly of species as Trifolium repens, Holcus lanatus, Taraxacum officinalis, Hordeum comosum, Lolium multiforum and others. A complete random block design was used, with six treatiments and three replicates. These treatments were based on three different irrigation conditions (sprinkler-, superficial-and without irrigation), as well as under two fertilzation conditions (with fertilizer and none). The following parameters were evaluated: dry matter production, foliar nitrogen (only on treatment under superficial irrigation) and the effects on botánical composition. Fertilizaled condition showed a significant effect on pasture production. No significant effect was found on pasture production due to irrigation, also on Irrigation x Fertilization interaction. Under fertilized conditions, an increase of foliar nitrogen concentration was found. In relation to the presence of legumes, a positive response under irrigated and fertilized conditions was observed. Also an increase on the presence of legums and a decrease of weeds and death vegetal material do to irrigation, were observed.