North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[paul simon <paul.simon@tcs.wap.org>]

ie, grassland nitrogen,


> I am not the expert that Lucky is, but I studied nitrogen dynamics 
> in grasslands so I can economically raise sheep.
> -White clover is often quoted as producing 250lbs-to-350lbs of fixed 
> nitrogen per acre.  I think this value is very optimistic.  I assume 
> that the researcher optimized the test plot for the clover...no 
> competition, 100% stand, *never let the top couple of inches of soil 
> dry out*.  Halving this value is probably prudent for clover under 
> stories.
> -A respectable alfalfa field produces about 8000 pounds/a/year of 
> 18% protein hay a year.  That pencils out to about 240 lbs of N/a. 
> A great alfalfa field might produce twice that much.  Again, 100% 
> stand, good soil, *no drought stress*, few significant limiting 
> factors.
> -A played out grass hayfield with no significant legume component is 
> good for 2500 lbs of 12% protein hay/a/year.  That is about 50lbs 
> N/a/year.  The textbook speculates that most of that is from 
> blue-green algae living in *the water film between the soil 
> particles*.
> -A grazed pasture in my part of the country will settle down to an 
> average of 25% white clover with the remainder grass.  Spots that 
> receive much poop and pee will be solid grass.  Spots that have 
> *sufficient K, P and moisture* but little poop and pee will approach 
> 50% clover.  The following link has some wisdom regarding clover in 
> pastures http://www.bright.net/~fwo/sub14.html
Joe, the N in the top of the Hay is what is important to you, not 
what is grabbed by the nodules on the root, unless you are planting a 
new orchard. You need to harvest the hay green and deposit under your 
trees canopy to feed your trees. Matured and well washed hay crops 
have little nutritive value and small N content.

I was in Diamondale MI a week ago and meant look you up, but my 
daughter wanted to come back early and I missed out.  Another time.

Paul Simon, zone 7, twix balto und dc..