Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Mowing Interval on Crude Protein and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility of Oven-dried Clippings Harvested from Korean Lawngrass (Zoysia Japonica Steud.)

수준을 달리한 질소시비 및 예초처리가 들잔디(Zoysia japonica Steud)의 조단백질함량 및 in vitro 건물소화율에 미치는 영향

This experiment was carried out to determine the value of turfgrass clippings as a source of protein for animal feed. Levels of crude protein(CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility(JVDMD) were determined for Korean lawngrass (Zoysia Japonica Steud.) under three levels of nitrogen fertilizer ( 0 , 350 and 700kg ha year and three levels of mowing interval between cuts (lO, 20, and 30 days). Sampling was done on the three-year old turffield on which nitrogen and mowing treatments were Imposed. Clippings were collected after mowing, and CP levels were calculated from a measurement of total N(CP = N >< 6.25) l)y Auto-analyser system-2 procedure and IVDMD by Maeng's method which was partly modified with Tilley and Terry's procedure. With the increased nitrogen legime the CP content of leaf clippings varied from 6.6 to 13.6% and that Of stem clippings from 4 to 10.3%. The CP levels of clippings were directly proportional to the N fertilization rate. The highest CP content was recorded in early July when it was 14.1% at 35OkgN ha -and I 18.l%kgN ha-1 with 10-wcek mowing interval. Mowing interval had little effect on the CP content in both leaf and stem clippings. The level of IVDMD in the Korean lawngrass clippings varied with mowing interval. The highest level measured was 47%, hut this varied during the growing season and occurred in the following order : early summer > summer > fall. This experiment has shown that Korean lawngrass clippings can he helpful source of protein for use in some animal feeds and that a high concentration of CP can occur depending upon N fertllizer and that of I VDM I) upon mowing practices.