Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Micro Nutrient Contents of Trifolium angustifolium and Lotus suaveolens from Fabaceae on a Grassland Ecosystem: the Case of Kahramanmaras, Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of various grass plants as Trifolium angustifolium and Lotus suaveolens from Fabaceae to fertilizer treatments (N+P fertilization) to encourage the micro nutrition of this vegetation. Micro nutrient contents of this vegetation were determined annually in 2002 and 2003. Experimental plots received rains of 606.3 and 857.5 mm during the 2 study years compared to mean growing season rainfall of 729.8 mm. Micro nutrient contents of these grass plants were increased significantly by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers application. Contents of micro nutrients after nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer treatments, it is determined and ordered for Lotus suaveolens Cu>Fe>Zn>Mn and for Trifolium angustifolium Cu>Fe = Mn>Zn. Nitrogen and phosphorus chemical fertilizers influence both micro nutrient mobility and bioavailability and the effects to these plants may be different.