Range Burning and Fertilizing Related to Nutritive Value of Bluestem Grass

Abstract

The influence of range burning and nitrogen fertilization on the nutritive value of big and little bluestem in Kansas True Prairie were studied. Late spring burning decreased dry matter, crude fiber, cell wall constituents, cellulose, and lignin, and increased crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, and ash. Nitrogen fertilization decreased nitrogen free extract and increased crude fiber, lignin, and ash. Big bluestem was higher than little bluestem in nitrogen free extract, and lower in crude fiber, cell wall constituents, lignin, and cellulose.