EFFECT OF COVER CROP ON GROWTH AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION OF COCKSFOOT

F. Deneufbourg¹, J. P. Janson² and G. Sicard¹

¹F.N.A.M.S., Le Verger, 49800 Brain sur l'Authion

²F.N.A.M.S., 2 bis rue Jeanne d'Arc, BP 4017, 10013 Troyes cedex

Autumn nitrogen fertilization of cocksfoot must be adjusted according to the cover crop used for sowing.  With pea cover crop, autumn nitrogen availability is more important than after a cereal crop.  Cocksfoot nitrogen requirement is low.  So in autumn following the pea cover crop, it is generally not necessary to bring mineral fertilizer.  Comparison of the two types of cover plants (pea and spring barley) show that cocksfoot crop establishment is better with pea.  A higher seed productivity can be observed.

Keywords: Cocksfoot; Dactylis glomerata; cover crop; nitrogen fertilization.