Effects of sodium fertiliser on the chemical composition of grass and clover leaves, stems and inflorescences

Sodium fertiliser was applied to dairy cow pasture to investigate the effects on the chemical composition of grass and clover leaves, stems and inflorescences. The effect of sodium fertiliser varied between fractions, with grass leaves and stems generally being more responsive than grass inflorescences or clover fractions. The sodium content of all fractions was already high in the control treatment, and was increased to an excessive level by sodium fertiliser in all fractions except grass stems. Grass leaves were most affected. Potassium content was reduced in grass leaves and stems, but not in other fractions. The effects on calcium and magnesium varied between fractions but the K :(Ca+Mg) ratio, the most sensitive index of susceptibility to hypomagnesaemia, was reduced in grass leaves, but increased in other fractions. DM digestibility was decreased in grass and clover leaves by sodium, probably because of the high sodium content. MAD fibre content was also increased in these fractions. Crude protein content was decreased by sodium fertiliser in grass leaves, in particular. Therefore, when applied to pasture which is naturally high in sodium, sodium fertiliser had detrimental effects on pasture macronutrient content. However, beneficial effects were still observed on mineral ratios for plant and animal nutrition. It is concluded that if sodium fertiliser increases herbage sodium concentrations above 5 g kg -1 DM, improvements in mineral ratios that could affect ruminant health may be offset by reductions in the nutritive value of the herbage. It is therefore recommended that the herbage sodium concentration should be known before sodium fertiliser is applied.