| Low nutrient availability, especially phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) supply is the major limitation to forage production in acid infertile soils of the tropics. A field study was conducted at the farm La Esperanza located in Mondomo, Department of Cauca, in the coffee growing zone of Colombia. The main objective was to determine differences in root distribution, nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) acquisition and nutrient utilization of one C4 forage grass (Brachiaria dictyoneura) and two C3 forage legumes (Arachis pintoi and Centrosema macrocarpum) grown under two fertilization levels, cultivated either in monoculture or in association and harvested at four different ages.There were no significant differences in root biomass among the grass and legumes... |
