EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER AND PHOSPHORUS SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA APPLICATION ON CLOVER DOMINANT MEADOW: I. HAY YIELD AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION

This study was carried out at Ataturk University farm in Erzurum, Turkey over 4 years (2004-2007) to evaluate the effects of phosphorus fertilization and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum) applications on the dry matter production and botanical composition of a natural meadow. Phosphorous fertilizer (0, 11, 22, 33, 44 kg P ha-1) and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium var phosphaticum) were added to study plots. The present study investigated the effects of applying phosphorus and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria on the yield and botanical composition of a clover-dominated meadow in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected dry matter yield while phosphorus solubilizing bacteria did not show any effect on dry matter yield. While phosphorus fertilization did not affect the botanical composition of grasses, the composition of legumes and other families was affected. There was not any effect of bacteria application like in dry matter yield.