Effect of Four Levels of Fertilization on Beef Production and Carrying Capacity of Pangola Grass Pastures in the Humid Mountain Region of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Pangola grass pastures on sloping lands in the humid mountain region of Puerto Rico responded in terms of beef production and carrying capacity, as well as economically, to applications of up to 2,400 pounds of 14-4-10 fertilizer per acre yearly, but there was no further significant increase due to heavier fertilization over 2 years of experimentation. At the 2,400-pound rate of fertilization, Pangola grass pastures carried the equivalent of two 600-pound steers per acre and produced an average of 871 pounds of gain in weight per acre yearly with average daily gains per head of 1.2 pounds.