All Issue

2025 Vol.58, Issue 4 Preview Page

Short communication

Yield and water balance response of Italian ryegrass to different fertilizer application amount in weighable lysimeter
Min-kyeong Park1
,
Jung-hun Ok2*
,
Dong-hyun Kim3
,
Seung-gyu Lee1
,
Jeong-woo Son2
1Post-Master’s Researcher, Division of Soil and Water environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Korea
2Researcher, Division of Soil and Water environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Korea
3Post-Doctor’s Researcher, Division of Soil and Water environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju 55365, Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 November 2025. pp. 643-654
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study investigated the growth characteristics and water balance of Italian ryegrass under different soil texture and fertilizer application amount using a weighing lysimeter. Fertilizer treatments were set at one and two times of the standard application amount. Study used three soil textures including silty clay loam (SiCL), loam (L), sandy loam (SL). Water balance analysis was conducted by estimating rainfall, irrigation, and evapotranspiration from lysimeter weight changes, while drainage was measured with a tipping counter, and runoff was collected directly. The growth survey showed statistically significant differences depending on soil texture, with L providing the most favorable growth. In contrast, fertilizer application amount had no significant effect, suggesting that excessive fertilization may reduce yield in Italian ryegrass, despite its high nutrient demand. Water balance analysis showed similar water inflow among treatments, while water outflow was highest in L due to greater evapotranspiration. As evapotranspiration is positively correlated with yield, the higher yield in L likely led to increased evapotranspiration. Drainage was greatest in SiCL, possibly due to winter cracking associated with its high clay content. Fertilizer application showed no significant effect, likely because higher fertilizer levels increased transpiration through greater plant growth but reduced soil evaporation via larger leaf area, resulting in little difference in total evapotranspiration. Overall, water balance was negative values. These results indicate that water balance analysis by fertilizer input amount and growth stage, combined with meteorological factors, provides baseline information for water management optimization in Italian ryegrass under different fertilizer application amount.

Estimation of water balance on different soil textures and applied fertilizer amount using weighable lysimeter.
Seedling (Oct 31, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025) Regrowth (Jan 6 - Mar 7, 2025) Stem elongation (Mar 8 - Apr 16, 2025) Harvest (Apr 17 - May 8, 2025) Total (Oct 31, 2024 - May 8, 2025)
SiCL1 L2 SL3 SiCL L SL SiCL L SL SiCL L SL SiCL L SL
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
Standard fertilization In put Precipitation 59.3 64.7 62.2 71.9 80.5 80.6 50.6 53.0 52.4 86.6 90.3 87.3 268.4 288.4 282.4
Irrigation 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
Total 59.3 64.7 62.2 71.9 80.5 80.6 70.6 73 72.4 86.6 90.3 87.3 288.4 308.4 302.4
Out put Evapotrans- piration 87.4 86.7 80.7 65.0 70.4 67.6 116.1 167.4 150.4 115.9 152.0 126.7 384.3 476.4 425.4
Drainage 14.7 1.8 9.9 54.0 32.2 31.0 8.9 5.6 8.9 1.4 0.1 0.0 78.8 39.6 49.8
Runoff 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.9 5.1 9.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.9 5.1 9.1
Total 102.1 88.5 90.6 123.9 107.7 107.7 125.0 173.0 159.3 117.3 152.1 126.7 468.0 521.1 484.3
Water balance (Input-Output) -42.8 -23.8 -28.4 -52.0 -27.2 -27.1 -54.4 -100.0 -87.0 -30.6 -61.7 -39.5 -179.6 -212.7 -181.9
Double-rate fertilization In put Precipitation 59.4 63.2 62.9 71.1 78.9 86.0 53.3 54.4 53.1 85.8 89.9 88.2 269.6 286.5 290.2
Irrigation 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 20.0
Total 59.4 63.2 62.9 71.1 78.9 86.0 73.3 74.4 73.1 85.8 89.9 88.2 289.6 306.5 310.2
Out put Evapotrans- piration 85.3 83.3 76.7 64.8 67.9 69.8 124.7 168.9 154.0 123.9 158.8 124.9 398.8 479.0 425.4
Drainage 13.5 2.8 3.8 53.3 43.9 28.4 6.2 3.7 11.6 0.9 0.0 0.0 73.8 50.4 43.7
Runoff 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.8 4.4 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.8 4.4 5.8
Total 98.8 86.1 80.5 122.9 116.2 104.0 130.9 172.6 165.6 124.8 158.8 124.9 477.4 533.8 474.9
Water balance (Input-Output) -39.4 -22.9 -17.6 -51.8 -37.3 -18.0 -57.6 -98.2 -92.5 -39.0 -68.9 -36.7 -187.8 -227.3 -164.7

1SiCL, silty clay loam;

2L, Loam;

3SL, sandy loam.

Keywords
Fertilizer amount
Italian ryegrass
Water balance
Weighable lysimeter
References
1

Byeon JE, Lee HJ, Hwang SG, Ryoo JW. 2021. Comparison of the seed productivity of Italian ryegrass in different regions. Korean J. Crop Sci. 66:428-434. https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2021.66.4.428

10.7740/kjcs.2021.66.4.428
2

Choi GJ, Ji HC, Kim KY, Park HS, Seo S, Lee KW, Lee SH. 2011. Growth characteristics and productivity of cold-tolerant “Kowinearly” Italian ryegrass in the northern part of South Korea. Afr J Biotechnol. 10:2676-2682.https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB10.1900

10.5897/AJB10.1900
3

Choi GJ, Kim HJ, Lee WJ, Li YF, Panyavong X, Wu LZ, Yang SH, Kim JG. 2025. Effect of natural drying methods on moisture contents and germination of Italian ryegrass seed in Jicheon reclaimed land, Jangheung of Korea. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 45:15-25. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2025.45.1.15

10.5333/KGFS.2025.45.1.15
4

Choi GJ, Lim YC, Kim KY, Kim MJ, Ji HC, Lee SH, Park HS, Moon CS, Lee ES, Seo S. 2008. A cold-tolerant and medium-maturing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) new variety, ‘Kowinmaster’. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 28:177-184. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2008.28.3.177

10.5333/KGFS.2008.28.3.177
5

Frisk CA, Xistris-Songpanya G, Osborne M, Biswas Y, Melzer R, Yearsley JM. 2022. Phenotypic variation from waterlogging in multiple perennial ryegrass varieties under climate change conditions. Front Plant Sci. 13:954478. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.954478

10.3389/fpls.2022.95447835991411PMC9387306
6

Gee GW, Bauder JW. 1986. Particle size analysis. In: Klute A (ed.). Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1. 2nd ed. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

10.2136/sssabookser5.1.2ed.c15
7

Gómez-Candón D, Bellvert J, Pelechá A, Lopes MS. 2023. A remote sensing approach for assessing daily cumulative evapotranspiration integral in wheat genotype screening for drought adaptation. Plants. 12:3871. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223871

10.3390/plants1222387138005768PMC10675030
8

He X, Qiu H, Xie K, Wang Y, Hu J, Li F, An J. 2022. Effects of water saving and nitrogen reduction on the yield, quality, water and nitrogen use efficiency of Isatis indigotica in Hexi Oasis. Sci Rep. 12:550. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04585-x

10.1038/s41598-021-04585-x35017618PMC8752745
9

Jang HS, Bae HS, Ahn SH, Youn JT, Kim DW, Kim WH. 2020. Growth characteristics and seed productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) cultivars under different salinity in Saemangeum reclaimed tideland. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 53:502-509. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2020.53.4.502

10.7745/KJSSF.2020.53.4.502
10

Jeong EC, Kim HJ, Li YF, Kim MJ, Ji HC, Kim JG. 2020. Seed productivity by varieties of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sown in spring in Gangwong highlands. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 40:221-226. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.4.221

10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.4.221
11

Ji HC, Lee SH, Yoon SH, Kim KY, Choi GJ, Park HS, Park NG, Lim YC, Lee ES. 2011. A very early-maturing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) new variety, ‘Green Farm’ for double cropping system. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 31:9-14.

10.5333/KGFS.2011.31.1.9
12

Kala J, Decker M, Exbrayat J, Pitman AJ, Carouge C, Evans JP, Abramowitz G, Mocko D. 2014. Influence of leaf area index prescriptions on simulations of heat, moisture, and carbon fluxes. J. Hydrometeor. 15:489-503. https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-13-063.1

10.1175/JHM-D-13-063.1
13

Kang CH, Lee IS, Kwon SJ. 2020. Identification of ideal seed harvest time for Italian ryegrass (IRG) ‘Kowinearly’ variety in reclaimed land. Korean J. Crop Sci. 65:142-150. https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2020.65.2.142

10.7740/kjcs.2020.65.2.142
14

Kasongo RK, Verdoodt A, Kanyankogote P, Baert G, Van Ranst E. 2013. Response of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) to coffee waste application on a humid tropical sandy soil. Soil Use Manag. 29:22-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12006

10.1111/sum.12006
15

Keith B, Germann P. 1982. Macropores and water flow in soils. Water Resour Res. 18:1311-1325. https://doi.org/10.1029/WR018i005p01311

10.1029/WR018i005p01311
16

Kim DH, Hur SO, Hwang SA, Oh BY, Park MK, Yang HS, Ok JH. 2023. Evaluation of water balance for winter crop (forage barley) using different upland soil weighable lysimeters. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 56:375-385. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.375

10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.375
17

Kim DJ, Han KH, Zhang YS, Cho HR, Hwang SA, Ok JH. 2018. Evaluation of evapotranspiration in different paddy soils using weighble lysimeter before flooding stage. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 51:510-521. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.510

10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.510
18

Kim KY, Ji HC, Lee SH, Lee KW, Kim WH, Jung MW, Seo S, Choi GJ. 2010. Yield and nutritive value of spring-seeded early and late maturity Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 30:97-102. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2010.30.2.097

10.5333/KGFS.2010.30.2.097
19

Kim KY, Lee KW, Lee SH, Choi GJ, Park HS, Ji HC, Jang YS, Hwang TY. 2022. A new late-maturing variety of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), ‘IR901’, with high forage productivity in the southern region of South Korea. J. Korean Soc. Int Agric. 34:67-72. https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2022.34.1.67

10.12719/KSIA.2022.34.1.67
20

Kim TH, Kim SM. 2023. Effects of nitrogen application levels on grain yield and yield-related traits of rice genetic resources. Korean J. Crop Sci. 68:276-284. https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2023.68.4.276

10.7740/kjcs.2023.68.4.276
21

Kim YJ, Jung JS, Choi KC. 2016. Effect of different fertilizer levels, split application rate, and seeding methods on dry matter yield and forage quality of Italian ryegrass in early spring on paddy field. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 36:303-308. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2016.36.4.303

10.5333/KGFS.2016.36.4.303
22

Lee HJ, Byeon JE, Hwang SG, Ryoo JW. 2020a. Change of dry matter yield and feed values according to different growth stages of Italian ryegrass and triticale cultivated in the central northern region. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 40:50-56. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.1.50

10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.1.50
23

Lee HJ, Byeon JE, Ryoo JW, Hwang SG. 2020b. Comparison of growth characteristics and forage productivity of Italian ryegrass in Yeongseo and Yeongdong of Gangwon Province. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 40:251-258. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.4.251

10.5333/KGFS.2020.40.4.251
24

Li YF, Panyavong X, Wang LL, Wu LZ, Yu YS, Kim JG. 2024. Effect of harvest time on seed and straw productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘GreenCall’ in southern region. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 44:247-254. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.4.247

10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.4.247
25

NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Science). 2011. Methods of soil analysis. RDA, Suwon, Korea.

26

NIAS (National Institute of Agricultural Science). 2022. Fertilization standard on crop. National Institute of Agricultural Science, Wanju, Korea.

27

Oh M, Choi BR, Lee SY, Jung JS, Park HS, Lee BH, Kim KY. 2021. Study on the forage cropping system of Italian ryegrass and summer forage crops at paddy field in middle region of Korea. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 41:141-146. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2021.41.2.141

10.5333/KGFS.2021.41.2.141
28

Ok JH, Han KH, Lee YJ, Zhang YS, Cho HR, Hwang SA, Kim SS, Lee JH, Kim DJ. 2018. Water balance for Chinese cabbage in spring season with different upland soils evaluated using weighable lysimeters. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 51:555-563. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.555

10.7745/KJSSF.2018.51.4.555
29

Oo AZ, Asai H, Kawamura K, Marui J, Nakahara K, Takai T, Saito H, Win KT, Pariasca-Tanaka J. 2023. Optimizing phosphorus management to increase grain yield and nutritional quality while reducing phytic acid concentration in black rice (Oryza sativa L.). Front Sustain Food Syst. 7:1200453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1200453

10.3389/fsufs.2023.1200453
30

Park MK, Ok JH, Kim DH, Hur SO, Hwang SA, Oh BY. 2025. Evaluation of water requirement for early maturing rice on different cultivation period using weighable lysimeter. Korean Soc. Climate Change Res. 16:133-145. https://doi.org/10.15531/KSCCR.2025.16.2.133

10.15531/KSCCR.2025.16.2.133
31

Park MK, Ok JH, Kim DH, Lee TG, Lee SG, Hur SO, Hwang SA, Oh BY, Yang HS. 2024. Estimation of water productivity with adjustment of rice cultivation period using paddy soil lysimeters. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 57:369-379. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.4.369

10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.4.369
32

Phohlo MP, Swanepoel P.A, Hinck S. 2022. Excessive nitrogen fertilization is a limitation to herbage yield and nitrogen use efficiency of dairy pastures in South Africa. Sustainability 14:4322. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074322

10.3390/su14074322
33

RDA (Rural Development Administration). 2022. Agricultural technology guide 91: Forage. pp. 119-123. RDA, Jeonju, Korea.

34

Seo MJ, Han KH, Cho HR, Ok JH, Zhang YS, Seo YH, Jung KH, Lee HS, Kim GS. 2017. Interpreting in situ soil water characteristics curve under different paddy soil types using undisturbed lysimeter with soil sensor. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 50:336-344. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2017.50.5.336

10.7745/KJSSF.2017.50.5.336
35

Seo MJ, Han KH, Jung KH, Cho HR, Zhang YS, Choi SY. 2016. Effect of temperature and plow pan on water movement in monolithic weighable lysimeter with paddy sandy loam soil during winter season. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 49:300-309. http://dx.doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2016.49.4.300

10.7745/KJSSF.2016.49.4.300
36

Seo S, Chung ES, Kim KY, Choi GJ, Ahn JN, Han JS, Park HK, Kim YS. 2010. Comparison of forage productivity and quality of Italian ryegrass and barley mono, and mixtures sown in early spring. Kor. Grassl. Forage. Sci. 30:115-120. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2010.30.2.115

10.5333/KGFS.2010.30.2.115
37

Woo JH, Min CW, Choi BR, Lee KW. 2024. Growth characteristics and yield of a new Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) variety, ‘Earlybird’. J J. Kor. Grassl. Forage. Sci. 44:127-132. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.2.127

10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.2.127
38

Xie K, Carmak I, Wang S, Zhang F, Guo S. 2020. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions between potassium and magnesium in higher plants. Crop J. 9:249-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2020.10.005

10.1016/j.cj.2020.10.005
39

Yang HS, Kim DH, Hur SO, Park MK, Ok JH, Choi WJ. 2025. Assessment of evapotranspiration and water balance during winter onion and Italian ryegrass cultivations in monolithic weighable lysimeters with sandy loam texture. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 58:202-212. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.2.202

10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.2.202
40

Yu YS, Wang LL, Li YF, Panyavong X, Lee BH, Kim JG. 2024. Comparative study on seed and straw productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘GreenCall’ according to nitrogen fertilization level in southern region of Korea. J. Kor. Grassl Forage Sci. 44:64-70. https://doi.org/10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.2.64

10.5333/KGFS.2024.44.2.64
41

Yun SI, Kwak JH, Choi BR, Kim GY. 2021. Salt removal from soil by winter and spring cultivation of tall fescue and Italian ryegrass in Saemangeum reclaimed tidal land. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 54:514-524. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2021.54.4.514

10.7745/KJSSF.2021.54.4.514
Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 58
  • No :4
  • Pages :643-654
  • Received Date : 2025-09-15
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-05
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.4.643
Journal Informaiton Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
KJSSF Online Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close