Fjölrit RALA - 15.12.2000, Page 13

11
Analysis
Soil nutrients were measured in an AL extract (ammoniumacetate-lactate), and pH was
measured in water and the volume weight was performed by weighing a 25 ml gauge glass
filled with dry soil.
The samples were all ground in Iceland. Digestibility was measured in vitro (Tilley
and Terry, 1963). Protein was analyzed with the Kjeldahl method and minerals with the ICP
technique. For NIR analysis of digestibility the database from a three year experiment at
Korpa was used. In that experiment different species were harvested regularly during the
growth period. For NIR analysis of the protein a database consisting of samples from farmers
was used.
Weather observations
Climatic data were collected regularly at the experimental stations at Kollafjorður,
Upemaviarsuk and Korpa. Weather observations from Narsarsuaq are from Narsarsuaq
airport, located a few km from the experiment. Observations of temperature to a height of 2
m and the means are based on daily maximum and minimum temperatures. This method leads
to a slight overestimation of temperature means. Precipitation was measured at all locations
but radiation and soil temperature only in Iceland. Monthly temperature and precipitation data
are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
Table 3. Monthly mean temperature ('C) at the experimental sites during the experimental period.
Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
1996
Kollafjorður 5.9 3.0 4.2 6.7 5.9 9.7 10.1 11.4 11.1 7.9 1.0 2.5
Korpa 1.8 -1.6 2.1 4.4 7.0 10.0 11.2 10.5 10.7 4.1 -3.3 0.1
Upemaviarsuk -4.5 -4.3 -1.7 2.2 5.2 6.1 7.3 7.5 6.7 0.2 -3.1 -4.1
Narsarsuaq -4.2 -5.0 -1.7 3.3 7.3 9.4 10.2 8.2 7.2 -0.8 -5.8 -6.3
1997
Kollafjorður 3.7 2.5 4.1 4.7 6.4 9.2 11.8 12.3 9.0 6.5 6.7 5.7
Korpa 0.5 -1.7 -0.8 3.4 6.0 8.6 12.5 11.3 7.8 4.7 3-. 5 2.0
Upemaviarsuk -1.3 -10.9 -6.3 1.4 5.4 7.3 7.5 7.6 6.0 3.4 -2.5 -1.7
Narsarsuaq -2.4 -15.7 -7.8 1.4 6.5 9.6 10.6 8.9 6.2 3.2 -4.3 -2.1
1998
Kollafjorður 3.5 3.3 3.0 4.9 7.5 8.3 10.7 11.1
Korpa 0.1 -1.3 -2.3 3.8 7.0 10.3 11.5 11.4
Upemaviarsuk -2.7 -9.2 -5.4 3.7 4.6 6.3 8.1 7.8
Narsarsuaq -2.8 -10.5 -7.9 4.7 6.7 10.6 10.4 8.8