The effect of trophism level and exploitation intensity on the production characteristics of grassland community dominated by Festuca arundinacea Schreb

Abstract

In 2004-2009, a small-plot trial was conducted on permanent grassland dominated by Festuca arundinacea Schreb. on the mesohygrophytic site in order to evaluate effects of four levels of nutrition: F1 = without NPK fertilization, F2 = P30 + K60, F3 = N90 + P30 + K60, F4 = N180 + P30 + K60 kg/ha), four levels of cutting intensity (I1-4, I2-3, I3-2, early, I4-2, late cut) and their interactive influence, i.e. a total of 16 variants on the production of forage dry matter, production of crude protein (CD) and net energy of lactation (NEL) per hectare. The dominant influence of N-nutrition is documented by significant differences in forage dry matter (DM) production between the variants (with the exception of F1/F2) ranging from 4.41-4.80 to 8.44-9.83 t/ha. The effect of different exploitation level on the production is subdominant and no significant differences were found either in the production of forage DM (I1-6.41 - I2-6.59 - I3-6.97 - I4-7.50 t/ha) or in the production of nutrients. Management models to be recommended for the given type of sward with respect to the interactive influence, efficacy of forage production and quality are as follows: (a) three cuts/180 kg N + PK/ha with forage suitable for dairy cows; (b) two cuts/90 kg N + PK/ha with forage suitable for cattle breeds kept for meat.