Abstract
Managing N, P and K inputs in semi-natural meadow production systems is important for achieving maximum yields in livestock farming. The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of different NPK levels (N0P0K0, N50P50K50, N100P50K50, N100P100K100, N150P100K100 and N200P150K150 kg ha-1 yr-1) on the yield, quality and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) in a grassland community of Agrostietum capillaris (semi-natural meadow) in western Serbia. The study was conducted during the seasons of 2005-2008. The values of the investigated parameters, except for the unit N uptake, were the highest in 2004/2005 due to favorable climate conditions. The levels of nitrogen significantly increased all of the studied parameters compared to the control treatment, except for unit N uptake. Mineral fertilizers at N200P150K150 provided the highest green forage yield (25.12 t ha-1), dry matter yield (8.12 t ha-1), crude protein yield (876.3 kg ha-1), nitrogen uptake (140.2 kg ha-1) and nitrogen nutrition index (70.2%), and the lowest unit N uptake (0.0022 kg N kg DMY-1). The use of mineral fertilizers increased green forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield, increasing fertilizer from lowest to highest rate increased fresh and dry matter yield, as well as protein yield. Based on the results of the study, monitoring of nutrition indices would be necessary in order to increase productivity and economic benefits.
Highlights
The impacts of climate and biodiversity on biomass are well known, but the relative significance of these two factors with regard to management and utilization has not been studied extensively (Bernhardt-Römermann et al, 2011)
The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of different NPK levels (N0P0K0, N50P50K50, N100P50K50, N100P100K100, N150P100K100 and N200P150K150 kg ha-1 yr-1) on the yield, quality and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) in a grassland community of Agrostietum capillaris in western Serbia
The interpretation of the content of plant macronutrients and, based on them, the quality of grassland for animal feed is a highly complex issue due to varying botanical compositions, nutrient concentration changes during growth, and interactions among the elements (Liebisch et al, 2013). These authors have investigated the use of P nutrient indices (PNI) for grass fractions and proposed the following ranges for grassland fertilization: N:P 5.5–9.0 and K:P 6.0–10.5
Summary
The impacts of climate and biodiversity on biomass are well known, but the relative significance of these two factors with regard to management and utilization has not been studied extensively (Bernhardt-Römermann et al, 2011). The interpretation of the content of plant macronutrients and, based on them, the quality of grassland for animal feed is a highly complex issue due to varying botanical compositions, nutrient concentration changes during growth, and interactions among the elements (Liebisch et al, 2013). These authors have investigated the use of P nutrient indices (PNI) for grass fractions and proposed the following ranges for grassland fertilization: N:P 5.5–9.0 and K:P 6.0–10.5. There are different opinions about critical values and economically viable NPK ratios for grassland fertilization, depending on the Assessment of yield, quality and nitrogen
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