Effects of different nitrogen doses and cultivars on some nutritive value of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. westerwoldicum) silage

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different nitrogen doses and cultivars on some nutritive value of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. westerwoldicum) silage. Material and Methods: The study was conducted as a field experiment at Ege University, Department of Field Crops during the growing season of 2019-2020. Four annual ryegrass cultivars (Elif, Big Boss, Baquend, and Medoacus) and five nitrogen doses (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha-1) were investigated. Some characteristics tested in the experiment were silage dry matter, crude ash, crude protein contents, NDF and ADF contents and silage RFV. Results: The characteristics studied were affected by the applications. While the highest silage dry matter ratio was obtained with 225 kg N ha-1, 300 kg N ha-1 application gave the highest crude protein rate and RFV. The lowest NDF and ADF rates were obtained at a fertilizer rate of 300 kg N ha-1 application. Baquend cv. gave the highest silage dry matter ratio and crude ash ratio.The highest crude protein ratio, lowest NDF and ADF ratios and highest silage RFV were obtained from Elif cv. Conclusion: Elif cultivar had acceptable silage properties at a nitrogen dose of 225 kg ha-1.