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: F<sub>1</sub> = without NPK fertilization, F<sub>2 </sub>= P<sub>30</sub> + K<sub>60</sub>, F<sub>3</sub> = N90 + P<sub>30</sub> + K<sub>60</sub>, F<sub>4</sub> = N<sub>180</sub> + P<sub>30</sub> + K<sub>60</sub> kg/ha), four levels of cutting intensity (I<sub>1</sub>-4, I<sub>2</sub>-3, I<sub>3</sub>-2, early, I<sub>4</sub>-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 F<sub>1</sub>/F<sub>2</sub>) 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<br />(I<sub>1</sub>-6.41 – I<sub>2</sub>-6.59 – I<sub>3</sub>-6.97 – I<sub>4</sub>-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.