Effect of different doses of an amendment and an organo-mineral fertiliser on the production of forage maize

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Ferreiro-Domínguez N., Rigueiro-Rodríguez A. and Mosquera-Losada M.R.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Animal feed is the main cost on dairy farms. Maize can produce quality silage for dairy cattle at less cost than silage from grass, and at the same time increases milk yield and milk protein content. Moreover, supplementation with concentrates can be reduced and profitability is improved. The correct use of amendments and fertilisers could improve maize production and its nutritional content and also reduce costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on forage maize production of different application rates of an amendment (5, 15, 25 and 35 Mg ha‑1) and an organo-mineral fertiliser (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha‑1) developed with organic matter from industrial wastes and with inorganic sulphur from a refinery, in comparison with the mineral fertilisation usually carried out in the area where the experiment was conducted (Spain). The results obtained did not show a significant effect of the different rates of the amendment on maize production, probably because the amount of N applied to the soil was similar. However, high rates of the organo-mineral fertiliser increased the production of forage maize, probably by the soil fertility improvement associated with this treatment.