fertilization

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Bussink D.W., Van Middelkoop J.C., Holshof G. and Van der Draai H.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Optimal potassium (K) fertilisation stimulates grassland production. In 2011 and 2012 fertiliser trials on grassland were executed to update the 40-year-old recommendations. Farm field trials were executed on 24 locations on sand, clay and peat soils with varying K-availability and buffering capacity. There were three treatments on each site: with or without cattle slurry application, two nitrogen (N) levels (60 and 120 kg N ha‑1) and two K fertiliser levels (0 and 60 kg K2O ha‑1). Uptake of K in the first and second cut (to account for any residual effect) was determined to derive the optimal K-application rate. In parallel there was a seasonal trial with different N and K levels to test the interaction of K with N. Fertilisation with 60 kg K2O ha‑1 resulted in extra yield of the first cut of 200 to 650 kg DM ha‑1. The fertiliser increased the yield in the seasonal trials up to 2 tons DM ha‑1 year‑1. The experimental data were used to develop a new recommendation system based on the soil parameters of cation exchange capacity and available K determined in 0.01 M CaCl2. The new recommendation results, on average, in a lower K application rate than the previous recommendation.

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Meripõld H., Tamm U., Tamm S. and Võsa T.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a forage legume that has been grown in Estonia for approximately 43 years. Pure galega is known to be a persistent and high-yielding crop rich in nutrients, in particular crude protein (CP). Galega is usually grown in a mixture with grass in order to optimize its nutrient concentration, increase dry matter (DM) yield and improve fermentation properties. There are certain grass species suitable for the mixture. In this study galega mixtures with reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) cv. Marathon, timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cv. Tika, red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) cv. Kauni and festulolium cv. Hykor were investigated in two successive years (2013-2014). Three cuts were carried out during in both years. Nitrogen (N) fertilization (rate of N50) was applied in spring before the first and second cuts. Early-season N applications to galega-grass swards can prevent N-deficiency in the spring. The total dry matter yield varied from 7.6 to 13.7 Mg ha‑1. The CP concentration in the DM varied from 123-188 g kg‑1. Both DM-yield and CP were dependent on the year, mixture and fertilization. High N fertilization favoured grass growth and reduced the role of galega in the sward.

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Pleșa A., Rotar I., Păcurar F., Vidican R., Balázsi A. and Stoian V.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Semi-natural grassland in the Central area of Apuseni Mountains, Romania is fertilized only with organic fertilizers. Manure from cows and horses is applied in quantities of 6 to 10 Mg ha‑1. There has been a recent tendency for intensification of grassland close to human settlements and a decline or even abandonment of that located further away. An experiment with four variants was established in order to follow the effect of enhanced inputs of manure on Festuca rubra L. grassland, in terms of productivity, quality and biodiversity, as well as to recommend the optimum quantity of fertilizer. Production increased with increasing amounts of manure, but the quality of fodder did not show the same trend. The cover of Centaurea phrygia C. A. Mey and Pimpinella major L. increased in the treatments with large amounts of manure and these species contributed to significant reductions in fodder quality.

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Samuil C., Muntianu I.C., Popovici C.I., Stavarache M. and Vintu V.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
The current tendency is for intensification of livestock farming, pursuing continuous improvement of quantitative and qualitative performance of products. Intensification of meadows can be achieved through the use of valuable species, highly productive varieties of perennial grasses and legumes, by cultivating perennial grasses and legumes in mixtures and by proper management of meadows. Unlike pure cultures, mixing alfalfa with orchard grass provides a more balanced energy-protein feed, while providing the opportunity of ensiling alfalfa in good condition due to the contribution of soluble carbohydrates provided by the orchard grass. The purpose of this research was the capitalization of pure-crop alfalfa and mixed crop of alfalfa with orchard grass as succulent fodder packed in bales. Objectives and activities are represented by quantifying the quantitative elements which express the quantitative value, as well as the elements which express the qualitative value of fodder. The highest average yields achieved over three years, for all three mixtures tested, were obtained by fertilizing with N100P50 kg ha‑1. The quality of the fodder was influenced by the proportions of the two species in the mixture and by the level of fertilisation.

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Tampere M., Kauer K., Keres I., Parol A., Pitk P., Selge A., Viiralt R. and Raave H.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
The of production biogas from cattle slurry is increasing in Estonia, but there is not enough information about the efficiency of using its by-product digestate as grassland fertilizer. Therefore a farm experiment was conducted to study the impact of cattle slurry digestate, undigested (raw) cattle slurry and inorganic compound fertilizer on grassland yield. Organic fertilizers were applied in amounts to provide 25 kg ha‑1 P yr‑1. The application rates of cattle slurry digestate and cattle slurry provided 80.7 and 61.1 kg NH4 +-N ha‑1 yr‑1 respectively, and the mineral compound fertilizer was 80 kg N ha‑1 yr‑1. Grass yield was measured three times in the growing period. Our research showed that NH4 +-N from cattle slurry digestate was not as effective as N from mineral fertilizer. Despite the higher NH4 +-N application amount with digestate its yield was similar to the cattle slurry treatment.