Determining the optimum harvest time of grasses
2002
Kaldmae, H. | Kibbal, I. | Kaert, O. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Inst. of Animal Science)
The optimum harvest time of the first cut of grasses was determined during 1996...2000. For that purpose, from test plots in different regions of Estonia the grass samples, from budding to flowering stage, were collected in spring twice a week. The dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber content of the samples was determined. In every growth region, there were two fields of different composition, one of them constituted graminaceous grasses and the other papilionaceous grasses. The optimum hatvest time of the first cut depends on weather conditions, first of all on the sum of effective temperatures, whereas it differs by years and growth regions. According to the sum of effective temperatures and the relevant formula, it is possible to prognosticate the protein and crude fibre content of grasses. In spring the average protein content of graminaceous grasses decreases by 0.5 per cent and that of papilionaceous grasses by 0.3...0.4 per cent a day. Thus the optimum harvest time of the first cut is rather short - about one week in case of graminaceous grasses, and about 10 days in case of papilionaceous grasses. Compared to the optimum harvest time of clover-rich grasses, the graminaceous grasses should be harvested earlier. During longer period, silage from grasses of high nutritive value can be prepared in case of growing different species of graminaceous grasses, papilionaceous grasses and their mixtures
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