Analysis of sward management factors influencing Festulolium and Lolium x boucheanum yield formation
2008
Gutmane, I., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Adamovics, A., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia)
Under conditions of the Latvian climate, forage grasses are the main fodder source in cattle breeding. Festulolium hybrids are among the most persistent and productive grasses of the grasses used in many Europe countries, especially in adverse environments. The aim of this research was to investigate dry matter yield formation and the sward persistency of Festulolium and Lolium x boucheanum varieties under the agro-ecological conditions of Latvia. Field trials were established on the sod–podzolic soil and fertilized with N 120 (60+60), N180 (60+60+60), P 78 and K 90 kg haE-1. Forages were harvested three times during the growing season. During the three years of utilization the dry matter yield for festulolium and ryegrass swards was reliably (P is less than 0.05) dependent on the used variety as well as in the nitrogen fertilization rate. The N fertilizer dose increase from 120 to 180 kg haE-1 contributed too significantly to the DM yield increase for all investigated varieties. On average the N fertilizer dose increase to 180 kg haE-1 contributed to DM yield increase by 1.91 t haE-1 or 20 percent. On the basis of the experiments in the years 2003-2006, significant differences in DM yield and winter hardiness were found between first, second and third year of yields. Dry matter yield was found to be strongly dependent on climatic conditions in the particular year of yields and the particular period of regrowth. Analysis of yield distribution between three cuts showed that a year of sward use had a very great effect on the DM yield of the first cut. For the first year it accounted for 51% of the annual yield, in second year the first cut yield reach only 39 % of the annual yield
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