The aim of this study was to determine whether meat and bone meal (MBM) can be used as NP fertilizer for spring barley grown for fodder. A two-factorial field experiment was conducted in Poland. Experimental factor I was MBM dose (0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 t/ha/year) which was compared to the mineral fertilization (NPK), factor II was the year of the study (two consecutive years). MBM used in doses higher than 1.0 t/ha had a more beneficial influence on the grain yield of spring barley and grain plumpness than mineral fertilizers. The positive yield-forming effect of MBM doses 2.0 t/ha and 2.5 t/ha was statistically significant. The nitrogen (N) content of grain was similar in treatments with MBM and mineral fertilization. The two highest MBM doses contributed to a significant decrease in the phosphorus (P) content of grain, particularly in the second year of the study, in comparison with the remaining MBM doses and mineral fertilizers. Grain yield and N content were also affected by the year of the study, due to weather conditions and the residual effect of MBM. The optimal MBM dose was 1.5 t/ha, which allowed to produce 5.1 t/ha of the plumpest grain whose N and P content was consistent with the feeding standards for livestock.
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