Effect of Cutting Pattern and Fertilization Level on Species Diversity and Evaluation of Grassland Quality

Abstract

Abstract) were combined with four treatments of exploitation intensity (4 cuts per year, fi rst cut on 15 th May, every next a er 45 days; 3 cuts per year, fi rst cut on 30 th May, every next a er 60 days; 2 cuts per year, fi rst cut on 15 th June, next a er 90 days; 2 cuts per year, fi rst cut on 30 th June, next a er 90 days). Numbers of species, Simpson's diversity index and evaluation of grassland quality according to Novák (2004) were evaluated. Numbers of species and Simpson's diversity index were signifi cantly aff ected by both fertilization level and cutting pattern. Species richness decreased along with increasing fertilization rates from 29.4 (no fertilization) to 27.8 (N180PK). When comparing cutting pattern treatments the highest species richness was found in four-cut swards (29.6 in average of fertilization levels) and it declines towards late double-cut regime (27.2). The Simpson's index generally increased from two-cut swards to four-cut and from fertilized treatments to control. Grassland quality was signifi cantly aff ected by cutting pattern. Values increased from four-cut swards (38.1) to two-cut ones (43.8 and 44.0 in early and late harvest respectively).

The Dessau Grassland Experiment—Impact of Fertilization on Forage Quality and Species Assembly in a Species-Rich Alluvial Meadow

“…Contrary to the assumption that alluvial grassland target species number decreases under nitrogen fertilization according to species richness [33,95], there was no decline during the 8-year study period. This is in accordance with the Steinach grassland experiment, the results of which concluded that species composition in productive alluvial grasslands is substantially less affected by fertilizer application than in low-productivity grasslands [36].…”