Effect of fertilization and use intensity on the diversity and quality of herbage

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to assess the species composition of grass stands used under regime of two and three cuts, the grassland species diversity and the grassland quality at different levels of nutrition. The experimental site is situated in the Bohemian-Moravian Upland at an altitude of 650 m a.s.l. The subjects of assessment are two-cut and three-cut grass stands with diverse intensities of nutrition: unfertilized, 30 kg ha−1 P and 60 kg ha−1 K fertilized, fertilized with 90 kg ha−1 N+PK, and fertilized with 180 kg ha−1 N+PK. Studied characteristics were as follows: share of dominant species in the harvested herbage, species diversity of the grass stand and grass stand quality. Evaluated were years 2002–2006. The two-cut use promoted development of Dactylis glomerata. The three-cut use promoted development of Poa ssp. The share of Alopecurus pratensis was equable in the two-cut and three-cut grass stands. The dose of N90+PK promoted Dactylis glomerata and was insufficient to increase the share of Alopecurus pratensis and Poa ssp. Fertilization resulted in the decreased share of most present herbs but de­ve­lop­ment of Polygonum bistorta was promoted, namely by the dose of N90+PK. In contrast, the application of PK promoted Trifolium repens. Fertilization had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on the share of individual species in the grassland. Three-cut grass stands exhibited a higher diversity than two-cut grass stands did. Fertilization had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on the decreased species diversity and on the increased grassland quality.

The efficiency of nutrient utilization by permanent grassland in the Kameničky locality

“…We found out that nitrogen produced by clover crops was readily utilized by other plants in the association due to the absence of nitrogen fertilization, which resulted in high yields. This correlation between the share of clover crops and yields was demonstrated also by Skládanka et al (2008).…”