The effect of sward structure and n fertilization on the grass-legume silage quality

The effect of sward structure of the mixtures and nitrogen fertilization on grass-legume silage quality was investigated  over two years. The study included Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) in monoculture and in mixtures with cocksfoot ( Dactylis  glomerata ), tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ) and sainfoin ( Onobrychis sativa ). Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to the  field plots at four different rates: 0, 70, 140 and 210 kg ha -1 . The quality of lucerne silage was inferior to lucerne silage  mixed with grasses due to the greater content of ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N), acetic (AA) and butyric acids (BA), and  reduced content of the lactic acid (LA). Gradual increase of N fertilization significantly has increased the content of  NH 3 -N, AA and BA and decreased the content of LA.

[1]  D. Nikšić,et al.  FORAGE QUALITY AND ENERGY CONTENT OF PERENNIAL LEGUME-GRASS MIXTURES AT THREE LEVEL OF N FERTILIZATION , 2014 .

[2]  M. Richardson,et al.  Silage fermentation characteristics of grass species grown under two nitrogen fertilizer inputs and harvested at advancing maturity in the spring growth , 2013 .

[3]  Yuxi Wang,et al.  Effects of mixing sainfoin with alfalfa on ensiling, ruminal fermentation and total tract digestion of silage , 2007 .

[4]  K. Han,et al.  Characteristics of baled silage made from first and second harvests of wilted and severely wilted forages , 2006 .

[5]  G. Bélanger,et al.  Nitrogen fertilizer application and developmental stage affect silage quality of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) , 2005 .

[6]  U. Wyss.  Ensilability of different grass/clover mixtures. , 2004 .

[7]  L. Rajčáková,et al.  Theory and practice of ensuring good quality of silages from grass and legumes. , 2003 .

[8]  P. Lattemae,et al.  The improvement of lucerne silage quality by using additives and lucerne-grass mixtures , 2002 .

[9]  N. T. Faithfull,et al.  Methods in Agricultural Chemical Analysis: a Practical Handbook , 2003 .

[10]  T. Keady,et al.  Prediction of silage feeding value from the analysis of the herbage at ensiling and effects of nitrogen fertilizer, date of harvest and additive treatment on grass silage composition , 2000, The Journal of Agricultural Science.

[11]  Keady,et al.  An evaluation of potassium and nitrogen fertilization of grassland, and date of harvest, on fermentation, effluent production, dry-matter recovery and predicted feeding value of silage , 1998 .

[12]  P. O'kiely,et al.  An evaluation of the effects of rate of nitrogen fertilization of grassland on silage fermentation, in-silo losses, effluent production and aerobic stability , 1996 .

[13]  T. Mela,et al.  Comparison of red clover-grass silage with grass silage for milk production , 1992 .

[14]  P. M. Haigh,et al.  Effect of silage additives and wilting on silage fermentation, digestibility and intake, and on liveweight change of young cattle , 1985 .

[15]  農業技術研究所.  Official methods of analysis of fertilizers , 1982 .

[16]  W. Horwitz.  Official Methods of Analysis , 1980 .