Search
Search Results
-
The effects of fertilization on 2 year old established swards. Yield and mineral content 6.
94-106Views:58The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the hay yield and mineral element content of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002, the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The 1st year results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2005a, b). The main conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. As a function of N×P fertilization the two cuts of the hay yield made up 1.4-8.0 t/ha while the green herbage 5.0-24.0 t/ha. The N-fertilization was of vital importance, which increased the hay mass 5 times. The P-response was moderate in the 1st, cut while there were no K-responses at all on this soil with 135 mg/kg ammoniumlactate (AL) soluble K2O values in plough layer.
2. On those plots well supplied with PK the 100 kg/ha/yr N-treatment gave a total of 48 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The 200 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 11 kg, while the 300 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 4 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The NO3-N content of the 1st cut hay increased over permitted 0.25% level when using the maximum N-rate and made up this NO3-N form 26% of the total-N pool. The optimum PK-supplies in this site seems to be about 130-150 mg/kg AL-P2O5 and AL-K2O in plow layer with 200 kg/ha/yr N applied.
3. N-fertilization enhanced the content of N, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu and NO3-N, while the concentration of S, P, Al, Fe, B and Mo dropped in the primary hay. The increasing P-supply stimulated the uptake of P, Ca, Mn, Sr and Ba, while hinderned the uptake of S and Mo. The K-fertilization rose the content of K and Ba and diminished the concentration of Mo and the antagonistic metal cations like Ca, Mg and Na.
4. The NPK fertilization-induced Mo-deficiency can first of all jeopardized the fodder quality in this site. On the unfertilized plots the hay showed around 1.0 mg Mo /kg D.M., while on the N3P3K3 plots 0.1-0.2 mg/kg D.M. The P/Mo ratio lifted from 2-4 thousand up to 20 thousand. In the 2nd cut this phenomena partly disappeared, while developed the P-Zn antagonism. On P-control plots measured 15 mg/kg Zn
94
GYEPGAZDÁLKODÁSI KÖZLEMÉNYEK, 2006/4.
dropped to 10 mg/kg while the P/Zn ratio rose from 167 up to 364.
5. The 2nd cut hay had a little yield, yet was rich in minerals having 30-50% higher average element content compared with the primary hay. However the N, Al, Fe and Mo showed 2-times higher concentrations in the 2nd cut hay. There were found extra large, 25-fold differences in hay Na content as a function of N×K supply levels under synergetic effect of N and antagonistic effect of K treatment.
6. Summarizing the above we can state that the long-term fertilization may drastically change the content and ratios of elements built in hay through synergetic or antagonistic effects. In the air-dried 1st cut hay for example, the minima-maxima concentrations of measured elements varied as follows: N 0.7-3.0%, K 1.3-3.0%, Ca 0.3-0.5%, Mg 0.13-0.21%, S 0.15-0.32%, P 0.10-0.32%; Na 50-1400, Mn 60-120, Al 50-120, Fe 70-140, Sr 8-170, Zn 6-40, Ba and B 3-6, Cu 2.5-5.5, Ni 0.4-1.4, Mo 0.1-1.0 mg/kg. -
The effect of fertilization on the mineral contant of artificial grasslands 3.
57-66Views:83The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the mineral element content of an established all-grass sward with seed mixture of eight grass species in the 28th year of a long term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem loamy soil. The lay-out and method of the trial as well as the fertilizer responses on the hay yield were published elsewhere (Kádár 2004). The effect of fertilization on the nutritional values and nutrient yield also described earlier (Kádár and Győri, 2005). The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally, moderately well supplied with available K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4Nx4Px4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m, the area was prone to drought. In 2001, however the area had a satisfactory amount of 621mm precipitation with a fairly good distribution. The grass was established on 21. September 2000. The main results and conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. As a function of N-fertilization the element content of the 1st cut hay usually increased, except for Al and Mo, which showed dilution effects. The concentration of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, P, Sr, B, Ni enhanced with 25-50%, S and Co with 60-70%, N and Cu 2-times, NO3-N and Na about 5-times compared to the N-control. The P-fertilization stimulated uptake of Mn and Mg for 10-20%; S, NO3-N and Co for 40-50%, Na and for Sr 60-70%, P for 90%, however, inhibited the uptake of Zn and Co for 20-40%, Al and Fe for 50-60%, Mo for 70% compared to the P-control.
2. The P/Zn ratio showed on P-control soil optimal values of 118, while on highly P-supplied soil 278 P/Zn ratio, so indicating Zn-deficiency. As a function of PxK negative interactions, concentration of Fe dropped from 307 to 105 Al from 206 to 60, Mo from 0.44 to 0.05, Cr from 0.33 to 0.12 mg/kg in air-dry hay. The Cu/Mo ration on N-control soil showed the optimal value of approx. 10, while on heavily fertilized with N soil that of 40-80, indicating extreme Mo-deficiency.
3. The 2nd cut hay contained about 20% more N, K, Ca, Mg, Na, 40% more Cu, 70-80% more S and Mn, 90% more Fe and P, 140% more Al and nearly 5-times more Mo. The content of B did not changed, while NO3-N dropped about 40% . The Cu/Mo ratio showed value of 2.6 on N-control soil, while on heavily fertilized with N soil ratio of 7.8. The P/Zn ratio indicated on P-control soil optimal value of 150, while on overfertilized with P soil value of 269. So, the P-induced Zn-deficiency could also be proven in the 2nd cut hay, while the Cu-induced Mo-deficiency disappered.
4. The N-fertilization stimulated in the 2nd cut hay also the accumulation of elements N, K, Mg, P, Mn, Cu and Ni with 20-50% compared to the N-control. The NO3-N increased 4-times, while Na content 10-times. However the elements Fe, Al, B, Mo and Cr showed a dilution effect with 20-60%. The P-fertilization increased the concentration of Mn, Sr, Cd, Co, S and P, while decreased the content of Na, NO3-N, Cu and Zn. As a general rule, the K-fertilization hindered the accumulation of metal cations. The P-induced Cd accumulation was fully counterbalanced by increasing K-supply of soil.
5. Summarizing above we can state that the long-term fertilization can drastically (in some cases with an order of magnitude) change the concentrations and ratios of elements built in hay through synergetic or antagonistic effects. In the 1st cut hay, for example, the minima-maxima contents of measured elements varied in air-dry hay as follows: N 0.90-3.02, Ca 0.4-0.7, S 0.14-0.32, P 0.12-0.30, Mg 0.10-0.24%; Na 70-700, Fe 100-288, Al 45-250, Mn 71-130, Sr 10-22, Zn 7-14, Ba 6-11, B 3.6-8.1, Ni 0.3-1.6, Cr 0.1-0.4, Mo 0.04-0.44, Co 0.04-0.12 mg/kg. -
Sandy grasslands along the Danube are dominant Content values of Festuca species (preliminary study)
3-7Views:130There is a very old practice of grazing livestock in Hungary. Plants of the pastures are the most valuable feed for grazing animals. Supplementation of feed rations with fibre improves the saturation of the digestive tract, resulting in calmer animals and improved animal welfare. Grasses of pastures can be a useful supplement as they contain a lot of digestible fibre. Our purpose was to find out the grassland management values of sandy grasslands dominated by Festuca species along the Danube. We carried out cutting samples along the Danube, from the north-western part of the Little Hungarian Plain, through the sandy plains of the Carpathian Basin, Serbia, Romanian Plain to Bulgaria. The cut samples were analysed in the laboratory of MATE based on Weende analysis. The original dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre content, as well as the measurement of fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were analysed. The results showed that absolute dry matter, crude fibre and NDF contents were high in all samples. The five samples of Festuca species analysed showed significant differences in dry matter and crude fibre. Festuca wagneri had the highest dry matter content. The highest crude protein content was found in samples of Festuca vaginata, Festuca wagnerii and Festuca rupicola, but the highest crude fibre content was found in samples of Festuca tomanii.
-
Monthly changes in the production and content values of wet Hungarian gray cattle pasture and the relationship with species richness
19-28Views:133Grassland management tests were performed on different grazing loaded gray cattle pasture and hayland areas 4 times (April, May, June, September) during the grazing season in Tapolca-basin. 5-5 pieces of 2×2 m samples were examined on each sample area, prepared according to the Braun-Blanquet method (1964) in April, May, June and September and with this, we also measured the amount of biomass and its content.
Based on results additional pasture had the largest gazing livestock carrying capacity but it had the weakest feed quality as well. During grazing season due to ongoing livestock grazing, species composition has changed the most in case of pasture and the number of species was the greatest here as well. Proportion of grasses declined in parallel with the amount of legumes, which grown till late summer.
Nutrient content of pasture forage was the most appropriate because of high crude protein and less crude fiber content. Grazing for 34 days/year was not enough in case of additional pasture where Festuca arundinacea had the largest coverage. This is reflected in low number of species richness and small nutritional values of sample areas. For sedge rich low-lying areas mowing utilization is the most effective. -
Comparing of soil and rhizoplane of grasses
13-17Views:61The aims of this paper were to determine and compare the most important physical, chemical and microbial characteristics of seven grassland areas near Debrecen.
Physical properties: moisture content (t%), clay and silt contents (Li%), soil plasticity according to Arany (KA), were measured.As were the chemical characteristics: pH, salt content (%). lime content (it depends on pH), humus content, organic nitrogen and mineral materials (nitrate nitrogen, ammonium lactate soluble phosphorous and potassium).
The total viable number of bacteria, the amount of cellulose decomposing and nitrifying bacteria and the quantity of microscopic fungi were studied. Additionally, some soil enzyme activities, such as phosphatase and catalase as well as carbon-dioxide production were determined.
The number of microbes and the microbiological activity of the soils were higher in autumn than in summer. The lowest number of bacteria was determined in solonchak-solonetz soil. The phosphatase enzyme activity and the CO2 production are connected with the higher organic matter content of the soils. The increasing sodification decreased the phosphatase activity and the intensity of CO2 production. Meadow soil type led to an increase in catalase activity.
During the examination zhe rhizoplane of two test plants per grassland was also studied. The umber of microorganisms in the rhizoplane of test plants was usually higher than the values obtained in soil samples.
Within one soil types there were differences between two test plants including the same or different family.
There were no considerable differences among the number of fungi genera isolated from the soil samples and the rhizoplane or among the results obtained in summer and autumn. Independent of the soil types and plant species, Fusarium, Mucor and Penicillium genera were found in large percentages promoted by the rainy summer and autumn season. -
The effects of fertilization on a 6 years old established grassland
19-30Views:67The effect of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined in the 33rd year of a long-term fertilization experiment on the yield and mineral element content of a 6 years old established all-grass sward in 2006, with seed mixture of eight grass species. The trial was established on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, super phosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. The 1st cut was made on 08th June, the 2nd one on 11th September. During the vegetation period of 8.5 months in 2006, the site had a total of 397 mm precipitation. The lay-out, method and main results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2004, 2008; Kádár és Győri, 2004, 2005). Main conclusions of this study are as follows:
- The 1st cut hay yield gave the ¾ of the total yield. Highest yields were reached with the 200 kg/ha/year N-fertilization on soil well supplied with P (Ammonium-lactate soluble P2O5: 214 mg/kg). The yield of NP control plots increased from 1.5 t/ha to about 7.5 t/ha as a function of the N×P positive interaction. The rising P supply alone was not able to enhance the yield, however the N fertilization gave 3.5 t/ha hay surplus even in the P-control treatments. N and P fertilization together resulted in 6.0-6.5 t/ha yield surpluses. The effect of K fertilization also reached 1 t/ha on the NP levels where the ammonium-lactate soluble K2O content fell below 150 mg/kg.
- The 2nd cut hay gave 0.5 t/ha on the NP-control plots unfertilized for 33 years, and 2.5 t/ha on the 300 kg/ha/year N treatment with well P-supply. The two cuts together resulted in yield levels between 2-10 t/ha according to the extreme NPK supply. In this year, with relatively good amount of precipitation, the hay yield surpluses for 1 kg N were 47-33-23 kg for the 100-200-300 kg/ha treatments.
- The C/N ratio of the 1st cut was narrowed (from 52 to 24) with N-supply and the concentration of N as well as most of the cations increased with the rising N fertilization. In the low yield of the 2nd cut the elements, metals were accumulated. The P, S and Sr were enriched in hay as a result of rising P supply, as superphosphate contains these elements. Antagonistic effect of P predominated in the uptake of other elements, metals (Na, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cr, Co). K content of the hay was lifting while other elements were dropping with the increasing K fertilization partly as a result of dilution effect (N, P, S) and mainly because of cation antagonism (Ca, Mg, Na, Sr). K-B antagonism also appeared.
- The N×K interactions resulted in 2-fold Sr and 18-22 fold Na content changes while N×P caused 18-22 fold changes in Mo contents, especially at the 2nd cut. As it can be seen, fertilization can have drastical effects on soil and crops. The induced element deficiencies or oversupplies can lead to diseases, disturbances in the metabolism of animals, so the soil and fodder analyses are necessary.
- Considering the leaf diagnostical data, the satisfactory level will be at 200 kg/ha/year N supply and 150 mg/kg ammonium-lactate soluble P2O5 and K2O level or above. The S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn supply were satisfactory even at the control plots, while the Zn, Cu and B levels showed deficiency. The P/Zn and K/B ratios became adversely wider in some treatments, as well as the narrowing of the Cu/Mo ratio denotes Cu deficiency and Mo oversupply.
- The amount of elements uptaken by hay as a sum of the two cuts and as a function of the supply/yield varied between the following values in kg/ha: 17-163 N; 36-122 K; 9-48 Ca; 6-17 P; 4-15 S; 3-14 Mg; 0,3-8,0 Na; 0,2-1,4 Fe; 0,2-0,9 Al and Mn. The other elements showed the following uptake: Zn 33-194, Sr 28-141, Ba 5-46, Cu 5-39, B 5-26, Mo 3-6 g/ha.
- The botanical composition was drastically modified by the aging of the grass and the nutrient supply. Only three species remained out of the eight sown species and one immigrated. Coverage of the tall fescue was between 21-70% according to the N×P supply and 44% as average; coverage of cocksfoot varied between 4-24% depending on the treatment and 18% as an average; coverage of crested wheatgrass was between 0-28% and 9% as an average; the immigrant smooth brome covered 0-24% and 9% as an average; Weed cover was 3-4% as an average at the 1st cut. Weeds thrived mainly on those areas where the grass thinned away (extreme NP-deficiency or oversupply). The total plant coverage on NP-deficient soil was about 50%, while on treatments well supplied with NP it amounted 95-97%.
-
The effects of fertilization on 2 year old established swards. Quality and nutrient yields 8.
119-128Views:61The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the quality nutritional values and nutrient yield of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4Nx4Px4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002, the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The 1st year results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2005a, b). The main conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. The N-responses were decisive for both the hay quality and the hay and nutrient yields. The N-fertilizer increased the crude protein content and diminished the same time the crude fibre, crude ash and total sugar contents in the hay. The P-responses were not significant while the K-fertilization stimulated the crude ash accumulation in both cuts.
2. The hay yield of 2 cuts in 2002 amounted to 1,7 t/ha on the N0P0K0 plots not receiving any fertilizer during the 29 experimental years, while on the maximum N3P3K3 supply levels figured out 8.7 t/ha. The same time here the crude fibre increased from 532 kg/ha to 2876 kg/ha, crude protein from 113 kg/ha to 1100 kg/ha, crude ash from 132 kg/ha to 672 kg/ha, crude fat from 39 kg/ha to 173 kg/ha, while the crude fibre/crude protein ratio dropped from 4.7 to 2.6.
3. After 3 years storing the decisive part of carotine decomposed in the hay and gave as little as 0.9 mg/kg average value. The N-control gave 0.6 mg/kg, the 200 kg/ha/yr N-treatment resulted in 1.3 mg/kg, than the N-excess 300 kg/ha/yr plots showed again significantly less 0.9 mg/kg.
4. The 2nd cut hay had a little yield however, was rich in crude protein and crude ash having 50-70% higher average content compared with the primary hay. The crude fat content was 3-times higher in the 2nd cut hay, while the crude fibre about 20% less. The ratio of crude fibre/crude protein figured as an average 1.9, while in the low-quality primary hay amounted 4.2.
5. The N-fertilization depressed the content of N-free extract and acid detergent fibre (ADF) and enhanced the content of energy dependent protein (MFE), N-dependent metabolic protein (MFN) and nettoenergy (NE) parameters. The P fertilization did not cause any changes, while the K-fertilization decreased the N-free extract and the nettoenergy parameters (NE) and slightly stimulated the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) synthesis in the 2nd cut hay. -
Comparison of the production of fenugreek (Trichonella foenum-graecum) experiments in 2018-2020
11-14Views:135The aim of our study is to compare the results (content values, yield) of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) experiments in 2018-2020. Fenugreek is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the legumes (Fabaceae) family. It is a multifunctional crop for use in domestic and farm animal feeds, wild fodder, herbs and spices. During the study period, nutrient supply treatments were applied to increase the production values of the plant. The weed suppressing ability of fenugreek in the post-emergence period (1-3 weeks) is very poor, so we had to use chemical weed control. During the experiment, the T. foenum-graecum stock was irrigated. The plant was harvested 80-90 days after sowing. The study was carried out in Kecskemét in 2018-2019, at the Demonstration Garden of John von Neumann University, Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development. The 2020 experiment was set up at the University of Szeged, Faculty of Agriculture.
-
The effect of fertilization on the yield and N uptake of artificial grasslands 1.
36-45Views:67The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations on the development, yield and N-uptake of an established all-grass sward were examined in the 28th year of a long-term fertilization experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4Nx4Px4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, super phosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2001, however, the area had a satisfactory amount of 621 mm precipitation with a fairly good distribution. The grass was established on 21. September 2000. The main results and conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. Grass herbage had a very favourable wet year in 2001 with over 700 mm rainfall during the total vegetation period. The hay yield of unfertilised control plots was by the 1st cut 1.7 t/ha, by the 2nd cut 1.2 t/ha, while the N3P3K3 treatment gave 8.8 t/ha and 4.2 t/ha resp., so NPK fertilization increased the air-dried hay yield from 3 t/ha to 13 t/ha (1st+2nd cuts together).
2. The N-requirement of the young grass was moderate while the P-response significant by the 1st cut. The optimum P-supply was at the 150 mg/kg ammonium lactate soluble AL-P2O5 in the plow layer. There were no K-responses on this soil with 135 mg/kg AL-K2O values.
3. There were no P responses any more by the 2nd cut even on the low P-supply soil, with 66 mg/kg AL-P2O5 value, while the applied N increased the hay yield 4 times. The optimum N content in the hay, leading to maximum yield, amounted 2% by the 1st cut and 2.5-3.0% at the 2nd cut. Applied N decreased air-dried content at the 1st cut from 33% to 31%, at the 2nd cut from 27% to 21%.
4. On the soil, well supplied with PK, the 100 kg/ha/yr N treatment gave the maximum hay surpluses: at the 1st cut 61 kg, at the 2nd cut 14 kg, that is a total of 75 kg hay/kg N applied. The 200 kg/ha/yr plots yielded 43 kg, 300 kg/ha/yr yielded 34 kg hay/kg N applied. The primary sward hay had 0.34% NO3-N in the 300 kg/ha/yr treatment, which was over the allowable 1.25% NO3-N limit for animal foodstuff. The NO3-N content in the N-control plots amounted 0.06%, in the 100 kg/ha/yr treatment 0.10%, in the 200 kg/ha/yr treatment 0.22%. At the 2nd cut the hay had generally, half as high NO3-N content as in the 1st cut hay in all treatments.
5. The apparent recovery of applied N, using difference method, was even more than 100% on the well supplied with PK soil suggesting that in these instances grass herbage could make a good use of soil NO3-N pool accumulated in soil during the previous period and not used by the crops. -
Digestibility and nutritive value of late mowed grassland
63-69Views:64Nutritive value of a fodder from extensive established pasture was tested. The nutrient content was measured by the Wendeeanalysis and by in vitro ruminant digestibility method. Results of former experiments showed that the nutritive value of an extensive established pasture in the case of late outdoor growing is low. In our results the highest crude protein content was in the year 2002, while in 2003 can be observed a steep decline, which showed in 2004 further decrease. The crude protein values were the highest in case of middle seed norm. The nutritive values of these pastures provide just supply for the demand and it was declined due to the negative N-balance in the rumen. Our results showed that the samples from the year of establishment could possibly be used for preserved feed (6.01 MJ NE l kg-1). The crop from all other years and sowing times did not reach a value of 5.00 MJ NE l kg-1, but approach a level of 4.4 to 4.5 MJ NE l kg-1, thus they would not be suitable for preserved feed. It can be recommended that this late season crop should rather be used for grazing of livestock than as preserved feed.
-
Studies on botany, forage and soils with aspects of nature conservation on grey cattle and water buffalo pastures of the Tapolcai and Káli basins: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.
47-53Views:154In the present work we introduce the coenological and pedological results of examination on the Balaton Upland (Badacsonytördemic, Csobánc, Káptalantóti and Kővágóőrs). Grass management plays an important role in nature conservation, rural development thus in the viability of rural population. Soil and water suffer from extreme degradation and pollution, partly because of agricultural activities, growing settlements and mining activity. We evaluated the changes in species composition and coverage, the possibly occurring regeneration or degradation and the effects of botanical composition changes on forage values, especially in case of economically valuable species. Investigations show strengths and weaknesses of having animals on grasslands. Sample sites were in Balaton Upland National Park, Hungary. Results proved that among the plants there are either weeds and/or poisonous and/or prickly species, too. We examined how important grasses and pulses appeared or disappeared, how did the number of overgrazing tolerant species changed and how did the species composition of the grazed and non-grazed land differed. Based on the results the characteristics of the examined pastures show the effects of overgrazing. With the decrease of the number of the animals, nature conservation and economical values could be increased. The examined areas had totally different soil characteristics, pH, soil thickness and nutrient content varied greatly. In the Gyulakeszi area even a small catena was found on a single pasture. The high soil organic matter and nutrient content ensure the good grass yield thus the areas are suitable for grazing and for grass cutting, too.
-
Factors affecting the thousand-grain weight of three grass cultivars
15-21Views:97We analyzed the effects of temperature, precipitation and the age of the mother plants on the change of an important seed quality parameter, the thousand-grain weight (TGW) in the case of three Hungarian cultivars of different grass species (’Tomaj’ red fescue, ’K-50’ tall fescue and ’K-51’ smooth brome). Examining the seed samples of six years from the stocks maintained at the MATE Georgikon Campus (Keszthely), we found that the age of the stocks did not affect the value of TGW. The age of the stocks did not affect the TGW. Only the heat sum lower than average showed negative effect to the TGW in the linear model applied the heat sum and total precipitation calculated between 1st of May to the harvest date, and the age of the stocks as independent factors. Precipitation had a positive but weak effect, the amount of precipitation calculated from 1st of November of the previous year to harvest correlated better with TGW. We also found that proper purification and the TGW-data correction for the same moisture content are necessary in such a comparative study of TGW values of grass seeds.
-
Effect of fertilization on the mineral element uptake of an established all-grass sward 4.
3-10Views:57The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the mineral element uptake of an established all-grass sward with seed mixture of eight grass species in the 28th year of a long term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem loamy soil. The lay-out and method of the trial as well as the fertilizer responses on the hay yield, nutritional values and element content were published elsewhere (Kádár, 2005, 2005a; Kádár és Győri, 2005). The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally, moderately well supplied with available K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4Nx4Px4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m, the area was prone to drought. In 2001, however, the area had satisfactory amount of 621 mm precipitation with a fairly good distribution. The grass was established on 21. September 2000. The main results and conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. As a function of NxP positive interactions the element uptake of the 1st cut hay expressed as mean of K treatments increased between the N0P0 control and the maximum N3P3 levels as follows: K 62-190, N 45-218, Ca 16-51, S 5-24, P 4-24, Mg 4-16, Na 0.5-5.0 kg/ha; Mn 282-968, Sr 35-170, Zn 32-73, Ba 29-55, B 18-44, Cu 8-40 g/ha. The uptake of Ba increased from 23 to 62 g/ha, that of Ni from 1.5 to 8.9 g/ha as a result of KxP positive interactions. Uptake of Mo measure on K0P0 soil, however, dropped from 1.6 g/ha to 0.4 g/ha on the K3P3 soil as a function of negative KxP interactions.
2. The 2nd cut hay harvested on 9th October 2001 showed only N-effects. The hay yield measured on N-control soil was 1.0 t/ha while on 300 kg/ha/yr N-treatment 3.9 t/ha. The uptake of Fe, Ba and Mo increased 2-fold; uptake of Ca, S, P, Sr, Zn and Co 3-4-fold, uptake of K, N, Mg, Mn, Ba and Cu 5-6-fold, while uptake of Na 33-fold with the maximum N-rate, compared to the N-control and as means of PK treatments.
3. The 2 cuts together gave on the unfertilised control 3 t/ha, while on the N3P3K3 maximum supply level 13 t/ha hay yield. The uptake of Fe, Cr, B, Ni, Mo and Co increased 2-3 times, uptake of Ca, Mg, Mn, K, Zn, Ba and Cu 5-6 times, uptake of S, Sr and P 7-8 times, uptake of N 10 times, while uptake of Na 16 times on the maximum N3P3K3 supply levels, compared to the unfertilised control. The maximal mass of uptaken K and N made up 388 kg/ha, Ca 80 kg/ha, S 49 kg/ha, P 42 kg/ha (96 kg/ha P2O5), Mg 24 kg/ha in 2001.
4. To have 1 t of air-dry hay it was used by grasses as a mean of 25 kg K (30 kg K2O), 20 kg N, 6 kg Ca (8-9 kg CaO), 2-3 kg S, 2 kg P (5 kg P2O5) and 2 kg Mg (3-4 kg MgO). For microelements: 300 g Na, 200 g Fe, 120 g Mn, 100 g Al, 16 g Sr, 13 g Zn, 8 g Ba, 5 g B, 5 g Cu, 1-2 g Ni, 1 g Mo, 0.2 g Cr and 0.1 g Co. The As, Hg Cd, Pb and Se were under detection limit of 1 g. Data may serve for assessing the nutrient demand of all-grass sward. -
Flow cytometric genome size estimation of Hungarian grass varieties
9-16Views:63In Keszthely, the breeding of grass species have several decades long history. Among other things, the aim of the maintenance work of the registered varieties is to preserve the ploidy levels that have been reported in the variety descriptions. Flow cytometry is a fast, modern tool for examining plant DNA content. In our pilot study, we compared the genome size of the four grass species maintained at the MATE Georgikon Campus with the data of known samples of similar ploidy levels published for the given grass species in the international database. Our results showed a high degree of agreement with the theoretically expected values, supporting the applicability of flow cytometry in plant breeding and in variety maintenance.