The aim of this study was to assess the effects of organicfertilizers (cow manure + dung water; cattle slurry) applied in different annual doses of nitrogen (54, 84 and 120 kg/ha) by different intensities of grassland utilization (extensive – two cuts per year, medium intensive – three cuts per year, intensive – four cuts per year) on percentage of plant functional groups, dry matter yield, and forage quality. The study was performed on small-plot trial over 7 years on moderately moist grassland in the Czech Republic. The proportion of legumes was significantly higher in the treatments fertilized with cow manure + dung-water combined with medium intensive utilization and intensive utilization (10.2% and 10.3%, respectively). Fertilization significantly increased dry matter yields by 51.9% (cow manure + dung water) and 56% (cattle slurry) compared with unfertilized controls (4.81 t/ha). Grasslands fertilized with cattle slurry showed significantly higher concentration of crude protein (142.9 g/kg) compared with unfertilized (126.4 g/kg). Extensive grassland utilization significantly affected the increase of crude fibre concentration (up to 282.1 g/kg), and decrease of the energy value (up to 4.68 MJ g/kg of NEL). Organic matter digestibility was also negatively influenced by extensive grassland utilization (61.0%, 65.42% and 67.44% for the extensive, medium intensive and intensive utilization, respectively). Our findings suggested that medium intensive and intensive grassland utilization by the organic fertilization, which corresponded to annual doses of nitrogen of 84 and 120 kg/ha were the most suitable from the viewpoint of animal nutrition.

Karabcová H., Pospíšilová L., Fiala K., Škarpa P., Bjelková M. (2015): Effect of organic fertilizers on soil organic carbon and risk trace elements content in soil under permanent grassland. Soil & Water Res., 10: 228-235.The effect of different kinds of organic matter inputs on elemental composition, content, and quality of humic substances was studied on permanent grassland during 2008-2013. The experiment included two organic fertilizer types -compost and slurry, both with the range of stocking rates 0.9, 1.4, and 2.0 livestock units (LU)/ha (corresponding to 54, 84, and 120 kg N/ha, respectively), and control without any fertilizer. The soil was sandy-loam, of Cambisol type, with semi natural permanent grassland. Labile forms and total contents of selected trace elements (Co, Cu, Zn, Cd) and macroelements (Ca, Mg, K, P, and N) were measured. Soil organic matter parameters such as total organic carbon (C ox ), humic substances (HS), humic acid (HA), fluvic acid (FA), and labile carbon forms (hot-water extractable carbon (C hws ), cold water extractable carbon (C cws )) were determined. Results showed that the greatest content of P, Ca, Mg, and N in the soil was detected by the CO 2.0 treatment. Furthermore, the positive effect of compost on C ox , C hws , HA, FA, HS, N and macronutrients was observed. The elemental analysis of humic acids showed lower carbon content and higher oxygen content in HA molecule, which indicated young humic acids, with a lower condensation degree. The content and quality of humic substances strongly influenced the total and labile trace elements content in the soil. Additionally, hot water soluble carbon significantly correlated with plant available forms of Zn, Cu, and Cd.

AbstractŠTÝBNAROVÁ MARIE, MIČOVÁ PAVLÍNA, KARABCOVÁ HANA, SVOZILOVÁ MARIE: Occurrence of couch grass [Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski] under diff erent grassland management. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2013, LXI, No. 5, pp. 1399-1404 The objective of this research was to investigate occurrence of common couch grass (Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski) under diff erent grassland management by means of a small-plot trial. The trial was managed during 2003-2011 with four levels of utilisation: intensive (4 cuts per year, 1 st cut on 15 May), medium intensive (3 cuts per year, 1 st cut on 30 May), low intensive (2 cuts per year, 1 st cut on 15 June), and extensive (2 cuts per year, 1 st cut on 30 June). Four rates of fertilisation were applied for each utilisation treatment: nil-fertilisation, P 30 K 60 , N 90 P 30 K 60 , and N 180 P 30 K 60 (pure nutrients). The intensively utilised treatments without N fertilisation showed the lowest mean percentage cover of couch (3.0 %, and 2.8 %, respectively). Further, we found a signifi cant increase in couch grass cover (up to about 30 %) as a response to nitrogen fertilisation and it was most signifi cant in grasslands utilised with two cuts per year. It can be concluded that grassland utilisation in three cuts per year and the dose 90 kg.ha −1 of nitrogen led to the maintenance of the occurrence of couch at the reasonable level up to 10-15 %. permanent grasslands, couch grass, N fertilisation, cutting frequency Common couch grass (also called quackgrass: Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski) is considered a primary noxious highly invasive weed (Westra and Wyse, 1981). As Sheaff er et al. (2004) mentioned couch grass is noted for aggressive spreading by rhizomes and persistence. It is frequently concentrated in the hedge bottoms and fi eld margins and it rapidly spreads out from the fi eld margins into cultivated fi elds. As couch grass is adaptable to a range of environments and management regimes, it o en becomes the predominant grass in hay fi elds, pastures, and set-aside fi elds.Knowledge about the response of couch grass to the diff erent management practices is necessary to improve animal production. The occurrence of couch grass is one of the main factors reducing both grass yield and quality in cultivated meadows and pastures (Carrere et al., 2010). Subsequently, the animal performance could be negatively aff ected. A percentage cover of over 15 % is not generally desirable with respect to the poorer forage value of this species. Beside its negative impact on the forage quality in natural grasslands, couch grass is able to outcompete and exclude native vegetation, resulting in an overall loss of biodiversity.Considering the negative eff ects of the weeds occurred in farmland areas they are o en commonly controlled by herbicides (Hasan, 1994;Davis and Ballingal, 2009). Chemical methods of couch grass control are, however, expensive and may have negative eff ects on the environment (Bergkvist et al., 2010). The...

The effects of different levels of grazing utilization (two, three and four grazing cycles per year) and mineral fertilization (nil-fertilization; N100P30K60) on the botanical composition of permanent grasslands were studied in the locality of Rapotín (Czech Republic, 332 m a.s.l.) from 2003–2010. The vegetation of the experimental pasture was classified as Cynosurion. It was found that moderate treatment (three grazing cycles per year) without mineral fertilization showed the highest value of diversity index (DI = 6.08), and maximum dominance of legumes (Dmax = 9.1%), particularly Trifolium repens. The highest dominance of grasses (Dmax = 77.7%), mainly Dactylis glomerata and Elytrigia repens, was achieved with the fertilized treatment utilized in two grazing cycles per year. Based on RDA results, tested management treatments explained 26% of species composition variability, where effect of number of grazing cycles per year was five-times higher than effect of fertilization. We recommend grassland utilization in three grazing cycles per year as the most suitable way from the objective of both species diversity and botanical composition of pastures in similar site conditions. Pasture fertilization should be more controlled by careful consideration of individual pasture goals, actual nutrient status of the soil and possible environmental risks.