Forage quality of species‐rich mountain grasslands subjected to zero, PK and NPK mineral fertilization for decades

Ineichen, Simon; Marquardt, Svenja; Kreuzer, Michael; Reidy, Beat

doi:10.1111/gfs.12488

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…For sheep feeding, the crude protein concentration and metabolizable energy concentration of both cuts were adequate for lowperformance phases (female sheep without lamb, rams not in breeding season) but did meet the needs of higher performance phases (lactating ewes, rams in the breeding season) only exceptionally. Our results are in line with other authors, who found only few effects on forage nutrient concentrations in alluvial grassland when nitrogen up to 200 kg ha −1 year −1 was applied [35] and in mountain grasslands when nitrogen 85 kg, phosphorus oxide 80 kg and potassium oxide 240 kg ha −1 year −1 were applied [77]. The fertilization experiment by Dindová [38] showed a significant increase in crude protein concentration on a submontane Arrhenatherion grassland only when at least 200 kg ha −1 year −1 of nitrogen was supplied.…”

Section: Effect Of Fertilization On Forage Quality Parameterssupporting

confidence: 93%

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

et al. 2021

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Since alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii are protected by the EU Habitats Directive, reconciling farmers’ demands for forage quality with the objective of maintaining them in good conservation status is an important issue in grassland research. In a long-term experiment from 2010 to 2018, we investigated the impact of fertilizing on forage quality and species assembly on a species-rich and twice-mown alluvial grassland in the Dessau Elbe floodplain (Germany). The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control, PK, N60, N60PK and N120PK applications. A significant improvement in forage quality was achieved by nitrogen fertilization only for crude protein, with higher feeding requirements for sheep met only in individual years. The legume cycle was inhibited by the application of nitrogen and high grass cover was maintained, but not increased, at the highest nitrogen application after an exceptional summer flood. The target forbs persisted in numbers over the study period in all treatments. For cover, the low-competitive target forbs responded neutrally to nitrogen fertilization, whereas detrimental effects were demonstrated for the competitive ones. Thus, we recommend not applying more than 60 kg year−1 of nitrogen and only in combination with phosphorus and potassium.

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Section: Effect Of Fertilization On Forage Quality Parameterssupporting

confidence: 93%

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

et al. 2021

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“…As expected, unfertilised swards showed increased plant species, while fertilization of PK increased the proportion of legume species (Silvertown et al, 2006). Irrespective of fertilization type, swards at site Jura were dominated by just a few grass species, except for swards fertilized with NPK as previously reported by Ineichen et al (2020). These swards were characterized by large proportions of wood cranesbill, which possibly evolved due to an excess fertilization of N relative to the low harvest frequency applied in the long-term fertilization regime.…”

Section: Botanical Characteristics Of Ensiled Foragesupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Each field experiment consisted of unfertilised swards ("0") and swards fertilized with either phosphorus and potassium ("PK") or PK and N ("NPK"). Long-term continuous treatments, at least 4 decades at each site, resulted in swards with distinct botanical compositions specifically in relation to the proportion of forbs (Ineichen et al, 2020). Forage was ensiled during both the generative and vegetative growth cycle over one growing season.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ensilibility and protein degradation characteristics of forage from mountain grasslands containing tanniferous species

Ineichen

Seiler

Wyss

et al. 2023

Grass and Forage Science

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Ensiling forage from species‐rich mountain grasslands is challenging. Low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates and the coarse morphological structure of the forage promote the activity of butyric acid forming bacteria. This is associated with the formation of ammonia from protein degradation, resulting in an insufficient pH decline. On the other hand, forage from species‐rich swards may contain tanniferous plant species which contain varying contents of condensed tannins (CT). Therefore, the silage quality of forage prepared from species‐rich mountain grasslands and the role CT may play in silage fermentation was studied. A set‐up of two long‐term mineral fertilization field experiments, located in the Jura mountains and the Alps in Switzerland were used to obtain forage with contrasting species and chemical composition. Collection was done during both the generative and vegetative growth stage from three differently fertilized swards: unfertilised (“0”), fertilized with phosphorus and potassium (“PK”) or fertilized with PK and nitrogen (“NPK”). The forage was wilted to approximately 37% dry matter (DM), chopped to 2 cm lengths and ensiled for at least 65 days as laboratory‐scale silages. The wilted forage was characterized by concentrations of crude protein between 117 and 130 g/kg DM and water‐soluble carbohydrates varying from 84 to 148 g/kg DM. Concentrations of CT ranged from 6 g to 14 g/kg DM and those of soluble CT from 1.8 to 7.6 g/kg DM. All silages contained butyric acid, irrespective of the type of fertilization or harvest stage (range: 1.5 g to 16 g/kg DM). Concentrations of acetic and lactic acid ranged from 2.1 g to 15.0 g/kg DM and from 21.0 to 44.0 g/kg DM, respectively. Concentrations of unfermented sugar remained high and pH levels were above those expected. Formation of non‐protein‐N (NPN) increased in the range of 130 to 264 g/kg N from wilted to ensiled forage. The negative correlations of CT or soluble CT contents with ammonia‐N or NPN in silage were found in both forage from the generative and vegetative harvests indicating a possible relationship with protein degradation during ensiling.

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“…Climate change and human activities have greatly exacerbated grassland degradation. Fertilization is the primary means for improving the productivity of grassland systems (Ineichen et al, 2020). The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on the productivity and diversity of grassland ecosystems has been examined by previous studies and the results of these studies are variable (Alhamad et al, 2012;Harpole et al, 2017;Soons et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the rapid increase in the human population during the last three decades has greatly increased the demand for dairy products and meat; consequently, the overgrazing and overuse of grasslands have resulted in serious grassland degradation (Han et al, 2016). As fertilization is commonly used to improve grassland quality (Ineichen et al, 2020), understanding how fertilization affects grassland productivity and diversity is essential for managing grassland and ensuring the sustainable development and utilization of grassland resources. Meanwhile, the vegetation in this arid area is sensitive to variation in climate, as changes in vegetation in this region are correlated with annual precipitation and temperature fluctuation (Yin et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Nutrient Addition on the Productivity and Species Richness of Grassland Along With an Elevational Gradient in Tajikistan

Fan

et al. 2021

Front. Plant Sci.

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Grasslands provide key resource for the millions of people who are dependent on livestock in Tajikistan. Productivity and species richness (SR) are important characteristics of grassland ecosystems and are greatly affected by nutrient inputs. The effect that climate change might have on these characteristics remains unclear. Here, an in situ nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization experiment was conducted at four sites along with an elevational gradient (650, 1,100, 1,250, and 2,000 m) in western Tajikistan over 2 years (2018 and 2019) to examine the influences of nutrient availability and climate change on aboveground biomass (AGB) and SR; precipitation and temperature were also considered to analyze the responses. It demonstrated that enrichment with N, P, and their combinations significantly increased AGB along with an elevational gradient (p < 0.05). AGB increased as the concentrations of nutrients added increased. The maximum AGB, which was 2-fold higher compared with control, was observed when 90 kg N ha–1year–1 and 30 kg P ha–1year–1 were added. In addition, nitrogen addition alone stimulated greater AGB than P addition, although no significant difference was observed between these two treatments. Enrichment with N, P, and their combination had no significant effect on SR; however, SR significantly changed at different elevation. Elevation had direct effect on precipitation and temperature, which, in turn, resulted in variation in AGB and SR. Moreover, both nutrient and elevation had significant effect on AGB and SR, but there was no interaction effect of them. AGB and SR interacted with significant negative correlation. In the high-elevation area, plants grew better in the warmer year (2018); this indicates that grasslands in high mountain areas in Tajikistan might have higher productivity as the climate warms, which will positively affect the economic development of the country.

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Forage quality of species‐rich mountain grasslands subjected to zero, PK and NPK mineral fertilization for decades

Abstract: The intensification of grassland utilization has resulted in species-poor, primarily grass-based swards characterized by high dry-matter (DM) yield and forage of high digestibility. The less intensively managed species-rich grasslands usually have a lower

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

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

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

Ensilibility and protein degradation characteristics of forage from mountain grasslands containing tanniferous species

Effect of Nutrient Addition on the Productivity and Species Richness of Grassland Along With an Elevational Gradient in Tajikistan

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