Effect of nitrogen fertilizer and underseeding on the productivity and chemical composition of Cynosuretum cristati type meadows on hilly-mountainous grasslands in Serbia

Abstract

The research was carried out on the Sjenica-Pester plateau in 2002-2003 on a natural Cynosuretum cristati type meadow, at Vrujci, which is 1158 m above sea level. Five nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha(-1)) and red clover and birdsfoot trefoil was underseeded. The data showed a favourable effect of nitrogen fertilizer on increasing DM yield, crude protein, ash and fat content and a negative effect on cellulose content. The maximum DM yield was recorded when 160 kg ha(-1) nitrogen was applied and the yield amounted to 4.44 t ha(-1) for two years (increase of 2.03 t ha(-1) or 85.0% over the control). Increasing the rate of nitrogen increased the protein content, ash, fat, and reduced the cellulose. The DM yield from the underseeded legumes was minimal in the wet year but was significantly higher over the control in the dry testing year. Underseeding did not improved the chemical composition.