The Effect of Sward Structure and N Fertilization on the Grass-legume Silage Quality

Abstract

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 (NH3-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 NH3-N, AA and BA and decreased the content of LA.