The effect of trophism level and exploitation intensity on the production characteristics of grassland community dominated by Festuca arundinacea Schreb

In 2004-2009, a small-plot trial was conducted on permanent grassland dominated by Festuca arundinacea on the mesohygrophytic site in order to evaluate the effect of four levels of nutrition, four levels of cutting and their interactions on the production of forage dry matter (DM), crude protein and net energy of lactation per hectare. The nutrition levels evaluated were as follows: F1 = without NPK fertilization, F2 = P30 + K60, F3 = N90 + P30 + K60, F4 = N180 + P30 + K60 kg/ha. The levels of cutting intensity were as follows: I1 (4 cuts), I2 (3 cuts), I3 (2 cuts - early, I4 (2 cuts - late). The dominant influence of N-nutrition is documented by significant differences in DM production between the variants (with the exception of F1/F2) ranging from 4.41-4.80 to 8.44-9.83 t/ha. The effect of different exploitation level on the production is subdominant and no significant differences were found either in the production of DM (I1-6.41, I2-6.59, I3-6.97, I4-7.50 t/ha) or in the production of nutrients. Management models to be recommended for the given type of sward with respect to the interactive influence, efficacy of forage production and quality are as follows: (a) three cuts/180 kg N + PK/ha with forage suitable for dairy cows; (b) two cuts/90 kg N + PK/ha with forage suitable for beef cattle.