The effect of nitrogen fertilization of alfalfa and seed inoculation with Sinorhizobium meliloti on yields and forage composition in the first year of use is presented. Fertilization with small amounts of nitrogen (2 × 30 kg per hectare) increased the yield for about 10%. Increase was principally due to an increase in the first cut. It should be noted that it was the first mowing after sowing uninoculated seeds when the nitrogen fixation nodules were probably not yet fully formed. In the experiment where inoculated seeds were sown nitrogen fertilization did not affect the yield of alfalfa. Effect of inoculation on dry matter yield was comparable to fertilization with 30 kg N per hectare in the spring and after the first cut. The inoculation also increased somewhat crude protein content in the forage. The differences in net energy value between unfertilized and nitrogen fertilized alfalfa were small. Fertilization did not affect the crude protein content of the forage. It has been shown that in the given situation it makes more sense to inoculate the alfalfa with bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti than to fertilize it with nitrogen fertilizers.
F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice
COBISS.SI-ID: 5024104Quality feed, such as alfalfa hay, is indispensable in modern dairy farming. Due to crumbling of the leaves that consequently shatter off it has been recommended for a long time to ensile wilted alfalfa with various additives. Mechanical losses during field curing are higher if handling with plant material is inappropriate and if weather conditions are unfavorable. Therefore, a field experiment has been carried out in 2015 at second cut of alfalfa. The aim of experiment was to evaluate mechanical losses due to leave shattering in two wilting regimes (24 and 71 hours) and two drying regimes (142 and 166 hours). The losses of leaves due to crumbling were determined at each harvest with the vacuum-cleaner method (Staubsaugermethode, FAT Berichte). Mechanical losses during 24-h wilting of alfalfa reached 5.4%, after 71-h of wilting 6.4%, after 142-h of drying 7.1% and following 166 hours of drying 10.1%. The results show that if alfalfa is being dried in swaths and the crop is being adequately handled the mechanical losses may retain on relatively low level.
F.01 Acquisition of new practical knowledge, information and skills
COBISS.SI-ID: 5014632