Dry matter and protein yield of alfalfa, cocksfoot, meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass and their mixtures under the influence of various doses of nitrogen fertilizer

Grass-leguminous mixtures and pure crops are important for ensuring of sufficient quantities of high quality roughage, especially in conditions of low land livestock production, in conditions of farm housing system as well as in the system of free grazing of animals. Studies were carried out on pure crops of three grass species and their mixtures with different component ratios. Fertilization using different doses of nitrogen led to considerable increase of yield of pure crops and their mixtures. The highest yields were recorded in treatment with 100 kgN ha - 1 , and the lowest yield in treatment without fertilization. Fertilization led to decrease of share of alfalfa, meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass in dry matter, and increased the content of cocksfoot. The highest protein yield of pure crops was recorded for perennial ryegrass - 495.5, and in mixtures, the highest protein yield was recorded for four component mixture of alfalfa, cocksfoot, meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass of 568.0 kg ha -1 . Fertilization with N increased protein yield