Forage quality and energy content of perennial legume-grass mixtures at three level of n fertilization

The aim of this study was to investigate fodder quality and nutritive value of different grass-legumes mixtures influenced by various level of N fertilization. Studied factors had an impact only on the content of crude protein (CP), crude protein yield (CPY) and nitrate content in the forage. The level of N fertilizer showed a highly significant and positive impact on the CP and nitrate content. Treatment with 210 kg N ha-1 is characterized by the highest content of CP and nitrate of 189.7 g kg-1 DM and 2524 ppm, respectively, and the highest protein yield of 1.95 t ha-1. The value of nitrate in the forage does not exceed the limit that is considered hazardous to the health of animals. Energy value of forage obtained from the grasslands of ME ≈7.75 and NEL≈4.32 MJ kg-1 DM is lower than values obtained in other studies. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31053]