Fertilization Effects on the Chemical Composition and In vitro Organic Matter Digestibility of Semi-natural Meadows as Predicted by NIR Spectrometry

Authors

  • Laura M. DALE University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux (BE)
  • André THEWIS University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux (BE)
  • Ioan ROTAR University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manstur Str., 400372 (RO)
  • Christelle BOUDRY University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux (BE)
  • Florin S. PĂCURAR University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj, Department of Forage Crops, 3-5 Calea Manaștur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca (RO)
  • Bernard LECLER Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux (BE)
  • Richard AGNEESSENS Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department-Agricultural Product Technology Unit, 100 Rue du Serpont, 6800 Libramont-Chevigny (BE)
  • Pierre DARDENNE Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux (BE)
  • Vincent BAETEN Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux (BE)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha4119112

Abstract

Management of livestock grazing in highly-productive mountain meadows is an important aspect for the economic viability and the environmental impact of a grassland-based farm. The main aim of this study was to build near infrared models to determine the chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility of Romanian meadow forages. The treatments were organic and mineral fertilizer combinations, and forage samples were obtained from three fertilization experiments conducted in the Apuseni Mountains; these samples were analysed using classical and NIR methods. The samples were scanned in the NIR wavelength band. The CRA-W Gembloux ‘local’ calibration models were validated with Romanian meadow forages and then used in order to predict the forage quality of samples. A second objective of the study was to determine the effects of fertilization on forage quality. The results showed a decrease in crude protein content from the NPK treatment (150:75:75), which can be explained by a reduction of Fabaceae plants with this treatment from 17.25% of the populations in the control (semi-natural meadow not fertilized) to 6.25% in the fertilized plots. The decrease in protein content and in vitro organic matter digestibility was related to a reduced Fabaceae presence. Our recommendation is to use mineral fertilization with NPK doses less than 100:50:50 to improve meadow productivity; meanwhile organic fertilization can also be used to complement and maintain biodiversity and forage quality.

Author Biographies

Laura M. DALE, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux

Gembloux Agro Bio Tech, University of Liège/USAMV Cluj

André THEWIS, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux

Gembloux Agro Bio Tech, University, University of Liège

Ioan ROTAR, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manstur Str., 400372

USAMV Cluj

Christelle BOUDRY, University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Animal Science Unit, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux

Gembloux Agro Bio Tech, University, University of Liège

Florin S. PĂCURAR, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj, Department of Forage Crops, 3-5 Calea Manaștur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca

USAMV Cluj

Bernard LECLER, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux

CRA-W Gembloux

Richard AGNEESSENS, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department-Agricultural Product Technology Unit, 100 Rue du Serpont, 6800 Libramont-Chevigny

CRA-W Libramont

Pierre DARDENNE, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux

CRA-W Gembloux

Vincent BAETEN, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department, 24 Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux

CRA-W Gembloux

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Published

2013-05-28

How to Cite

DALE, L. M., THEWIS, A., ROTAR, I., BOUDRY, C., PĂCURAR, F. S., LECLER, B., AGNEESSENS, R., DARDENNE, P., & BAETEN, V. (2013). Fertilization Effects on the Chemical Composition and In vitro Organic Matter Digestibility of Semi-natural Meadows as Predicted by NIR Spectrometry. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 41(1), 58–64. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha4119112

Issue

Section

Research Articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nbha4119112

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