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An in vivo study was conducted into the effects of partial replacement of dried ground corn grain with dried whey – as a supplement to alfalfa haylage (AH) or Italian ryegrass haylage (IRH) - on ad libitum intake, in vivo digestibility and N retention in wether sheep. The chemical composition of AH and IRH was roughly the same, except for the crude protein (CP) content which was much higher in AH compared with IRH. Sheep fed the AH-based diet had higher feed intake. Higher CP digestibility and higher N retention, as well as higher levels of excreted N, were shown compared IRHbased diet. The IRH-based diet increased the digestibility of chemical parameters studied, except CP and starch. The partial replacement of corn grain with dried whey reduced the intake of acid detergent fibre (ADF), improved the starch digestibility in AH and IRH-based diets, and increased the overall N intake in wethers fed the AH-based diet. In practical conditions, replacing 10% of corn grain with dried whey in a ration based on higher quality forage is a way to increase N intake in sheep. In conclusion, the partial replacement of corn grain with dried whey in a forage-based diet with higher CP content improves the nitrogen efficiency in the diet of wether sheep., Provedeno je in vivo istraživanje utjecaja djelomične zamjene suhog mljevenog zrna kukuruza sirutkom u prahu kao dodatka sjenaži lucerne (SL) ili sjenaži talijanskog ljulja (STL) na ad libitum konzumaciju, in vivo probavljivost i bilancu N u hranidbi kastriranih ovnova. Kemijski sastav SL i STL je bio otprilike isti, osim sadržaja sirovih proteina (SP) koji je bio veći kod SL u usporedbi s STL. Hranidba bazirana na SL imala je veću konzumaciju, veću probavljivost SP i veću bilancu N, kao i više izlučenog N u usporedbi s hranidbom baziranom na STL. Hranidba bazirana na STL je imala veću probavljivost istraživanih kemijskih parametara, osim SP i škroba. Djelomična zamjena zrna kukuruza sirutkom u prahu smanjila je konzumaciju kiselih detergent vlakana (KDV), povećala probavljivost škroba u hranidbi baziranoj na SL i STL i povećala ukupnu konzumaciju N u hranidbi baziranoj na SL. U praktičnim uvjetima zamjena 10% zrna kukuruza sirutkom u prahu u obroku na bazi kvalitetnije krme dovoljna je za povećanje konzumacije N. Zaključno, djelomična zamjena zrna kukuruza sirutkom u prahu u krmnoj osnovi s većim sadržajem SP povećava energetsku učinkovitost obroka u smislu konzumacije N i metabolizma.

Maize silage (MS) has become one of the major energy components in ruminant nutrition. The maize crop is suitable for ensiling and is of high dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of cutting height and maize crop maturity at harvest on the chemical composition of MS and fermentation quality in a silo. With an increase in cutting height and maize crop maturity, the content of dry matter (DM) in MS increases to about 400 g DM/kg of fresh crop, after which it does not change, crude protein (CP) CP content increases or remains the same, the ash content decreases or remains the same, starch content increases, and the content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) decreases or remains the same. The cutting height and maize crop maturity at harvest have no effect on pH value, lactic, acetic neither butyric acid but increases the amount of ethanol and decreases the ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) in MS., Kukuruzna silaža (KS) je jedna od glavnih energetskih komponenti obroka u hranidbi preživača. Usjev kukuruza je pogodan za siliranje i ima visoki prinos suhe tvari (ST) po jedinici površine i visoku hranidbenu vrijednost. Primijenjena tehnologija siliranja usjeva kukuruza može utjecati na hranidbenu vrijednost KS. Cilj ovog preglednog rada je prikazati rezultate ranijih istraživanja utjecaja visine košnje i zrelosti usjeva kukuruza za siliranje na kemijski sastav KS i kvalitetu fermentacije u silosu. S povećanjem visine košnje i zrelosti usjeva kukuruza za siliranje, sadržaj ST u KS raste do oko 400 g ST/kg svježeg usjeva, nakon čega se ne mijenja, sadržaj sirovih proteina (SP) raste ili ostaje isti, sadržaj pepela se smanjuje ili ostaje isti, sadržaj škroba raste, a sadržaj neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV), kiselih detergent vlakana (KDV) i kiselog detergent lignina (KDL) se smanjuje ili ostaje isti. Visina košnje i zrelost usjeva kukuruza za siliranje ne utječu na pH vrijednost, sadržaj mliječne, octene i maslačne kiseline, ali povećavaju sadržaj etanola i smanjuju sadržaj amonijskog dušika (NH3-N) u KS.

The objective of this study was to determine the nutritive value of fermented forage from semi-natural grassland harvested at 3 cutting heights: (i) cutting height 2 cm, (ii) cutting height 6 cm and (iii) cutting height 13 cm. Fresh forage was wilted separately according to investigated treatments for 24 hours before ensiling into experimental silos. After 35-day fermentation, the ensiled forage dry matter (DM) was determined while the chemical composition, fermentation quality and biological quality parameters were predicted by NIR spectroscopy. The following parameters were predicted: corrected DM (CDM), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acidic detergent fiber (ADF), metabolic energy (ME), fermentable ME in ME (FME/ME), NH3-N, sugar residues, the digestibility of the OM in the DM (D-value) and CP degradability. Ensiled forage cut at 13 cm above the ground level had significantly lower OM content (P < 0.05) but higher ME, and D-value (P < 0.05) in comparison with forage cut at 2 or 6 cm above the ground level. The CP content was significantly affected by the cutting height (P < 0.001). The CP content was the highest at forage cut at the highest residual stubble height and was getting lower as the cutting height decreased (P < 0.001). Cutting at 2 cm above the ground level resulted in forage lower in sugar residues (P < 0.05) in comparison with cutting at higher residual stubble height (6 cm and 13 cm). It was concluded that the higher cutting height promotes higher nutritive value of fermented forage from semi-natural grassland compared to the quality of fermented forage defoliated at the lower cutting height.

Kukuruzna silaža (KS) je glavna energetska komponenta obroka u hranidbi goveda za meso i mlijeko. Cilj rada bio je utvrditi kvalitetu KS s područja Sisačko–moslavačke županije proizvedenih tijekom 2016. godine na deset obiteljskih poljoprivrednih gospodarstava (OPG). Analizirano je 65 uzoraka KS na organoleptičke, fizikalne, kemijske i biološke parametre kvalitete. Boja analiziranih uzoraka KS se kretala od normalne i zelenkaste do tamno smeđe, a miris od mirisa po alkoholu i maslačnoj kiselini do mirisa po karamelu. Najzastupljenija je bila duljina sječke od 0,8-1,9 cm (55 % analiziranih uzoraka), a zatim od 0,4-0,8 cm (31 % analiziranih uzoraka). Proizvedene KS su u prosjeku imale sadržaj suhe tvari (ST) 378,31 g kg-1 svježeg uzorka, neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV) 407,78 g kg-1 ST, pH vrijednost 4,37, sadržaj sirovih proteina (SP) 72,81 g kg-1 ST, sadržaj škroba 343,3 g kg-1 ST, sadržaj metaboličke energije (ME) 10,85 MJ kg-1 ST, neto energije laktacije (NEL ) 6,56 MJ kg-1 ST i probavljivost organske tvari (POT) 71,1 %. Od ukupno analiziranih uzoraka se u optimalnu kvalitetu KS prema sadržaju ST može svrstati 23 % KS, sadržaju SP 46 %, škroba 18 %, pH vrijednosti 23 % analiziranih uzoraka dok prema POT 0% analiziranih uzoraka. Zaključeno je da su analizirane KS proizvedene su od usjeva kukuruza siliranih u kasnijim fazama fenološke zrelosti od optimalne za proizvodnju KS visoke kvalitete. Nadalje, vrijednosti sadržaja ST, NDV, pH i škroba su veće, a vrijednosti sadržaja SP, ME, NEL i POT niže od vrijednosti utvrđenih ranijim monitorinzima kvalitete KS na OPG-ima kao i poželjnih vrijednosti za KS. Varijabilna kvaliteta proizvedenih KS ukazuje na primijenjenu različitu tehnologiju uzgoja i siliranja usjeva kukuruza u istim mikroklimatskim uvjetima., Corn silage (CS) is the main energy component of the ration in feeding cattle for meat and milk. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of CS from the Sisak-Moslavina County produced in 2016 on ten family farms. Total of 65 CS samples were analyzed for organoleptic, physical, chemical and biological quality parameters. The color of the analyzed CS ranged from normal and greenish to dark brown, and the smell from the smell of alcohol and butyric acid to the smell of caramel. The most common was the chopping length of 0.8-1.9 cm (55% of the analyzed samples), followed by 0.4-0.8 cm (31% of the analyzed samples). The CS produced had on average dry matter (DM) content 378.31 g kg-1 fresh sample, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 407.78 g kg-1 DM and pH value 4.37, crude protein (CP) 72.81 g kg-1 DM, starch 343.3 g kg-1 DM, metabolic energy (ME) 10.85 MJ kg-1 DM, net energy for lactation (NEL ) 6.56 MJ kg-1 DM and digestibility of organic matter (OMD) 711 g kg-1 DM. Out of the total of analyzed samples, the optimal quality was determined in 23% of CS for DM, 46% for CP content, 18% for starch, 23% for pH value and 0% for OMD. It was concluded that the analyzed CS were produced from corn crops ensiled in later stages of phenological maturity than optimal for the production of high quality CS. Also, the values determined for DM, NDF, pH, starch were higher while the values for CP, ME, NEL i OMD lower than reported by previous monitoring of CS quality on family farms as well as the desired values for CS. The variable quality of the produced CS indicates applied different technology of cultivation and ensiling of corn crops in the same microclimatic conditions.

Sve veće oslanjanje na proizvodnju energije iz biomase rezultira povećanjem proizvodnje pepela, kao ostataka nakon izgaranja biomase. Primjena pepela u poljoprivredi postaje sve aktualnija kao alternativa odlaganju na odlagališta. Vrijednost pepela kao materijala za kalcizaciju, gnojiva ili poboljšivača tla, kao i mogućnost i količina primjene pepela u proizvodnji na oranicama ili travnjacima, ovise o sadržaju makro- i mikrohraniva, potencijalnoj neutralizacijskoj vrijednosti pepela te sadržaju teških metala (TM) i ostalih potencijalno onečišćujućih tvari. Pepeo iz biomase sadrži značajne količine hraniva (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe), može se primijeniti kao materijal za kalcizaciju koji utječe na fizikalna i kemijska svojstva tla, mikrobiološku aktivnost tla i razgradnju organske tvari (OT) tla, te u konačnici povećava produktivnost poljoprivrednih kultura. Primjena pepela na travnjacima i proizvodnji voluminozne krme u količini 6-22 t ha-1 rezultira povećanjem produktivnosti krmnih vrsta, povećanjem udjela mahunarki i sijanih trava u tratini i ovećanjem hranjive vrijednosti krme., An increase in the reliance on biomass energy production results in an increased ash production, as a residue subsequent to the biomass combustion. As an alternative to the disposal of ash in landfills, the use of ash in agriculture is becoming increasingly important. The value of ash as a calcifying material, fertilizer, or soil improvement material, as well as a possibility of application and the amount of ash applied in forage production on an arable land or grassland, depend on the content of macro- and micronutrients, the potential neutralization value, and on the content of heavy metals and other potential pollutants. Biomass ash, which contains the significant amounts of nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe), can be applied as a calcifying material affecting the soil’s physical and chemical properties, soil microbiological activity, and soil decomposition and ultimately increases crop productivity. The application of ash on grasslands and in the forage production in the amount 6-22 t ha-1 results in an increased productivity of forage species, the proportion of legumes in the sward, and the nutritional value of forage.

Maize silage (MS) is one of the most important energy forage used in ruminant diets because of its high energy content and good palatability. It can be fed as a sole feed or as a component of the ration for dairy and beef cattle. The aim of this paper is to review results published on maize crop maturity and cutting height in relation to yield and quality of MS with respect to dairy and beef cattle performance. As MS cutting height increases, dry matter yield (DM) decreases, but quality (MS) and animal performance increase, which is related to larger proportion of less digestible stalk remaining in the field. Higher cutting height of MS results in lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content, higher milk production and consequently lower milk fat (MF) content. MS maturity has a positive effect on animal performance up to a DM content of 280 – 330 g kg-1 fresh sample. Thereafter, DM intake, daily milk production (DMP) and crude protein content (CP) in milk mostly decrease or remain the same, as well as daily live weight gain (LWG) of beef cattle due to lower digestibility of organic matter (OM), starch and NDF in MS with higher DM content. It can be concluded that the cutting height and maturity of maize crop represent a kind of a compromise between DM and the starch content in MS, the fibre content necessary to maintain the function and health of the digestive system of ruminants, and the nutrient content of the feed to achieve maximum animal performance., Kukuruzna silaža (KS) je jedno od glavnih energetskih krmiva koja se koriste u hranidbi preživača zbog visokog sadržaja energije i visoke palatabilnosti. Može se koristiti kao jedino krmivo ili kao komponenta obroka za mliječna i tovna goveda. Cilj ovog rada je dati pregled objavljenih rezultata istraživanja zrelosti usjeva kukuruza za siliranje i visine košnje na proizvodnost mliječnih i tovnih goveda. S povećanjem visine košnje usjeva kukuruza za siliranje smanjuje se prinos suhe tvari (ST) KS, povećava se kvaliteta KS kao i proizvodnost životinja uglavnom radi veće kvalitete KS. Veća visina košnje KS rezultira nižim sadržajem neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV), većom proizvodnjom mlijeka i posljedično nižim sadržajem mliječne masti (MM) u mlijeku. Zrelost KS pozitivno utječe na proizvodnost životinja do sadržaja ST od 280 – 330 g kg-1 svježeg uzorka, nakon čega se dnevna konzumacija (ST), proizvodnja mlijeka i sadržaj SP u mlijeku uglavnom smanjuje ili ostaje isti kao i dnevni prirast goveda radi niže probavljivosti organske tvari (OT), škroba i NDV u KS većeg sadržaja ST. Može se zaključiti da visina košnje i zrelost usjeva kukuruza za siliranje predstavljaju svojevrsni kompromis između sadržaja ST i škroba u KS, sadržaja vlakana potrebnih za održavanje funkcije i zdravlja probavnog sustava preživača, te sadržaja hranjivih tvari u obroku za postizanje maksimalne proizvodnosti životinja.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj dodatka sirutke u prahu biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka na kemijski sastav i pH vrijednost fermentirane krme. U istraživanju je analizirano pet razina dodatka sirutke u prahu biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka kod siliranja u laboratorijske silose: (i) 0 %; (ii) 3 %, (iii) 6 %, (iv) 12 % i (v) 24% dodane sirutke. Laboratorijski silosi su otvoreni 47. dan od zatvaranja radi utvrđivanja pH vrijednosti i sadržaja suhe tvari (ST) fermentirane krme. NIR aparatom je procijenjen kemijski sastav fermentirane krme: sadržaj sirovih proteina (SP), sirovih masti (SM), sirovih vlakana (SV), pepela i ne dušićnih ekstraktivnih tvari (NET). S povećanjem dodatka sirutke u prahu biljnoj masi kod siliranja utvrđeno je linearno povećanje sadržaja ST (P<0,001) fermentirane krme. Utvrđen je statistički značajan kvadratni trend dodatka sirutke u prahu na sadržaj SP (P<0,001) i sadržaj SM (P<0,001). Dodatkom sirutke u prahu (od 3 % do 24 %) biljnoj masi prilikom siliranja utvrđeno je linearno opadanje sadržaja SV u fermentiranoj krmi (P<0,001). Sadržaj pepela se nije statistički značajno razlikovao između istraživanih tretmana (P>0,05). Dodatak sirutke u prahu je snizio pH vrijednost fermentirane krme (P<0,05). Zaključeno je da preporučena količina sirutke u prahu koju bi trebalo dodati biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka sadržaja ST oko 30 % prilikom siliranja je različita za pojedine kemijske parametre. Za snižavanje pH vrijednosti dovoljno je dodati 3% sirutke u prahu, za povećanje sadržaja ST 6 % dok za smanjenje sadržaja vlakana 24 %., The objective of the study was to determine the effect of dried whey supplementation at ensiling on chemical composition and quality of fermented forage originated from semi-natural grassland. The study consists of 5 levels of dried whey supplemented to forage at ensiling into laboratory siloses: (i) 0%; (ii) 3%, (iii) 6%, (iv) 12% and (v) 24%. After 47 days fermentation the laboratory siloses, the pH value of fermented forage and the dry matter content (DM) were determinedd. The NIR instrument was applied to predict the chemical composition and quality parameters of fermented forage: crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), ash and non-nitrogen extractives (NET). With an increase in dried whey supplementation at ensiling, a linear increase in the DM content (P<0.001) of fermented forage was found. A statistically significant square trend of whey powder supplementation to CP content (P <0.001) and CF content (P<0.001) was found. The whey supplementation (from 3% to 24%) to forage at ensiling showed a linear decrease in CF content in fermented forage (P<0.001). The ash content did not differ significantly between the investigated treatments (P>0.05). The whey supplementation lowered the pH of the fermented forage (P<0.05). It was concluded that the recommended quantity of whey powder that should be added to semi-natural forage ensiled at about 30% is different for individual chemical parameters. To lower the pH value, it is enough to add 3% whey powder, to increase the content of ST 6% while to reduce fiber content by 24%.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj dodatka mljevenog zrna kukuruza biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka na pH vrijednost i kemijski sastav fermentirane krme. Biljnoj masi poluprirodnog trvnjaka je kod siliranja dodano mljeveno zrno kukuruza u udjelu od 0, 3, 6, 12 i 24 % na 200 g biljne mase poluprirodnog travnjaka za tretmane TR0, TR3, TR6, TR12 i TR24, tim redom. Formirano je po 5 laboratorijskih silosa (5 ponavljanja) po tretmanu. Laboratorijski silosi ostavljeni su fermentirati 47 dana nakon čega je klasičnim metodama utvrđen sadržaj suhe tvari (ST) i pH vrijednost, a NIR spektroskopijom kemijski parametri fermentirane krme: sirovi proteini (SP), sirova vlakna (SV), pepeo, nedušićne ekstraktivne tvari (NET) i sirove masti (SM). Utvrđeno je da dodatak 3 % mljevenog zrna kukuruza biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka kod siliranja ne utječe na sadržaj ST, SP i SV, dok dodatak 3 i 6 % ne utječu na sadržaj pepela, NET i pH vrijednost fermentirane krme (P>0,05). Dodatak 3-24 % mljevenog zrna kukuruza biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka kod siliranja linearno povećava sadržaj ST (P<0,001), SV (P<0,001), NET (P<0,001), a smanjuje sadržaj SP (P<0,05) i pepela (P<0,001) u fermentiranoj krmi. Zaključeno je da, od istraživanih tretmana, najveći učinak na snižavanje pH vrijednosti ima dodatak 12% mljevenog zrna kukuruza biljnoj masi poluprirodnog travnjaka. Osim toga, dodatak mljevenog zrna kukuruza utječe na kemijski sastav, kao preduvjet hranidbene vrijednosti fermentirane krme, na način da smanjuje sadržaj SP i pepela, a povećava sadržaj ST, SV i NET-a u fermentiranoj krmi., The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of ground corn grain supplementation to the semi-natural grassland on the pH value and chemical composition of fermented forage. The ground corn was supplemeted to fresh semi-natural grassland forage at ratio of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24% for treatments TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4 and TR5 respectivelly. A total of 25 laboratory siloses (5 treatments x 5 repetitions) per treatment were formed. Forage was fermented for 47 days before analysis by wet chemistry for dry matter (DM) content and pH value while NIR spectroscopy was used for the chemical quality parameters prediction: crude proteins (CP), crude fiber (CF), ash, non-nitrogen extractive substances (NET) and crude fat (CF). It was found that the addition of 3% of ground maize grain to the semi-natural grassland forage at ensiling does not affect DM, CP and CF, while the addition of 3 and 6 % does not affect the ash content, NET and pH value of fermented forage (P>0.05). The addition of 3 -24 % of ground corn to the semi-natural grassland forage at ensiling linearly increased the DM (P<001), CF (P<0,001), NET (P<0,001) and at the same time reduced CP (P<0.05) and ash (P<0,001) in fermented forage. It was concluded that, of the treatments investigated, the greatest effect on lowering the pH value in silo had 12 % supplementation of ground corn to the semi-natural forage. Besides, the ground corn supplementation affected the chemical composition, as a prerequisite of forage nutritive value, in a way that it reduced the content of CP and ash, and increased DM, CF and NET in fermented forage.

Role of mineral fertilizers is to complement the soils’ indigenous supply of minerals for crop plants nutrition. Among the mineral nutrients, nitrogen is generally considered as the most yield-contributing. Obtaining nitrogen from legumes is potentially more sustainable than from industrial sources. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) has long been appreciated as cover crop grown for green manuring due to its capability for binding the atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available form. Green manuring effects of crimson clover for succeeding maize crop were tested in 2019 year on two locations of Northeastern Croatia differing in soil texture: 1) on the site A where the soil was compact and dominated by clay and 2) on the site B where the soil was loose and dominated by loam. The research was conducted in a year with favourable rainfall during maize vegetation. Results have shown that green manuring with crimson clover for maize as the main crop delivered somewhat lower maize grain and aboveground mass yields than the conventional full-dose mineral fertilization on deep fertile soils around Osijek (Northeastern Croatia). When compared to conventional agronomy, green manuring was associated with additional agrotechnical operations required for crimson clover cover crop establishment and its herbage incorporation into soil prior to seeding main maize crop. Research should be continued in more different environments (year × location combinations) in order to produce reliable evaluation of crimson clover’s green manuring services.

Travnjaci predstavljaju sirovinsku osnovu stočarske proizvodnje. Gnojidba travnjaka je agrotehnički zahvat koji se provodi u cilju proizvodnje krme visokog prinosa i visoke hranidbene vrijednosti za hranidbu životinja. Svaka farma proizvodi stajski gnoj kao posljedicu držanja životinja, a travnjak je idealno mjesto za primjenu, a time i zbrinjavanje proizvedenog stajskog gnoja. Cilj ovog rada bio je prikazati: (i) osnovne aspekte primjene gnojiva na travnjacima s naglaskom na primjenu krutog stajskog gnoja (KSG), (ii) preporučene količine, vrijeme primjene i frekvenciju primjene KSG na travnjacima, (iii) utjecaj primjene KSG na travnjacima na prinos i hranidbenu vrijednost krme i (v) neke od negativnih posljedica primjene KSG na travnjacima. KSG ima visoki potencijal u gnojidbi travnjaka. Njegovim zbrinjavanjem na travnjacima dolazi do recikliranja hranjiva i povećanja organske tvari u tlu, povećanja vodnog i vodozračnog kapaciteta tla te promicanja održivosti poljoprivrednih ekosustava. KSG se preporuča koristiti u svim sustavima poljoprivredne proizvodnje, osobito u ekološkom uzgoju. Radi visoke varijabilnosti kemijskog sastava KSG te utjecaja mikroklime, tla i vode na usvajanje hranjivih tvari od strane biljaka, neophodno je provoditi vlastita istraživanja na određenim mikroklimatskim lokacijama u cilju utvrđivanja optimalne količine, frekvencije i vremena primjene na prinos i hranidbenu vrijednost krme., Grasslands are the basis for livestock production. Grassland fertilization is an agro-technical procedure carried out with the aim of producing high-yield and high quality forage for animal nutrition. Each farm produces manure as a result of keeping animals, and the grassland is an ideal place to apply and thus dispose of the manure produced. The aim of this paper was to present: (i) basic aspects of lawn fertilizer application with emphasis on farm yard manure (FYM), (ii) recommended quantity, application time and frequency of FYM application on grassland, (iii) impact of FYM application on grassland yield and forage feeding value (v) some of the negative consequences of FYM application on grasslands. Due to the high variability in chemical composition of FYM and the influence of microclimate, soil and water on the uptake of nutrients by plants, it is necessary to conduct own research in certain microclimatic locations to determine the optimal amount, frequency and time of application on forage yield and nutritive value. FYM has a high potential in grassland fertilization. Its disposal on lawns leads to the recycling of nutrients and the increase of organic matter in the soil, the increase of water and air capacity of the soil and the promotion of the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. FYM is recommended for application in all systems of agricultural production, especially in organic farming.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi prinos suhe tvari (ST) krme poluprirodnog travnjaka nakon jedne godine i nakon deset godina proljetne i jesenske primjene krutog stajskog gnoja (KSG) u količini od 30 t ha-1 te isto usporediti s rezultatima klasične mineralne gnojidbe. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja provedena su četiri gnojidbena tretmana: (i) 30 t ha-1 KSG-a svako proljeće (tretman A); 30 t ha-1 KSG-a svaku jesen (tretman B); (iii) 0 t/ha KSG-a + NPK i KAN svako proljeće (tretman C); (iv) 0 t/ha KSG-a + NPK i KAN svaku jesen (tretman D). U dvogodišnjem prosjeku utvrđen je ukupan prosječan viši prinos ST krme (P<0,05) tretmana B (8,28 t ha-1) u usporedbi s tretmanom A (7,63 t ha-1) (P<0,05). Unutar tretmana A, B i D nije bilo značajnih razlika po godinama istraživanja. Gnojidba mineralnim gnojivima u proljeće (tretman C) i u jesen (tretman (D) rezultirala je većim prinosom ST u usporedbi s gnojidbom KSG-om (P<0,05). Vrijeme primjene mineralnih gnojiva (proljeće – jesen) nije utjecalo na prinos ST (P>0,05). Zaključeno je da je efikasnija gnojidba poluprirodnog travnjaka s 30 t KSG ha-1 u jesen nego u proljeće jer je rezultirala višim prinosom ST krme poluprirodnog travnjaka. Primjena mineralnih gnojiva se pokazala superiornijom u odnosu na gnojidbu s 30 t KSG/ha-1 u proljeće ili u jesen., The objective of the study was to determine the yield of forage dry matter (DM) of a semi-natural lawn after one year and after ten years of spring and autumn application of farm yrd manure (FYM) in the amount of 30 t ha-1 and to compare the same with the results of standard mineral fertilization. Four fertilizing treatments with fertilizer application were investigated: (i) 30 t ha-1 of FYM every spring (treatment A); 30 t ha-1 of FYM every fall (treatment B); (iii) 0 t ha-1 of FYM + NPK and KAN every spring (treatment C); (iv) 0 t ha-1 of FYM + NPK and KAN every autumn (treatment D). The total average higher DM forage yield (P<0.05) of treatment B (8.28 t ha-1) compared to treatment A (7.63 t ha-1) was determined. Statistically significant differences in DM yield after the first year of the study or after the 10th year of the study were found between A and B fertilizing treatments. Fertilization with mineral fertilizers in the spring (treatment C) and in the autumn (treatment D) resulted in a higher DM yield compared to FYM treatments. It was concluded that, in terms of DM yield, the fertilization of semi-natural lawn with 30 t of FYM ha-1 is more efficient in autumn than in spring. The application of mineral fertilizers was found superior to fertilization with 30 t of FYM ha-1 in spring or autumn.