Futterqualität, Vorfruchtleistung und Nitratauswaschung von über Winter beweideten Kleegrasbeständen

Summary in the original language of the document

In comparison to harvesting, grazing is less cost intensive. For economical reasons an
extended duration of grazing period is recommended. Grazing during winter can
cause pasture damages, which is of minor relevance for older grass clover grown on
arable land, which will be ploughed in the following spring. Against this background
yield and forage quality of 3 different legume species, i.e. white clover, red clover and
alfalfa, grown in binary mixtures with two grass species, perennial ryegrass and tall
fescue, respectively, were examined before grazing the third growth in autumn or
winter. Nitrate leaching losses during winter and yield of the following spring wheat
were recorded.
Yield and forage quality of the total sward was not significantly influenced by grass
species while the interaction of legume species and grazing date had a high impact on
yield and quality of the swards. Before grazing in October, swards with white clover
showed lower yields and through lower legume contents also lower crude protein
concentrations compared to swards with alfalfa or red clover. Losses of leave material
led to losses of crude protein concentration in swards with alfalfa or red clover as well
as high losses of energy content in swards with alfalfa, which at the latest grazing date
were significantly lower than in sward with white clover. Mulching the last growth and
autumn grazing led to higher nitrate losses than late winter grazing. After ploughing,
no effect of clover grass management on spring wheat yields was observed. Grazing
in January led to higher grain crude protein contents in spring wheat than autumn
gazing or cutting of the last growth for silage.