GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT FOR HIGH FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

Transcription

1 GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT FOR HIGH FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS Balkan HERD programme Prof. Peder Lamenaes: The Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research Bioforsk Prof. Bal Ram Sing: IPM, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway Prof. Imer Rusinovci: Country coordinator

2 Project partners Norway The Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research Bioforsk Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) Ås. Balkan Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Prishtina, Kosovo Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Serbia 2

3 Project Objectives The overall objective for the project is to build competence of academic staff and students from selected West Balkan universities on innovation and improvements in grassland management in West Balkan region with the following specific objectives. 3

4 Specific objectives Capacity building of Balkan institutions through targeted activities for scientific staff and students at master and PhD levels. Inventarization of the current situation of grassland management. Conduct field experiments to assess the effect on grass yield and quality (protein and mineral composition) and soil carbon sequestration as affected by: i) botanical compositions, ii) cutting/grazing regimes, and iii) different fertilization practices. Economical evaluation of cost/benefit analysis for different grassland management strategies (i.e. cutting regimes, fertilizer input, botanical composition). Transfer new knowledge on innovative solutions and new research findings for improved grassland management. 4

5 Methodology and Work Packages (WP) WP1 Inventerisation and phytocenosis. WP2 Legumes / grass mixtures and cutting regimes. WP3 Fertilization practice. WP 4 Economical analysis and transfer of knowledge. 5

6 WP1 - Inventerisation and phytocenosis Inventarisation of grasslands. botanical composition in the grassland. Methods of controlling weeds in grasslands. Biological control. Grazing and re-vegetation. Essential minerals (P, Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Cu, Mo and Se). 6

7 WP2 Legumes and grass mixtures experiment 9.5 m 1.5 m m m m m m Treatments : Grass species: Prishtina: (1) red clover + Italian ryegrass; (2) birdsfoot trefoil + red fescue; (3) Italian ryegrass; (4) red fescue), (5) red clover. 7

8 WP 3 Fertilization field experiment 1.5 m 0.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 0.5 m 1.5 m 0.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 1.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 33.5 m 8 m 0.5 m 8 m 0.5 m 8 m 0.5 m 8 m I II III IV Treatments: I Harrowing: II Fertilization: III Cutting regime: Replications: 4 Without harrowing With harrowing 1) control, normal cutting 2) PK+N1, normal cutting 3) PK+N2, normal cutting 4) PK+N2, one week earlier cutting 5) PK+N2, one week later cutting Split plot design Block design 8

9 Sampling for grass species and fertilization Grass WP 2 Grass WP 3 Soil Samples WP 2 Soil Samples WP

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11 WP4 - Economical analysis and transfer of knowledge From WP 2 and 3 to develop agro economical models by cost-benefit analysis. Economical results are dependent on various input-costs. Costs of fertilizers, Cutting intensity, Tillage, Weed control, Seeds. 11

12 Description of activities for next remaining period Time period Training at Bioforsk research station and UMB for scientific staff 2013 and selected extension officers Selection of students (MSc and PhD) and fellowship to them ( /2013 months) for training and attending courses at UMB in Norway Statistical and chemical analysis of soil and grass samples from 2012 the first year experiments Start of the 2nd year s field experiments 2013 Workshop /seminar after 1st year of field experiments 2013 Chemical analysis of samples collected from the field experiments 2013 and data processing Workshop for scientists and extension officers after 2nd year of 2014 field experiments on national levels and plan for dissemination of the results Economical analyses of grassland management based on the 2014 results from field inventerasiation and experiments. Analysis of soil samples collected from different experiments for 2014 soil organic carbon to assess the potential of grassland management on carbon sequestration Writing the publications and dissemination of the project results

13 Expected results- output Stronger cooperative network between Bioforsk/UMB and Balkan universities. Improved cooperative network on research on grassland management between Balkan and Norwegian institutions. Assistance to PhD and M.Sc. students in getting their degree at UP. Joint publications in journals with referee system. Presentation of obtained results in international conferences/ congresses. Increased competence for scientific staff by training at Bioforsk research stations and UMB. Developed program / guidelines on cost-effective grassland management technologies. 13 DETTE ER TITTELE N PÅ PRESEN TASJON EN Educational material for extension officers and farmers on cost-effective grassland management