| title: | The role of fast-growing grasses in elevating the nutritive value of fodder based on Leguminosae mixed sowings |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5774 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
4.2. Crop Sciences (inc. Horticulture) |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture |
| head of project: | Uno Tamm |
| duration: | 01.01.2004 - 31.12.2007 |
| description: | This study entails the field and feeding experiments and pursues following objectives: 1. To determine the species of fast-growing grasses that provide for larger harvests and higher quality of fodder (through increasing its nutritive value and facilitating better assimilation of protein) in mixed sowings with red clover, cultivated and hybrid alfalfa. 2. To investigate the effects of grasses in the mixed sowings of less spread legumes (i.e. birdsfoot trefoil, fodder galega). 3. To establish the effect of fast-growing grasses in order to improve ensilage, and to improve ensiling technology. In order to improve the nutritive value and the assimilation of protein, it is expected to correlate the legumes and grasses in mixed sowings so that the specific qualities of one plant group compensate for the shortcomings of the other. The application of such established ratios of legumes and grasses in forage production is expected to produce biologically more balanced forage. The optimisation of cutting time and frequency will be accomplished on the basis the botanical composition of the turf, and the biological-economical qualities of the used species. The process of ensiling will be regulated through wilting of the grass and through the application of the newest additives. The efficiency of the fodder (produced on the basis of legumes-grasses mixed sowings) in milk production will be determined in feeding experiments, and the balanced feeding rations will be composed using minimum feeding up. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Paul Lättemäe | EMVI | vanemteadur | |
| 2. | Silvi Tamm | EMVI | teadur | |
| 3. | Sirje Tamm | Jõgeva SAI | teadur, doktorant | |
| 4. | Uno Tamm | Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture | Head of department | |
| 5. | Taavet Valgus | TMKK | peaagronoom | |