Effect of Cutting Pattern and Fertilization Level on Species Diversity and Evaluation of Grassland Quality

摘要

The effects of fertilization level and cutting pattern on the species diversity and quality of a meadow stand were assessed in 2004–2012 in the small plot trial established in 2003 in Vatín, Vyso?ina Region, Czech Republic. Four levels of fertilization (none; Nsub0/sub + Psub30/sub + Ksub60/sub kg?hasup?/supsup1/sup; Nsub90/sub + Psub30/sub + Ksub60/sub kg?hasup?1/sup; Nsub180/sub + Psub30/sub + Ksub60/sub kg?hasup?1/sup) were combined with four treatments of exploitation intensity (4 cuts per year, first cut on 15supth/sup May, every next after 45 days; 3 cuts per year, first cut on 30supth/sup May, every next after 60 days; 2 cuts per year, first cut on 15supth/sup June, next after 90 days; 2 cuts per year, first cut on 30supth/sup June, next after 90 days). Numbers of species, Simpson’s diversity index and evaluation of grassland quality according to Novák (2004) were evaluated. Numbers of species and Simpson’s diversity index were significantly affected by both fertilization level and cutting pattern. Species richness decreased along with increasing fertilization rates from 29.4 (no fertilization) to 27.8 (N180PK). When comparing cutting pattern treatments the highest species richness was found in four-cut swards (29.6 in average of fertilization levels) and it declines towards late double-cut regime (27.2). The Simpson’s index generally increased from two-cut swards to four-cut and from fertilized treatments to control. Grassland quality was significantly affected by cutting pattern. Values increased from four-cut swards (38.1) to two-cut ones (43.8 and 44.0 in early and late harvest respectively).