Farklı Azot Dozu ve Biçim Zamanı Uygulamalarının Çayırların Botanik Kompozisyonu ve Yem Kalitesi Üzerine Etkileri

The study was conducted in a semi-natural meadow located in Kızmusa village, Hınıs district, Erzurum province. The research investigated the effects of different nitrogen (N) doses and harvest times (B) on dry matter yield (DMY), forage quality, and botanical composition in meadow ecosystems. The findings revealed that increasing nitrogen doses linearly enhanced dry matter yield (DMY), but higher doses (22,5 kg/da) reduced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and suppressed the legume ratio. Delaying the cutting time increased DMY but negatively affected forage quality by reducing crude protein (CP) content and relative feed value (RFV), which was associated with increased lignification in late cutting. Optimal results were obtained with the 15 kg/da dose of nitrogen and cutting at the early to mid-flowering stage). This combination balanced DMY (723,5 kg/da), CP (13,8%), and RFV (129,1) while preserving the legume ratio (20.7%) and NUE (8,6 kg N/kg). To simultaneously optimize high yield and high quality, a nitrogen dose of 15 kg N/da and early-to-mid cutting time are critical. Farmers should manage their strategies based on their objectives (prioritizing quality for dairy cattle or yield for roughage) and adopt practices that maintain biodiversity in the sward, ensuring both economic and ecological sustainability.