The Biomass Productivity and Quality Indices of Some Permanent Grasslands

Adrian-Ilie Nazare¹, Victor Țîței2, Ana Guțu2, Costel Samuil¹, Vasile Vîntu¹

¹“Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, Iaşi
2“Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute)
of the Moldova State University, Chişinău

Keywords: biochemical composition, biochemical methane potential, biomass productivity, Elytrigia repens grasslands, Festuca valesiaca grasslands, fodder values, theoretic ethanol potential.

Abstract: The research was conducted on a permanent grasslands dominated by Festuca valesiaca Gandin and Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski. It was determined that biomass productivity of investigates grasslands ranged from 1.59 to 7.93 t/ha dry matter. The quality indices of grassland dry matter was 85-91 g/kg CP, 382-424 g/kg CF, 86-89 g/kg ash, 415-450 g/kg ADF, 658-753 g/kg NDF, 44-60 g/kg ADL, 355-416 g/kg Cel, and 241-303 g/kg HC. The forage values were as follows: 53.8-56.7% DMD, 10.76-11.28 MJ/kg DE, 8.84-9.26 MJ/kg ME, and 4.86-5.26 MJ/kg NEl. In addition to its fodder value, the grasslands biomass may be used as feedstock for biofuels production with gross energy value 17.5-18.3 MJ/kg, estimated biochemical methane potential 305-333 l/kg VS and theoretic ethanol potential 433-523 l/t VS.
The biomass from the studied grasslands can be used as fodder for livestock, also as feedstock for biofuels production as renewable energy.
Depending on the possibilities, through mineral fertilization (N₁₀₀P₁₀₀ kg/ha^-1) or organic (30 t/ha^-1 sheep manure applied at 2 years), the pasture dominated by Festuca valesiaca can be significantly improved by increasing green mass production and improving forage quality by modifying the floristic composition.