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The widespread practice of using high doses of nitrogen to increase unit area yield in annual ryegrass introduces ecological and economic problems. This research was carried out over two years and aimed to determine the potential forage yield and quality of annual ryegrass by applying manure, humic acid, and low doses of nitrogen fertilizer, within the framework of sustainable forage crop cultivation. The study was carried out from 2020 to 2022 with three replications according to the randomized block split plots experimental design. According to the study results, the highest values were achieved with combinations that included manure application, and even higher values were observed when manure was applied along with low doses of humic acid and nitrogen. The M20 + H20 + N100 treatment yielded the highest fresh yield, dry matter, and crude protein. The treatments with manure, humic acid, and nitrogen fertilizer had varying effects on the ADF and NDF content of annual ryegrass, resulting in fluctuating values. In conclusion, 20 t manure, 20 L humic acid, and 100 kg ha−1 N application can be suggested for sustainable and higher dry matter production with good quality for annual ryegrass cultivation under semi-humid climatic conditions. The results obtained from this research hold promise for sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out in Eskişehir/Türkiye conditions for two years in 2019-2020 to determine the change in quality characteristics of the silage maize plant under different weed densities. Weed densities were arranged as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 weeds m-2 and the experiment was established according to the randomized complete blocks design with three replications. In the study, crude ash, ether extract, fiber ratio, crude protein, starch ratio, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus contents were investigated. Except for the starch ratio, while the effect of the year was very important on the quality characteristics of silage maize (p<0.0001), it was observed that the weed density was effective only on the crude ash ratio. Although there is no change in quality due to the increase in weed density, weed-free cultivation should be done since there is a significant decrease in yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out in Eskişehir/Türkiye for two years in 2019-2020 to examine the effects of weed density on some plant characteristics in silage maize. Weed densities were arranged as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 weeds m-2 and the experiment was established according to randomized complete block design in the field. The examined parameters showed significant variations between years and weed densities. Stem diameter, growth rate, and forage yield of silage maize were about 40% higher in weed-free (0 weeds m-2) plots compared to other weed densities. With the increase in weed density, the leaf and stem rate increased, while the cob ratios significantly decreased. Results indicated that weeds should be controlled as soon as possible to achieve better growth and yield performance in silage maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant community responses to environmental changes depend upon management strategies, climate, topography, and time. The objective herein was to determine canopy coverage and botanical changes in Turkish highland rangelands with different topographical characteristics between 1993 and 2013. Trends in the plant composition changed depending on the slope aspect (compass direction) and topography. The contribution of the grasses to the canopy decreased, while that of legumes and the other families increased. The results indicated that rangeland degradation occurred under uncontrolled grazing conditions. Suitable range management changes are recommended for the conservation of natural resources in the highland rangelands of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal performance declines considerably after summer dormancy during the grazing season in the steppe rangelands of East Anatolia. The aim of this study was to determine the growth performance of Holstein heifers grazed on rangeland and supported with concentrate. Forage amount, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of forage were sampled biweekly during the grazing season. In the experiment, heifers (250 ± 10 kg) were allocated to 1 of 3 feeding trials: 1) control, 2) grazing plus concentrate supplement fed at 1% of bodyweight once daily, and 3)grazing plus concentrate supplement fed at 1.5% of bodyweight once daily. The forage allowance increased from the beginning to the middle of July and thereafter continuously declined until the end of the season. CP content of forage declined from the beginning to the middle of July and thereafter it slightly increased until the end of the season. Both NDF and ADF content of forage increased from the beginning of August and thereafter declined. Bodyweight increased throughout the season, and the increases were considerably higher in the supplemented groups than in the control. Total live weight gain at the end of the grazing season was higher in the supplemented groups than in the control; however, there were no significant differences between the supplemented groups. According to the study results, concentrate supplement fed at 1% bodyweight after the start of summer dormancy can improve animal performance in the rangelands in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]