Evolution of Total Protein Content and the Ratio of Sugar-Protein in Dry Matter of Dactylis glomerata and Festuca pratensis Variations Depending on the Type of Soil

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of soil type on total protein content and the formation ratio of sugars to proteins in dry matter varieties of cocksfoot and tall fescue. The experiment was arranged and conducted according to Research Center for Cultivar Testing guidelines. The experimental plots were sown with varieties of Dactylis glomerata: Niva, Tukan, Amila, Crown Royale and with varieties of Festuca pratensis: Limosa, Pasja, Anturka, Amelka. The plots were randomly selected, 1.5 meters wide and 6.67 m long, with an area of 10 m2, grouped in blocks with four replications. They were separated by 1 meter pathways between blocks and with 0.5 meter pathways between sub-blocks. The pathways lay fallow. The experiment in Krzyżewo (organic soil) was set up on ploughed soil, with spring barley as the forecrop. In Uhnin (mineral soil) the experimental plots were located on peat meadow. The airy dry matter was shredded and ground. The obtained material was subjected to chemical analysis to determine dry matter (by determining moisture content), protein compounds and simple sugars. The method of determination was near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using a NIRFlex N-500 spectrometer and readytouse INGOT calibration applications. Regardless of variety, cut and years of research, higher total protein content occurred in dry matter of cocksfoot grown on mineral soil (165 g∙kg-1 DM) than organic (172 g∙kg-1 DM). Higher values of sugar-protein ratios characterized biomass of varieties of meadow fescue (0.50) than cocksfoot (0.85). Regardless of the examined grass species, better nutritional value had the plant varieties located on mineral soils than organic.