Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, cilt.28, sa.8, ss.5916-5925, 2019 (SCI-Expanded)
In order to increase the yield and quality of rangelands, establishment of the desirable forage species into these areas must be maximized. During 2013-2015 there was organized an experiment in order to increase the productive potential and quality by overseeding and fertilization with mineral fertilizers. In a randomized complete block in a split-plot arrangement, overseeding (unseeded and seeded with a mixture of grasses and legume species) was assigned to the main plots. Subplots were allocated to 18 fertilization composed of three nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha1) and phosphorous (0, 60 and 120 kg P ha1) and two potassium (0 and 80 kg K ha1) rates. In the second year of trial, the rates of desirable perennial species (20% vs. 60%) and yield of crude protein (444.4 vs. 567.7 kg ha1) in overseeded rangeland were higher than that of unseeded rangeland due to the contribution of or-chardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) in the seed mixture used. The NPK fertilizer increased the percentage of grass and legume families of the rangeland. High-dose N fertilization with P and K had higher efficiency for seeded rangeland, whereas the efficiency of N with P were higher for unseeded in terms of yield, quality, and net benefit. In conclusion, the yield, quality. and profitability of rangelands degraded can be maximized by fertilizing with N up to 120 kg plus 60 kg P and 80 kg K ha1 and overseeding with Dactylis glomerata and Medicago sativa.