Grażyna Anna Ciepiela

The effect of growth regulator on dry matter yield and some chemical components in selected grass species and cultivars

ABSTRACT The work reported here was undertaken to determine the effect of the biostimulant Kelpak SL on some chemical components in selected grass. The experiment was a split-split-plot arrangement with three replicates. It was set up at the experimental facility of the Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities (Poland), in late April 2009. The following factors were examined: Kelpak SL applied at the rate of 2 dm3 ha−1 vs. non-treated control (0 dm3 ha−1), pure sown grass species and cultivars grown in monoculture: Dactylis glomerata L., cv. Amila and Tukan as well as Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus cv. Felopa and Agula. The results demonstrated that grass yield and nitrogen content in dry matter increased significantly following an application of Kelpak. The biostimulant significantly reduced fiber NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) and ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) regardless of the remaining factors. Festulolium braunii cv. Agula had the highest nutritional value. Grass yields and concentration of the components examined clearly varied during the growing season.

THE EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATOR ON STRUCTURAL AND NON-STRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATES AND LIGNIN CONTENT IN SELECTED GRASS SPECIES AND CULTIVARS

The research was undertaken to determine the effect of the biostimulant Kelpak SL, derived from brown seaweed species Ecklonia maxima (kelp), on structural and nonstructural carbohydrates, as well as lignin content in orchard grass and Braun’s festulolium. The experiment was a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. It was set up at the experimental facility of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, in late April 2009. The following factors were examined: an application of the plant growth regulator Kelpak SL applied at the rate of 2 dm3·ha-1 vs an untreated control (0 dm3·ha-1), pure sown grass species and cultivars grown in monoculture: Dactylis glomerata, cv. Amila and Tukan, as well as Festulolium braunii cv. Felopa and Agula. This study revealed that an application of Kelpak significantly reduced cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents of the grasses but significantly increased non-structural carbohydrates, regardless of the remaining factors. Non-structural carbohydrates were the highest in Kelpak-treated Festulolium braunii (on average, 232.7 g·kg-1).