Jaromír Šantrůček

Utilization of Permanent Grassland for Biogas Production

Permanent grasslands represent undoubtedly an inseparable part of landscape, which has historically both agriculture and environmental importance. Considering restricting agriculture-food-processing production, especially in Central and Eastern European countries, the main aim of European policy is to support mainly environmental function of permanent grasslands. To fulfil non-productive function of permanent grasslands, there is the base of their utilization and harvest of biomass. Therefore, agriculture is also focused on non-food processing production where the first place is taken by energy production.

Effect of Different Plant Arrangements on Maize Morphology and Forage Quality

Abstract A study was carried out in Central Bohemia to understand the effect of row spacing and stand density on plant morphology, productivity and quality of silage maize in two row spacing treatments (0.70 m and 0.35 m) at two stand densities (92,000 plants/ha and 110,000 plants/ha). The results of the study showed that row spacing and stand density had no effect on plant height or weight; however, significantly higher ear ratio and dry matter content was found in narrow rows at 110,000 plants/ha. It was observed that plant morphology was affected more by the interaction between row spacing and stand density than by a single effect of tested factors. Significantly higher dry matter yield was recorded at higher stand density, but there was no row spacing × stand density interaction. Row spacing had no impact on the whole plant neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, crude protein of stover and starch content of ear, while narrow rows resulted in almost significantly higher stover NDF content. Our results suggest that narrow rows could be advantageous for maize morphology and quality in cases where higher stand density is applied.