Romanian pastures - concept, legislation and management

Romania as EU member country has the obligation to respect both the assumed commitments and the new regulations concerning the management of payments to farmers. An example in this respect is the legislation in the field of pastures. A transdisciplinary approach of proposed changes for pastures low is compulsory in order to harmonize conceptual problems with technical and juridical problems

Evolution of the Botanical Composition and Forage Yield of several Perennial Fodder Legume and Grass Mixtures in the Year of Establishment

The research results regarding the selection of some mixtures of perennial fodder grasses and legumes suitable for the establishment of temporary pastures in Cojocna, Transylvania region, Romania, are presented in this paper. The evolution of both the botanical composition and dry matter (DM) yield on 2 cuttings, after the sowing of mixtures were measured in order to establish the best mixtures. Increases of the legume ratios in the botanical composition of swards on both first and second cutting were recorded in the mixtures where their ratios at sowing were less than 40%. Grasses, in comparison with legumes, recorded lower ratios in the structure of swards than those used at sowing, both on the first and the second cutting. Weeds had ratios of 31-75% in the botanical composition of all variants on the first cutting, while on the second cutting their ratios decreased to less than 25% in the majority of variants, except in the pure alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crop. The higher fodder yield was obtained on each cutting for the mixture of 6 species, including 3 legumes and 3 grasses

Challenges and barriers in implementing an integrated sustainable nitrogen management policy on the Romanian grasslands

The nitrogen management on the Romanian permanent grasslands is dependent on various factors, but the traditional practices and agri-environment EU funded payment schemes are playing the most important roles. At the same time, policies and farmers are mainly acting against reducing the nitrogen losses especially by implementing measures for avoiding water pollution with nutrients, while the concept of improving nitrogen use efficiency through integrated practices for reducingboth water and air nitrogen losses remains a topic insufficiently addressed. Nevertheless, the situation is not specific only to Romania, as the country is merely applying the international agreements and EUlegislation. Therefore, this article is focusing on the analysis of the challenges and barriers in implementing an integrated sustainable nitrogen efficiency use at policy and farmer level, thus identifying possible options in promoting good practices that should lead at the reduction of nitrogen losses in both water and air in an integrated manner.Grasslands are particular challenging for Romania as are largely extensively and traditionally managed. Furthermore, manure cannot be incorporated in soils by ploughing, as in case of arable land, thus remaining more prone to nitrogen air losses

The influence of the phenological phase on the fodder quality of the Festuca rubra and Agrostis capillaries species

In the Cindrel Mountains, respectively in the experimental field of the Institute of Mountainology Cristian - Sibiu, situated at the height of 1300 m, on acid brown soil, we have conducted studies regarding the way the phenological phases (bellows and earing) influence the fodder quality of the two species. We have assessed on the one hand the rough chemical composition and on the other hand, by calculus, the digestibility of organic stuff at the Festuca rubra and Agrostis capillaries species form the wild flora, analysed as whole plants