In a 22-year-old experiment in Southwest Germany, the effects of different fertilization
systems (organic and mineral fertilizers) on permanent grassland were investigated.
The effects were investigated under cutting and mown pasture with two grazing
periods per year. The experiment had 8 fertilizer treatments and 3 replications, the
size of field plots were 25 m2 in area. Dry matter (DM) yields and mineral contents in
soil and forage (P, K) were measured. The botanical composition was investigated
each second year. Maximum DM yields were obtained by mineral NPK fertilization and
a treatment called ‘alternating fertilizer’, with yearly alternating use of farmyard
manure, liquid manure and mineral NPK. The application of composted farmyard
manure reduced DM yields. The additional application of stone-meal and metallurgical
lime to slurry did not increase the effects of untreated slurry on yield. Fertilization with
slurry increased the proportions of grasses, whereas farmyard manure increased
forbs. The proportion of legumes was increased by PK and by fertilization with slurry
with lime