Yield and carrying capacity of meadows in Albania

Abstract

This study was carried out during 2003-2005 and included total meadow surface of 32,000 ha from seven regions throughout Albania (summer meadows of Shishtavec, Gramoz, Çajup, Lenie, Progonat, and winter meadows of Heremec-Delvine and Dukaj). The results of the study showed that average dry matter yield of the summer meadows is low (about 0.6±0.14 t ha-1) ranging from 0.33±0.07 t ha-1 to 0.53±0.10 t ha-1 at poor meadows (Progonat, Cajup Lenie) and from 0.9±0.17 t ha-1 to 0.95±0.18 t ha-1 at rich meadows (Gramoz Shistavec). Dry matter yield of the winter meadows ranged from 0.45±0.17 t ha-1 (Dukaj) to 0.57±0.13 t ha-1 (Heremec-Delvine). Regarding the rate of herbaceous biomass utilization in general, the plots closer to the villages were overstocked, which put high pressure on meadows resulting in their degradation. The coefficient of herbaceous phytomass utilization was about 94-95% at Lenia's meadows and a few other meadows close to villages. At a few plots of meadows (Lenia, Gramoz, Shishtavec) situated away from villages and at high sea level, the coefficient of meadow utilization reached 50-60%. Energetic value expressed by starch unit (SU) depends on the flora and environmental conditions. According to laboratory analyses, the meadows of Dukaj had the highest energetic values (about 1.16±0.22 SU kg-1 dry matter) while Lenia' meadows had the lowest energetic values (about 0.84 ±0.16 SU kg-1 dry matter).

Keywords

• capacity of meadow
• sample
• small ruminants
• plot
• region
• dry matter yield