Effects of fertilizing with organic sulfur in forage plant mixtures

Grasslands and pastures, in addition to being the main source of roughage for farm animals, are natural vegetation communities that fulfill numerous ecological functions such as the conservation and sustainability of natural resources, serving as indispensable habitats for wildlife, maintaining biodiversity, providing genetic resources, and offering multiple land-use benefits. Among these functions, their most important role has been serving as a source of high-quality forage. Especially during their green growth period, grasslands and pastures have produced nutrient-rich fodder. The high diversity of species has contributed to the balanced nutrition of grazing animals. Despite their great importance, in Turkey, pastures have been regarded as "common property," which has led to their uncontrolled and unmaintained use without proper management or improvement practices. Livestock producers utilizing these lands have generally benefited from them freely and without significant expenses other than herding costs. Consequently, the productivity of natural pasturelands has declined over time, and their extent has continuously diminished. This situation has adversely affected livestock production as well. Therefore, the establishment of artificial grasslands and pastures has gained importance in order to meet the feed requirements of animals and has become a necessity for the future. To ensure the sustainability of these artificial pastures, fertilization practices have been required. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers has gradually reduced soil fertility and disrupted ecological balance. For this reason, research efforts have increasingly focused on organic agriculture, leading to the development of environmentally friendly practices. In this study, it was aimed to determine suitable plant mixtures that could be used in artificially established pastures for small ruminants, poultry, and cattle, and to examine the effects of different doses of organic sulfur-based fertilizers on these mixtures. Within the scope of the study, one mixture was used for small ruminants and poultry, and two mixtures were used for cattle. Each mixture was subjected to five different doses of sulfur-based organic fertilizer, along with unfertilized control plots. The findings revealed the effects of organic sulfur fertilization on vegetation characteristics and soil properties. Furthermore, as a result of the study, appropriate plant mixture combinations and recommended fertilizer doses were proposed for farmers who intend to practice organic livestock production.