Scientists of the Laboratory of Neutron Physics at JINR, in cooperation with colleagues from three institutes and two universities of Romania, a research and development station for meadows, and a company producing medicines and cosmetics, studied the influence of organic and mineral fertilisers on different forage plants in the northeastern Romanian grassland.

The mass fractions of 14 essential, enzymatic, or toxic elements were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis together with the amount of crude proteins, ash, fibres, and fat ether extract.

The location of experimental areas within Suceava County (Romania)

The final results showed a significant variance in the content of analysed elements on organic and mineral fertilised experimental plots. At the same time, increased content of crude protein and fat ether extract was evident in fertilised grasses for all applied fertilisers, while other global indicators such as neutral and acid fibres of sulfuric lignin content decreased, suggesting significantly higher nutritional values for fertilised forage plants.

The paper reviewing the results of the study was published in Separations in May 2024. The authors are Otilia-Ana Culicov, Doina Tarcau, Inga Zinicovscaia, Octavian Gheorghe Duliu, Mihai Stavarache, and Vasile Vintu.