
doi: 10.5772/31793
In the organic farming system where the concentrate feeds are purchased a crop rotation for producing none only forage has been found to be expensive in relation to forage production costs, fossil energy inputs and the loss of production while crops are being established. The aim of organic farming is to create coexistence of multilateral, biologically and ecologically balanced weeds with low biomass production and strong culture crop. In weeds regulation we use preventive measures (seed rotation, late sowing, parallel growing of covering under sowings etc.), but also direct regulation methods, i.e. harrowing and line weeding (Petr et al., 1992). Fodder beet is a crop for which cultivation areas are reduced, since in 2000 the sown area of 7597 hectares, but in 2007 decreased to 807 ha in the Czech Republic. A slight increase can be recorded in the year 2008 845 ha. Even though the area of fodder beet reduced this crop has an irreplaceable role in maintaining biodiversity in agro ecosystems. Therefore, at present there is a new application in organic farming, which is among the good fore crop. Fodder beet areas in all over the world are not great. But it is a pity, because this crop has very high feed quality. Nowadays fodder beet could find new use in organic farming, especially as excellent feed for dairy cattle and energy crops. In ecological production of fodder beet we have some unsolved questions concerning i.e. weeds reduction, beet competitiveness improvement and optimal stand density. Fodder beet is a wide-row crop with slow initial development, which decreases its competitiveness in relation to weeds. This crop has very high feed quality. Fodder beet could find new use in ecological farming, especially as excellent feed for dairy cattle (Kodes et al., 2001). Energy crops with wide ratio of nutrients – fodder beet, semi-sugar beet and sugar beet – provide more energy in comparison with cereals or forage crops. Fodder beet provides maximum amount of energy per one hectare and presents easily digestible feed (Kosaį, 1985). The most important factor determining nutritional quality of feeds is digestibility. Its value significantly influences amount of nutrients and of energy available for animal (Mudįik et al., 2006).
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