The effect of fertilization and liming on the element composition in meadow sward

The aim of the paper is a synthetic presentation of changes in the equivale nt ratio of potassium to the total of calcium and magnesium in fodder under conditions of equal application of mineral fertilization for 30 years of m ountain meadow utilization at Czarny Potok. Unbalanced long-term mineral fe rtilization caused a systematic increase in the value of equivalent K : (Ca + Mg) ratio in hay from meadow associations developed under the influence of this treatment. K : (Ca + Mg) ratio in the plant material from the secon d cut had a lower value as compared to the value from the first cut. Liming proved advantageous from the point of view of a long-term improvement of n utrient balance in hay. A change in calcium and potassium contents in hay c aused by a long-term fertilization had a significant effect on the value of the ratio of potassium to the sum of calcium and magnesium.