The productivity of improved and cultural hayfields and pastures in the basins of small and medium rivers of the Forest-Steppe zone

Abstract

Goal. To determine the efficiency of agricultural use of floodplains of rivers and adjacent areas for improved and cultivated hayfields and pastures as well as areas for improving the environmental situation in the context of climate change in the Forest-Steppe. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical, energy and systems analysis. Results. Growing perennial grasses on drained peat soils provides both high land productivity and environmental protection. Yield at the application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (P45K120) on improved pastures is 7.13-7.41 t/ha of dry weight and 0.86-0.93 t/ha of crude protein; on cultivated pastures, respectively — 7.16-7.8 t/ha and 0.86-1.04 t/ha. On the background of N90R45K120 the productivity of improved and cultivated pastures increases respectively to 8.49-8.64 t/ha and 1.08-1.15 t/ha. Creating improved pastures also provides energy and resource savings. On cultivated hayfields in the conditions of climatic changes and with the use of modern varieties of cereal grasses productivity is high and makes on the background of P45K120 to 6,4-8,5 t/ha of forage units, and at the use of N90R45K120 — 8,1-10,4 t/ha accordingly. Application of nitrogen fertilizers on pastures and cultivated hayfields should begin from the 2nd year of grassland use. From the 2nd year of grassland use, the content of nutrients in the soil does not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations and confirms the great protective ability of meadow grasslands as a natural filter that protects the environment from pollution. The analogy is the effect of perennial grasses on the adjacent sloping lands. The approximate duration of the grazing period is 170-180 days, and of mowing conveyors — for 145 days. It is expedient to use such conveyors both from the economic and from the energy point of view. Conclusions. For the rational use of drained peat soils and adjacent slopes, taking into account economic, energy, and environmental feasibility, they should create improved and cultivated hayfields and pastures with a productivity of 7.13-11.5 t/ha of dry matter (at the use of P45K120), and 8.49-13.2 t/ha (at the use of complete mineral fertilizer). The duration of the grazing period is 185 days, and the green conveyor is 145 days. These lands are the natural filter that protects rivers from pollutants and combines their highly productive use with improving the environmental conditions of river basins.