Methods of maintaining the long-term productivity of perennial fodder coenoses

Abstract

Goal. To search for ways to maintain the productivity of perennial fodder coenoses for their long-term use in conditions of climate change. Methods. Field — to study biometric parameters of plants, laboratory — to determine the chemical composition of feed, statistical — to statistically process the research results. Results. During 2021–2023, the positive influence of the annual improvement of long-term use fodder lands by sowing with small rates of grasses on the density of shoots, botanical composition of coenoses, yield, and quality of fodder was established. The number of shoots per unit area increased by 19–24% compared to 2016 and amounted to 1,372–1,415 pcs/m2, the share of leguminous components in the structural composition of multi-season grass mixtures increased to 65.7%. The application of annual improvement of perennial grass stands had a positive effect on their productivity, which increased by 15–17% in terms of dry mass compared to the average productivity for 2016–2020. On average, over 3 years in the control variants, the dry mass productivity was 6.2–6.3 t/ha, collection of fodder units — 6.81–6.93 t/ha, digestible protein — 0.78–0.98 t/ha depending on the maturity group of the mixture. The highest productivity of dry mass — 12.0–12.8 t/ha, the collection of fodder units — 9.7–10.54 t/ha, digestible protein — 1.15–1.45 t/ha was obtained at the use of complex mineral fertilizer Polifoska 8. Conclusions. Carrying out annual improvement with small rates of sowing components under the variability of weather conditions contributes to the full restoration of multi-ripened perennial fodder coenoses of long-term use. The use of the new complex mineral fertilizer Polifoska 8 ensures high productivity of grasses and has a coefficient of competitiveness of technology models at the level of 2.8–3.14.