Abstract
Article Details: Received: 2019-04-08 | Accepted: 2019-06-03 | Available online: 2019-09-30 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2019.22.03.101-109 The aim of the work was to analyze the influence of different intensity of grassland exploitation on the development of floristic composition. The experiment was carried out in 2017 and 2018 in the Žirany village (SW Slovakia) characterized by a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 9 °C. Before the experiment was established, the grassland was used for sheep grazing and dominated by Lollium perenne L. The monitoring period was 2017 and 2018. The experimental crops were mown 2× (variant 4), 3× (variant 3) and 4× (variant 2). We established also control variant (variant 1) which was not mowed and fertilized, as well. The floristic composition was evaluated before each cut. It follows from the results obtained at the beginning of the monitoring in 2017, grass species (Lollium perenne L., Poa trivalis L., Poa pratensis L.) predominantly prevailed and they maintained their dominant position during the whole vegetation period in 2017. Furthermore, other meadow herbs (Achillea millefolium L., Cerastium arvense L.) were found in higher proportion. Legumes were found in a lesser extent. In 2018, we reduced the proportion in the botanical groups of other meadow herbs and leguminous plants. Conversely, grasses increased their share compared to 2017. The cover has been reduced mainly in variant 3 (3× mowed) and variant 2 (2× mowed). Keywords: floristic composition, mowing management, grasses, legumes, other meadow herbs, permanent grassland References BOVAL, M. and DIXON, R. (2012) The importance of grasslands for animal production and other functions: A review on management and methodological progress in the tropics. In Animal, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 748–762. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731112000304 BRITAŇAK, N. et al. (2013) Production capacity of a mountain meadow in Slovakia. In Michalik, D. L., et. al. (eds.) Proceedings of the 22nd International Grassland Congress – Revitalising Grassland to Suitain our Communities, 2013 Sept 15–19, Sydney, pp. 1520–1521. ECONOMIC and social development program 2014–2020 Village Žirany [online]. Retrived 2019-01-09 from http://www.zirany.eu/documents/1427100129phsr-zirany2014.pdf (In Slovak). EZE, S., PALMER, S. M. and CHAPMAN, P. J. (2018) Soil organic carbon stock in grasslands: Effects of inorganic fertilizers, liming and grazing in different climate settings. In Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 223. GAISLER, J., PAVLŮ, V. and PAVLŮ, L. (2011) Effect of different extensive management treatments on the plant diversity of an upland meadow without forage utilisation. In Grassl. Sci. Eur., vol. 16, pp. 577–579. GIBSON D. J. (2009) Grasses and grassland ecology. New York: Oxford University Press. 305 p. JANCOVIC, J. and VOZAR, Ľ. (2014) Use of grasslands (In Slovak) In SKLADANKA, J. et. al. Fodder crops. Brno: MU. 368 p. (In Czech). KLAPP, E. (1971) Wiesen und Wieden. Berlin: Paul Parey. 520 p. KLIMES, L., JONGEPIEROVA, I., and JONGEPIER, J.W. (2000) The effect of mowing on previously abandoned meadow: a ten year experiment. Praha: Přiroda.. KOHOUTEK, A. et al. (2009) Selected indicators of productive and extraproductional management of grasslands in the Czech Republic. In Grassl. Sci. Eur., vol. 14, pp. 11–24. KRAJCOVIC, V. (2004) Integration of mountain farming landscape systems. In Use of permanent grassland in mountain and agriculturally disadvantaged areas (Publication on the occasion of Slovakia´s accession to the European Union). Banska Bystrica: VUTPHP, pp. 56–133 (In Slovak). MICHAUD, A. et al. (2012) Identification of the environmental factors which drive the botanical and functional composition of permanent grasslands. In J. Agric. Sci., vol. 150, pp. 219–236. MORAVEC, J. et. al. (1994) Phytocoenology. Praha: Academia. 403 p. (In Czech). O‘MARA F. P. (2012) The role of grasslands in food security and climate change. In Annals of Botany, vol. 110, no. 6, pp. 1263–1270. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcs209 POLLAK, S., JANCOVA and LIESKOVSKÝ, M. (2013). Alternative energy utilization options grasslands: proceedings of research papers. Piesťany: Plant production research centre in Piesťany. 218 p. (In Slovak). REGAL, V. 1956. Microskopic method for evaluation of grass quality. Proceeding CS AZV, Plant production, no. 6 (In Czech). SMITH, N. A. C., WILLEMS, J. H. and BOBBINK, R. (2008) Longterm after-effect of fertilisation on the restoration of calcareous grasslands. In Appl. Veg. Sci., vol. 11, pp. 279–286. STÝBNAROVA, M. and DUFEK, A. (2016) Changes of botanical composition of permanent grassland four years after the cessation of different fertilization with compost and slurry. In Cattle Research, 2016, vol. 58, no. 211.
Highlights
Grasslands exist and have been used by man since the very beginning of human existence (Gibson, 2009)
In addition to producing features, grasslands include a large number of non-productive features, such as the creation of a biological diversity reserve, cultural and recreational use, but they serve as a potential carbon capture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Boval and Dixon, 2012)
The aim of the paper is to analyze the influence of different intensity of grassland exploitation for the development of floristic composition
Summary
Grasslands exist and have been used by man since the very beginning of human existence (Gibson, 2009). They account for approximately 26% of the total land area and 80% of the agricultural land Most of these stands are located in developing countries, where they are particularty important for the livehood of approximately one billion poor people. They form a fodder base for grazing animals and a number of high quality foods (Boval and Dixon, 2012). In addition to producing features, grasslands include a large number of non-productive features, such as the creation of a biological diversity reserve, cultural and recreational use, but they serve as a potential carbon capture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Boval and Dixon, 2012). We take into account lower demand for phytomass, intensification management and its impact on grassland
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
