Features of creating fast-growing and multifunctional field-protecting forest strips in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine

Abstract

To ensure the maximum protection of agricultural crops from climatic factors unfavorable for their growth and development, it is necessary to create an optimal number of field protection forest strips. In particular, for the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, less than half of the optimal needs are available, which indicates an urgent need for their additional creation. The expediency of creating fast-growing and multifunctional field forest strips is substantiated, and the productivity of new bioenergy crops during their formation for use in beekeeping and as biofuel is determined. For this purpose, a model of the artificial formation of a forest strip with its possible further exploitation is proposed. The most optimal one is to develop the concept of creating field forest strips with the use of multifunctional tree species, which, in addition to the function of wind, water and dust retention, will also perform other economic tasks. In particular, along with their intended purpose, they can be used as raw materials for biofuel production and as early honey plants. For the accelerated creation of field protection forest strips, it is advisable to use mixed 6–8- row plantings, where the middle 2–3 rows are planted with the involvement of tree species, including the use of species valuable as raw materials for beekeeping. These forest strips are complemented on both sides by planted strips of energy crops, which are important for beekeeping and are a valuable resource for obtaining fuel raw materials. For this purpose, it is advisable to plant 10–12 thousand pieces on one hectare poplar cuttings (Populus sp.), 1250 pieces of paulownia plants (Paulownia tomentosa Steud.) with a row width of 2×4 m and 17–18 thousand pieces cuttings of energy willow (Salix viminalis L.). It is also possible to replace part of the poplar cuttings with cuttings of common robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and linden (Tilia cordata Mill.). The creation of such plantations near settlements will contribute to their significant use of raw materials and will be quite effective in carrying out their main function of ecological stabilization of agro-landscapes.