TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING DEGRADED HAYLANDS IN THE WEST SIBERIAN FOREST STEPPE

Abstract

Results are given from studies (2006–2010) on forming high-yielding perennial legume grasslands using different techniques for degraded sod tillage. The most effective techniques have been established that contribute to increasing yields, fodder quality and productive life of haylands. The content of perennial leguminous grasses in the herbage composition at different techniques was recorded as follows: 91% at sod plowing, 82 at rotary tillage, and 74% at disking. The maximum yields of green and dry mass of 17.3 and 3.64 tons per ha have been obtained in the variant of amelioration (plowing + disking), which is 3.6 times higher than controls. It was found that amelioration of degraded haylands increased the output of fodder units up to 1.74 tons per ha, and that of digestible protein to 0.25 tons per ha. The amount of digestible protein per fodder unit made up 140 g. When disking sod, these parameters were 1.55 t/ha, 0.22 t/ha, and 135 g, respectively. At direct drilling of perennial legumes into degraded grassland, the variant with strips of 60 cm wide was remarkable. The yield of fodder units made up 1.61 t/ha, that of digestible protein 0.18 t/ha. The control variant (degraded hayland) showed the yield of fodder units of 0.38 t/ha, digestible protein of 0.025 t/ha. Economic assessment of techniques for improving degraded haylands has shown that direct drilling of perennial legumes turned out to be most effective for the West Siberian forest steppe. The net income, depending on a direct drilling variant, amounted to 1439–1641 rubles per ha, profitability 71–87%. When ameliorated, the economic indicators were slightly lower – 1520 rubles per ha and 57%, respectively.