Agropyron Repens Research Articles

Analysis of the <sup>90</sup>SR content in grassland vegetation when placed in leached chernozem

Nuclear power continues to develop rapidly in the 21st century. Due to the growth of the population on the planet and the growth of its well-being, more energy is required, which nuclear energy can also provide. Currently, work to improve the reactors used at nuclear power plants is going on. However, unfortunately, there are no guarantees for their trouble-free operation. Therefore, in case of possible accidents and radioactive contamination of the soil, the question arises of its further use in agricultural production. The return of radioactively contaminated fertile lands to agricultural production is the most important task at the present stage of human life. The purpose of the research is to study the content of specific activity in grassland vegetation, depending on its type, when the nuclide is located in the soil at a depth of 50 cm. The migration and accumulation of 90SR in grassland vegetation located in the orchard in the soil at a depth of 50 cm has been studied. The study of the accumulation of radionuclides in agricultural plants and soil after its radioactive contamination is one of the most urgent problems of our time. A field experiment has been carried out in a fruit seed orchard. Grassland vegetation is the most valuable bioresource, that is, it is a potential food for domestic and wild animals, so it is important to make a forecast of its possible use. Accumulation of the radionuclide in grassland vegetation along the trophic chain can lead to its accumulation in the human body. The largest accumulation of 90SR in annual herbaceous vegetation, as a possible fodder bioresource, when the radionuclide is located in the soil at a depth of 50 cm, is distinguished by field bindweed. In 2019, the difference in the accumulation of the nuclide between field bindweed and couch grass was 2.5 times. A decreasing series is compiled for the accumulation of the radionuclide, when it is located in the soil at a depth of 50 cm: field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) > field dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) = field sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis L.) > creeping couch grass (Agropyrum repens L.) > common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.).

Іnfluence of aquatic extracts from the rhizomes of Еlytrigia repens l. on the progress of maize seeds

Aim. To summarize the results of the study of allelopathic pressure of water-soluble secretions of Elytrigia repens L. in the laboratory. Methods. The rhizomes of creeping wheatgrass were dried to an air-dry state and ground into 3-4 mm particles. To extract, a weighed portion of weed rhizome (0.5, 1 and 10 g) was transferred to a glass container and 100 ml of distilled water at room temperature was added. The extraction process according to the method lasted 1 day at a temperature of +200°C. The experiments were performed with aqueous extracts at a concentration of 1:1000, 1:100 and 1:10. Results. As a result of our research, it was found that the presence of water-soluble secretions from the rhizomes of creeping wheatgrass inhibits the energy of germination of corn seeds, regardless of their level of concentration. On the fourth day of the survey, it was determined that the concentrations of water extracts of wheatgrass 1:100 and 1:10 significantly suppressed the length of the germinal root of corn: 2.37 cm and 2.78 cm, respectively. Measurements of the length of the coleoptile on the 7th day of germination of corn seeds showed a decrease in this indicator in the above options by 29.5% and 30.3%, respectively, compared to the control variant. Also, the total length of the root system in these variants was 44.2% and 44.6% shorter. On the germination and subsequent growth of maize seedlings aqueous extract with a concentration of 1:1000 gave a significant stimulating effect compared to the control variant, in which the seeds were germinated in distilled water. Conclusion. Therefore, depending on the concentration in the aqueous solution of allelopathically active substances from the rhizome of creeping wheatgrass can be either stimulating or inhibiting their effect on the processes occurring during the germination of corn seeds. The results of the research explain the appearance of unfriendly maize seedlings and the lag in the growth and development of cultivated plants in locked areas.

Production potential of wheatgrass (Elytrigia repens) as influenced by weather conditions, varieties and methods of sowing in the regions of southern Russia

In recent years, droughts have become more frequent in the south of Russia, which has affected the yield of forage crops on pastures and hayfields. Wheatgrass is a perennial cereal plant, a fodder crop, characterized by high productivity and durability, contains a lot of nutrients in the feed mass, more than other cereals, resistant to pests and diseases, frost and drought resistant, grows well on steppe saline soils. The present study was conducted during 2015–2019 at Federal Research Center for Agroecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia with an aim to assess the productive potential of wheatgrass plants depending on the variety, the method of sowing and the weather conditions of the growing year in the conditions of the arid zone. In this study, various varieties of wheatgrass were studied (wheatgrass medium variety Stavropol 1, wheatgrass elongated variety Stavropol 10, wheatgrass elongated variety Salt Marsh). The study was laid out in randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of 2 x 4 with three seeding methods (solid with the number of plants 245 pcs/m2 and wide-row, 45 cm with the number of plants 150 pcs/m2 and wide-row, 70 cm with the number of plants 150 pcs/m2 in a triple repetition. The yield of wheatgrass and the protein content in the green mass were determined depending on the factors studied. The data obtained showed that in arid conditions in the south of Russia, weather conditions had the greatest impact on the productivity of wheatgrass plants (their share of influence reaches 70%), while the yield of green phytomass varied from 4.0 to 9.4 t/ha, depending on the varieties and the method of sowing. The yield of wheatgrass and the protein content in the green mass were determined depending on the factors studied. The data obtained showed that in the arid conditions of the south of Russia, weather conditions had the greatest impact on the productivity of wheatgrass plants (their share of influence reaches 70%), while the yield of green phytomass varied from 4.0 to 9.4 t/ha, depending on the varieties and method of sowing. Thus, it was proved that the largest yield of phytomass of wheatgrass is formed in wide-row crops with a height of 70 cm with an increase in yield by 2.3 t/ha or by 32% compared to conventional continuous sowing tomass of wheatgrass is formed in wide-row 70 cm crops, with an increase in yield of 2.3 t/ha or 32% compared to conventional continuous sowing.

Relationship between Temperate Grass Sward Characteristics and the Grazing Behavior of Dairy Heifers

Sward architecture mediates ruminant grazing behavior in temperate grazing lands. Temperate grasses differ in their sward structure, which may influence the grazing behavior of cattle. We determined relationships between the grazing behavior of dairy heifers and the sward structure of the following temperate grasses: meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), quackgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). Vegetative-stage grasses were rotationally grazed by Holstein heifers (average initial body weight of 460 kg) during 5 day periods in the spring, summer, and fall of 2007 and 2008. The herbage dry matter (DM) allowance was twice the expected daily intake (11 kg DM animal−1 d−1). The sward characteristics were measured before grazing (e.g., the herbage height and mass, vertical distribution of leaf and stem fraction, and nutritive value). The grazing behavior of the heifers was quantified using automatic jaw movement recorders. In this study, the grass species had little effect on the grazing behavior. However, the bite rate was negatively correlated with the herbage mass, while the number of bites was positively correlated with the sward height and herbage mass. These results suggest that when herbage availability is not limited, grazing dairy heifers exhibit similar ingestive and rumination behavior across grass species and seasons, yet jaw movement dynamics may respond to the different characteristics of the swards. The results of this study provide the following benefits: (1) they inform managers about the jaw movement mechanics that can be expected of dairy heifers in temperate forage systems, showing that they are not limited by herbage allowance, and (2) they provide insight for future studies that employ on-animal sensors to evaluate foraging dynamics and animal performance outcomes in temperate forage pasture systems.

Використання біоіндикаційного методу для оцінки забруднення атмосферного повітря важкими металами

The results of studies of chemical pollution (Pb, Zn) of perennial grasses—Elymus repens L., Artemisia absinthium L., and Hypericum perforatum L.—on background plots and within the areas of impact of industrial enterprises in Kropyvnytskyi (Ukraine) are presented. It is noted that chemical pollution is the most dangerous. The activity of enterprises is considered, in the result of which heavy metals enter the air. Testing of plants (stems and leaves) was carried out at a distance of 10–100 m from the enterprises. The content of heavy metals in the aboveground part of plants was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in the laboratory of the Department of Exploratory and Ecological Geochemistry, IGMR NAS of Ukraine. The comparison of sorption properties of different plants in the same phases of development allowed plants with bioindication capabilities to be identified. The results of the analysis showed that plants most effectively accumulate the maximum amount of heavy metals from the atmospheric air at the end of the summer dormancy phase (second half of August). At this time the plant requires the minimum amount of nutrients that it takes from the soil. Stems and leaves of perennial grasses actively accumulate aerosols and fine dust on their surface due to plant secretions with the formation of a mucous film that actively adsorbs heavy metal ions. The background, minimum, and maximum content of heavy metals in plants is determined. Comparing the content of heavy metals in plant samples in the background and study plots, it was found that E. repens near industrial enterprises is the most effective bioindicator of air pollution. In order to determine the level of atmospheric air pollution using bioindication methods, the index of plant contamination (Sр) was proposed, which is the ratio of concentration coefficient of heavy metals and their amount. An assessment scale for atmospheric air pollution with heavy metals has been developed based on the contamination index (Sр) of bioindicator plants: the degree of pollution is 1–3—weak, 3–6—medium, 6–9—strong, more than 9—very strong. The proposed coefficients allow for conducting a situational assessment of atmospheric air pollution with heavy metals using bioindication methods.

Weed communities of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cultivation

Jerusalem artichoke could be used as a source of renewable energy in the meaning of biomass combustion or liquid fuels production. The presented study concerned on the impact of JA plantation for biomass combustion on plant diversity. The spontaneous vegetation of JA crops studied on the basis of phytosociological methods consisted of varied groups of species that contain weeds (32%), meadow (29%), and ruderal (13%) species. Most of the species occurred sporadically (55%) with low frequency. Most of the plants accompanying JA cultivation were perennial, mainly hemicryptophytes (51%) with a smaller number of geophytes (17%). Therophytes constituted 25% of spontaneous flora of JA crops. It can be proposed the group of generalist energy crop weeds with Convolvulus arvensis, Elymus repens, Equisetum arvense, Ranunculus repens, and Rumex obtusifolius.

POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED MATRIX DOPED WITH PLANT EXTRACT FOR MEDICAL AND COSMETIC APPLICATIONS

Herein, we present a new biomaterial based on xanthan, chitosan and lignin, which served as a matrix for the incorporation of flavonoids extracted from Agropyron repens L. rhizomes. The simultaneous presence of lignin and xanthan esterified with acrylic acid leads to better retention of the active principles in the polymer matrix, which is reflected in their slow release into the environment. A more compact structure resulting from the incorporation of lignin into the chitosan/xanthan matrix contributed to a three times higher value of diametral tensile strength. The release kinetics of flavonoids through the matrix components was described by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating Fickian diffusion. The presence of bioactive principles extracted from Agropyron repens L. (couch grass) imparts an antioxidant capacity to biomaterials, on average 30% higher compared to that of the base matrix. Considering the mucoadhesiveness, bioadhesiveness, release kinetics and antioxidant capacity of all the formulations developed in this study, it can be concluded that they have potential for health and cosmetic applications.

Transfer of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Soil-Plant System in Magnesite Mining and Processing Areas

Mining activities, ore concentrations, and transport processes generate large amounts of pollutants, including hazardous elements, which are released into the environment. This work presents the results of experimental research aimed at evaluating the environmental risks of soil and plant contamination in two magnesite mining and processing areas in the Slovak Republic, and assesses the phytoremediation potential of dominant plant species. Eleven potentially toxic elements in the soil were investigated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Ni, Mn, Mg, Fe) and atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg). In plants, potentially toxic elements were investigated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Cu, As, Cd, Pb) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (Cr, Zn, Mn, Mg). Selected soil parameters (pH, redox potential, and soil organic matter) were also investigated. Soil contamination was evaluated using environmental indices (geoaccumulation index—Igeo, enrichment factor—EF, contamination factor—Cf, degree of contamination—Cd). The phytoremediation potential of plants was evaluated using the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF). The soil reaction in the studied areas indicated a strong alkalization of the soil. The soils in Jelšava-Lubeník were significantly contaminated with Cr, As, Mn, and Mg. The most significant enrichment based on the average values of EF was found to be in the order of Cd > Mg > Zn > Cu > As > Cr > Ni > Pb > Fe > Hg > Mn. The observed values of Cf and Cd indicated a high degree of soil contamination. In Košice, the soils were found to be significantly contaminated with Cr, Mn, Mg, and Ni. The most significant enrichment was found in the order of Cd > Mn > Ni > Pb > Zn > Mg > Cu > As > Fe > Cr > Hg. Very high Cf was found for Pb and Cr. The results of correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses suggest a similar origin of pollutants caused by significant anthropogenic interventions due to magnesite mining and processing. The investigated dominant plant species, Phragmites australis, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, and Taraxacum officinale are able to accumulate high concentrations of the monitored potentially toxic elements without more serious load or damage. The results of BCF and TF confirmed that P. australis and T. officinale appeared to be suitable accumulators in the phytoextraction process. In the case of E. repens and A. stolonifera it was confirmed that they accumulate and immobilize high concentrations of potentially toxic elements, especially in the roots, establishing the suitability of their use in phytostabilization processes.

Vegetation of regional landscape and botanical natural monument «Aland’s Pine Forest» (Kvarkensky area of the Orenburg Region)

The paper presents a detailed analysis of regional landscape and botanical natural monument Alands Pine Forest (Kvarkensky area of the Orenburg Region) vegetation. The pine forest vegetation has rather high phytodiversity and dominance indexes. 71 plant vascular species have been identified (3 of them are included in the Red Book of the Orenburg Region (2019)) and 15-species pine communities prevail, but steppe species dominate in shrub and herb layers. The authors have revealed that the described pine forests are forest-steppe amphycoenosis. 13 plant associations have been identified by multivariate statistics methods, but their biotopes are not specific by fundamental abiotic factors. The authors have also established that forest conditions of Alands Pine Forest are of AB₁ and AB₁₋₂ types and light type of stand of trees structure by A.L. Betgard steppe forest typology. The detected pine vegetation associations form ordination series - sylvatic of steppe pine forest with wheat-grass ( Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski) and amphycoenotic of steppe pine forest with steppe herbs. The principal abiotic factors for pine forests coenotic structure forming are soil calcium and nitrogen regimes, soil moistening and acidity and porosity (aeration) of soils. Factors of biotope discrimination are thermal climate (radiation balance), cryoclimate (negative winter temperature), brightness regime and saline regime of soils.

Elymus athericus (Sea Couch) (Poaceae) and coastal hybrid couch grasses in Scotland

A largely herbarium-based study was undertaken to reassess the status of Elymus athericus (Link) Kerguélen (Sea Couch) and the three coastal hybrids E. x drucei (Stace) Stace, E. x laxus (Fr.) Melderis & D.C. McClint. and E. x obtusiusculus (Lange) Melderis & D.C. McClint. in Scotland. None of the previous records of E. athericus could be confirmed for the country. Verified records of the hybrids are detailed and listed for each relevant vice-county.

Summer roadside vegetation dominated by Sorghum halepense in peninsular Italy: survey and classification

Sorghum halepense is a synanthropic tall grass distributed worldwide from tropical to temperate zones, and it is often considered an invasive alien. It is a perennial, rhizomatous plant that tends to form dense stands derived from vegetative and sexual propagation. Despite roadside plant communities dominated by Sorghum halepense are very common in southern Europe, their phytosociological aspects are scarcely studied. In this work, we present the results of a vegetation survey in peninsular Italy, carried out by means of the phytosociological method. In total, we carried out 73 relevés in Liguria, Tuscany, Latium, Campania, Basilicata, and Apulia. We statistically compared our relevés to those from the Balkans classified in the Cynodonto-Sorghetum halepensis, an association of agricultural annual weed vegetation of the class Stellarietea mediae s.l. used in the past as a reference for Italian S. halepense-dominated communities. Our results show that the Italian communities are different from the Cynodonto–Sorghetum halepensis communities, since the latter are rich in annual species, while the former are rich in perennial species. From the syntaxonomic point of view, the Italian communities are better classified in the class Artemisietea vulgaris. We describe the new (sub-)ruderal association Potentillo reptantis–Sorghetum halepensis, including a meso-hygrophilous variant with Urtica dioica and an agricultural variant with Elymus repens. We have evidence that the Potentillo–Sorghetum occurs in Italy, Kosovo and Slovenia, but its distribution is possibly wider due to conspicuous presence of cosmopolitan species characterizing the association. Our work provides a baseline for the knowledge of an alien-dominated plant community that can invade habitats with high conservation value.

Methods for Preserving Biodiversity of Meadow Steppes in the Middle Lena Valley

This article considers the results of the studies of the Agricultural and Ecological Group 6 lands of the Nam agricultural landscape conducted in the lower Lena valley under various nutrition regimens in natural steppificated meadows with content of steppe grasses of up to 52%. We established that steppe grasses react differently to fertilizers. Using various dosages of mineral and organic fertilizers helped increase the share of couch grass up to 74­93% while maintaining the share of steppe bluegrass at 14%, along with the mixed herbs including creeping sage at 24%. The combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers helps preserve steppe grasses, especially couch grass, up to 93% while preserving the steppe bluegrass up to 12% and mixed herbs up to 24%, which facilitates the hay fodder yield of up to 20 dt/ha.

Effectiveness of Herbicides in Winter Wheat Crops

To obtain high yields of winter wheat, it is important to control the contamination of crops with weeds. It is known that yield losses can be 30% or more due to the presence of segetal vegetation in wheat crops. With intensive technology of growing winter wheat, the chemical method of protection against weeds is an extremely important element. The paper highlights data on the species composition and class of contamination of winter wheat agrocenosis. The effectiveness of herbicides and their tank mixtures in winter wheat crops to reduce the presence of the weed component, increase grain yield and quality in the conditions of Luginsky District of Zhytomyr region on sandy loam soils during 2019-2021 was studied. It is established that the structure of the weed component of agrophytocenosis of winter wheat in farm conditions is dominated by dicotyledonous weed species, namely: field mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), wild pansy (Viola tricolor L.), shovelweed (Capsella bursa-pastoris L.), toadpipe (Equisetum arvense L.), and blue bottle flower (Centaurea cyanus L.), the share of which is 64.8%. Graminaceous species of weeds are represented by silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti L.), couch-grass (Elytrigia repens L.), rye brome grass (Bromus secalinus L.). The technical efficiency of the studied herbicides with the separate and joint application was in the range of 60.8-94.6%. The highest indicator of technical efficiency of herbicides in winter wheat crops, which is 94.6%, was obtained in an experiment using a tank mixture of Granstar Pro 75 + Apiros 75 preparations, with norms of 0.025+0.013 kg/ha, as well as an increase in wheat grain yield by 2.0 t/ha compared to the contaminated control. Spraying winter wheat crops with herbicides during the growing season allows improving the quality indicators of the grain yield structure. In particular, the content of protein and fibrin increases by 1.1 times; the moisture content of grain decreases by 1.0-1.1 times, and the content of dirt impurity decreases by 2.8-6.7 times, compared to the control version

The Influence of Zn and Cd Accumulation on the Growth and Development of Medicinal Plants in the Impact Zone of the Novocherkassk Power Station

Over the pastdecade, particular attention has been paid to studies of the chemical composition of medical plants to identify the possible negative consequences of using raw plant material polluted with heavy metals for the production of medical drugs. In our study, we analyzed the chemical composition of the medical plants growing in the impact area of the Novocherkassk power station. Specifically, the plants Artemisia austriaca, Poa pratensis and Elytrigia repenswere examined for the analysis.The content and distribution of Zn and Cd, which are most distributed in industrial emissions and belong to the first class of hazardous elements, were measured. The maximum permissible content (MPC) of Zn in the raw material of Artemisia austriaca and Elytrigia repens was found, as was the maximum content of Cd in all analyzed plants growing in the 5km area around thepower station. The plant Artemisia austriacawasfound to have Zn and Cd accumulation in itsabovegroundcomponents, while in Poa pratensis and Elytrigia repens, accumulation was in the roots. The morphobiometric parameters of the plants were mostly dependent on the soil properties, followed by the degree of technogenic load. The content of Zn and Cd in the medical drugs was higher than the MPC without visible features of heavy metal pollution and so these plants weredangerous for human health.
 Keywords: heavy metals, technogenic load, phytoreagents, morphometric parameters

Elymus repens (quackgrass)

Elymus repens (quackgrass)

К синтаксономии сегетальной растительности Северо-Запада Российской Федерации

The tendency to gradual reduction of crop is observed now in the North-West of the Russian Federation. From 2010 for 2021 the total area under crops in four regions (Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov, Vologda) has decreased from 1150.7 to 907.5 thousand hectares. Studies of specific structure of weed communities of the North-West of the Russian Federation started in the first decade of the XX century with inspections of crops by A. I. Maltsev in the St. Petersburg region (Maltsev, 1908, 1909). Since the beginning of the XXI the study of weed plants were focused at the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protectionwhere monitoring of crops of the North-West of the Russian Federation (Mysnik, 2012; Luneva, Mysnik, 2016, 2017, Luneva et al., 2009) has became the priority direction. In spite of previous wide floristic researches, the diversity of weed communities of this region is still not established. The first results of the floristic classification of weed vegetation in the North-East of the Russian Federation are presented. The dataset is based on 278 relevés made by N. N. Luneva, I. N. Nadtochiy, E. V. Filippova, T. D. Sokolova, Yu. V. Eroshina for field seasons in 1999–2916. The research area covered Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda regions. Data processing was carried out according floristic classification approach (Westhoff, Maarel, 1978), using TWINSPAN algoritm in JUICE software packages (Tichy, 2002). The new syntaxa are named in accordance with the rules of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al., 2021). DCA-ordination using the CANOCO 4.5 software package (Ter Braak, Smilauer, 2002) was produced to identify patterns of environmental differentiation. The habitat moisture and soil richness-salinity scales status of communities (Ramenskiy et al., 1956) was calculated and basic agroclimatic parameters were identified to characterize the ecological variability of habitats. The communities were classified within the order of Aperetalia spica-venti J. Tx. et Tx. in Malato-Beliz et al. 1960 of the class Papaveretea rhoeadis S. Brulo et al. 2001 and were assigned to the alliance Scleranthion annui (Kruseman et Vlieger 1939) Sissingh in Westhoff et al. 1946), which unites the most mesophytic weed communities distributed mainly on gray forest, sod-podzolic, podzolic and other types of soils of the forest zone. The alliance diagnostic species are Stellaria media, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidotheca suaveolens, Thlaspi arvense, Centaurea cyanus. Three species from the diagnostic groups of ruderal vegetation classes are also active in their cenoflora — Elytrigia repens, Viola arvensis, Taraxacum officinale. From the diagnostic group of the Papaveretea rhoeadis class and the order Aperetalia spica-venti with high constancy, species are found Cirsium setosum, Chenopodium album, Sonchus arvensis, less often are Fallopia convolvulus. The group of species of the alliance Scleranthion annui includes Stellaria media, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidotheca suaveolens, Thlaspi arvense, Centaurea cyanus. Unlike the weed communities of other regions of the Russian Federation (Khasanova et al., 2021 Yamalov et al., 2021a, b), apophytes are not significantly presented in cenophlora, but such ruderal species as Elytrigia repens, Viola arvensis, Taraxacum officinale are active. The identified associations and communities are different geographically, in terms of crop affinity and the system of agricultural machinery, the type of soils and heat conditions. The most widespread are the communities of the ass. Tussilagi farfarae–Centauretum cyani, which occur in the Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda regions. The associations Galeopsetum bifidae (Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda regions) and Lamio purpurei–Persicarietum lapathifolii (Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov regions) are of slightly smaller range. Syntaxa are differentiated according to the level of habitat heat conditions from the higher (ass. Echinochloo crusgalli–Galietum aparinis, ass. Lamio purpurei–Persicarietum lapathifolii) to the lower (community Fumaria officinalis) ones. Communities of the associations Echinochloo crusgalli–Galietum aparinis and Lamio purpurei-Persicarietum lapathifolii are formed on swamp, peat and podzolic-swamp soils. The community Polygonum aviculare and the ass. Mentho arvensi–Sonchetum arvensis are formed on weakly and medium-podzolic, as well as sod-podzolic soils. The other syntaxa are confined to sod-carbonate soils. According to the spectrum of crop, syntaxa were distributed as follows: associations Echinochloo crusgalli–Galietum aparinis, Mentho arvensis–Sonchetum arvensis, Lamio purpurei–Persicarietum lapathifolii and the community Polygonum aviculare occur mainly on fields with vegetable crops (potatoes, carrots, cabbage, beets, etc.); Tussilagi farfarae–Centauretum cyani, Galeopsetum bifidae, the communities of Fumaria officinalis and Achillea millefolium — on grain crops (barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat). The main factors of differentiation of the studied communities are the type of soil, cultivated crop and humidification.

Сообщества с Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. в Курской области

Сообщества с Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. в Курской области

Обзор синтаксонов псаммофитной травяной растительности Южного Нечерноземья России

The article provides a survey of grass psammophylous vegetation syntaxa in the Southern Nechernozemye of Russia and validation of syntaxa in accordance with the requirements of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al., 2021); questions of syntaxonomy and diagnosis of units of different levels of the syntaxonomical hierarchy are discussed. The data for the analysis was the base obtained in 2018–2021, including 312 relevés of psammophylous grass vegetation in the Southern Nechernozemye of Russia (Bryansk, Kaluga, south-west of Moscow, north-west of Oryol, Smolensk Regions). Most of the relevés were made on the watershed of two large river systems: the Dnieper (the Sozh river basin) and the Volga (the Oka river basin) while some ones are in the northwestern part of the Smolensk region (Demidovsky district, Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park), which belongs to the Zapadnaya Dvina basin. Natural psammophytic habitats in this region are widespread on outwash plains, sandy river terraces dominated by pine forests of the alliance Dicrano–Pinion sylvestris (Libb. 1933) W. Mat. 1962 nom. conserv. propos. Open sands are formed in the place of such forests after clear felling of pine with the destruction of the living land cover. In addition, psammophylous grass vegetation forms on non-flooded or short-flooded sandy ridges in river floodplains, on plowed sands that were opened during construction, along sand pits, on clearings under power lines, along old abandoned roads on sand embankments and sandy roads fallow lands and pastures with sandy and sandy loam soils (Kupreev et al., 2020). The psammophylous grass vegetation of the studied region is represented by 12 associations comprising 4 alliances and 2 orders of the class Koelerio–Corynephoretea canescentis Klika in Klika et Novák 1941, which unites dry grasslands on sandy soils and on rocky outcrops of the temperate to boreal zones of Europe, the North Atlantic islands and Greenland (Mucina et al., 2016). On the basis of comparative analysis for alliances and orders we compiled regional combinations of diagnostic species with constancy in coenoflora above 20 % and values of the statistical φ-coefficient above 20 (at p <0.01): Armerion elongatae (Armeria maritima, Astragalus arenarius, Dianthus fisheri, Jovibarba globifera, Jurinea cyanoides, Koeleria glauca), Corynephorion canesentis (Corynephorus canescens), Hyperico perforati–Scleranthion perennis (Berteroa incana, Festuca ovina, Helichrysum arenarium, Hypericum perforatum, Jasione montana, Pilosella officinarum, Rumex acetosella, Scleranthus perennis, Trifolium arvense). The following species diagnose the orders of psammophylous vegetation: Corynephoretalia canescentis (Chamaecytisus ruthenicus, Cladonia arbuscula, Corynephorus canescens, Jurinea cyanoides, Koeleria glauca, Sedum acre) and Trifolio arvensis–Festucetalia ovinae (Abietinella abietina, Elytrigia repens, Hieracium umbellatum, Jasione montana, Festuca ovina, F. rubra, Galium mollugo, Pilosella officinarum, Plantago lanceolata, Poa angustifolia, Trifolium arvense, Viola tricolor). Diagnostic combinations of alliances partly duplicate those of orders, and some species are the diagnostic for two alliances, which does not contradict the logic of syntaxonomy. Analysis of the comparative table showed that all syntaxa of psammophylous vegetation taken for analysis can be fully assigned to the class Koelerio–Corynephoretea canescentis in accordance with its current diagnosis (Mucina et al., 2016). According to the ratio of the diagnostic species of the classes Koelerio–Corynephoretea canescentis and Sedo-Scleranthetea, it is not possible to divide syntaxa into two groups. In general, in the Southern Nechernozemye of Russia, typical natural habitats characteristic of the Central European communities of the class Sedo-Scleranthetea are virtually absent. They are imitated by anthropogenic ecotopes with washed out or trampled, usually heavily disturbed, rubble substrates. Probably, it is possible to classify some types of grass communities that form here on the slopes of railways and roads, on overgrown stony dumps, strongly compacted as a result of trampling or the passage of vehicles, to the class Sedo-Scleranthetea. However, the assigning of these communities to this class is debatable. A significant part of the studied phytocoenoses was assigned to 7 non-rank units — «communities» within the class Koelerio–Corynephoretea canescentis. These are, firstly, pioneer and, as a rule, sparse or floristically incomplete psammophylous communities at the initial stages of succession with the participation of widespread grass psammophilic oligotrophs. Secondly, these are monodominant phytocoenoses formed after anthropogenic disturbance of psammophylous vegetation, for example, on fallow lands and clearings in pine forests on sandy and sandy loam soils; after fires, trampling. The names of these syntaxa are given according to the dominant plant species.

Effects of fall stocking rates on naturalized cool‐season stockpiled pastures

AbstractThe potential of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Dumort) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) as stockpiled forages has been documented; however, limited information describes the characteristics of other species, especially complex mixtures of cool‐season naturalized pastures. A 3‐yr study assessed the herbage mass, forage quality, and botanical composition of mixed cool‐season naturalized pastures [orchardgrass, tall fescue, clover (Trifolium spp.), narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), and quackgrass (Elymus repens [L.] Gould)] in response to two stocking rates based on daily herbage allowances of 3.5% (low) or 7.0% (high) of heifer bodyweight. The stocking rate for the entire pasture area, including unoccupied paddocks during the grazing period, was 2.4 and 1.3 heifers acre−1 for the low and high treatments, respectively. Stockpiling began in August; grazing began in early November. The initial herbage mass and botanical composition were determined at the end of the stockpiling period. Herbage samples were taken throughout the fall grazing period at intervals of 11 to 19 d. The stocking rate had no effect on changes in botanical composition. Total legume percentage increased from 6% in Year 1 to 31% in Year 3 (P < .05). Herbage mass declined more quickly in Year 3 than in Years 1 and 2 (P < .05), probably because of the high percentage of legumes. As fall grazing progressed, crude protein content and in vitro true dry matter digestibility declined, and neutral detergent fiber content increased. Mixed cool‐season naturalized pastures could be used for stockpiling and grazed intensively without detrimental effects on subsequent stockpiling periods.

Effect of Couch Grass (Agropyrum Repens) on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

Effect of Couch Grass (Agropyrum Repens) on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.