Grass Mixtures Research Articles

The use of silos of legume-cereal grass mixtures in the diets of cows as a factor of better use of feed nutrients

Relevance. Silage of the green mass of perennial legumes remains a difficult task due to the high protein and water content. It is possible to obtain from them a feed slightly inferior to the original green mass in terms of energy nutrition and protein content, as well as biologically active substances, only by siloing them in a slightly dried form (30–40% dry matter) using effective preservatives.Methods. To study the digestibility of nutrients of silos of legume-cereal grass mixtures in the conditions of LLC “Garant” of the Belebeyevsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan, two physiological studies were conducted. According to the principle of pairs of analogues (breed, age at calving, live weight, lactation phase, productivity level), 6 groups of cows of the Bestuzhev breed were selected at the beginning of lactation, 10 heads each. In the first experiment, 20 kg of corn silage was received as part of the diet of cows of the 1st control group, and animals from the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups were fed with silage from a mixture of alfalfa and boneless stalk in the amount of 20 and 25 kg, respectively. In the second experiment, animals of the 1st control group received 20 kg of corn silage, and in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups, 20 and 25 kg of silage of a mixture of clover and boneless stalk were included in the feeding diet. In the third group of each experiment, the proportion of compound feeds in the rations was reduced by 1 kg per head per day.Results. Studies have shown that the use of silos from legume-cereal grass mixtures in the diets of dairy cows in the amount of 20 and 25 kg instead of the same amount of similar feed from corn increases the digestibility and digestibility of feed nutrients. At the same time, the use of compound feeds in the diets of dairy cows is reduced by 1 kg per head per day, which is of great practical importance in the conditions of a modern market economy.

Improvement of degraded hayfelds in the forest-steppe of the Priobye region

The authors presented the results of research in 2012-2016 on the improvement of degraded hayfields with the sowing of perennial legume grass mixture at different methods of turf cultivation. The work aims to determine the most effective methods of cultivation of the turf of degraded hayfields, contributing to higher yields and quality of the resulting fodder. The highest content of perennial legumes in the herbage was noted in the variant with radical improvement of degraded hayfield (ploughing + discing) - 88 %, in the variant with milling - 80, discing - 70 %. The variant with radical improvement of the degraded hayfield (ploughing + discing) obtained the highest yield - 17.3 green and 3.64 t/ha - dry mass, which exceeds the yield of the control variant by 3.6 times. When carrying out radical improvement of degraded hayfields yield of fodder units was 1740, the number of digestible proteins per 1 fodder unit 140 g. These indicators during turf disking were 1550 fodder unit and 135 g, respectively. During strip seeding of perennial leguminous grasses (meadow clover + alfalfa) the variant with a width of the cultivated strip of 60 cm was selected. The yield of fodder units was 1610, the amount of digestible protein per 1 fodder unit - 120 g. In the control variant the yield of fodder units was 380, the amount of digestible protein per 1 fodder unit - 85 g. Strip-seeding of perennial leguminous grasses was the most cost-effective method of improving degraded hayfields in the Priobye forest-steppe. Net income in variants with strip-seeding of perennial leguminous grasses was 3751-4278 rubles/ha, profitability level - 71- 87%. In the variant with radical improvement of the degraded hayfield (ploughing + discing) these indicators are lower - 3959 rubles/ha and 57 % accordingly.

The Influence of Calcium Sulfate and Different Doses of Potassium on the Soil Enzyme Activity and the Yield of the Sward with a Mixture of Alfalfa and Grasses

Between 2012 and 2015, a field experiment was conducted at the Brody Experimental Farm, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. The following two experimental factors were used in duplicate: calcium sulfate (CaSO4) fertilization—two levels (0 and 500 kg ha−1); and potassium (K) fertilization—four levels (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha−1). The soil pH (in H2O) and enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase) were determined. The potassium fertilizer had a significant influence only on the dehydrogenase activity, which increased with the dose of potassium. The research showed that the fertilization of the sward mixture of alfalfa and grasses with potassium doses of 60 and 120 kg ha−1 in the K 60 and K 120 combinations resulted in higher yields of fresh matter than in the combination without the potassium fertilizer (K 0). In the last year of the research, the additional CaSO4 fertilization resulted in the highest increase in the yield of the mixture of alfalfa and grasses, as compared with the variant without this fertilizer. The application of this fertilizer in the first years of the research also increased the yield of fresh matter.

Compost and microbial biostimulant applications improve plant growth and soil biological fertility of a grass-based phytostabilization system

In this work, a grass-based phytoremediation system integrated with an organic amendment and biostimulants was evaluated for remediating contaminated sites. Plant growth and biological fertility were monitored to assess the efficacy of a vegetative cap used as a safety measure to reduce sanitary and environmental risks of industrially contaminated soils and soil-washing sludges. Both matrices were potentially contaminated with Pb and Zn with an ecological risk index from low to moderate. According to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) bioaccessibility tests, the exposure to the released fine particulate matter may cause serious risks to human beings, in particular to children. The grass mixture was well adapted to both the substrates and a low PTEs mobility was detected, thus, reducing the leaching risk to ground water sources. Compost addition augmented significantly nitrogenase reductase (nifH) and ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene expression abundance in both substrates. Furthermore, a positive interaction between compost fertilization and a Trichoderma-based biostimulant inoculation was recorded in sludges resulting in a significant stimulation of nitrogen-fixing and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The application of compost and biostimulant increased soil fertility and plant growth. Furthermore, there was a slight reduction in PTE bioaccessibility, thus, improving the efficiency of the phytostabilization, limiting the resuspension and dispersion of the health-risk soil particulate.

Prospects for the Use of Echinochloa frumentacea for Phytoremediation of Soils with Multielement Anomalies

In a model experiment, some adaptive characteristics, the bioaccumulation of toxic elements from technogenically-contaminated soils with polyelement anomalies, and rhizosphere microflora of Japanese millet, Echinochloa frumentacea, were studied using biochemical, microbiological, physicochemical (AAS, ICP-MS, INAA), and metagenomic (16S rRNA) methods of analysis. Good adaptive characteristics (the content of photosynthetic pigments, low molecular weight antioxidants) of E. frumentacea grown on the soils of metallurgical enterprises were revealed. The toxic effect of soils with strong polyelement anomalies (multiple excesses of MPC for Cr, Ni, Zn, As, petroleum products) on biometric parameters and adaptive characteristics of Japanese millet were shown. The rhizosphere populations of E. frumentacea grown in the background soil were characterized by the lowest taxonomic diversity compared to the rhizobiomes of plants grown in contaminated urban soils. The minimal number of all groups of microorganisms studied was noted in the soils, which contain the highest concentrations of both inorganic (heavy metals) and organic (oil products) pollutants. The taxonomic structure of the rhizospheric microbiomes of E. frumentacea was characterized. It has been established that E. frumentacea accumulated Mn, Co, As, and Cd from soils with polyelement pollution within the average values. V was accumulated mainly in the root system (transfer factor from roots to shoots 0.01–0.05) and its absorption mechanism is rhizofiltration. The removal of Zn by shoots of E. frumentacea increased on soils where the content of the element exceeded the MPC and was 100–454 mg/kg of dry weight (168–508 g/ha). Analysis of the obtained data makes it possible to recommend E. frumentacea for phytoremediation of soil from Cu and Zn at a low level of soil polyelement contamination using grass mixtures.

Кормова продуктивність люцерно-злакових агроценозів з різними злаковими компонентами

Goal. To select the best perennial grasses for lucerne-cereal mixtures on different agricultural backgrounds to increase their productive longevity to produce high-quality grass fodder. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical and statistical, computational and comparative. Results. The results are given of research (2019–2021) in the formation of forage productivity of lucerne, lucerne-cereal with various cereal components and cereal forage agro phytocoenoses on different backgrounds of fertilizers and liming on dark gray podzolic soils. The best forage agro phytocoenoses, change of their productivity under the influence of fertilizers and liming, distribution of yield on hay crops and features of increase of productivity at the formation of a crop of biomass in the 1st slope are established. Conclusions. The inclusion of lucerne in legume-cereal grass mixture, as well as its single-use for forage purposes, compared to cereals herbage on the background without mineral nitrogen on average for the first three years of life and use increased the productivity of sown grass from 3.24–3.31 to 7,92–10.34 t/ha of dry weight, from 2.37–2.58 to 6.91–9.99 t/ha of fodder units, or 1.4–3.8 times. The most productive were agro phytocoenoses formed based on single-species sowing of lucerne and its mixtures with late-ripening meadow timothy (Phleum pratense) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), as well as medium-ripe awnless brome (Bromopsis inermis) and eastern fescue (Festuca orientalis), where the share of legume component (1%) was the largest. The introduction of 1.5 t/ha of lime into pre-sowing cultivation or P45K90 annually increased the productivity of lucerne and lucerne-cereal grasses by 5–9%, and with their combined use — by 12–14%. The best distribution of yield by slopes on different fertilizer backgrounds was characterized by lucerne and lucerne-cereal herbage with a share of 1st hay crop 45–50%, 2nd — 29–31%, and 3rd — 20–25%, and unevenness 23–28%. At the formation of the yield of the 1st hay crop, the increase in productivity of sown grasslands occurred before the flowering phase of the dominant components, the largest daily increases in dry weight (66–96 kg/ha), as well as net productivity of photosynthesis (2.58–3.52 g/m2 per day) achieved during the branching-budding phase of lucerne.

THE USE OF SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND HIGHER PLANTS IN THE NEUTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN THE METALLURGICAL, ENERGY AND COAL MINING INDUSTRIES

The self-overgrowth of industrial dumps and tailings of waste from the metallurgical enterprises, energy facilities and coal mining industry is impossible due to the high phytotoxicity of the stored waste. They are dangerous sources of environmental pollution and negative impact on public health. The results of the field experiments on the biological reclamation of the tailings of the Abagur sinter plant, the Baidayevsky coal mine and the Tom-Usinsk State District Power Plant, where the poplar clones obtained from the Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk), a legume-grass mixture of perennial grasses consisting of hybrid clover and awnless rump served as a plant material. As a soil improver, the wastewater (wastewater sludge WWS) from treatment plants of the city of Novokuznetsk were used. The microbiological fertilizer “BakSib” containing spore-forming bacteria served as a source of the soil microorganisms. The combined use of WWS and the bacterial preparation “BakSib” showed high efficiency in ensuring the survival rate of the cloned poplars, which varied from 70 to 90%. It has been established that the use of bacterial preparations and WWS for the reclamation of technogenically disturbed territories reduces the adverse impact of limiting environmental factors by increasing the water supply and introducing nutritional components into the surface root layer of poplars, hybrid clover and awnless brome. In the reclaimed areas, the moisture content of the substrate was recorded from 5.1 to 14.7%, while the moisture index was 13%.

White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida Michx. ex Willd.) and Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.) in Binary Mixtures with Grass Species

Native forage legumes may have potential for summer/fall grazing in semiarid prairie regions in mixture with grasses. The objective of this study was to evaluate two native clovers in binary mixtures with the introduced grasses when harvested in July and September to simulate late summer or fall stockpile forage. Eight binary clover–grass mixtures were seeded in a split-plot design with 4 replications at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mixtures included (i) AC Antelope white prairie clover (WPC)-Admiral meadow bromegrass (MBG), (ii) WPC-AC Success hybrid bromegrass (HBG), (iii) WPC-Bozoisky Russian wildrye (RWR), (iv) WPC-TomRWR, (v) AC Lamour purple prairie clover (PPC)-AdmiralMBG, (vi) PPC-AC SuccessHBG, (vii) PPC-BozoiskyRWR, and (viii) PPC-TomRWR. Clover establishment differed (p = 0.03) in July where WPC had 77.8% greater proportion in mixture than PPC, although both clovers increased (p < 0.001) in September to similar legume proportions, 663.2 and 876.1 kg/ha, respectively. Clovers with bromegrasses produced 41.9% more forage dry matter yield in summer than clovers with Russian wildryes (p < 0.001), though the latter mixtures had slightly better nutritive value (avg. 7.0% vs. 5.2% crude protein (CP). Clover–MBG exhibited higher (53.6%) in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) than Clover–HBG (51.2%) (p = 0.04). Purple prairie clover with grass or both clovers in mixture with bromegrasses, produced adequate forage biomass for summer and fall grazing, except clovers with Bozoisky RWR, while clovers with both RWR cultivars had acceptable forage nutritive value for summer in this semiarid prairie region.

The migration of elements from the processing waste of copper smelting slags into the ombrotrophic peat and plants

Research subject. The processing waste of the slag from the Sredneuralsk copper smelter (“SUMZ technical sand”) is a finely dispersed (particle size less than 0.05 mm) material, mechanically activated by crushing cast slag and containing high concentrations of copper, zinc and other chalcophilic elements. Fayalite and ferrous glass predominate in its phase composition.Materials and methods. An outdoor experiment to study the elemental migration from waste into the soilplant system was conducted on the territory of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch of RAS (southwestern part of the Ekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk region). The soil substrate was prepared from lime-neutralised ombrotrophic peat (pH 6.6) with the addition of “technical sand” of 5, 10 and 20% by weight. Lawn grass mixture was grown on trial plots (1 m2). The samples of lawn grass (without separation by species), together with the root part and peat, were collected after the growing season by the “envelope” method, dried at room temperature until constant weight, and powdered. The chemical analysis of the samples was performed at the “Geoanalitik” shared research facilities of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch of RAS. The analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry using the NexION-300S ICP mass-spectrometer.Results. The mobilisation of elements from the “SUMZ technical sand” into ombrotrophic peat during the summer was investigated, the distribution of elements in the underground and aboveground parts of lawn grasses was demonstrated, and accumulation coefficients were calculated. The content of most elements in all soil substrates containing waste decreased by autumn, for example, 2–3 times for Zn, Cu, Co, S, As, Pb, and Mo. The aboveground part of lawn grass had a lower concentration of the elements considered as compared to the roots, the greatest difference was observed for Co, Cd, Cu, and W. The lawn grasses grown on soil substrates with the different ratios of “SUMZ technical sand” had lower coefficients of accumulation of heavy metals compared to plants grown on the peat. The coefficients of Na, Ba, Mo, As, Cd, and Pb decreased with an increase in the proportion of waste, and for Li and Rb increased.Conclusion. The results of the research contribute to the study of the migration of elements from non-ferrous metallurgical waste into soil and plant systems.

Poly-Species Phytocenoses for Ecosystem Restoration of Degraded Soil Covers

Agroecological studies are based on the concept that, by understanding ecological processes, it is possible to manage agroecosystems for more sustainable production of more biomass and, thus, protection of natural resources. Many studies in the field of agroecology show that some farming methods can improve soil quality and restore agroecosystems by increasing plant biodiversity. Functional characteristics of plants for the assessment of ecosystem processes and services can be used for the sustainable management of agroecosystems. The paper discusses ways to restore pastures with low biological productivity in the arid steppe of Northern Kazakhstan (Kostanay region). Grass-and-legume mixtures were selected, according to the soil and climatic conditions of this region, to increase the productivity of pastures. The authors also describe the meteorological conditions in the region in question for 2021. The data of agrochemical analysis of the soil on which the grass mixture was grown differed slightly from the soils of other sites and often even was inferior to them in some indicators that affected plant productivity, namely, the humus, phosphorus, and potassium content. In the conditions of the experiment, the highest productivity was shown by the grass-and-legume mixture consisting of crested wheatgrass-alfalfa-awn less brome (27.8 c/ha of green mass and 12.6 c/ha of dry matter). Thus, according to the information obtained during the study, it can be concluded that to restore the productivity of pastures in Northern Kazakhstan, it is necessary to select the grass-and-legume mixtures that have the highest productivity and nutritional value and are adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of this region. The algorithm of the predictive simulation model of the dynamics of the graminoid community is also presented in a general form. Problems related to the remediation of soil covers are discussed.

Development of modern technology for obtaining tinctures with sedative effect

The aim of this work was to experimentally select the optimal conditions for obtaining a tincture with an effective sedative effect consisting of a mixture of common motherwort grass, medicinal lemon balm and nettle leaves in a ratio of (1:1:1) and the development of quality criteria for the finished product. The influence of the concentration of the extractant, the ratio of raw materials to extractant, the multiplicity of extraction and the mode of infusion with the use of auxiliary technologies (ultrasound treatment) on the yield of biologically active substances from the raw materials was studied. It has been established that the most acceptable way to obtain this tincture is maceration using ultrasound. This method allows us to obtain a tincture with a high yield of flavonoids with the minimum time used.

Burn hot or tolerate trees: flammability decreases with shade tolerance in grasses

In ecosystems where trees and grasses coexist, some grass species are found only in open habitats and others persist under trees. The persistence of shade intolerant grasses in ecosystems such as open woodlands and savannas depends on recurrent fires to open the tree canopy. Therefore, grasses that depend on open sites might benefit from high flammability. We tested if shade intolerant grasses are more flammable than shade tolerant grasses and if flammability differences affected post‐fire grass growth. We examined the relationship between shade tolerance and flammability by determining individual‐level flammability and species shade tolerance of 17 grass species. We also measured grass traits to determine trait effects on flammability and the post‐fire response. Grass species varied in flammability, mainly in the amount of heat produced during burning. Shade tolerant species produced less heat at 50 cm above the ground. Biomass and live fuel moisture had the greatest effects on heat release. However, the negative effect of live fuel moisture on heat release at the soil surface was weakened in plants with high specific leaf area. In addition, grass bulk density negatively influenced heat release at 50 cm height. Heat release at the soil surface negatively influenced post‐fire growth. However, the influences of soil heating and species‐specific traits on individual survival were more complex with 2‐ and 3‐way interactions. Shade tolerance was negatively correlated with a major axis of flammability variation: shade tolerant grasses produced less heat where that heat could damage tree boles. Such heterogeneity in grass flammability may help maintain the tree–grass mixture in natural plant communities. If shade tolerant grasses near trees cause less fire damage to woody plants, especially tree saplings, this may weaken positive grass‐fire feedbacks and thus aid the long‐term coexistence of trees and grasses.

Житняк — ценная кормовая культура для условий степной зоны Центрально-Черноземного региона

Among bluegrass perennial grasses, wheatgrass are one of the most valuable species for the steppe zone. The wheatgrass (Agropyron pectiniforme Roem. et Shult.) in the herbage of many zones occupy one of the leading positions. This is the most common species among wheatgrass in the wild. At the Voronezh Experimental Station for perennial grasses, primary seed production of the Pavlovsky 12 variety is carried out, based on collected wild-growing samples. Wheatgrass variety Pavlovsky 12 withstands grazing well, and is also well eaten by all farm animals in the hay and pasture. It is the main component of grass mix-tures (wheatgrass + alfalfa or sainfoin) in field and grassland crop rotations. An important condition for increasing the productivity of forage crops is the use of zoned breeding varieties adapted to the specific natural and climatic conditions of cultivation, in this regard, a research program has been developed at the station, which includes wheatgrass in the breeding process, as a more drought-resistant species of peren-nial grasses. In 2011, in order to accomplish the assigned tasks, they began to study the wheatgrass. After 4 years of study, a complex hybrid population of wheatgrass called SGP-8 was formed. In 2015, a com-petitive variety testing of samples with increased forage and seed productivity, drought resistance and resistance to stressful effects of abiotic and biotic environmental factors was started. Based on the results of the research, a promising sample variety was identified, which in 2020 was transferred to the State Commission of the Russian Federation for registration by expert assessment in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Permitted for Use.

Энергосберегающая укосная технология с долголетними разнопоспевающими злаковыми травостоями

On the basis of a comprehensive assessment (including agro-energy) of field experience data, an energy-saving technology has been developed for creating different-ripening cereal agrocenoses and their long-term (up to the 38th year of herb life) three -moving use. Purposefully selected grass mixtures with the domination of rhizome species of zoned varieties of cereals ensured the production of energy-rich raw materials for harvesting haylage. The herbal raw materials contained 9.6–10.1 MJ of metabolic energy in 1 kg of dry matter. The total anthropogenic energy consumption on these stands on average for 12–37 years of use amounted to 24.4–24.8 GJ/ha. They paid off by collecting metabolic energy of 57.7 GJ/ha in the early (with meadow foxtail) and 66.9–70.0 GJ/ha in mid-ripening agrocenoses (with awnless brome and reed canary grass), that is, 2.4–2.8 times. In the production process of the recommended herbage, the leading role belongs to natural factors. In the structure of metabolic energy production, they account for 58–65%. The mobilization of natural factors on agrocenoses occurs due to the productive longevity of self-renewing herbage with the annual application of N180P40K155. Long-term use of promising highly productive agrocenoses for the early and middle link of the moving conveyor system makes it possible to exclude 4–6 renewal of meadow. This saves energy capital investments for the creation of meadowlands and improves the organization of the procurement of bulky forage.

Cover crops and controlled-release urea decrease need for mineral nitrogen fertilizer for cotton in sandy soil

Cover crops can affect nitrogen fertilization efficiency, soil nitrogen content, and cotton yield. However, the interaction effects of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers, applied N rate, and cover crops on cotton growth, yield and fiber quality remains unknown, especially in sandy soils with low N content. Soil nitrogen and cotton growth, yield and fiber quality were evaluated as a function of different N rates and N sources in five rotation systems with or without cover crops, over four years. The treatments were: (1) cotton rotation crops (i.e., fallow, single grass, grass + grass, grass + legume and a mixture of cover crops), (2) nitrogen rates (70, 100 and 130 kg N ha−1), and (3) nitrogen sources (urea and controlled-release urea). Under a mixture of cover crops, fiber yields were 12% and 21% higher compared to the single grass and rotation fallow, respectively. Cotton in the fallow rotation required a higher rate of N (130 kg ha−1) than in rotation systems with cover crops (100 kg ha−1), in systems with cover crops to achieve the highest yields. Controlled-release urea reduced the demand for N fertilizer by 30% in the fallow. It also increased the content of soil N by 16% (mean of two seasons). Micronaire and fiber strength were lower with 130 kg ha−1 of N. There is no need to increase nitrogen fertilization in cotton, as long as controlled-release urea and cover crops are employed, preferably mixtures of grasses and legumes.

Varietal agrotechnics of perennial grasses in the climate of Central Siberia

The article presents the features of varietal agrotechnics of perennial grasses in the climate of Central Siberia. The technological features of cultivation are revealed - the requirements for soils, the main and pre-sowing soil cultivation, the use of fertilizers, the timing and methods of grassing, grass mixtures sowing, care for crops in the grassing year.

DEPENDENCE OF CROP ROTATION EFFICIENCY ON PHOSPHOGYPSE AND FERTILIZERS APPLICATION

The article is devoted to the study of the energy nutritional value of forage from perennial legumes and cereals grown on the drained lands of the Non-Chernozem zone (Tver region). The objects of research are highly productive grass stands based on variable alfalfa variety Vega 87, meadow clover variety Shans, and intensive types of cereal grasses meadow timothy variety VIK 9, meadow fescue variety Sakharovskaya. The objects of research are high-yielding grass stands based on alfalfa variety Vega 87, meadow clover variety Shans, and intensive types of cereal grasses meadow timothy variety VIK 9, meadow fescue variety Sakharovskaya. The studies were carried out in 2018-2020 on the experimental field of the All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands - Branch of the Federal Research Centre V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute (VNIIMZ) on sod-podzolic light loamy soil, drained by closed pottery drainage. It is noted that under conditions of waterlogged soil and low average daily temperatures, grass mixtures of alfalfa and meadow clover with perennial grasses often have unstable productivity. The botanical composition of grass mixtures on average over the years of research showed the participation of legumes - 45-50 %, cereals - 50-55 %. Of the cereal components during the period of crop formation, more active development was noted in meadow fescue, on average, 54 % in the composition of mixtures, versus 46 % of meadow timothy. Analysis of samples of green mass and voluminous forage (silage) from alfalfa, meadow clover and cereal grasses harvested for the winter stall period showed a high protein content in silage prepared from the plant mass of alfalfa-clover-cereal grass mixture. These feeds contain protein 128.3-138.5 g per feed unit, metabolic energy 9.18-10.08 MJ per 1 kg of dry feed.

ENERGY NUTRITION OF PERENNIAL LEGUMES AND CEREALS ON DRIED LANDS OF THE UPPER VOLGA

The article is devoted to the study of the energy nutritional value of forage from perennial legumes and cereals grown on the drained lands of the Non-Chernozem zone (Tver region). The objects of research are highly productive grass stands based on variable alfalfa variety Vega 87, meadow clover variety Shans, and intensive types of cereal grasses meadow timothy variety VIK 9, meadow fescue variety Sakharovskaya. The objects of research are high-yielding grass stands based on alfalfa variety Vega 87, meadow clover variety Shans, and intensive types of cereal grasses meadow timothy variety VIK 9, meadow fescue variety Sakharovskaya. The studies were carried out in 2018-2020 on the experimental field of the All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands - Branch of the Federal Research Centre V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute (VNIIMZ) on sod-podzolic light loamy soil, drained by closed pottery drainage. It is noted that under conditions of waterlogged soil and low average daily temperatures, grass mixtures of alfalfa and meadow clover with perennial grasses often have unstable productivity. The botanical composition of grass mixtures on average over the years of research showed the participation of legumes - 45-50 %, cereals - 50-55 %. Of the cereal components during the period of crop formation, more active development was noted in meadow fescue, on average, 54 % in the composition of mixtures, versus 46 % of meadow timothy. Analysis of samples of green mass and voluminous forage (silage) from alfalfa, meadow clover and cereal grasses harvested for the winter stall period showed a high protein content in silage prepared from the plant mass of alfalfa-clover-cereal grass mixture. These feeds contain protein 128.3-138.5 g per feed unit, metabolic energy 9.18-10.08 MJ per 1 kg of dry feed.

Effect of Silicon-Containing Fertilizers on the Nutritional Value of Grass–Legume Mixtures on Temporary Grasslands

The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of silicon application on the botanical composition of grass–legume mixtures as well as the nutritional value of individual species and mixtures. The two-factor field experiment was established in a split-block arrangement. The two grass–legume mixtures, consisting of Dactylis glomerata, Festulolium braunii and Trifolium pratense or Medicago x varia and grass mixture—Dactylis glomerata, Festulolium braunii and Lolium perenne, were sown on arable land. Silicon foliar and mineral NPK fertilization was applied in three variants: NPK (non-Si-fertilized), NPK+Si (Herbagreen), NPK+Si (Optysil). Changes in the botanical composition in the sward of mixtures during the study period were influenced by the competitiveness of individual plants and weather conditions, whereas the effect of foliar fertilization with silicon was only slightly marked. The nutritional value of individual species of grasses and legumes varied over the years and also depended on the application of silicon. The greatest content of crude protein (CP), irrespective of the species and variant of silicon fertilization, was noticed in years with no drought. Our research confirmed the beneficial effect of silicon fertilization, independent of weather conditions, on the CP content and on the reduction of crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) in plants, especially when Herbagreen was applied. The nutritional value of the mixtures under applied silicon fertilization depended on botanical composition. In the conditions of low rainfall, a large share of F. braunii and an approximately 20% contribution of T. pratense resulted in a higher content of CP. These results may be used in the fertilization practices of temporary grassland for enhancing nutritional value, especially crude protein content, and on the reduction of fibre in the sward.

ВЛИЯНИЕ МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО ПИТАНИЯ И СПОСОБОВ ПОСЕВА НА ПИТАТЕЛЬНУЮ ЦЕННОСТЬ БОБОВО-МЯТЛИКОВЫХ ТРАВОСМЕСЕЙ

To create a stable forage base, it is necessary to produce a sufficient amount of high-quality feed. Cultivation of legume-bluegrass grass mixtures makes it possible to obtain balanced forage in terms of protein. This requires properly selected components of grass mixtures and improved agricultural practices for the cultivation of legume-bluegrass grass mixtures. The aim of the research was to study the effect of various components included in legume-poa grass mixtures, mineral nutrition levels and sowing methods on the nutritional value of grass mixtures. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set: to study the effect of various sowing methods and levels of mineral nutrition on the nutritional value of grass mixtures; to identify the most promising grass mixtures for the conditions of the north of the Astrakhan region, which have high productivity. Records and observations were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The results of three-year studies show that the scattered sowing method and increased mineral nutrition increase the content of crude protein in the biomass of the studied grass mixtures. The maximum value of this indicator was noted for grass mixtures 1 and 4 with broadcast sowing and the use of N50 mowing dressings - 20.76 and 20.84%, respectively. The split-row sowing method and N50 hay cuttings increased the content of raw fat in the biomass of grass mixtures. The highest content of crude fat was noted in grass mixtures 1 and 4 on the experimental variants of the separate-row sowing method + N50 mowing top dressing - 3.35 and 3.29%, respectively. Increased mineral nutrition and scattered sowing reduced the content of crude fiber in the biomass of the studied grass mixtures. The maximum amount of crude fiber in the biomass of the studied grass mixtures was noted in the variant with the use of a separate-row sowing method and background fertilization (control) in grass mixtures 1 and 4 - 23.71 and 23.65%, respectively.