RU2108700C1 - Method for evaluating mountain and pasture hay mowing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture, in particular, grassland management. SUBSTANCE: method involves determining herbage variety and quality factors. Evaluation is performed in three phases: at herbage regrow stage in spring by sod density, at the stage of budding-flowering of main meadow and pasture grasses by content of fabaceous components and prior to going for wintering by content of rhizome and loose bush plants. EFFECT: increased efficiency and simplified method.

Description

 The invention relates to agriculture, in particular to meadow farming, and may find application in the certification and valuation of mountain meadows.

 A known method for assessing pastures, which take into account the number and species composition of vegetation per unit area, determine soil moisture, terrain, and other factors ("Improvement and use of mountain pastures and hayfields abroad," - Overview of VASKHNIL, 1978, p.5 )

 In the known method, the assessment of pastures is complicated, since it is necessary to record the germinating plants per unit area, determine their botanical composition, analyze the soil moisture, etc.

 Closest to the proposed technical solution is a method for assessing pastures by the cultural and technical condition and a 100-point assessment of the agrochemical state of the soil and the productivity of the grass stand, determining the quality of each germinating species of vegetation / “Meadow growing and pasture farming”. - Textbook for universities, L.VO "Agropromizdat" Leningrad branch, 1990, p.227-232 /.

 The disadvantage of the prototype method is that in order to carry out all the scoring activities, it is necessary to incur large costs in accounting for the number of varieties of herbs, to determine the yield, feed quality, soil condition, etc. All these measures complicate the method, especially on mountain slopes, where work should be made at different heights / in the range of 500-2400 m above sea level /. In addition, the assessment once does not provide a sufficiently accurate characterization of pastures, because after mowing / when analyzing the quality of the feed and the species composition of the grass / site degradation is possible due to heavy rains, strong winds, improper grazing, etc. All this complicates the method and reduces its effectiveness in assessing forage land.

 The purpose of the invention is to simplify the method and increase its effectiveness.

 This goal is achieved by the fact that the assessment of hayfields and pastures is carried out on a three-point scale three times: during the growing period in spring according to the density of turf, during the budding-flowering phase of the main meadow pasture grasses according to the content of legumes and before leaving in winter for the presence of rhizomatous-spruce plants and is satisfactorily assessed in the first period, the integrity of the turf is up to 10%, the presence of leguminous herbs is more than 15% in the second and the content of rhizomatous-spruce plants with violation of the turf less than 20% is in the third, and in the average Three periods judge the environmental situation.

 The method is as follows.

 In the period of grass regrowth in spring, the integrity of the associated turf is noted. Violation of turf in 5-10% is estimated at 3 points, i.e. relatively satisfactory situation. Violation of turf in 15-25% is assessed as an emergency environmental situation, and more than 30% is defined as an environmental disaster.

 The degree of turf density is fully dependent on the development of herbs. The better the plants of meadows and pastures develop, the denser the turf and the more stable the ecosystem. The presence of a dense turf is not only a barrier against wind and water erosion, but also an indicator of an important heat regulator. Thanks to the turf, the soil thaws more slowly in the spring, and later freezes in the autumn. Therefore, in grass mixtures, plants better withstand temperatures in the winter and last longer than some single-species crops. The change in design cover occurs as a result of natural and anthropogenic impacts on vegetation of various types, the main of which is a mechanical disturbance of the phytocenosis / grazing, recreation, etc. / and a chemical effect that leads to a change in the living state of species populations through a change in metabolic and aquatic processes balance.

 In the period of budding and flowering of the majority of meadow grasses, an eye assessment of the species composition is carried out. In the presence of 5-10% of leguminous herbs / clover, alfalfa, honeyweed, sainfoin, goatberry, vetch, etc. /. Depending on the mountain zones, the pasture is rated as satisfactory. Legumes in most varieties take root well in slightly acidic soils. Having a powerful root system / 1.6-2 m /, many types of legumes tolerate a lack of moisture, improve the soil structure and provide nitrogen to other types of herbs due to the accumulation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots. The presence of legumes in the herbage improves the mowing mass of feed with nutrients. By their nutritional value, many leguminous herbs during pasture use sharply exceed cereal grasses, especially in the content of protein, phosphorus, and calcium. In the phase of budding in the feed from legumes - always an excess of digestible protein. With the passage of the phases of vegetation, legumes have a more constant ratio of leaves and stems than cereals. In legume leaves, the content of crude fiber also varies less depending on the growing phase or cycle of use.

 Thus, legumes in the herbage indicate good feed quality.

 The vegetation of legumes is very sensitive to environmental damage as a result of anthropogenic impact / improper grazing, frequent grazing, etc. /. Legumes that absorb biological nitrogen from the air are sensitive to environmental pollution and, under adverse conditions, quickly fall out of the grass stand. In addition, legumes take more calcium, magnesium, and chlorine from the soil than cereals. Calcium and chlorine are mainly found in the lower layers of soils with calcareous layers in the parent rock, from which legumes with a long root system are easier to reach. Thanks to their nodule bacteria living on the roots, they provide better nitrogen nutrition, and due to their dying roots, they feed nitrogen food and cereal grasses, also the main components of the forage land.

 Consequently, legumes exclude the application of fertilizers on pastures, improve fertility and reduce erosion processes. The presence of legumes indicates a good development of forbs, a satisfactory soil condition in the study area. A decrease in the percentage of legumes characterizes the site as the beginning of a decrease in the productivity and nutrition of the grass stand and the appearance of erosion processes.

 The third assessment is carried out before leaving for the winter, when the newly formed roots, stems and shoots of loose shrub rhizome and rhizome-looser bush plants are clearly visible, such as: timothy grass, ryegrass, hedgehog team, bluegrass, foxtail, white clover, similar, etc.

 Violation of the shoot formation of cereal and bean grass occurs for various reasons, but primarily from improper grazing, mowing of grass in the early phase, etc. The proper use of pastures during the growing season ensures the complete preservation of vegetation by the autumn period. Violation of the turf before leaving in the winter is classified as improper care of the site, and, therefore, its score is reduced.

 If there are more than 20% sod disturbances in the spring, it is assessed as an environmental disaster with a score of 2 points. In the presence of legumes in the flowering phase, about 20%, the assessment is carried out taking into account the initial characteristics of the site. Before leaving in the winter, further violation of the turf is possible with a score of 2 points. In this case, the sum of the three ratings is divided by three.

 Example 1. On pastures / height of 600-700 m above sea level /, where the soil is chestnut and carbonate chernozem, the density of turf was determined with a satisfactory rating. In the budding phase, the percentage of leguminous herbs per one square meter was eye-measured. Under these conditions, the area grows plowed clover, Caucasian lamb, creeping clover, Transcaucasian alfalfa, vaginal sainfoin. In the total mass, the percentage of legumes amounted to 12-15%, which corresponds to a satisfactory assessment of pastures. In the autumn period after the end of the growing season, the state of turf was also eye-glazed. Without signs of impairment, the score was good. The amount is divided into three. The average score is 3.3.

 Example 2. In a meadow-steppe belt at an altitude of 1550 m / soil is medium-thick, clayey / the density of turf was determined in spring and autumn, as in the first example. In the budding phase, the composition of legumes (sainfoin, alfalfa, clover of three species: meadow, creeping, similar) was determined, which amounted to more than 20%. The pasture is in good condition.

Example 3. High mountain pastures / altitude 1700-1800 m above sea level, mountain meadow soils /. The turf is dense. There are disturbed areas per unit area / 10 m ² /. Evaluated with a rating of 2. During flowering, 10% of legumes / sainfoin, vetch, honeyweed, Alpine clover / with a rating of 3 were noted in the same area / with a rating of 3. In autumn, grass stand worsened and density decreased by 10%, rating 2. Average rating 2. This the site needs improvement.

Example 4. Subalpine zone / 2500 m above sea level, mountain meadow soils /. In spring, an area with loose turf is estimated. Most are damaged. Score 1. In the flowering phase on 5 m ² allocated 5% of legumes / similar clover, creeping, alpine /. Grade 3. In autumn, due to the proper use and care / sowing of herbs, the optimal grazing time, etc. / sod improved. Grade 3. The average score is 2.3, which means that the pasture requires further care and improvement.

 Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of the vegetation state in three vegetation periods as an indicator of pasture conservation makes it possible to determine the ecological situation, more effectively and simplified to characterize the meadow or pasture ecosystem, and outline measures for radical and surface improvement.

Claims (1)

 A method for assessing mountain hayfields and pastures, including determining the varieties of grass stand and their quality indicators, characterized in that the assessment is carried out three times: during budding and flowering of the main meadow pasture grasses according to the content of legumes and before leaving for the winter by the presence of rhizomes and loose shrubs and is satisfactorily assessed in the first period, by the integrity of the turf up to 10%, by the presence of legumes more than 15% - in the second and the content of rhizome-looser plants with violation of the turf less than 20% - in the third and the average score of three periods is judged on the environmental situation.