Methods for increasing productivity of arid pastures

Abstract

Relevance. Over the past few decades, intensive exploitation of arid territories of the Stavropol territory has led to an increase in the degradation of natural forage lands (NFL) several times. Therefore, research aimed at finding ways to preserve the productive longevity of arid pasture ecosystems is relevant.

Methods. The purpose of the research is to study approaches to restoring biodiversity and productivity of degraded NFL in the arid zone by forming environmentally sustainable, productive agrophytocenoses based on perennial grasses. Expedition study of pasture lands of the Stavropol territory was carried out in 2009–2019 according to the requirements of methods generally accepted in phytocenology. The objects of research are NFL located in the zone of dry steppes and semi–deserts. Research on the impact of various systems of herbage recovery and use on the yield of forage lands was conducted in 2014–2019 on the basis of the breeding factory ‘Friendship’ in the Apanasenkovsky district of the Stavropol territory in accordance with industry and scientific regulatory documentation. The objects of research were perennial grasses and their mixtures.

Results. According to our research, the use of combined haymaking–pasture use of NFL is one of the most effective methods for reducing clogging and stabilizing their productivity. Optimizing the timing of mowing or grazing herbage allows increasing the production of dry matter to 2.64–3.92 t/ha for haymaking use and 1.86–2.27 t/ha for combined (haymaking + pasture) use. By enriching degraded herbage with valuable forage legumes and cereals grasses, it is possible to significantly improve its quality with the achievement in 1 kg of dry matter of 8.55 MJ metabolizable energy.