The climate warming and changes in weather patterns in Europe are negatively affecting the structure of grassland swards. The disappearance of valuable forage grasses can be observed. Therefore, in order to keep grassland productivity high, high-yielding grasses of good quality that are resistant to changes in the weather are being sought. At the moment there are few publications which present the long-term influence of changing weather conditions on meadow sward structure and its fodder value. This study aimed to assess the suitability of grass mixtures with Festulolium braunii for grassland renewal by full tillage on organic soil, taking into account atmospheric conditions. The experiments were carried out in the years 2009–2018 on a meadow complex located on organic soil in the Randow river valley, near Ramin (Germany). Grassland restoration was carried out by the method of full cultivation in three experiments with different proportions of Festulolium braunii and Lolium perenne (the existing grassland was eliminated and seeds of a new grass mix were sown). The meadow experiments were established using the method of random blocks in four repetitions Detailed studies included: floristic composition of meadow sward, fresh and dry mass yields, and content of: crude protein, soluble sugars, raw fiber, and net energy NEL (net energy lactation) concentration. Festulolium braunii, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, and Phleum pratense proved to be more resistant to low temperatures in winter and excess water in spring than Lolium perenne. The largest production potential of fresh and dry mass was found in mixtures with a high content of Festulolium braunii Festulolium braunii tolerates varied and unfavorable weather conditions (frosts during snowless winters, spring frosts and waterlogging, and droughts) very well and provides a stable good quality sward yield (favourably affected the carbohydrate and protein content of the sward). Lolium perenne, on the other hand, decreases its share in the sward under unfavorable weather conditions.
Meadows on organic soils perform an essential role as a source of fodder and biomass for energy purposes. In the case of intensive meadows, it is crucial to use grass mixtures that enable obtaining high yields of good quality; however, on organic soils, the grass species composition changes dynamically. We carried out the full cultivation (ploughing) for grassland restoration. The floristic composition of meadow sward in the first year of full use (2013) was similar to the composition of mixtures used for sowing (2012) individual plots. Festuca arundinacea and Phleum pratense showed greater resistance to low temperatures in winter and excess water in spring compared to Lolium perenne. In comparison, we obtained the highest yield (fresh and dry mass) from mixtures with Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne. We obtained the best quality forage from the first swath and the object with the highest share of Lolium perenne. For grassland restoration in the analysed habitat, it is reasonable to use grass mixtures with varied compositions, in which the share of Lolium perenne is between 25–50%.
Streszczenie. Badania przeprowadzono w dolinie rzeki Randow, na użytkach zielonych należących do gospodarstwa rolnego Raminer Agrar GmbH&Co (Niemcy). Odnowę użytków zielonych, zlokalizowanych na glebie organicznej, przeprowadzono metodą pełnej uprawy. Badaniami objęto mieszanki z dominującym udziałem Festuca arundinacea. Ocena obejmowała charakterystykę składu florystycznego, zadarnienie i ogólny wygląd runi łąkowej, poziom plonowania i równomierność produkcji biomasy w sezonie wegetacyjnym. Średnie wyniki z lat badań (2012, 2013 i 2015) wykazały, że zastosowane mieszanki odznaczały się zbliżonym poziomem plonowania, chociaż należy wyróżnić mieszankę Festuca arundinacea z Dactylis glomerata-po 50%; na uwagę zasługuje także mieszanka Festuca arundinacea z Lolium perenne. Jeżeli chodzi o ocenę odmian Festuca arundinacea ('Lipalma', 'Koral', 'Hykor', 'Fawm'), to największym potencjałem produkcyjnym odznaczała się odmiana 'Hykor'. Do wielokośnego użytkowania runi łąkowej nawet pięciokrotnie mniej przydatne są Festuca pratensis i Phleum pratense. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że Festuca arundinacea nadaje się do regeneracji użytków zielonych na glebach organicznych, przy stosowaniu w mieszankach z Dacylis glomerata, Lolium perenne i Festulolium.
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