Creation and efficient use of perennial sown agrophytocenoses on erosion-dangerous slope lands

Abstract

Goal. To study the influence of slope exposure, grass growth, and fertilization on the reserves of productive moisture in the soil and the productivity of perennial grasses. Methods. Field — stationary experiment; laboratory — determination of field soil moisture and dry matter content in the crop of green mass of perennial grasses according to generally accepted methods; experimental data processing — using the Microsoft Office Excel computer program. Results. Differences in the exposure of the slope led to different amounts of productive moisture under crops of perennial grasses. Additional use of moisture by perennial grasses on the slope of the Northeastern exposure can be 22.3–24.3 mm. On average, during the first 4 years of use, leguminous grasses provide an output of 5.93–8.23 t/ha of dry matter with a legume component content of 35.5–63.8% on the slopes of the Southwestern exposure, and 7.95–11.99 t/ha of dry matter substances with a legume component content of 31.4–64.0% on the slopes of the Northeastern exposure. With the chemical reclamation of the soil and the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in a dose of P90K90, the productivity of leguminous grass stands increased by 38.8–50.8%, and the share of leguminous components increased by 16.0–21.7%. The most resistant to weeding was the leguminous herbage consisting of meadow clover, lucerne, and meadow timothy, created on the Northeastern exposure slope by liming and application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Conclusions. During the harvesting of the 2nd hay crop, the reserves of productive moisture on the slope of the Northeastern exposure were 22.3–24.3 mm higher than on the slope of the Southwestern exposure. The highest yield of dry matter in the experiment (11.99 t/ha) was provided by a grass mixture of field clover + lucerne + meadow timothy on the slope of the Northeastern exposure due to liming and application of P90K90. Soil liming and application of phosphorus and potash fertilizers significantly contributed to the increase in the share of leguminous components in the yield of the green mass of the leguminous grass mixture. The maximum share of leguminous components in this feeding option was on the Southwestern exposure slope — 54.6–63.8%.