Effect of Using a Prototype Aerator on the Botanical Composition and Fodder Production on Grassland with Low Soil Porosity

Permanent grasslands located on some organic soils can be sensitive to compaction due to the use of agricultural machinery and their natural tendency for compactness. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of using innovative own constructed aerator on sward botanical composition, dry matter yield and forage quality. The study also looked at the physical properties of the meadow soil. The research was carried out in 2018-2019 using a single-factor field experiment established on a dairy farm located in Wielkopolska region on grassland with the natural organic peat-muck soil compaction. The aerator was constructed by the farmer as a solution of the problem. The aerator was based on a cultivator frame with plate cutting elements. The plates were cutting the sod to a depth of 10-15 cm after harvest of each regrowth. It was found that the grassland aeration had a beneficial effect on the dry matter yield increase from 6.8% to 42.1% in following years, compared to the treatment without the use of aeration. A positive effect of the aerator using was also found in the botanical composition of meadow sward. In the aeration treatment perennial ryegrass and timothy performed well, increasing their share in the sward. The aeration treatment had a positive effect on the content of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, ash and water soluble carbohydrates in the dry matter. Additionally, the differences in soil volumetric moisture content, water deficit in the soil and soil conductivity were found in some analysed regrowths. In conclusion, our study has shown how important in grassland forage production are treatments that improve the productivity of the sward, but they need to be related to the recognition of the local habitat

Seed Shedding of \u3cem\u3eLolium multiflorum\u3c/em\u3e in Dependency on Application of Preparations Controlling Plant Ripening Process

The seed shedding susceptibility is specific biological feature of grasses (Hampton and Fairey, 1997; Simon et al., 1997), which occurs particularly in the species of Lolium-Festuca complex. Lolium multiflorum is a grass distinguished by highest susceptibility of seed shedding (Golińska, 2009). It is the main reason of up to 60% of seed yield losses during harvest of seed plantations of this grass (Coolbear et al., 1997). In order to prevent seed losses by shedding the investigations are necessary to improve the efficiency of grass seed production. One of the possibilities is using of preparations which physically or physiologically control the ripening process of plant and decrease the seed shedding susceptibility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different preparations controlling the plant ripening process on seed shedding and yielding of Lolium multiflorum

Response of Selected Cultivars of Sheep Fescue to Management Strategy in Extensive Lawn Utilization

Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L. sensu lato) is distinguished for its ability to form sods on difficult sites (Dernoeden et al. 1994). This species is a persistent bunch grass that mixes well with wildflowers, without dominating them. For this reason sheep fescue can play an important role in the creation of landscape lawns. In the adaptation of this grass to extremely difficult sites, specific biological features of this grass are very important, especially water efficiency, drought tolerance, and low fertilizer requirements (Aronson et al. 1987; Brar and Palazzo, 1995). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different fertilization levels and cutting regime on some biological features of selected sheep fescue cultivars in extensive lawn utilization

Development of Seed Production of Important Grass and Legume Species in Poland in Relation to the European Market

An analysis was carried out on the status of seed production of most important grass and legume species in Poland in terms of the area of seed crops and their seed yield on the background of the European market. Particular attention in the analysis was paid to the dominant species in the reproductive area of varieties of forage and turfgrasses and small-seeded legumes in Poland and in Europe, i.e. Lolium perenne L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., Festuca rubra L. and Trifolium pratense L. For analysis the ESCAA and Polish Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seed Inspection data from 2004‒2021 were used. It was found that over the years, the importance of the Polish grass seed market in Europe is growing. Currently, Poland ranks second in the area of seed crops of analysed grasses. In legumes grown for seeds, Poland is less important in Europe, however, in the case of Trifolium pratense, it is in recent years a significant seed producer with a clear trend of increasing the plantations area of this species. Harvested seed yields from grasses and legumes grown for seeds in Poland are lower compared to many European countries, so increasing seed yield is a prerequisite for our country’s further expansion in this segment of the seed market in Europa

Accumulation of Zearalenone in Herbage of Winter Pasture Situated in West Poland

The importance of winter pastures in beef production in Europe has been growing steadily. In Poland, especially in its western part, there are already farms which utilise pasture swards during late autumn and winter. The major problem, however, is the quality of forage ingested by animals as it tends to deteriorate with the passage of the vegetation season with danger of accumulation of various mycotoxins (Laser et al., 2003) of which the most important is zearalenone (ZEA)

Effect of Climate Change in 50-Years Period on Grassland Productivity in Central Poland

In Central Europe, the climate change is predicted to bring more rainfall in winter, less rainfall in summer, and an increased drought risk (Trnka et al., 2011). Smit et al., (2008) reported that significant drops in grassland productivity can usually be attributed to drier summers. Also in Poland, the most important abiotic factor limiting grassland productivity is water shortage and its distribution during vegetative season. Indicating the influence of climate on grass vegetation growth could be an important tool in grassland management on the national, regional and single grassland scales. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of climate change in 50-years period on productivity of grassland located on mineral and organic soils in Central Poland

Pasture Yield and Sward Intake by Suckler Cows in the Extended Grazing Season

Recent advancements in grazing management have shown opportunities to extend the grazing season in late autumn (Hennessy et al. 2006). The increase in the grazing season length will have profound effect on the overall system through reducing the quantity of slurry to be stored, reduction in the quantities of silage and hay required for winter feeding and reductions in the energy associated with sward harvesting and conservation. Also, in Central Europe the extending of grazing season has become highly desirable in the recent years (Opitz v. Boberfeld et al. 2006; Skladanka et al. 2010), because it can reduce the cost of cattle keeping. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of late autumn and early winter grazing of suckler cows on pasture yield, residual mass, sward utilization rate and sward intake