The state of mixed swards of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird's foot trefoil was studied. The experiment was situated along the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain, during the period of the 1st to the 13th year of their creation. At a high degree of soil gleying, the low part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.8 t/ha (1997, south-eastern exposure) up to 10.66 t/ha (1999, north-eastern exposure). At a low degree of soil gleying, high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.34 t/ha (1994, western exposure) up to 14.34 t/ha (1995, east exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for the period of the study are the variants at the east and south-eastern exposure, slightly gleyed soil. The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is variable quantity. They reach (at their most) up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils and up to 97% in 2000, north-east exposure, highly gleyed soils. Their share was small in 2004 (44%) and in 2006 (42%) on a western slope, highly eroded soils

Mitev Dimitar

Naydenova G.

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry

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Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry 30 (3), p 509-515  , 2014                                ISSN 1450-9156 Publisher: Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade-Zemun                                  UDC 633.2.03 DOI: 10.2298/BAH1403509M   PERMANENCE OF SOWN SWARD SITUATED ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL BALKAN MOUNTAIN  D. Mitev1, G. Naydenova2  1Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture, 5600 Troyan, 281 Vasil Levski Str. Bulgaria, 2Experimental Station of Soybean, 5200 Pavlikeni 61 Ruski Str. Bulgaria Corresponding author: dimitarmtv@mail.bg Original scientific paper  Abstract: The state of mixed swards of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil was studied. The experiment was situated along the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain, during the period of the 1st to the 13th year of their creation. At a high degree of soil gleying, the low part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.8   t/ha (1997, south-eastern exposure) up to 10.66 t/ha (1999, north-eastern exposure). At a low degree of soil gleying, high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.34 t/ha (1994, western exposure) up to 14.34 t/ha (1995, east exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for the period of the study are the variants at the east and south-eastern exposure, slightly gleyed soil. The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is variable quantity. They reach (at their most) up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils and up to 97% in 2000, north-east exposure, highly gleyed soils. Their share was small in 2004 (44%) and in 2006 (42%) on a western slope, highly eroded soils.                Key words: red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, bird’s foot trefoil, Balkan Mountain, slopes  Introduction  In the previous study (Mitev et al., 1992) a number of positive results have been determined in the growing of mixed sward of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil of local origin, which are a subject of patent work. We share the view of some authors that the combination of certain species could ensure priority of the mixed swards through better use of the resources of the environment (Sanderson et al., 2001). The combination of components in the swards, as well as the determining of their number should be a result from their behaviour in the conditions of the habitat. When the number of components was increased from 2 to 3, the aggressiveness in the system raised fourfold (Mitev and Petrov, 1999). D. Mitev et al.   510 The aim of the study was to estimate the permanence of a mixed sward consisting of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil with a local origin during the thirteen years period, along the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain.  Materials and Methods  The conditions of creation and conducting of the experiment were described in the methodical part of a previous publication (Mitev and Belperchinov, 2000). The main feature in it is the spreading of swards of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil along the foothill slopes at a different disposure against the four cardinal points under correspondent soil differences, insolation etc. The variants are given under the enclosed tables. Data were processed by statistical software Stratgraphics Plus v.2.1, with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison of mean values through the smallest statistically proven differences (LSD 0.05).  The dry matter yield and botanical composition of swards were studied.  In relation to soil, the region belongs to the foothill subzone of Northern Bulgaria forest-steppe zone, about which is typical the significant presence of pseudopodzolic soils. Pseudopodzolic horizon (A1; A2) has a thickness of 30 – 40 cm and it is saturated abundantly by gleyic spots and iron-manganese concretions. Illuvial horizon (B1; B2; B3) has a thickness of 80 – 100 cm and it is abundantly saturated at the top with light grey and rusty gleyic spots. Brown and brown-yellowish tones are predominant in the lower parts (Palaveev and Totev, 1983). The soils of high degree of gleying (A) were characterized by pH (KCl) 3.9–4.0; exchangeable cations in meqv/100 g soil, Al 1.3–1.6, Mn 0.6–1.3, Ca and Mg 3.6–4.5. The soils with low degree of gleying (B) were characterised by pH (KCl) 4.7; exchangeable cations in meqv/100 g soil, Al 0.6–1, Mn 0.3–0.8, Ca and Mg 9.1–11.1. The experiment was established in 1994 in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, and a plot size of 4 m2. After the autumn ploughing in depth of 18-20 cm and the following pre-sowing procedures, 800 germinating seeds were sown at 1m2 of local populations of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil in equal proportions. Each of the above mentioned species participate with 1/3 of its sowing rate for creation of independent swards. Sward was fertilized with N (80 kg/ha) annually and with P (80 kg/ha) every second year, starting from 1995. The dry matter yields were studied in the following way: green mass samples were dried at 105oC till a permanent weight was reached. The dry matter yield was recalculated on the base of the determined percentage proportion. Тhe botanical composition of swards was determined in the following way: four plant samples were taken from random places in the diagonals of the plots from each variant, for each replication of the experiment, till the weight of the pattern of  Permanence of sown sward…   511 two kilograms was reached. The botanical composition of swards was determined in this sample. The swards were cut at the phase of beginning of flowering of legume. Variants A1 and B1 were accepted as a control, which was conventionally chosen (Iglovikov et al., 1971). The average amount of precipitation for a period of 35 years (1965-2000) was 737.3 mm. It was closer to that in 1994, 1995, 1998. In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 the precipitation was less in comparison with the average for the region. In 2002, 2004, 2006 it was greater. Particularly significant were the differences in 2000, when the precipitation was almost the half in comparison with the average for the region. In 2005 it was almost twice as high. The average annual temperature (1965-1994) for the region was 9.7°C, and for the vegetation period March-October 13.6°C. It was lower in 1996, 1997, 2000, and higher in the rest years.  Results and Discussion  At a high degree of soil gleying, low part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits from 2.8 t/ha (1997, south-eastern exposure) to 10.66 t/ha (1999, north-eastern exposure) (Table 1).  Table 1 Dry matter yield in t/ha of mixed sward from red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil    Harvest year Low part of the slope, high degree of soil gleying High part of the slope, low degree of soil gleying Variant A1 (k) A2 A3 B1 (k) B2 B3 B4 B5 1994 - - 2.88 7.98b 9.08a 2.34d 3.79d 4.57c 1995 9.25A 6.38B 4.49B 14.34a 11.90b 7.88c 7.34c 10.24b 1996 4.46B 4.22B 9.07A 5.74b 6.69b 4.54c 5.35b 7.60a 1997 3.21C 2.80C 7.21A 9.30b 12.64a 7.31c 6.12c 7.00c 1998 4.22B 4.82B 7.21A 6.77a 7.58a 7.92a 5.39b 7.33a 1999 6.36B 6.92B 10.66A 8.88b 12.58a 9.00b 8.12b 7.68b 2000 3.42A 3.24A 4.82A 4.08a 4.62a 3.54b 2.97b 4.73a 2001 3.10B 3.41B 7.07A 7.14a 7.59a 3.58b 4.64b 7.36a 2002 6.42B 7.21B 10.10A 8.40b 10.41a 6.77c 7.08c 8.53b 2003 3.41A 3.11A 4.49A 5.46a 5.32a 4.57a 3.15b 4.92a 2004 6.53A 6.99A - 10.85a 9.09b 7.11c 7.07c 7.14c 2005 6.25A 6.90A - 6.78b 7.22a 6.37b 5.88c 8.00a 2006 6.31A 6.05A - 9.68b 11.22a 5.58c 6.12c - Average for the period  5.24B  5.17B  6.80A  8.10a  8.18a  5.88c  5.61c  7.91b The same letters - are not significantly different at the 0.05 probability levels; A1 East exposure (Control of A); A2 South-east exposure; A3 North-east exposure; B1 East exposure (Control of B);  D. Mitev et al.   512 B2 South-east exposure.; B3 West exposure.; B4 West exposure (highly eroded soils); B5 North exposure.  At a low degree of soil gleying, high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were, in the range, from 2.34 t/ha (1994, west exposure) to 14.34 t/ha (1995 eastern exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for the period of the study were the variants at south-east exposure, slightly gleyed soils. On a slope at south-eastern exposure with heavily gleyed soils the highest productivity was recorded in 2002 (9th vegetation). During the last three year period (2004-2006), the productivity of that variant was higher than that in the previous periods. In a previous publication was presented the thesis that each 'structural unit' (….species, population, variety, ...) probably has a specific energy configuration where a proper energy balance is achieved, which allows the formation of a specific “projection in Time” (including permanence in ontogenetic and phylogenetic aspect), which in a peculiar way is included in the cycle of nature. In this situation, the use of the environmental factors is strictly individual, and a part of them remains conditionally not mastered for ever. The access to them from the part of the plant material, the sustainability of the development of the swards, and so on differ (Mitev, 2004; Mitev and Naydenova 2012). In this case it is not difficult to assume that the components in a sward interact on "time level", creating peculiar "energy-informational systems" with their corresponding durability (Mitev and Naydenova, unpublished). The botanical composition of the swards manifests the sustainability of their development (Table 2). The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is a variable. They reached up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils and up to 97% in 2000, north-eastern exposure, highly gleyed soils. Their share in the initial and final period of the study usually is smaller: 29%, north exposure, low degree of soil gleying, 1994; 36% west exposure, highly eroded soils, 1994; 42%, west exposure, highly eroded soils, 2006. The red fescue is a predominant species in the swards. In previous publications has been mentioned that the participation of red fescue reached up to 84% in 2004, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils (Mitev et al., 2006). It had 89% from the total yields at north-eastern exposure, highly gleyed soils, in 1998 (Belperchinov and Mitev, 2004). The presence of weeds was higher in low level of soil gleying, at a high part of the slope. It should be noticed that the species, included here, are not Setaria viridis (L.) P.B., Setaria glauca P.B., Agropyrum repens (Scop.) etc. We found the presence Galium aparine (L.), Galium tricorne (With), the broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L.), narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) etc., which are characteristic for the neighbouring natural swards. These species are herbs that have a positive influence over the animal organism, respectively over the human one.    Permanence of sown sward…   513 Table 2 Botanical Composition of swards in %, I cutting  Year  Variant A1 (k) A2 A3 B1 (k) B2 B3 B4 B5  1994 sown species 0 0 41 46 38 67 36 29 weeds 0 0 59 54 62 33 64 71 1995 sown species 73 69 77 93 86 89 86 58 weeds 27 31 23 7 14 11 14 42 1996 sown species 95 89 95 57 83 91 67 95 weeds 5 11 5 43 17 9 33 5 1997 sown species 89 86 90 94 91 92 88 89 weeds 11 14 10 6 9 8 12 11 1998 sown species 92 90 94 93 88 93 86 96 weeds 8 10 6 7 12 7 14 4 1999 sown species 94 94 88 94 60 67 75 92 weeds 6 6 13 6 40 33 25 8 2000 sown species 96 96 97 88 81 75 84 94 weeds 4 4 3 12 19 25 16 6 2001 sown species 91 87 86 89 88 80 68 95 weeds 9 13 14 11 12 20 32 5 2002 sown species 88 92 84 43 84 90 69 92 weeds 12 8 16 57 16 10 31 8 2003 sown species 89 58 61 94 89 85 86 82 weeds 11 42 39 6 11 15 14 18 2004 sown species 73 72 - 94 83 64 44 88 weeds 27 28 - 6 17 36 56 12 2005 sown species 72 87 - 78 81 84 91 51 weeds 28 13 - 22 19 16 9 44 2006 sown species 88 64 - 71 86 81 42 - weeds 12 36 - 29 14 19 58 - A1 East exposure with a high degree of soil gleying (Control of A); A2 South-east exposure with a high deg. of soil gley.; A3 North-east exposure with a high deg. of soil gley.; B1 East exposure with a low deg. of soil gley. (Control of B); B2 South-east exposure with a low deg. of soil gley.; B3 West exposure with a low deg. of soil gley.; B4 West exposure with a low deg. of soil gley. (highly eroded soils); B5 North exposure with a low deg. of soil gley.  The mentioned species, as well as the other self-sown meadow grasses and legumes, with a local origin such as white and hybrid clover, etc, display the level of balance in the system, as well as the change in the balance. The specificity of the interrelation among productivity and the category of the so called weeds impose a careful analysis according to the type of swards, as well as continuation of the experiment in the future.  Conclusion The opportunity for prolonged use of artificial meadow wards has been found in the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain.  D. Mitev et al.   514 At a high degree of soil gleying, low part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits from 2.8 t/ha (1997, south-eastern exposure) to 10.66 t/ha (1999, north-eastern exposure).  At a low degree of soil gleying, high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits from 2.34 t/ha (1994, west exposure) to 14.34 t/ha (1995 eastern exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for the period of the study were the variants at east and south-east exposure, slightly gleyed soils. The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is a variable quantity. They reached up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils and up to 97% in 2000, north-eastern exposure, highly gleyed soils. The grass components, and especially red fescue, are predominant in the swards. The presence of self-sown other legumes of local origin was determined, such as white clover, hybrid clover, etc.  Weed infestation, in view of the durability of swards (1st - 13th year since their establishment) has been slight.   Postojanost sejanih travnjaka koji se nalaze na padinama duž padina centralnih Balkanskih planina  D. Mitev, G. Naydenova  Rezime  Stanje mešovitih travnjaka crvenog vijuka, livadarke i žutog zvezdana je analizirano u ovoj studiji. Eksperiment je smešten duž padina Centralnog Balkanskog planinskog venca , u periodu od 1. do 13. godine njihovog postojanja.  Na izrazito glejnim zemljištima, na nižim delovima padina, prinosi suve materije bili su u granicama 2,8 t/ha (1997, jugoistočni izloženosti) do 10,66 t/ha (1999, severno-istočni izloženosti).  Na slabo glejnim zemljištima, na višim delovima padina, prinosi suve materije bili su u granicama 2,34 t/ha (1994, zapadne ekspozicije) do 14,34 t/ha (1995, istočne ekspozicije). Najistaknutiji u proizvodnim uslovima za period istraživanja su varijante na istoku i jugo-istoku, na blago glejnom zemljištu.  Učešće posejanih vrsta u ukupnom prinosu travnjaka je promenljivo. Dostiže 96% u 1998, na severnim ekspozicijama i blago glejnim zemljištima i do 97% u 2000.godini na severno-istočnim ekspozicijama i visoko glejnim zemljištima. Njihov udeo je bio mali u 2004. (44%) i 2006. godini (42%) na zapadnoj padini, gde su veoma erodirana zemljišta.    Permanence of sown sward…   515 References  BELPERCHINOV KR., D. MITEV (2004): Stability of development in a mixed sward containing red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil grown on the slopes of the Central Balkan mountains. II, 1. pp 115-118. St. Zagora, June 3-4. IGLOVIKOV, B. G., KONYUSHKOV V. P., MELNICHUK. I.P., MININA D.V., YAKUSHEV D. P., (1971): Methodology of attempts for haymaking pasture usage. United scientific research institute for fodders “W. R. Williams”. MITEV, D. (2004): Study on the behaviour of some red fescue generations. Scientific researches of the Union of Scientists-Plovdiv, series C. Technics and Technologies, Vol. III. Scientific Session “Technics, Agrarian Sciencies and Technologies”, 24 October 2003 p.114-117. MITEV, D., KR. BELPERCHINOV, D. BALABANOVA (1992): Register No 97250 “Grass Mixtures for Haymaking Use on Gray Forest Soils”  MITEV, D., D. PETROV (1999): On the analysis of the relations of competition among plants. Grasland Ecology V., B. Bistrica. p. 155-161. MITEV D., KR. BELPERCHINOV (2000): Ecological plasticity of some meadow associations with the participation of red fescue, situated along the slopes of the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. I Productivity and botanical composition of a self-dependent sward of red fescue. Collection from scientific conference with international participation „Achievements in the field of agricultural and social studies”, the town of Stara Zagora, 274-279. MITEV D., BELPERCHINOV, K. STOEVA (2006): Dinamics of the development of a mixed sward on the red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird’s foot trefoil on the slopes on the Central Balkan mountains . Journal of Mountain Agriculture on the Balkans. vol. 9, number 7, pp 1264 – 1271. MITEV, D., G. NAYDENOVA. (2012): To the question about the behaviour of some red fescue generations. Banat’s Journal of Biotechnology. III(6), р.59-67. MITEV, D., G. NAYDENOVA (unpublished), To the question of durability of some artificial meadow swards under the conditions of the Central Balkan Mountain – Bulgaria. I Productivity.  PALAVEEV, T., T. TOTEV. (1983): Soil acidity and methods for its elimination, “Kolos”, Moskow pp 14-25. SANDERSON, M. A., B. F. TRACY, R. H. SKINER, D. GUSTINE, R. BYERS (2001): Changes in the plant species composition of northeastern grazing lands during the 20th. Century. P. 365-373. In Proc. 1st Natl. Conf. On Grazing Lands. Las Vegas. NV. 5-8. Dec. (2000): Natl. Assoc. Conserv.Districts, Wachington. Dc.   Received 28 March 2014; accepted for publication 22 September 2014    

Permanence of sown sward situated along the slopes of the central Balkan mountain

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Permanence of sown sward situated along the slopes of the central Balkan mountain

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