Single- And Multispecies Farming Ecosystems In Field Forage Production

Abstract

The research objective was to develop the cultivation of perennial grasses in single-species and heterogeneous crops and in order to improve the biochemical composition of forages. Both the species composition of the grass mixture and the effect of mineral fertilizers on its yield were studied using the field, laboratory, and statistical research methods. An assortment of medick and perennial meadow-grasses on various backgrounds of mineral fertilizers was studied. The legume component consisted of 40 to 50% of medick (Medicago varia Mart.). Meadow-grasses included timothy (Phleum pratense L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), cat grass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and awnless brome (Bromus inermis). On average, over the years of field experiments, the maximum yield of green mass and of dry matter was obtained with medick and fescue grass mixture and annual nitrogen fertilization. The highest indices of nutrients were found in the forage mass of the medick and timothy grass mixture.