Restoration of pastures deserved in vegetation cover in dry regions of the Lower Volga

Abstract

Purpose. To study the methods of restoration (reclamation) of disturbed pasture lands based on the comparative aspect of the yield of perennial fodder grasses when creating pastures in the arid regions of the Lower Volga region. Materials and Methods. In the course of the experiment, a comparative study of the ecological and biological properties of perennial fodder grasses was carried out (Colognes rush, Desert wheatgrass, Sandy spare, Couch grass elongated. The experiment was carried out on a prepared field (plowing, harrowing), divided into experimental plots of 50 m2 in size. It was carried out at the end of autumn (November) to a depth of 20-30 mm with a row spacing of 0.45 m. The repetition of reseeding in the experiment was two times. Results. Variation in the yield of dry eaten mass between the control variant of natural pastures and the experimental plots of the tested grasses has been experimentally proven. Among the tested herbs, the highest yield was shown by sandy sirloin (III experimental plot), which amounted to 2.43 t/ha of dry mass eaten. The excess of this indicator relative to experimental plot II (desert wheatgrass) was 7.05%, experimental plot I (rush hair) – 18.54%, experimental plot IV (elongated wheatgrass) – 28.57%, and relative to the control plot (natural forms) the increase in yield was 3.4-4.3 times, depending on the type of herbs tested. Conclusion. Pasture grasses occupy a key place in the development of productive pastures in the arid zone of the Lower Volga region. They have high water and energy efficiency regardless of low humidity conditions, providing stable grass production to support livestock. The bearing capacity of rangelands can be improved with available technologies if they are applied and adapted on a long-term basis. Low-productive rangelands that lead to imbalances in forage production must be restored through low-cost methods such as reseeding to provide more and higher quality forage for livestock and soil protection. Reseeding can provide high plant density at low cost and is a cheap means of providing adequate feed for livestock and increasing income from grazing. An increase in yield by 3.4-4.3 times relative to the control plot (natural forms) is achieved by reseeding natural pastures with the appropriate types of grasses suitable for macroclimatic subregions.