Improvement of biological productivity of saline and erosion-prone lands of Donetsk oblast by meadowing

Abstract

This study examined the soil cover and the state of the natural grass stand of saline and erosion-prone lands in the valley and gully system of the Sukhi Yaly River. Low-productive saline lands are located on the slopes and bottoms of gullies, micro-depressions of lowland and floodplain meadows. Plant groups associated with such soils are characterised by low species diversity and a lack of species valuable for fodder. The article presents the results of research on the improvement of low-productive lands on saline soils by sowing a set of forage grasses that can grow under saline soil conditions and have high fodder value. It was found that during the observation period, the yield of green mass and hay on all variants was significantly higher than the yield of natural herbage. The biochemical composition of forage grasses is characterised by an increased content of crude protein, hydrocarbons, vitamin C and essential amino acids. Data on the introduction of be herbs to improve saline fodder lands in combination with wild bee plants are presented, and their nectar content is determined. This paper presents a bio-agronomic assessment of fodder plants cultivation on black alkali soil. The authors provide recommendations for improving fodder lands on saline and alkaline soils

Keywords

• low-productive and erosion-prone lands
• hydromorphic meadow salt marsh
• black alkali soil
• fodder grasses
• meadowing