The Usefulness of Mixtures with Festulolium braunii for the Regeneration of Grassland under Progressive Climate Change

Abstract

The climate warming and changes in weather patterns in Europe are negatively affecting the structure of grassland swards. The disappearance of valuable forage grasses can be observed. Therefore, in order to keep grassland productivity high, high-yielding grasses of good quality that are resistant to changes in the weather are being sought. At the moment there are few publications which present the long-term influence of changing weather conditions on meadow sward structure and its fodder value. This study aimed to assess the suitability of grass mixtures with Festulolium braunii for grassland renewal by full tillage on organic soil, taking into account atmospheric conditions. The experiments were carried out in the years 2009–2018 on a meadow complex located on organic soil in the Randow river valley, near Ramin (Germany). Grassland restoration was carried out by the method of full cultivation in three experiments with different proportions of Festulolium braunii and Lolium perenne (the existing grassland was eliminated and seeds of a new grass mix were sown). The meadow experiments were established using the method of random blocks in four repetitions Detailed studies included: floristic composition of meadow sward, fresh and dry mass yields, and content of: crude protein, soluble sugars, raw fiber, and net energy NEL (net energy lactation) concentration. Festulolium braunii, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, and Phleum pratense proved to be more resistant to low temperatures in winter and excess water in spring than Lolium perenne. The largest production potential of fresh and dry mass was found in mixtures with a high content of Festulolium braunii Festulolium braunii tolerates varied and unfavorable weather conditions (frosts during snowless winters, spring frosts and waterlogging, and droughts) very well and provides a stable good quality sward yield (favourably affected the carbohydrate and protein content of the sward). Lolium perenne, on the other hand, decreases its share in the sward under unfavorable weather conditions.

Assessment of the Impact of Magnesium and Nitrogen Fertilization on Two Species of Grasses Used as Horse Feed

“…The varieties of Festulolium sp., both in Poland and Slovakia, compared to the varieties of Lolium, have turned out to be more durable and more fertile, as well as more resistant to unfavorable climatic conditions (low temperatures and droughts, especially in Poland). Our results are consistent with those reported by Ghesquière et al [40], Yamada et al [41], Fariaszewska et al [42], Kitczak et al [43], Humphreys et al [44] and Nekrošas and Kemešytė [45]. Based…”

“…Similarly to crude protein content, ADF and NDF content in forage grasses, as well, depends on the environment where forage grasses are grown [52]. Too high a fibre content worsens the digestibility of the forage [43]. In our experiments, all fiber fractions, except ADL, as well as hemicellulose, cellulose and crude fat were higher in Festulolium than in Lolium.…”

“…In our own research, F. braunii plants on average accumulated more protein (11.4 g•kg −1 DM) than L. multiflorum (10.4 g•kg −1 DM), but exceptionally low values were obtained. The literature data show a wide range from 66 g•kg −1 DM to 194 g•kg −1 DM depending on environmental conditions and fertilization [43,49,50]. According to Staniak and Harasim [51], drought stress significantly reduced the content of crude fibre, and the contents of crude protein and crude fat tended to increase.…”

Intensive Meadows on Organic Soils of Temperate Climate–Useful Value of Grass Mixtures after the Regeneration

“…The species composition found in the second cut remained constant in subsequent cuts. As indicated by the results of Kitczak et al [30] on organic soils, Festulolium braunii performs better (maintaining the share in the sward at 52 to 100% after 6 years) on organics soils than Lolium perenne. Festulolium braunii is characterised by high durability in the sward and significantly less sensitivity to unfavourable weather conditions compared to Lolium perenne and about 25-50% inferior to species, such as Festuca arundinacea and Phleum pratense, which the literature reports as persistent and habitat-developing species well on organic soils [16,25].…”

“…A visible increase in the share of other species characteristic of these habitat conditions (Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis L., and Alopecurus pratensis) was noted after the fourth year of use. It was related to the replacement of Lolium perenne in sward by more expansive species [16,17,30,31]. Research shows that Lolium perenne, in addition to instability in sward associated with displacement by other species [11,16,18,19], is also sensitive to water deficit [18,19,24].…”