About the Journal
Grassland Studies is one of the official journals of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. It provides common platform for agricultural, ecological, economical and technical issues. Papers focus on botany, agronomy, animal sciences, agro-economics and engineering sciences. There are sections for full researches and reviews but case studies and short communications are also welcome. Grazing, nature conservation, nutrient management, biodiversity, forage science are frequent topics but new approaches like energetics, carbon sequestration, environmental psychology and soil mechanics are also interesting fields of our interest.
Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Grassland studies Current Issue
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Cikk (Article)
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Experiences with grassland aerator with blades in Karcag
3-6Views:17In 2023-24, we examined the effects of a lawn aerator with blades on plant structure, nitrogen, and total organic carbon content in a near-natural grass association in Karcag, characterized by saline soil. Following the aeration in October, by the following May, the nitrogen and total organic carbon content of the grass soil decreased. There was a decline in species diversity and the cover value of leguminous grass species. In contrast, the cover proportion of moderately oligotrophic, community-forming Festuca pseudovina increased. Additionally, the cover value of the dominant grass species, Alopecurus pratensis, also rose due to the two-time intervention with the blade roller. Summarizing our results, the application of lawn aeration in sensitive plant structures of near-natural grass associations is justified with great care.
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Possibility of testing italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) with MALDI TOF-TOF MS
7-10Views:13Lolium multiflorum seeds were tested by MALDI TOF-TOF MS using 3 extraction solvents (NaCL neutral, NaCl acid, propanol). Our aim is to develop a method for grass seed testing. Among the 3 methods, only the propanol extraction agent was able to obtain a noise-free spectrum, revealing the m/z values of the reserve protein in the italian ryegrass seed.
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Effects of gradation of common vole (Microtus arvalis) on plant composition and carbon dioxide emissions of semi-natural grassland associations
11-15Views:13We investigated the effects of the 2023 Hungarian pococodegradation on the autumn and spring aspects of a semi-natural grassland association on saline soils. We measured changes in vegetation structure due to the direct phytomass damage of the vole and the uncovered area caused by the large number of tunnels. The cover value of disturbance-tolerant plant species in the vole grassland increased, and so did the degree of degradation. Significantly higher carbon dioxide emissions were measured in the vole-damaged grassland than in the control grassland in autumn and spring. The proven higher activity of microorganisms in the soil with vole tunnels can be explained by the more favourable aerobic conditions of the saline clay soil. Due to the predicted mild winters and drier springs, our lawn management should be prepared for more frequent vole invasions, the effects of which we intended to provide data on.
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Follow-up of the cover value of grassland plants with different light demand in different types of grassland
17-21Views:11Changes in the cover value of grassland species over a four-year period were investigated in terms of light requirements for grassland species under different management regimes (mowing, mulching, meadow management, overgrazing). The highest cover values of light-demanding grassland plants (Trifolium sp., Achillea sp., Plantago sp.), which are ecologically and economically valuable and typical for extensive grassland with a soil condition of Solonyec, managed by the MATE Research Institute Karcag, were measured under mowing and meadow utilization. The lowest cover values of light-demanding butterfly-flowering species were found in treatments covered with leafy phytomass and overgrazed with sheep. In the overgrazing treatment, we observed invasive emergence of the light-hungry Hordeum murinum, a potential threat to sheep welfare.
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Botanical survey of a permanent buffalo pasture
23-29Views:15A botanical survey of a buffalo pasture of Dunaszeg was carried out on 14 May 2024. The study area was a French buffalo meadow (Arrhenatheretum). The results of the cenological survey were evaluated according to Borhidi's Social Behaviour Types and ecological indicator values (water demand, nitrogen demand, light demand), and the degree of degradation of the area was determined. The dominant plant species in the area was French perennial (Arrhenatherum elatius), classified as a disturbance-tolerant species with 36.09% cover. The degree of degradation of the area is close to 1 (DF: 0.99), indicating the degradation of the area due to the constant grazing every day of the year for the 3rd year. In the study area, reducing grazing pressure and occasionally introducing natural seed dispersal into the grassland management technology could be a solution to regenerating the vegetation.
Short Bulletins
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The effect of wood ash on the structure of plant communities and phytomass yield in a solonetz soil grassland
33-35Views:13As a potential nutrient source, we investigated the effects of wood ash doses (10-20-30 g/m2) on a semi-natural grass community formed on saline clay soil. The impact of the wood ash doses was evident in the structural composition of the vegetation, particularly in the higher cover values of Alopecurus pratensis and Poa pratensis sp. angustifolia, which are capable of achieving greater phytomass. The green yields correspondingly followed these structural changes in the vegetation. Notably, the most favorable economically viable plant community and yield levels were measured at the 20 g/m2 dosage, while values decreased at the 30 g/m2 dosage. Our experiment raised several questions, highlighting the justification for broadening the research.
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Investigation of the aftereffects of organic fertilization in a solonetz soil type in a near-natural grassland community
37-39Views:15In the autumn of 2021, we examined the residual effects of applied granular sheep manure in a saline habitat, transitional grass association, in the spring of 2024. Three years after the application of organic fertilizer doses (10-15-20 t/ha), we measured the dominance of Alopecuretum pratensis as the dominant grass species in the treatments, while in the control, Festuca pseudovina became the dominant associate. The composition of the plant community influenced yield levels, with the 20 t/ha manure treatment yielding 110.6% more than the control. In terms of species diversity, the treatments that received manure showed higher values.
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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals. Overview case studies I: wooded pastures, deforestation: Áttekintő esettanulmányok I: fás legelők, erdőirtások
41-46Views:20Since 1992, data on the vegetation of the various grasslands in the country have been collected continuously and in recent years the vegetation of these areas has been surveyed repeatedly to monitor changes. Our aim has been to identify the conservation values and grassland management values of grasslands grazed by different animals, grasslands and wooded pastures that have been planted or restored. In the Pannonian region, we have also carried out studies in lowland mid-range, hilly areas. Areas grazed by horses, Hungarian grey cattle, sheep, goats and domestic water buffalo. The results of grazing with different animals at several study sites have been monitored and have been continuously monitored since 1994. In this paper, a brief overview of the results of the conversion of wooded pastures and deforested areas to pasture is presented.
Results from three wooded pastures and one shrubland are summarised. Results from Hungarian grey cattle sheep and Hungarian domestic buffalo pasture are summarised. In all areas, grazing was successful in maintaining habitats. The maintenance of the scrub area and the preservation of its mosaicity were best ensured in the Hungarian grey cattle pasture. Sheep were responsible for maintaining the grassland vegetation. Water buffaloes ensured the maintenance of the pasture.
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