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Phytosociology investigation on the gray cattle forage neighbouring Belső Lake in Tihany Peninsula
29-30Views:56The present survey was carried out between 2018 and 2019 in the Tihany Peninsula, on grasslands located south of Belső Lake. These grasslands were being mowed for a few years after a long abandoned period, and had been grazed by grey cattle since 2002. Our main question was the following: during these years, to which extent had the grazing been successful, did the grassland became eventually semi-natural?
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Matching Nutrient Requirements of Farmed Red Deer on Pasture. International and National Experiences: Papers presented at the „Timely questions in grassland and game management” scientific conference (Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Kaposvár University, 18-19 May 2006)
7-12Views:71The authors summarize the factors influencing the nutritional value of grasses which constitute the dominant proportion of pasture biomass, and emphasize the percentage proportion of leguminous species. Interactions are discussed between the phenological status of grasses, digestability, metabolic energy requirements of deer and their voluntary intake. The very often neglected factor of water awailability on feed effciency in red deer farming is stressed. Some data are presented considering the research results obtained at the red deer research farm of the University of Kaposvár.
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The seasonal effect on the vegetation of Hungarian grey cattle pasture in 2022 and 2023 - A case study
29-36Views:61The "Szűzföld" area, managed by the Pro Vértes Public Foundation, has been managed for nature conservation and economic grazing since 1998 with Hungarian grey cattle. In the present work the vegetation data of the pasture were analysed for the years 2022-2023, in order to investigate the effect of the weather conditions in an extremely dry year (2022) and an extremely wet year (2023) using 2 × 2 m coenological records. To analyse the ecological indicators of species, we used Borhidi's relative plant ecological indicators: relative nitrogen demand (NB) and relative soil water and soil moisture (WB) scores. We also assessed the data according to Simon's conservation value categories (TVK) and Borhidi's social behaviour types (SBT). The grassland management assessment of the vegetation was based on the forage value scores of the species used by Klapp et al.
The results showed no significant differences in species in the two years, but significant differences in cover values. In the year with rainfall, the proportion of accompanying species decreased, while the proportion of weeds and natural disturbance tolerant species increased. The amount of grasses and legumes increased, which are important for grassland management.
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Semi-intensification of an extensive grassland by plant and soil conditioning
25-27Views:140In the last century, the area of European grasslands was declining, as a significant part of them were turned to built-up areas, broken or afforested. In addition to the area reduction, in a significant part of Central, Northern and Western Europe, cultivation has been intensified in the cases of former natural and semi-natural, mostly extensively cultivated grasslands in order to produce higher biomass. Pesticides, organic and mineral fertilizers are also used on the lawns, the frequency of mowing increased and the lawns were reseeded. The structural of grasslands also changed significantly.
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Emerging economic problems in grassland establishment and grassland
51.57Views:52A lejtős területek és köztük a gyepterületek hátrányos helyzete évtizedek óta ismert és tudományosan is kutatott területe a közgazdaságnak. A lejtés miatt kialakuló vízeróziós károkat korán felismerték, s egy idő után talajvédelmi tervezéssel, a tervek megvalósításával igyekeztek a károkat mérsékelni. A 60-as évek elején elindított országos mozgalom egybeesett a nagyüzemi gazdálkodás feltételrendszere kialakításával. Ez bizonyos mértékig előnyére vált a talajvédelmi intézkedések megvalósításának, az észszerűbb földhasználat kibontakoztatásának.
Közel 10 éves üzemi adatfelvételezéssel és elemzéssel egyértelművé lehetett tenni, hogy az észak-magyarországi térség szövetkezeteinél jelentősek mind a szántó, mind pedig a gyepterületeknél a lejtőmeredekségből eredő hozamkiesések. -
Comparative phytosociological study of long-term on Tihany Peninsula of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary
37-38Views:157Phytosociological samples were collected in two territories of the Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary) dominated by grassland habitats. Samples in the Tihany Peninsula had been taken in a pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle. We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and the changes of these factors from the viewpoint of feeding value.
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Vegetation investigation of cattle pastures in the Ipoly Valley, Dejtár
53-54Views:134The most natural and appropriate way to preserve the biodiversity of grasslands is the utilization, which is confirmed by current research. Conservation management requires intensive cooperation between nature conservation and intensive grassland utilization. Therefore, we investigated the effect of extensive grassland utilization on the outskirts of Dejtár.
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Recent points of fertilization, plant protection, grazing and food safety on grasslands
71-76Views:93The purpose of Hungarian rangelands is looked upon in many different ways in our changing world. Environmentalists view the problem from an ecology centered point of view, while economists from an economy centered one. The third approach prefers a kind of rangeland management which can meet all expectations. Grassland and pasture management should be carried out in accordance with operative veterinary, phytosanitary, human and food safety regulations. An internationally acknowledged code includes all principles associated with these regulations. Food production will certainly gain greater significance, resulting in growing interest in rangeland management in the near future. Thus methods listed in this article should be kept in sight.
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Effect of sheep grazing practices on the endoparasite population that can be recorded on grassland
17-23Views:96Sampling for the occurrence of internal parasites of sheep was carried out in three extensively cultivated Achilleo - Festucetum pseudovinae grass communities with different grazing systems but with the same site conditions, in 2022 - 2023, at the MATE Research Institute in Karcag, Hungary. The sheep grazing regimes studied were: pastoral grazing, rotational grazing, and permanent, delta - forest grazing used on all grazing days. Microscopic analysis of the genomes and numbers of potentially infective oviposition and L3 larval stage endoparasites in sheep pastures was carried out on samples of faecal matter from grazed pastures and grass samples prepared using a 'larval feeder'. Our research objective was to clarify the effect of different sheep grazing practices on parasite infestation in a semi - natural grassland community with a solonyec soil composition.
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Különböző komposztadagok hatása az extenzív gyep talajának néhány tulajdonságára
9-14Views:104After the millennium the utilization of the Hungarian grasslands is particularly important. We considered the priorities of the Darányi Ignácz Plan where the efficient utilization of the agricultural areas - including grasslands, pastures- by increasing the number of ruminants is the part of the rural strategy. The effective utilization of the by-product, the manure in croplands or pastures is particularly important, taking the increasing fertilizer prices within the continuously opening price scissor of the industrial-agricultural products into account. The patent of the Karcag Research Institute of CAAES RISF UD, the TERRASOL compost is a good alternative for farmers. We have already published the primary results of our grassland fertilization experiment, where we investigated the utilization of different compost doses and evaluated these from economic point of view. In this paper we examined the changes of the properties of the soil in the different treatments. We visualized our results by using GIS methods. We measured the moisture content, the penetration resistance and the CO2 emission of the soil of the four treatments. We determined that the 20 t/ha of compost dose is considered as sufficient to improve the investigated properties of the grassland soils under the droughty conditions of 2012.
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Comparing of soil and rhizoplane of grasses
13-17Views:61The aims of this paper were to determine and compare the most important physical, chemical and microbial characteristics of seven grassland areas near Debrecen.
Physical properties: moisture content (t%), clay and silt contents (Li%), soil plasticity according to Arany (KA), were measured.As were the chemical characteristics: pH, salt content (%). lime content (it depends on pH), humus content, organic nitrogen and mineral materials (nitrate nitrogen, ammonium lactate soluble phosphorous and potassium).
The total viable number of bacteria, the amount of cellulose decomposing and nitrifying bacteria and the quantity of microscopic fungi were studied. Additionally, some soil enzyme activities, such as phosphatase and catalase as well as carbon-dioxide production were determined.
The number of microbes and the microbiological activity of the soils were higher in autumn than in summer. The lowest number of bacteria was determined in solonchak-solonetz soil. The phosphatase enzyme activity and the CO2 production are connected with the higher organic matter content of the soils. The increasing sodification decreased the phosphatase activity and the intensity of CO2 production. Meadow soil type led to an increase in catalase activity.
During the examination zhe rhizoplane of two test plants per grassland was also studied. The umber of microorganisms in the rhizoplane of test plants was usually higher than the values obtained in soil samples.
Within one soil types there were differences between two test plants including the same or different family.
There were no considerable differences among the number of fungi genera isolated from the soil samples and the rhizoplane or among the results obtained in summer and autumn. Independent of the soil types and plant species, Fusarium, Mucor and Penicillium genera were found in large percentages promoted by the rainy summer and autumn season. -
The effects of fertilization on a 6 years old established grassland
19-30Views:67The effect of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined in the 33rd year of a long-term fertilization experiment on the yield and mineral element content of a 6 years old established all-grass sward in 2006, with seed mixture of eight grass species. The trial was established on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, super phosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. The 1st cut was made on 08th June, the 2nd one on 11th September. During the vegetation period of 8.5 months in 2006, the site had a total of 397 mm precipitation. The lay-out, method and main results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2004, 2008; Kádár és Győri, 2004, 2005). Main conclusions of this study are as follows:
- The 1st cut hay yield gave the ¾ of the total yield. Highest yields were reached with the 200 kg/ha/year N-fertilization on soil well supplied with P (Ammonium-lactate soluble P2O5: 214 mg/kg). The yield of NP control plots increased from 1.5 t/ha to about 7.5 t/ha as a function of the N×P positive interaction. The rising P supply alone was not able to enhance the yield, however the N fertilization gave 3.5 t/ha hay surplus even in the P-control treatments. N and P fertilization together resulted in 6.0-6.5 t/ha yield surpluses. The effect of K fertilization also reached 1 t/ha on the NP levels where the ammonium-lactate soluble K2O content fell below 150 mg/kg.
- The 2nd cut hay gave 0.5 t/ha on the NP-control plots unfertilized for 33 years, and 2.5 t/ha on the 300 kg/ha/year N treatment with well P-supply. The two cuts together resulted in yield levels between 2-10 t/ha according to the extreme NPK supply. In this year, with relatively good amount of precipitation, the hay yield surpluses for 1 kg N were 47-33-23 kg for the 100-200-300 kg/ha treatments.
- The C/N ratio of the 1st cut was narrowed (from 52 to 24) with N-supply and the concentration of N as well as most of the cations increased with the rising N fertilization. In the low yield of the 2nd cut the elements, metals were accumulated. The P, S and Sr were enriched in hay as a result of rising P supply, as superphosphate contains these elements. Antagonistic effect of P predominated in the uptake of other elements, metals (Na, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cr, Co). K content of the hay was lifting while other elements were dropping with the increasing K fertilization partly as a result of dilution effect (N, P, S) and mainly because of cation antagonism (Ca, Mg, Na, Sr). K-B antagonism also appeared.
- The N×K interactions resulted in 2-fold Sr and 18-22 fold Na content changes while N×P caused 18-22 fold changes in Mo contents, especially at the 2nd cut. As it can be seen, fertilization can have drastical effects on soil and crops. The induced element deficiencies or oversupplies can lead to diseases, disturbances in the metabolism of animals, so the soil and fodder analyses are necessary.
- Considering the leaf diagnostical data, the satisfactory level will be at 200 kg/ha/year N supply and 150 mg/kg ammonium-lactate soluble P2O5 and K2O level or above. The S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn supply were satisfactory even at the control plots, while the Zn, Cu and B levels showed deficiency. The P/Zn and K/B ratios became adversely wider in some treatments, as well as the narrowing of the Cu/Mo ratio denotes Cu deficiency and Mo oversupply.
- The amount of elements uptaken by hay as a sum of the two cuts and as a function of the supply/yield varied between the following values in kg/ha: 17-163 N; 36-122 K; 9-48 Ca; 6-17 P; 4-15 S; 3-14 Mg; 0,3-8,0 Na; 0,2-1,4 Fe; 0,2-0,9 Al and Mn. The other elements showed the following uptake: Zn 33-194, Sr 28-141, Ba 5-46, Cu 5-39, B 5-26, Mo 3-6 g/ha.
- The botanical composition was drastically modified by the aging of the grass and the nutrient supply. Only three species remained out of the eight sown species and one immigrated. Coverage of the tall fescue was between 21-70% according to the N×P supply and 44% as average; coverage of cocksfoot varied between 4-24% depending on the treatment and 18% as an average; coverage of crested wheatgrass was between 0-28% and 9% as an average; the immigrant smooth brome covered 0-24% and 9% as an average; Weed cover was 3-4% as an average at the 1st cut. Weeds thrived mainly on those areas where the grass thinned away (extreme NP-deficiency or oversupply). The total plant coverage on NP-deficient soil was about 50%, while on treatments well supplied with NP it amounted 95-97%.
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Digestibility and nutritive value of late mowed grassland
63-69Views:64Nutritive value of a fodder from extensive established pasture was tested. The nutrient content was measured by the Wendeeanalysis and by in vitro ruminant digestibility method. Results of former experiments showed that the nutritive value of an extensive established pasture in the case of late outdoor growing is low. In our results the highest crude protein content was in the year 2002, while in 2003 can be observed a steep decline, which showed in 2004 further decrease. The crude protein values were the highest in case of middle seed norm. The nutritive values of these pastures provide just supply for the demand and it was declined due to the negative N-balance in the rumen. Our results showed that the samples from the year of establishment could possibly be used for preserved feed (6.01 MJ NE l kg-1). The crop from all other years and sowing times did not reach a value of 5.00 MJ NE l kg-1, but approach a level of 4.4 to 4.5 MJ NE l kg-1, thus they would not be suitable for preserved feed. It can be recommended that this late season crop should rather be used for grazing of livestock than as preserved feed.
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Key theoretic and practical elements of Tessedik Sámuel in grassland based animal production systems
45-48Views:73The successful life of Tessedik has been studied for about two centuries by the researchers. From among his activities of public utility the modernization of agricultural production is extremely outstanding.
His theoretical and practical work covers the main elements of farming of that time period. His results can be studied in the comprehensive system of fooder production, grassland farming and animal husbandry by the analyses of his papers. In his theoretical works he describes the practice of fodder production and feeding of his age as well as the possibilities of more successful farming. His recommendations could be applied only partially among th given economical conditions.
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Az avar rövid életű keresztesvirágú (Brassicaceae) gyomfajok csírázásra gyakorolt hatása
3-8Views:64Recruitment by seeds is essential both in vegetation dynamics and in supporting grassland biodiversity. Recruitment by seeds is feasible in suitable microsites from the seed rain and/or by establishment from persistent soil seed banks. Cessation of grassland management by grazing or mowing results in litter accumulation, which leads to the decrease of species richness by the decreased availability of open patches. Low amounts of litter are often beneficial, while high amounts of litter are detrimental for seed germination and seedling establishment of short-lived species. However, the magnitude of these effects on germination and seedling establishment in relation to litter and seed attributes are scarcely studied. This motivated us to design an indoor experiment to explore the effects of litter on seedling establishment. We germinated six short-lived Brassicaceae species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, Erophila verna, Lepidium campestre, and Lepidium perfoliatum) with different seed mass under increasing litter cover. We found that both seed mass and litter had significant effect on germination and establishment of the sown species. Small-seeded species were significantly negatively affected by the 300 g/m2 and/or 600 g/m2 litter layers. No negative litter effect was detected for species with high seed masses (Lepidium spp.). No overall significant positive litter effect was found, although for most of the species; total seedling numbers was not the highest at the “bare soil” pots. Our results suggest that the effects of litter accumulation on the germination and establishment of short-lived species are less feasible in case of large-seeded species than on small-seeded ones.
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Effects of ceasing mowing and grazing on the vegetation of wet grasslands of Badacsonytördemic
23-32Views:165During the work we examined the vegetation of a wet area near Badacsonytördemic. The grassland has been mowed and grazed intensively by Hungarian grey cattle until 2010, and it was abandoned afterwards. We surveyed three sample areas: the continuously grazed pasture, the mowed grassland and the additional pasture, which was grazed for one month each year.
Records were made in June 2010 and 2020. We utilized 4×4 m quadrats, and gave the cover of species in percent. Relative nitrogen values (NB), soil moisture values (WB), Social Behaviour Types according to Borhidi, nature conservation values (TVK) according to Simon were also used.
Based on the results, the vegetation of the area degraded greatly in ten years, its diverse nature disappeared, weeds and invasive species became dominant and species with good foraging value declined. No aggressive competitors were found in 2007, but Solidago gigantea appeared with great cover by 2020. In addition, many weed species appeared, and the ones which were already present in 2010, have increased their cover. Cirsium arvense was a newly appearing weed. Dead biomass also increased greatly.
To avoid further degradation, we suggest to reintroduce the management to these areas again. To set back weeds and invasive species, regular mowing would be efficient. It would be important to carefully set the date of mowing so that it prevents the spreading of seeds. Mowed plants must be removed from the area as soon as possible. -
Comparative investigations of biomass composition in differently managed grasslands of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary
49-56.Views:119Phytosociological and biomass samples were collected in two territories of the Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary) dominated by grassland habitats. Samples in the Tihany Peninsula had been taken in a pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle. Studies were broadened to four areas of the Tapolcai Basin, Badacsonytördemic (undergrazed and overgrazed pastures, hayfield, control area). The areas were suitable for following up the changes of vegetation and production in every grazing season of a year. We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and the changes of these factors from the viewpoint of feeding value. Covering rates of the grassland associations have doubled and species composition has improved in the Tihany Peninsula, however, forage value has not increased, due to the change in land use in favour of the natural area that is converting into grazing field. In case of the Taplocai Basin, low number of species (20 to 30) was detected in the undergrazed pasture and the control area. About one month per year grazing time in the undergrazed area was not enough to achieve a better state for species diversity, and the amount of forage remained high. The overgrazed pasture carries a low forage value and contains a high number of weed species, despite the spectacularly high total number of plant species (38 to 39), consequently, grazing pressure has to be decreased. Although the number of species is lower in the hayfield (26 to 28), species composition and ability for forage supply is much better, showing that the proper management of the area is taken here.
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The effects of fertilization on 2 year old established swards. Mineral uptake 7.
107-118Views:52The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the mineral element uptake of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002 the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The lay-out and method of the trial as well as the fertilizer responses on the hay yield and element content were published earlier (Kádár 2006). The main conclusions drawn as follows:
1. While the hay yield was basically determined by N-fertilization which lifted the hay mass 5 times compared to the N-control, the uptake of elements was drastically modified through the N×K and N×P synergistic and antagonistic interactions.
2. As a function of N×K treatments the uptake K changed for example at the 1st cut between 23-198 kg/ha, at the 2nd cut between 9-80 kg/ha. At the same time the uptake of Na fluctuated between 0.05-7.15 kg and 0.4-4.4 kg/ha, that of Mo 0.4-3.2 g/ha and 0.2-2.3 g/ha resp. As a function of N×P treatments the uptake of P changed at the 1st cut between 3-14 kg/ha, Sr between 12-388 g/ha, Mo between 0.5-4.5 g/ha. The nutrient accumulation at the 2nd cut showed an analogical picture.
3. The K-fertilization stimulated accumulation of K and Ba, while inhibited the antagonistic metal cations’ uptake of Ca, Mg and Na. The increased P-supply rose the absorption of P, S, Sr and Ba while diminished the extracted amount of Mo, which dropped down by 1/3rd compared with the control. The liberal N-supply stimulated the incorporation of N, K, Mn, Sr and Cu resulting an increase of an order of magnitude.
4. Between the two extreme supply levels (N0P0K0 and N3P3K3) there were found extreme differences in element uptake in 2002 as follows: 34-302 kg/ha K, 15-168 kg/ha N, 8-35 kg/ha Ca, 5-22 kg/ha S, 4-22 kg/ha P (9-51 kg/ha P2O5) and 3-14 kg/ha Mg. The incorporated Mn, Sr, Zn and Cu enhanced an order of magnitude on N3P3K3 plots compared to the N0P0K0 absolute control. Uptake of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Pb and Se left behind the detection limit of 1 g/ha.
5. To have 1 t air-dry hay it was used by grasses 17-35 kg K, 9-19 kg N, 3-5 kg Ca, 2.0-2.5 kg S, 1.3-2.5 kg P (3.0-5.7 kg P2O5), 1.4-1.9 kg Mg, 170-980 g Na, 90-170 g Fe, 60-120 g Mn and Al, 10-50 g Sr, 7-25 g Zn, 3-6 g Ba, B and Cu, 0.3-1.3 g Mo and 0.4-0.9 g Ni. Data illustrate the nutrient turnover of a grassland and may be used for assessing the nutrient demand of all-grass sward. -
Sandy grasslands along the Danube are dominant Content values of Festuca species (preliminary study)
3-7Views:130There is a very old practice of grazing livestock in Hungary. Plants of the pastures are the most valuable feed for grazing animals. Supplementation of feed rations with fibre improves the saturation of the digestive tract, resulting in calmer animals and improved animal welfare. Grasses of pastures can be a useful supplement as they contain a lot of digestible fibre. Our purpose was to find out the grassland management values of sandy grasslands dominated by Festuca species along the Danube. We carried out cutting samples along the Danube, from the north-western part of the Little Hungarian Plain, through the sandy plains of the Carpathian Basin, Serbia, Romanian Plain to Bulgaria. The cut samples were analysed in the laboratory of MATE based on Weende analysis. The original dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre content, as well as the measurement of fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL) were analysed. The results showed that absolute dry matter, crude fibre and NDF contents were high in all samples. The five samples of Festuca species analysed showed significant differences in dry matter and crude fibre. Festuca wagneri had the highest dry matter content. The highest crude protein content was found in samples of Festuca vaginata, Festuca wagnerii and Festuca rupicola, but the highest crude fibre content was found in samples of Festuca tomanii.
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Changes in forage values of differently managed grasslands in the Trans-Danubian Mountain Range, Hungary
26-33Views:129In this study a comparative relevé was conducted in the Transdanubian Central Mountains (Tihany Peninsula, Bakony, Keszthely hills). We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and we evaluated the changes of these factors in the point of view of feeding value. We surveyed that how extent the main grasses and the papilionaceae appeared or disappeared, how changed the proportion of those species which can tolerate overgrazing, and what is the composition of the weeds on grazed and ungrazed areas. Accordig to results, the grasslands under survey have unfavourable species composition due to the bad management practices and insufficient technological conditions. The distribution of the nature protection value categories of the plant association’s species varies with the associations. The period under survey the closed grassland association near Lake Belső turned more valuable, where the meadow was converted into pasturing lands for Hungarian Grey Cows by changing cultivation methods. The quality of former (over)grazed grasslands near Sóly and pasturing lands near Vad parlag, where grazing was finished also turned more valuable. However the ground cover of species with best feeding value reduced, but feedig value of grasses increased due to the increasing of the cover ground of grasslands. In those grasslands, where the cultivation was finished, after initial increasing of number of species many shrubs appeared on the area, and this process will accelerate in the future. Because of this grazing is necessary with appropriate animal density.
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Monthly changes in the production and content values of wet Hungarian gray cattle pasture and the relationship with species richness
19-28Views:133Grassland management tests were performed on different grazing loaded gray cattle pasture and hayland areas 4 times (April, May, June, September) during the grazing season in Tapolca-basin. 5-5 pieces of 2×2 m samples were examined on each sample area, prepared according to the Braun-Blanquet method (1964) in April, May, June and September and with this, we also measured the amount of biomass and its content.
Based on results additional pasture had the largest gazing livestock carrying capacity but it had the weakest feed quality as well. During grazing season due to ongoing livestock grazing, species composition has changed the most in case of pasture and the number of species was the greatest here as well. Proportion of grasses declined in parallel with the amount of legumes, which grown till late summer.
Nutrient content of pasture forage was the most appropriate because of high crude protein and less crude fiber content. Grazing for 34 days/year was not enough in case of additional pasture where Festuca arundinacea had the largest coverage. This is reflected in low number of species richness and small nutritional values of sample areas. For sedge rich low-lying areas mowing utilization is the most effective. -
Studies on botany, forage and soils with aspects of nature conservation on grey cattle and water buffalo pastures of the Tapolcai and Káli basins: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.
47-53Views:154In the present work we introduce the coenological and pedological results of examination on the Balaton Upland (Badacsonytördemic, Csobánc, Káptalantóti and Kővágóőrs). Grass management plays an important role in nature conservation, rural development thus in the viability of rural population. Soil and water suffer from extreme degradation and pollution, partly because of agricultural activities, growing settlements and mining activity. We evaluated the changes in species composition and coverage, the possibly occurring regeneration or degradation and the effects of botanical composition changes on forage values, especially in case of economically valuable species. Investigations show strengths and weaknesses of having animals on grasslands. Sample sites were in Balaton Upland National Park, Hungary. Results proved that among the plants there are either weeds and/or poisonous and/or prickly species, too. We examined how important grasses and pulses appeared or disappeared, how did the number of overgrazing tolerant species changed and how did the species composition of the grazed and non-grazed land differed. Based on the results the characteristics of the examined pastures show the effects of overgrazing. With the decrease of the number of the animals, nature conservation and economical values could be increased. The examined areas had totally different soil characteristics, pH, soil thickness and nutrient content varied greatly. In the Gyulakeszi area even a small catena was found on a single pasture. The high soil organic matter and nutrient content ensure the good grass yield thus the areas are suitable for grazing and for grass cutting, too.
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Different agrotechnical mesures on the ecology and conservation in a wet meadow
3-15Views:69In grassland management systems, the various agrotechnical elements have to be used in many cases on "primitive grasslands", where the coordination of agricultural and nature conservation tasks is necessary. Here, animal husbandry is the main aspect, which includes the long-term preservation of the quality of the pasture, as well as the most economical use of the pasture and keeping the animals as cheap as possible. The tests were carried out on a grassy area on the border of the settlement of Aba. We examined the vegetation of 8 plots of the same size in the area and the quantitative and qualitative composition of the biomass produced there. In this thesis, we provide data on the vegetation composition and evaluation of the following treatments. The plots and treatments were as follows: I. plot-ventilated; II. parcel-relaxed; III. plot loosened and ventilated; ARC. parcel control; V. plot-ventilated and 15 t/ha manure; VI. plot loosened and 15 t/ha manure; VII. plot loosened, ventilated and 15 t/ha manure; VIII. plot loosened, ventilated and 30 t/ha manure. In each plot, 5 ceenological recordings were made using 4 x 4 m quadrats. The estimated coverage of each species was given in %, taking into account the proportion of grasslands and other species. Among Borhidi's plant ecological indicators, the species were evaluated based on the NB (relative values of nitrogen demand) and WB (relative soil water and soil moisture indicator numbers). The social behavior types (SZMT) were also defined based on Borhidi's work, and the nature conservation value categories (TVK) were defined according to Simon. The lifestyle analysis was performed based on Pignatti's lifestyle types.
Based on the data, the composition of the vegetation of each plot changed significantly compared to the data of the control plot IV. A direct proportionality can be discovered between the increase in the cover value of the dominant lawn grasses, primarily Festuca arundinacea, Dactylis glomerata, Alopecurus pratensis, and Fabaeceae species (e.g. Lathyrus tuberosus, Lotus corniculatus) and the amount of applied nutrients. Based on the coenological survey of the eight examined areas, the control area (IV.) showed the most natural state, which was confirmed by the species composition and number of species. The IV. plots are close to I., II. and III. for plot recordings, which proves that aeration and loosening do not worsen the condition of the lawn, but rather promote the preservation of its natural state. The VII-VIII. plots have the smallest number of species, but based on the life form spectrum, naturalness indicators, nature conservation value categories and social behavior types, they are not very disturbed habitats.
No significant difference can be detected between the effect of lawn loosening and lawn aeration, but III. plot, where both treatments were carried out, was closer to the control area. Regarding the effect of the lawn management methods, it was possible to produce a starting data set in the long term (with the same environmental conditions). Overall, the study gave valuable results regarding the age of change occurring during the application of different lawn management methods, and was also effective from an economic point of view.
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The effects of fertilization on 2 year old established swards. Yield and mineral content 6.
94-106Views:58The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the hay yield and mineral element content of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002, the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The 1st year results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2005a, b). The main conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. As a function of N×P fertilization the two cuts of the hay yield made up 1.4-8.0 t/ha while the green herbage 5.0-24.0 t/ha. The N-fertilization was of vital importance, which increased the hay mass 5 times. The P-response was moderate in the 1st, cut while there were no K-responses at all on this soil with 135 mg/kg ammoniumlactate (AL) soluble K2O values in plough layer.
2. On those plots well supplied with PK the 100 kg/ha/yr N-treatment gave a total of 48 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The 200 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 11 kg, while the 300 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 4 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The NO3-N content of the 1st cut hay increased over permitted 0.25% level when using the maximum N-rate and made up this NO3-N form 26% of the total-N pool. The optimum PK-supplies in this site seems to be about 130-150 mg/kg AL-P2O5 and AL-K2O in plow layer with 200 kg/ha/yr N applied.
3. N-fertilization enhanced the content of N, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu and NO3-N, while the concentration of S, P, Al, Fe, B and Mo dropped in the primary hay. The increasing P-supply stimulated the uptake of P, Ca, Mn, Sr and Ba, while hinderned the uptake of S and Mo. The K-fertilization rose the content of K and Ba and diminished the concentration of Mo and the antagonistic metal cations like Ca, Mg and Na.
4. The NPK fertilization-induced Mo-deficiency can first of all jeopardized the fodder quality in this site. On the unfertilized plots the hay showed around 1.0 mg Mo /kg D.M., while on the N3P3K3 plots 0.1-0.2 mg/kg D.M. The P/Mo ratio lifted from 2-4 thousand up to 20 thousand. In the 2nd cut this phenomena partly disappeared, while developed the P-Zn antagonism. On P-control plots measured 15 mg/kg Zn
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dropped to 10 mg/kg while the P/Zn ratio rose from 167 up to 364.
5. The 2nd cut hay had a little yield, yet was rich in minerals having 30-50% higher average element content compared with the primary hay. However the N, Al, Fe and Mo showed 2-times higher concentrations in the 2nd cut hay. There were found extra large, 25-fold differences in hay Na content as a function of N×K supply levels under synergetic effect of N and antagonistic effect of K treatment.
6. Summarizing the above we can state that the long-term fertilization may drastically change the content and ratios of elements built in hay through synergetic or antagonistic effects. In the air-dried 1st cut hay for example, the minima-maxima concentrations of measured elements varied as follows: N 0.7-3.0%, K 1.3-3.0%, Ca 0.3-0.5%, Mg 0.13-0.21%, S 0.15-0.32%, P 0.10-0.32%; Na 50-1400, Mn 60-120, Al 50-120, Fe 70-140, Sr 8-170, Zn 6-40, Ba and B 3-6, Cu 2.5-5.5, Ni 0.4-1.4, Mo 0.1-1.0 mg/kg. -
Grasslands owned or rented by sheep farmer sin the Great Hungarian Plain
39-43Views:42There have been some important changes in the land use and land possession during the last two decades. Land possession and land use were separated. Farmers typically work on rented lands all around Hungary and in the Great Plain too. The land market got frozen. During our survey we were looking for answers on the effect of transition caused to sheep branch and on the perspective the sheep farmers would have in the future. We found that the rate of rented lands was higher than the national average and the rate of rented grasslands was even more higher (75%) in the period 2003-2006. Farmers working on small lands and having low profitability (like sheep farmers) will have the worse chance to buy land after 2011, when the land market will be opened for foreigners. The land possession and the land use will be more separated for sheep farmers that reduces the viability of sheep farms. Due to the low profitability and the higher rental costs the native sheep population will decrease further. The sheep branch need a subsidy which is based on the breeding level and the bred utilization and also the SAPS or the SPS subsidy should be based on the livestock populations in case of grassland subsidy.