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The Role of Grassland in EU Soil Protection Strategy
3-15Views:63The three most important life quality criteria are: healthy and good-quality food, clean water and pleasant environment. All three are closely related to the sustainable management of natural resources; conservation of soil and water resources; rational land use and landscape preservation. Soils are conditionally renewable natural resources, consequently, their rational use, conservation, and the maintenance of their multipurpose functionality have particular significance both in the national economy and environment protection. The main soil functions are: integrator (transformer) of other natural resources; most important media for biomass production; storage of heat, water, nutrients, pollutants; buffer of various natural and human-induced stresses; huge natural filter (preventing groundwater pollution); detoxication media of various harmful substances; habitat for soil biota, gene-reservoir, media of biodiversity; conservator of the natural and human heritage.
The maintenance of these functions is the key-element of sustainable development on all levels of the decision-making process: Globe → continent → region → country → subregion → settlement → farm → field. The EU Strategy for soil protection focuses attention on 8 environmental threats, for their prevention, elimination or moderation:
– water and wind erosion;
– decrease in organic matter resources;
– compaction and structure destruction;
– soil sealing;
– the increasing frequency, duration and degree of extreme moisture events: flood, waterlogging – drought;
– point and non-point (diffuse) soil pollution;
– salinization/alkalization/sodification;
– decline in biodiversity (decreasing number and activity of soil organisms, narrowing their species spectra).
The EU-conform Soil Conservation Strategy of Hungary was elaborated during the last decades on the basis of long-term soil survey, soil analyses, soil mapping and soil monitoring activities. It comprises three main tasks:
– the prevention, elimination or moderation of soil degradation processes;
– the reduction of the unfavourable economic, ecological, environmental and social consequences of extreme moisture regimes;
– the control of the biogeochemical cycle of elements: optimum nutrient supply of plants; prevention of harmful soil pollution and contamination of the „food chain”.
Grassland management has to play a significant role in these actions. In addition to fodder production, rational grassland management can considerably contribute to the storage, buffer, filter and gene-reservoir functions of soil, to the improvement of soil moisture regime, to the moderation of extreme moisture conditions, and to the reduction of soil losses caused by water or wind erosion. In spite of these favourable impacts grasslands (covering about 12% of Hungary) have never been in the focus of Hungarian agriculture.
Grasslands were always restricted to marginal lands (sands, salt affected soils, peatlands, floddplains) with low and risky (highly weather-dependent) biomass production and low animal carrying capacity. Relatively productive grasslands were upturned for corn in large hilly areas (resulting serious erosion losses and landscape deterioration); the huge floodplain grasslands were used for other agricultural crops after flood control and river regulation; peatland grasslands were also considerably reduced by the drainage of these areas and used (not always successfully and efficiently) for arable crops. Huge areas became seriously degraded wastelands or „weedlnds” due to irregular grazing, lack of weed control, plant nutrition, water management. Under improper management not only the biomass production decreased considerably but the soil conservation functions of grassland were also deteriorated, sometimes dramatically. The poor and degraded grassland vegetation were not able to prevent (or at least moderate) water erosion losses in hilly areas, wind erosion losses in the dry sand regions or „over-drained” ameliorated peatlands, and even their gene-reservoir functions are sometimes threatened seriously.
Rational grassland management is an important element of both the European and Hungarian Soil Conservation Strategy. Its scientific bases are well-known. The details have to be determined by further research and scientific programs. The existing knowledge should be broadcast using all available information channels: teaching and education on various levels; demonstrations; media programs, etc. A proper system of stimulating economy regulations should be developed and formulated in various-level legal documents. But first of all an environment-friendly moral must be developed accepting the concept of sustainable grassland management.
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Key theoretic and practical elements of Tessedik Sámuel in grassland based animal production systems
45-48Views:52The 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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Global challenges and demands for grassland use
81-93Views:47The purpose of this review is to outline the status quo regarding multifunctional and social demands on grasslands. The products and services that grassland ecosystems can provide society are detailed. Existing agro-policies are reviewed as to how they reflect social demands on grasslands. A farm level analysis considers many factors that may influence the fulfilment of social demands. Conclusions are drawn on the future of grassland use under different socio-economic conditions. Traditional (meat, milk, fibre, medicinal plants, fuel, power) and non-traditional (branded products, biodiversity as gene pool, biomass for energy) products are identified. Services of grasslands are summarized at three different levels viz. globally (regulation of climate, air quality, water resources, soil health, carbon sequestration, maintaining biodiversity), regionally (aesthetic and landscape values) and locally (preservation of cultural heritage, maintenance of the significance of religion for pastoralism). Targeted policies are emerging that assist in sustaining healthy grassland ecosystems and fulfilling multifunctional demands at different social levels. In spite of these policies, the future of the world's grasslands seems to vary by country, according to the level of development. In poor countries, production from grassland will remain of vital importance (in some cases, with the threat of ecosystem degradation), whilst at the same time, ecological and amenity uses of grassland appear to be ignored. Trends in the function of grassland ecosystems in developed countries seem to be just the opposite. The importance of production is declining, while ecological and amenity functions receive increasing attention in response to multifunctional and social demands. Due to the national conditions the future of grassland use in Hungary will differ from these patterns. The production from grassland is going to be negligible. The ecological role (landscape, biodiversity) will remain very important. Remarkable increase is predicted in the amenity role of grasslands following the overall economic development in the country.
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21st General Meeting of European Grassland Federation
145-146Views:502006. április 3. és 6. között rendezte az Európai Gyepgazdálkodási Szövetség (European Grassland Federation) a 21. hivatalos konferenciáját (21st General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation) a spanyolországi Badajozban.
A Spanyol Gyepgazdálkodási Társaság (SEEP, Sociedad Española el Estudio de los Pasots) a Szövetség Végrehajtó Bizottságának (Executive Committee) jóváhagyásával a gyep termelékenységének fenntarthatóságát (Sustainable Grassland Productivity) választotta a rendezvény átfogó témájának. Közel 40 ország csaknem 300 résztvevője a téma aktualitását kellőképpen indokolja.
A szakmai program a Szövetség alapszabályának megfelelően bonyolódott hétfőtől csütörtök délig, amiből egy délutánt a szakmai tanulmányút (mid conference tour) foglalt el. Az európai gyepgazdálkodás szakirodalmát friss eredményekkel gazdagítja az a 278 tudományos dolgozat, amelyeket a konferencia idejére megjelentetett tudományos kiadvány (Sustainable Grassland Productivity – Proceedings of the 21st General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation, Badajoz, Spain, Grassland Science in Europe Volume 11. Caja de Badajoz, 847. p.) tartalmaz.
A konferencia megnyitója a mediterrán térség gyepgazdálkodási sajátosságaival foglalkozott. Ennek első része a dél-spanyol térség tradicionális fás legelőit (dehesa) tárgyalta. Bemutatta, hogy ezt a történelmi gyökerekkel rendelkező gazdálkodási módot – közel 4 millió hektáron a térségben – milyen eredménnyel sikerült a vidékfejlesztés mai igényeinek is megfelelően megőrizni (termelés /erdő, gyep, időszakos szántó, valamint a kérődzők és a sertés legeltetéses tartása/, tájmegőrzés és természetvédelem).
A megnyitó másik része a gyenge termékenységű arid klímájú mediterrán térség másik extenzívnek nevezhető gazdálkodási módját, a gabonafélék, az ugaroltatás és a juh legeltetés hármas rendszerét vizsgálta a multifunkcionális mezőgazdaság szempontjából.
A tudományos program további részét öt szekció köré szervezték:
1. A szálastakarmány-gazdálkodás szezonális problémáinak kezelése (Overcoming seasonal constraints to forage production)
2. A pillangósok szerepe és lehetőségei (Role and potential of legumes)
3. A takarmánytermesztés mennyiségi és minőségi kérdései (Production and quality aspects of different animal feeds)
4. Az állattartási módok változása a közös agrárpolitikához igazodóan (Changes in animal production systems to meet CAP reforms)
5. A gyepek és a klímaváltozás (Grassland and climate change) -
The economic questions concerning the game management of hunting parks: Papers presented at the „Timely questions in grassland and game management” scientific conference (Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Kaposvár University, 18-19 May 2006)
47-50Views:70In the last twenty years, there has been a major change in Hungarian game management, and it became a profit-oriented activity.
This is especially true in game parks, where we would like to have very high quality stock. This is only insured through a proper level of feeding. Although many hunting areas have pasture land, they are uncultivated lands with very low production.
At the Bőszénfa hunting park, we studied the economy of normal feed production (maize, sorghum, cabbage), and realised that pasture management can be a valuable possibility for feed production.
With pasture, we could save up to 20% of our costs, and the entire management became simpler to organise. -
Comparison of the production of fenugreek (Trichonella foenum-graecum) experiments in 2018-2020
11-14Views:102The aim of our study is to compare the results (content values, yield) of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) experiments in 2018-2020. Fenugreek is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the legumes (Fabaceae) family. It is a multifunctional crop for use in domestic and farm animal feeds, wild fodder, herbs and spices. During the study period, nutrient supply treatments were applied to increase the production values of the plant. The weed suppressing ability of fenugreek in the post-emergence period (1-3 weeks) is very poor, so we had to use chemical weed control. During the experiment, the T. foenum-graecum stock was irrigated. The plant was harvested 80-90 days after sowing. The study was carried out in Kecskemét in 2018-2019, at the Demonstration Garden of John von Neumann University, Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development. The 2020 experiment was set up at the University of Szeged, Faculty of Agriculture.
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The impact of production factors on the yield formation of grasses of various exploitation
13-18Views:118The lawn – following the forest – is the best manner of land use. 10.75 percent of Hungarian territory is grassland. 90-95 percent of the grass’s root system can be found in the upper 10 cm layer of the soil therefore and because of the large evaporating surface the grasses have a great water demand and weather sensitivity. Beside the nutritional ability and some extreme properties of soil (for ex. great salinity) there is an influence on formation of the grass-type and the yield. In our experiments the sites were utilised 2, 3 and 4 times yearly. At two sites for four years (2006-2009) and at one site for two years (2009-2010) the quantity and the distribution of the yield as well as other parameters were examined, which are not reported in this paper. This experiment is a part of a climate research project run at 27 sites in Austria. The laboratory analyses were carried out uniformly in the LFZ Raumberg- Gumpenstein Research Institute. The most important results of this study are the following: The productivity of the grass type formed on the Little Cumania lowland is very limited. In case of drought there was the highest yield decrease and at the same time in case of good precipitation there was the smallest increase of yield. The effect of grass utilization by late first cut at the poorestsoil site was very unfavourable. At the grass sites of better quality, the utilization manner of 3 or 4 growth, resulted in a better adaptation to the climatic extremities.
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Comparing of soil and rhizoplane of grasses
13-17Views:50The 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. -
Földalatti ökoszisztéma-mérnök fajok szerepe a gyepek fenntartásában
49-55Views:90In this review we would like to analyze the effects of the subterranean rodents on vegetation using results from research of several taxons in different vegetation types and climate. Ecosystem engineers are organisms that modify, maintain, and create habitats. Subterranean rodents belong to this group. These species have an impact on the vegetation the microtopographical features of the soil and bulk density, they can change the structure, organic matter and moisture content of the soil they reduce the proportion of nitrogen. The fossorial rodents occur almost all over the world (expect Australia and Antarctica). These herbivorous species burrow tunnels under the ground and with this they have an impact on the floral diversity and dominance relations, the structure and composition of the association, the amount of biomass production as well as the distribution of plants and seeds. They can take effect directly with consumption of plants and indirectly with affect the plant-soil relations. At the basis of the results the activity of the subterranean rodents enhanced the diversity in most of the cases (of course there were also negative results and some researcher didn't find any differences between the mounds and the plots with no mounds). Their effect on the biomass was usually negative but they changed the species composition of their habitat at all times.
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Botanical and grassland investigations in a pasture grazed by Hungarian grey catte in Badacsonytördemic in 2008
73-78Views:62Sample areas can be found in the Tapolcai Basins. Phytosociological samples were collected: 32 ha grassland stand with low intensity grazing (under-grazed pasture), 38 ha overgrazed pasture, 34 ha meadow (hayfield) and the stand where animals drank. The areas were suitable for following up the changes of vegetation and production during the grazing season of the year. 5 replicates of 2×2 m phytosociological samples plots were examined on each grasslands according to the Braun- Blanquet method (1964) in April, May, June, August and September 2008. 118 Hungarian Grey Cattle were grazed on the pastures. 14 species were common in each saple areas, wich are dominant species of natural grassland associations (Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca arundinacea, Deschampsia aespitose) in the region. The overgrazed pasture had only low nutritive value and contained high number of weed species. About one month per year grazing time in the undergrazed area was not enough to achieve a better state of species diversity, although the forage production of the area remained high. The number of species and the 32 ha grassland was high (58) weeds was due to the high number of weeds, however the nutritive value of this grassland was poor. The species number of the hayfield was lower (31) than and grassland, however species composition was better and the nutritive was higher. It seemed that management was suitable and the hayfield.
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Animal welfare issues in grazing
31-39Views:57From the very beginning cattle was linked to the pastures and countryside. Development of the animal production and limited land resources pushed producers to keep cattle in places where they would be collected together. That solution helps to run breeding and husbandry procedures more efficiently. However, even with the support of genetics and management, modern agriculture faces problems related to indoor system. There is a dilemma among farmers to keep animals indoor or outdoor. In the following material attempt will be taken to analyse factors related to grazing and cattle welfare issues. This work will not only focus on Hungarian or European agriculture issues. Experiences and animal policies related to grazing cattle from different countries and regions of the world were also collected. Actions taken in one part of the world might be not applicable in another. However, it is still interesting to see how agricultural production affects nature resources and communities. There is the same background off all stories related to grazing cattle - sustainable development and particular lobby behind. Whether there is a farmer, holding, enterprise or animal welfare organisation. There is only a question if this is going to be more economical or ethical approach.
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Multiple uses of grasslands: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.
5-8Views:78In recent decades grassland science has identified all those products and services, which grasslands can provide for society. Among commodity goods traditional (meat, milk, leather, fibre, medicinal plants, animal excreta for heating, animal power to cultivate crops) and new products (labelled food from grasslands, biodiversity as gene pool for plant breeding, grass for energy) have been discussed. Non commodity benefits of grasslands are discussed in global (mitigation of climate change, air quality, water resources, soil health, carbon sequestration, maintenance of gene pools for biodiversity), regional (aesthetic or landscape values, conservation of watersheds, facilitation of tourism and hunting, avoidance of disasters such as avalanches and landslides, buffer zones for power lines, rehabilitation of landscape damages in mining areas) and local (preservation of grassland based cultural heritage) contexts. These products and services are investigated from the points of sustainability and multifunctionality. Existing grasslands and turfs in the county are categorized according to their basic functions. It is concluded that grasslands are the only ecosystem that is able to fulfil so mary tasks and requirements. Future prospects of grassland use in Hungary are outlined from the point of multifunctionality. Production functions of grassland are facing a slight increase due to organic farming. Ecological function will maintain their high importance. Remarkable increase is expected in amenity uses of grasslands.
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Total GHG balance, a new method for determining GHG emissions of small livestock and mixed farms
65-75Views:56The aim of our study is to find the most appropriate method for examining the impact of small, extensive livestock/mixed farms on climate change. We would like to describe a self–developed calculation, the application of which requires basic mathematical knowledge. With the method, we get an analysis that can be prepared in a short time, either in the case of real farms or model farms that exist in theory. In order to use it, a detailed description of a farm must be prepared, with the help of a year's work process, annual purchases and the summation of annual production. By drawing conclusions from the obtained results, the farm's GHG emissions can be optimized, and it can also help to find climate–neutral farming methods for the production of animal products.
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The Special Value of Pastures in Hungary
5-24Views:84For centuries, Hungary used to be a beef store for European cities, from Strasburg to Venice. The cattle born and raised on Hungarian pastures were favoured for the excellent quality meat they produced.
In the 19th century, the tradition of keeping livestock on pastures was gradually replaced by stabling and feeding farm animals with monocultures grown on ploughland. The best pastures were ploughed over and only 30% of those that survived were actually used for grazing. Today, it is mainly pastures in national parks that are used for grazing, while this practice is not typical elsewhere.
Based on several decades’ experiments, it can be established that grazing livestock has several beneficial effects:
– pastures provide the most valuable feed for livestock, which sustain their good health conditions,
– livestock cease to be a source of environment pollution for towns and villages,
– manure raises the nutritive value of pastures,
– all the above makes farming more economical
This study provides evidence for the above, based on experiments and production experience. -
Comparison of vegetation of Hungarian Grey Cattle and Hungarian water buffalo pastures in a sample area of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve
59-64Views:88In the present study, we aimed to investigate the coenology of the Kelemen-szék in the Kiskunság National Park. The coenological studies were carried out twice. We compared areas with different vegetation types. During these two surveys, we examined in total 90 quadrats of mixed grazed and fenced control areas. Ones were grazed by Hungarian domestic buffalo and Hungarian grey cattle and others were no grazed. Based on these surveys, it is possible to conclude about spatial and temporal changes in vegetation as a result of livestock husbandry in the area. Due to the size and heterogeneity of the studied area, we intended to investigate small homogeneous areas and respective control areas. Coenological surveys were done on lower and higher lying pastures, saline soil areas and loess areas.
In the study plots, grazing led to stability in the species composition of loess grassland and saline grassland, so that they also satisfy the requirements moof nature conservation. The dominant and character species of the associations, and the typical species of the genus Festuca have a significant cover value. The dense and tall Puccinellia swards require more attention, because they are more vulnerable against grazing. Grazing and extensive livestock husbandry, which can be applied in the future, is a suitable method for the management of lowland areas. In order to conserve the associations, preservation of grazing is necessary. To provide amount of biomass of areas, the grazing has a significant role. The conservation of native loess grasslands, even in the form of fragments, plays an outstanding function. Hence, based on the initial surveys, the combination of Hungarian grey cattle and water buffalo is beneficial in terms of nature conservation.
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Fungal leaf spot diseases of cultivated grasses
34-42Views:50The authors made plant pathological investigations and data collections on grass species important in their seed production areas in Hungary (Keszthely) and Austria (Irdning). The aim was to determine species diversity and dominance relations of plant pathogenic fungal species found on the cultivated grasses of the two ecologically different locations. The present work details only the leaf spot causing fungi and does not inform on rust causing fungi, powdery mildew, and smuts. The work gives information on fungal incidence on grass species, their importance and symptoms of disease caused by Cercosporidium graminis, Ramularia pusilla, Drechslera spp., Bipolaris spp., Mastigosporium spp., Septoria, Ascochyta spp. and Colletotrichum graminicola.
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Comparative investigations of biomass composition in differently managed grasslands of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary
49-56.Views:77Phytosociological 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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First results of the cultivation of prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) in Hungary
9-18Views:105Yield elements (plant height, grass yield) of prairie grass, the little known grass species in Hungary, was investigated in a three-factor field experiment set up on the Mohács-island. One-grass and grass/legume mixture were established under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions at different nitrogen levels (0-67-133 kg N/ha/year). The effects of these factors on the grass productivity were analysed by a three-factor analysis of variance at 5% significance level in the first year of the experiment. Nitrogen supplementation and the interaction of legumeXirrigation had a significant positive effect on the annual hay yield. The yield of the first two cuts, which accounted for 61% of the annual yield, was not significantly affected by any of the examined factors, while their effect was already clearly visible in the yield of the 3rd and 4th cuts. A similar result was obtained with the model fitted to the average height of the four cuts, but the legumeXirrigation and legumeXnitrogen interactions were already significant in the 2nd cut. Nitrogen had a positive effect on grass height from the 3rd cut. Without irrigation, the 1st cut showed a significantly lower grass height with legume addition. In our experiment, we estimated 65 t/ha annual fresh grass yield on average of the treatments, and 18 t/ha of hay was actually harvested. In the treatment of irrigation with legume addition, 1 kg/ha of excess nitrogen resulted in an excess of 150 kg/ha of fresh grass yield in the case of the higher dose nitrogen treatment, compared to the nitrogen control. The laboratory analysis of the 1st cut-hay samples from selected treatments confirmed favorable protein (16.7-18.2%) and crude fat content, its lower crude fiber content and higher calcium and phosphorus content compared to cocksfoot and smooth brome.
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Flow cytometric genome size estimation of Hungarian grass varieties
9-16Views:23In Keszthely, the breeding of grass species have several decades long history. Among other things, the aim of the maintenance work of the registered varieties is to preserve the ploidy levels that have been reported in the variety descriptions. Flow cytometry is a fast, modern tool for examining plant DNA content. In our pilot study, we compared the genome size of the four grass species maintained at the MATE Georgikon Campus with the data of known samples of similar ploidy levels published for the given grass species in the international database. Our results showed a high degree of agreement with the theoretically expected values, supporting the applicability of flow cytometry in plant breeding and in variety maintenance.
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Investigation of carbon dioxide emissions from underutilized grassland
15-25Views:250Climate change-induced extreme changes are making phytomass yields of extensive grasslands in continental areas increasingly dependent on the season. This situation is exacerbated, inter alia, by the decline in grazing livestock production due to a lack of quality labour, and thus by an increase in the proportion of unused or under-utilised grassland. In our experiments, we have refined the effects of a decade of zero, mulch, mowing and meadow utilisation on carbon emissions, soil moisture and soil temperature during two different types of years. We found that zero tillage with accumulated duff in the absence of utilization had the highest carbon dioxide emission values in different years, even at lower soil moisture values. Our results confirm the fact that fallow grasslands can be considered a source of risk due to their increased greenhouse gas emissions.
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The modification of natural lawn types from the effect of utilisation and cultivation in Barót mountains – Kovászna county
80-81Views:39In the last decade the animal stock decreased to half couldn't optimally utilise the disposable natural lawns. Through the changed ownership's the utilisation of the natural lawns also changed. The areas near settlements are overladed and at the same time the big distant areas are only temporally or not at all utilised. On the places in use usually the fertilisation and maintenance work are cancelled. What kind of effect has the changed utilisation and cultivation on natural lawns, do they provoke modifications on it? Looking for an answer for these questions in 2002 a lawn typological measurement was started in two separated areas in Barót Mountains.
This publication is about the observations during this monitoring work. The measurement has been made with the system of lawn typological classification of Tucra-Kovács and collaborators (1987). This classification analyses 3 factors: plant composition, facilities at production site, and the necessary technology for rising the crop. The one year long monitoring is not enough to make conclusions regarding the modification of lawn types, but the changed relations of last decade determined the natural lawn. On the places exposed to exaggerated tread the Dechampsia caespitosa is spreading, on acid soils the Nardus stricta, showing the formation of significant subtypes inside of Agrostis tenuis- Festuca rubra lawn type significant for beech tree zone.
The spreading of woody plants is much significant. The shrubs are spreading showing that the lawn areas withdrew from cultivation is progressing to natural estate, to forest. -
Investigations on grassland and nature reservation effect of horse grazing in Tapolca and Káli Basins (2008)
65-72Views:96Examined areas can be found in the Tapolca and Káli Basins near Köveskál and Nemesgulács. Near Köveskál 2 horses were grazed on a 1 ha grassland, which was on a degraded association of Cynodonti-Poëtum angustifoliae. Control area was found close to the grazed grassland where Salvinio-Festucetum rupicolae association was found. The grassland was grazed formerly by sheep. Near Nemesgulács 4 horses were grazed on a 6 ha pasture under free range grazing system (0.7 horse/ha) on a Cynodonti- Poëtum angustifoliae grassland that is situated on a slope. Sample areas were selected the upper (UTS) and lower (LTS) third of the slope. This area formerly was as vineyard. 5-5 replicates of 2 by 2 m coenological quadrates were monitored on each sample area. Sward composition was investigated by Braun-Blanquet method (1964) in the grazing season of 2008. Ground cover (D) species composition and species number (n) were evaluated as analytical parameters. Relative nitrogen demand (NB), social behavior types (SBT) (Borhidi, 1995) and nature conservation value categories (TVK) (Simon, 2000) were also analyzed. At the LTS of the slope near Nemesgulács we could find species with bigger proportions indicating nutrient rich production sites and N indicating Artemisia vulgaris, characteristic species of manured sites appeared, too. At the UTS their proportion was smaller. The reason for this difference is the nutrient run off the slope and its accumulation at the LTS. The reason for the low nutritive value of the grassland are the lack of valuable Poaceae and pulses species and the low total cover. Valuable plant species were grazed out of the sward and negative effects of trampling could have been observed. Concerning the selective grazing preference of horses, the species composition of this area is not suitable for horse grazing. Instead of horses the area could be more suitable for sheep grazing. Pasture near Köveskál had extremely high proportion of species requiring nutrient rich conditions that can be probably due to frequent depositions of excreta and urine by grazing horses. Both control and pasture areas has the highest (approx. 35% absolute) cover of natural species with disturbance tolerance. The biggest difference in nature conservation value categories was the decrease of association composing species on the pasture. This was mainly caused by the grazing out of Poa angustifolia that was the most valuable species in the association. Overgrazing and grazing method applied caused very low plant cover on the grazed pasture.
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Domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) grazing as a habitat management and application option against invasive species
47-53Views:115In nature conservation, the aggressive expansion of invasive plant species and the preservation of valuable grasslands are a global problem. Based on this, the following question can be formulated: which animal species and breeds are suitable for habitat management? Is the water buffalo suitable for lawn care and to what extent? With the overview work, we review the results so far, highlighting domestic areas where we already have preliminary results and where previous data have already been produced. Based on this, the invasive Solidago was completely suppressed in the marshes of the Zámolyi basin, the pasture was completely transformed, and the dominant species became Sesleria uliginosa. Also in the area of the Zámolyi basin, there were significant floristic and physiognomic differences in the vegetation. You may find that buffalo grazing is a suitable habitat management method in both dry grassland and wet grassland. Therefore, in addition to being effective in the control of Solidago gigantea, grazing with buffaloes is successful both in terms of nature conservation and grassland vegetation from an economic point of view. The first stage of the long-term planned work is an overview of the work on the water buffalo. The research is supported by the creation of Innovation operational groups and the investment necessary for the implementation of the innovative project. call for tenders (VP3-16.1.1-4.1.5-4.2.1-4.2.2-8.1.1-8.2.1-8.3.1-8.5.1-8.5.2-8.6.1-17) and the Innovation and the New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Technology code number ÚNKP-22-3-I-MATE/2 was supported by the grant funded by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund and grant AKGF-119-1-202.
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Recent points of fertilization, plant protection, grazing and food safety on grasslands
71-76Views:79The 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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Definition of terms in grassland management
39-41Views:12The definition of the terms related to swards used in support systems in grassland management, or used in the nomenclature of land cover data generated during remote sensing activities, is currently unclear and often inaccurate. It is necessary to define these terms in agricultural context, as well as to standardize the different formulations currently in use. This glossary made by the academic members of MÁSZ Grassland Management Working Group, helps to clarify concepts.