Assessing the influence of cereal-legume mixtures on the productivity of degraded pastures in the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

This study presents the results of some options to restore pastures with low productivity in the arid steppes of the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan, describing the effects associated with grass-legume mixtures. The effects of grass-legume mixtures, contribution to the preservation and maintenance of pasture forage crops, and the productivity of pastures were discussed. Mixtures of grasses and legumes were selected that are promising crops for arid regions. The plant density and its condition were determined based on test plots of adjacent rows of 0.5 m each, followed by counting. The plant height was determined before the yield of green mass by measuring 25 plants of each species. The yield of green mass in the maturity phase of the grass was determined by mowing and weighing the green mass in the plots, followed by the analysis of the species composition in the grass mixture and drying until air dry. The density of plants, the height of the plants, and the safety of the forage plants according to the sowing method were the data collected. In addition, the effect of grass mixtures on the productivity of forage crops to improve pastures was compared. According to these results, the highest productivity under experimental conditions was found in the wheat grassalfalfa-bromegrass variant. This information can contribute to the improvement of the state of the pastures since it is complete and inexpensive food for farm animals.