The study presents the findings of research into the effect of the variability of site conditions on their floristic composition providing a basis for the identification of lower phytosociological units. Patches of Arrhenatheretum elatioris described with the assistance of phytosociological surveys conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method were subjected to multi-criteria evaluation. On their basis, the following parameters were determined: ecological and botanical structure, geographic-historical distribution, the structure of the life-groups of the floristic types identified, as well as natural values by the Oświt method and sward fodder value according to Filipek. In order to determine the causes of the floristic variability observed, the following soil conditions were assessed: moisture content, soil reaction and nitrogen content by Ellenberg's indicator method, as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus content by the appropriate laboratory methods. Typical forms of Arrhenatheretum elatioris phytocenoses were found to develop on mucky soils in moderately moist sites. Patches of ryegrass occurring in sites with a periodically higher moisture content on organic soils refer to the Alopecuretum pratensis association. On the other hand, the sward of ryegrass meadows developed on dryer, mineral soils was characterised by increased numbers of species characteristic for xerothermic swards from the Festuco-Brometea class and sandy plant communities from the Koelerio glauca-Corynephoretea canescentis. More intensive utilization, primarily-fertilisation, was among the causes of the development of species-poor phytocenoses of low natural value but sward of a good fodder value.
CITATION STYLE
Kryszak, A., Klarzyńska, A., Kryszak, J., Strychalska, A., & Maćkowiak, Ł. (2012). Influence of variability of ryegrass meadow soil conditions on their natural and utilization values. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 40(1), 163–169. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha4017301
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