Effective technologies for the restoration of degraded pasture ecosystems and the creation of high-quality hayfields in the Don river basin

Abstract. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The increasing rates of soil degradation processes in the southern regions Russia make it urgent to increase productivity agricultural land, stabilize ecosystems restore potentially valuable forage vegetation. Phytomeliorative reconstruction low-productive lands is great importance for ensuring sustainable development region national food security. purpose research. research identify effectiveness conducted phytomeliorative works aimed at preserving native biodiversity hayfields conditions dry steppe Don river basin. Methods. was carried out autumn 2021. (Volgograd region, Ilovlinskiy district) by sowing a grass mixture Agropyron elongatum + cristatum L Bromus inermis on two plots with an area 40 30 hectares. abundance plants determined Drude rating scale. similarity index species composition phytocenoses calculated according Zhakkar formula. Productivity sloping method. Results. 36 herbs from 18 families were identified phytomeliorated plot No. 1, 34 2, 35 17 natural hayfields. shows 30–33 %. largest share number (pieces) phytocenosis occupied Asteraceae (30–33 %) Poaceae (17–18 families. But phytomeliorants had greatest influence formation crop. proportion total phytomass different seasons not same. main elongatum: May its reached 53–71 %, September – 65–68 Phytomeliorated areas turned be 1.7–1.8 times more productive than ones spring, 1.5 summer, 1.8–2.2 autumn. On average, yield increased 1,6–1,9 compared last year amounted 305–317 g/m2.