Plant Soil Environ., 2002, 48(3):89-95 | DOI: 10.17221/4205-PSE

The effect of rainfall and extensive use of grasslands on water regime

R. Duffková
Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Prague, Czech Republic

Water regimes of extensively used grasslands (one cut per year, two cuts per year, no cut, mulching) were determined and compared by drainage lysimeters in 1998-2000. Although the botanical composition and yields of experimental swards were different, there was no statistically significant difference in their water regime (only the soil moisture content of no-cut variant was significantly higher than in other variants). A determinant factor for the water regime of grasslands (GR) is the sum of rainfall over the growing season while the GR water regime is influenced by land use immediately after the cut. Water runoff from the soil profile 0.0-0.60 m (water supply to the groundwater level) was found to be negligible in the growing season, a substantial groundwater recharge occurs in an off-season period and/or at the beginning of growing season. Mulching was not proved to reduce evaporation. The best type of management providing for the economical water regime appears to be a one-cut variant. Relationships between botanical composition and GR water regime are also described.

Keywords: water regime; grasslands; extensive land use; mulching

Published: March 31, 2002  Show citation

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Duffková R. The effect of rainfall and extensive use of grasslands on water regime. Plant Soil Environ. 2002;48(3):89-95. doi: 10.17221/4205-PSE.
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