Buryatia natural pastures productivity and diversity

Sustainable management of natural pastures is the most important prerequisite for increasing their productivity and a necessary condition for the successful development of animal husbandry. The purpose of the study is to assess the productivity and diversity of natural pastures in Buryatia. The fodder base of animal husbandry in the Republic of Buryatia is made up of natural fodder lands, represented by the vegetation of steppe and meadow areas. With a wide variety of natural and economic conditions of the republic, there is a significant variety of types of natural pastures in various natural and climatic zones, differing in the features of vegetation cover, chemical composition, productivity, etc. 222 species of cereals, 122 species of legumes grow on the territory of the republic, sedges are represented by 132 species and a lot of herbs. The above analysis shows that cereal grasses have fewer protein substances than legumes, but there are relatively many substances such as sugar, starch and nitrogen-free extractive substances. Legumes contain almost one and a half times more protein than other herbs, including cereals. Sedge grasses are similar in chemical composition to cereals, but their fodder qualities are low due to the content of a large amount of silica. Saltwort stands out from herbs in terms of chemical composition, which contain a lot of ash, little fat and fiber, almost one and a half times less than cereals. In the early stages of development, grasses have more nutrients than in later ones. The nutritional value of the same species of grass can vary depending not only on the biological characteristics and phases of development, but also on the generic characteristics of plants. In rainy years, hay of all types of grasses contains less nutrients than hay obtained in dry years.