Universality of grassland and its utilization in the Czech Republic
2007
Cagaš, B., OSEVA PRO s.r.o., Výzkumná stanice travinářská, 756 54 Zubří (Czech Republic) | Frydrych, J., OSEVA PRO s.r.o., Výzkumná stanice travinářská, 756 54 Zubří (Czech Republic) | Macháč, R., OSEVA PRO s.r.o., Výzkumná stanice travinářská, 756 54 Zubří (Czech Republic)
The role of grasslands in the Czech Republic has recently changed very dramatically: the area occupied by natural permanent grasslands and forage crop stands on the arable land for production purposes has decreased, on the other hand, the importance of their alternative roles is increasing. Non-traditional ways of their utilizing are bioenergetics, utilization with the aim of soil conservation including landscape restoration and lawn growing. A slightly upward trend is evident in grass seed growing (conventional and organic) as an integral part of grass growing. With a gradual reduction in agricultural production, especially in marginal areas, fallow farmland or some purposefully grown grass species may be a source of material used for alternative heat production (direct combustion, biogas). Of cultivated grass species the most suitable for these purposes seem to be monocultures of some native grass species harvested at the end of the vegetation period. An evaluation of introduced species (Miscanthus spp.) is also being carried out. An unsolved question is the utilization of grass from playgrounds and urban green spaces. Grasses are not only a suitable component for conservation of soil which is not temporarily used for growing but also a unique agent for restoration of localities damaged by anthropogenic activities. Whereas in the recent past conventional forage crop mixtures were utilized for these purposes, at present combinations of grasses and herbs (species rich) established and maintained by non-traditional methods (mats, mulching, etc.) are more popular. Lawns in the Czech Republic occupy more than 10 percent of the area of arable land. Their large areas, used mostly for sport and relaxation, are established and retained in a special regime. Golf courses whose number is almost 70 are one of the forms of non-traditional and promising utilization of grasslands in this country.
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