Floristic composition, nature value and productivity of the community with couch grass (Agropyron repens = Elymus repens (L.) P. Beauv.)

Abstract

Couch grass (Agropyron repens L.) was the dominantspecies in 5 investigated communities with stability class5, while its share in the community Agropyron repens + Festucarubra was as high as 42.2%. Communities with the dominanceof Agropyron repens + Deschampsia caespitosa and Agropyronrepens + Avenula pubescens represent the greatest variety of theirconstituent species, a total of 43 vascular plant species from15 botanical families having been recorded and 7 accompanyingspeciens. Due to the advantageous floristic composition and thefodder value score FVS of 6 or even higher, most analyzed communitiesare of considerable fodder value, although the value ofthe sward is reduced by taxa of low nutritive value and of lowyielding potential. Semi-heliophilous plant species are dominantin that community, occupying partially dry, fresh and even moisthabitats indicating acid soils with a high content of nitrogen compounds(N = 6.6). In Polish literature there is no synthetic study ofa community with the dominance of true wheat grass Agropyronrepens (L.) P.Beauv. that would focus on floristic composition,yield as well as natural and production value.