Effect of different mulching and cutting regimes on the vegetation of upland meadow

Abstract

The effect of different cutting and mulching regimes on the structure of the sward and plant species diversity of semi-natural meadow (Arrhenatherion alliance) was investigated in manipulative experiment over five years. Mulching once a year in September (MS) and plots without management (U) developed in the same way and resulted in increase of Veronica chamaedrys and Galium album and disappearance of light sensitive Trifolium repens. T. repens increased in two cut, two cut without removal of the biomass and in three times mulched treatments. The lowest species diversity was recorded under MS and U treatments on the end of the experiment. Mulching once a year in July altered the vegetation in a different way than the MS treatment. Our results indicate high importance of term of mulching and frequency of defoliation management on the development of grassland vegetation.