Creation of experimental fragments of the windbreaks in Ukraine
During the beginning of November 2023, traditional practical classes in the discipline “Forest melioration” were held at the “Educational and research nursery of the Department of Forests restoration and meliorations of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.
Thus, students of the “Forestry” speciality created three experimental objects of windbreaks with the participation of such tree species as common oak (Quercus robur L.), linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), maple (Acer platanoides L.). Moreover, oak planting material was represented by both seedlings and acorns.
High-quality planting material for the created plots was provided by State Enterprise “Teteriv Forestry” with the assistance of forest nursery master Ivan Cherevko and Associate Professor of the department Oleksiy Boyko.
The experimental plots were created with such a calculation that the main species were placed in the central rows, and accompanying species were planted from the outer rows. Two four-row plots and one three-row plot were created. It is worth noting that for the first plot, the oak tree was created by sowing acorns using the envelope method. This option provides for the creation of biogroups, which in turn will increase the biological stability of the created plantations and contribute to their better engraftment. In addition, the use of acorn will provide a natural component of the development of the root system.
The created plots will provide an opportunity to conduct research on survival, development of root systems, analysis of growth and their development. The established areas also comply with the modern rules for the creation of windbreaks and are narrow with a width of 7.5 to 10.0 m, which occupy a small area and are able to effectively counteract both harmful winds and the protection of fields in general.
We look forward to the spring practice, where students will be able to evaluate the results of their work and analyze the viability of the created forest crops!
Oleksandr Sovakov, Associate Professor,
Member of Ukrainian Agroforestry Association
