It should be noted that scientific research is being carried out in accordance with the planned activities. Necessary measures are being implemented to study the condition of pastures, increase their productivity, and adapt pasture management methods to climate change.
In the Muminabad District, an experimental plot was established at the “Durandesh-1” commercial farm to study the impact of climate change on pasture conditions and identify effective ways to increase their productivity. The experimental plot is primarily aimed at increasing pasture productivity, studying the adaptation of different pasture plant species to changing climatic conditions, and identifying effective methods for planting and caring for pasture plants. At the same time, the plot will serve as a demonstration site for the training and practical experience of specialists, sector workers, and livestock farmers.
One of the important areas of activity of the experimental plot is the training of highly qualified specialists in pasture science and improving the practical knowledge of professionals. The research focuses on selecting climate-adapted plant species, cultivation technologies, plant care, rational pasture use, and the restoration of degraded areas.
Another important area of work is the collection and storage of seeds of pasture plants. In particular, seeds of khardumkah, pasture oats, khardumak, munj, and other pasture plant species are being collected. The collected seeds will be used in further experimental work, the restoration of low-productivity pastures, and the establishment of new demonstration plots.
As part of the research, regular monitoring of plant growth and development is also carried out. Germination rates, biomass development, drought resistance, and resistance to other adverse climatic factors are assessed, while the results are analyzed and compared. These studies make it possible to identify pasture plant species that are better adapted to local conditions and have high productivity, and to recommend them for wider use in livestock farms.
At the same time, the results of the experimental work are important for developing scientific recommendations on the efficient use of pastures, prevention of pasture degradation, improvement of vegetation structure, and establishment of a sustainable livestock feed base. The implementation of such measures contributes to increasing livestock productivity, improving pasture conditions, and ensuring the rational and sustainable use of natural pasture resources.
In general, the establishment of the experimental plot at the “Durandesh-1” commercial farm is considered an important research initiative aimed at studying the impact of climate change and identifying ways to adapt pastures to new climatic conditions. Research in this area will continue in the future.
At the Shulashdara area of the Balkhobi rural jamoat of Muminabad District, a 2.5-hectare area was subjected to comprehensive improvement through the planting of sainfoin (Onobrychis arenaria), a leguminous plant, in order to study the impact of climate change on pasture productivity. The crop is currently in the process of growth and development.
In addition, five demonstration plots have been established on the open pastures in this area. Scientific research is being conducted there to study the effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on pasture productivity, the effect of surface sowing of sainfoin on the structure of natural grasslands, and changes in the composition of pasture vegetation.
Observation results showed that the growth and development of sainfoin are in very good condition. At present, the plant is in the flowering stage (Figure 2).
It should be noted that sainfoin was sown in combination with wheat. Pasture oats, in turn, showed very good growth as a result of successive spring rainfall during the current year.
According to observations and research conducted, on the first plot, covering 1.5 hectares, the plants are in the flowering stage. The vegetation density is 85–95%. The height of sainfoin reaches 65–70 cm, while wheat and pasture oats reach 75–80 cm. The average fresh biomass yield is 1,712 grams per 1 m², or 171 centners per hectare.
Analysis showed that of the total yield, 70% (119.7 centners) is sainfoin, 10% (17.1 centners) is wheat, 13% (22.23 centners) is pasture oats, and 7% (11.97 centners) consists of mixed grasses (Diagram 1).
The second plot, covering 1 hectare, also demonstrated good growth of sainfoin. The overall plant density, including sainfoin, wheat, pasture oats, and other grasses, is 85–95%. The height of sainfoin in this area is 10–20 cm, while the average fresh biomass yield is 2,052 grams per 1 m², or 205.2 centners per hectare.
On this plot, the largest share of the yield comes from pasture oats, accounting for 45% (92.34 centners). Wheat accounts for 25% (51.30 centners), sainfoin for 21% (43.1 centners), and mixed grasses for 9% (18.47 centners) (Diagram 2).
On the open pastures located near the improved land, vegetation density is 70–80%. The height of Gandumajriq reaches 0.40–0.42 m, wild oats 0.60–0.65 m, and mixed grasses 0.12–0.30 m. The average green biomass yield is 664.5 grams per 1 m², equivalent to 66.45 centners per hectare.
Comparison of the improved pastures with the surrounding natural pastures shows that the use of sainfoin cultivation increased pasture productivity by 2.6 to 3.1 times.
It is known that during the first year of growth, sainfoin primarily develops a strong root system. Therefore, its full effectiveness becomes more apparent in subsequent years. Experiments show that on pastures located at an altitude of more than 1,200 meters above sea level, comprehensive sainfoin cultivation can increase pasture productivity by 3–4 times.
At present, the condition of the sainfoin fields is very good, and the first harvest is nearing completion.
Field observations were also conducted on the winter and spring pastures of the “Najibullo” dehkan farm in the Esanboy rural jamoat of Rudaki District. The vegetation of this area mainly consists of low-growing semi-savanna plants, together with tall semi-savanna species such as pasture oats, khardumkah, sainfoin, and others. The plant community also includes ephemeral vegetation consisting of a mixture of bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) and desert sedge (Carex pachystylis) with ephemerals, particularly Bromus oxyodon. Bulbous bluegrass and desert sedge are the dominant species in the vegetation structure.
Scientific methods of pasture science, geobotany, and plant cultivation were used to conduct field and stationary studies.
The reason for the higher vegetation height is that the studied plant community at the “Najibullo” farm contains a larger proportion of tall-stemmed grasses, reaching 70–90 cm in height.
In the forest farm, legumes such as nutak, govrishqa, field alfalfa, and others predominate, reaching 40–60 cm in height. However, in terms of quality, palatability, and nutritional value, the vegetation of the forest-farm area is superior, as livestock readily consume these plants throughout all phenological stages.
According to our geobotanical studies, the main dominant plants in the “Najibullo” farm area are grasses, accounting for 45%, including various barley species, oats, mouse barley, and goat grass. Their ground cover amounts to 32.3%.
In the southeastern part of the forest farm, the main dominant plants are legumes, accounting for 30.2%, including nutak, govrishqa, tuberous alfalfa, and narrow-leaved munj. Their ground cover reaches 22.2%.
More than 100 different diagnostic analyses were conducted at the Laboratory of General Analysis and Pasture Health Ecology. The chemical composition of livestock feed was examined. The laboratory uses modern SupNIR 2750 equipment to determine the following indicators: moisture, protein, ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium chloride (NaCl), fat, and fiber.
Scientists from the Department of Pasture Improvement and the Department of Animal Feeding and Feed Production Technology participated and presented papers at one seminar and two conferences:
“Training seminars for agricultural workers, dehkan farms, farmers, and students in cooperation with experts and agricultural scientists from the Republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan”, March 16–18, 2026, Dushanbe — A. Emomova;
International Scientific and Practical Conference “Application of Innovative and Digital Technologies in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Infectious Diseases of Livestock and Poultry”, May 12–14, 2026, Dushanbe — F. Baygenov;
“Integrated Ecosystem Restoration Platform”, May 25, 2026, Dushanbe — A. Khandzharov, B. Haqnazarov, I. Ibodov.
In addition, four recommendations were prepared on the following topics: “Sainfoin cultivation on spring-autumn pastures in Muminabad District”; a recommendation on the use of pasture rotation technology; a recommendation on the use of minerals and vitamins in livestock feeding rations; and a recommendation on silage production technology.
Two brochures were also prepared: “Technology of Sudan grass cultivation and its nutritional value” and “Cultivation and growing of bulbous barley on pastures.” Within the framework of the project, six scientific articles and abstracts were also published in national scientific journals.
At the same time, with the financial support of the investment project “Sustainable Landscape Restoration in the Republic of Tajikistan,” two PhD students specializing in pasture science have been enrolled in postgraduate studies. They are currently conducting their scientific research.
