Evaluation of the Durability and Viability of Selected Forage Grass Species on Degraded Soil Under Silicon Application

Soil degradation is largely caused by human activity, and its severity can be exacerbated by unfavourable weather conditions. Selected species form a durable, compact cover that improves soil physical properties and limits degradation. The study included four single-species sowings of forage grasses: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Festulolium braunii, and Lolium perenne. A plant growth enhancer containing silicon nanoparticles was foliar-applied at two levels: no Si and Si. Soil water properties, plant cover, chlorophyll content, leaf area index (LAI), light transmittance (T), aboveground biomass, and weed infestation were measured to evaluate plant viability and durability from 2018 to 2023. The research showed that after six years of utilization by mowing, D. glomerata and F. arundinacea, due to the greater durability of the plant cover and a stable share in the sward, were better suited to cultivation on degraded soil than F. braunii and L. perenne. Silicon increased grass species yield, plant–soil cover, chlorophyll content, and LAI while it reduced T. The Si application had the strongest effect on the monocultures of F. arundinacea and D. glomerata, particularly for DM (increased by 17.5 and 19.1%, respectively) and LAI (increased by 24.4 and 19.8%, respectively). Given the benefits of using silicon in plant fertilisation, further research is recommended, particularly on grass species used to revitalise heavily transformed and degraded soils.