## 1 Introduction  
In the face of ongoing climate change, with an increasing greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, it is crucial to take rational measures to limit emissions of these gases from terrestrial ecosystems. Farming is recognized as a sector that significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and temperature rise in the atmosphere, both through agricultural production and soil processes [1, 2]. Essential components of agriculture production are grasslands, which can act either as a carbon dioxide sink or source [3]. The amount of carbon assimilated or emitted by a meadow ecosystem is determined by its intended use, soil type and its moisture, and type of plant communities and their biomass, as well as meteorological and climate conditions [4]. Grasslands, especially the ones on organic soils, are very sensitive to changes in ground water levels [5]. It is worth noting that many meadows have been formed due to the drainage of former peatbogs [6, 7]. A decrease in the water table depth (WTD) and moisture content of these areas has initiated the decay and mineralization processes of peat, resulting in increased carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere [8]. Therefore, it is essential to introduce appropriate water management practices to grasslands to limit soil degradation processes and reduce GHG emissions from organic soils. Many researchers emphasize that the proper use of drainage infrastructure in grassland areas is extremely important and can improve water management efficiency and reduce the outflow of nitrates from agricultural areas [9; 10]. Furthermore, solutions based on managed drainage and irrigation could help mitigate climate change and its effects on agriculture by reducing drought and flood risks [11; 12]. Also, it has been shown that a traditional meadow irrigation technique with an open ditch system, previously used in various parts of Europe, is an appropriate management practice that meets ecological and economic objectives [13]. Regulated water management in grassland areas significantly affects the GHG emissions from these ecosystems [14; 15]. Properly used and irrigated grasslands can contribute even to CO\({}_{2}\) sequestration [14; 16; 17; 18]. Therefore, it is rational to raise groundwater levels by subsoil irrigation to a level where the balance of carbon dioxide exchange between the soil and the atmosphere would be sustainable [19]. However, it should also be noted that re-moistening of soils causes direct changes in the composition of vegetation, reflecting new, more humid conditions, increasing biodiversity, restoring carbon cycle processes, and resuming carbon accumulation [20; 21; 22; 23]. The proper irrigation of grasslands thus appears to be a valid measure with the biggest potential to reduce CO\({}_{2}\) emissions from soils. Unfortunately, this is an increasingly difficult task to achieve due to limited water resources in many regions of the world, the current climate change, and the increasing frequency of drought periods [24]. Therefore, looking for other alternative methods independent of longitude and latitude, and thus climatic conditions, is crucial. A potential solution for reducing water losses from meadows, which may potentially regulate processes controlling carbon turnover and emissions, could be the application of antitranspirants, i.e., products that reduce transpiration. Among the most popular antitranspirants applied in agronomic practices are Vapor Gard, kaolin, chitosan, and abscisic acid. Previous research showed the great potential of antitranspirants in adapting plants to drought periods [25; 26; 27; 28]. It was also proved that the application of Vapor Gard on commercial grass (_Festuca arundinacea_ and _Poa pratense_) significantly reduces transpiration but has a negative impact on CO\({}_{2}\) uptake [29]. However, the question of whether these measures can affect carbon dioxide emissions and balance has received no attention and has not been thoroughly investigated and explained.