Grain Crops.- 2024. - Vol. 8.- № 2

UDC 633.15:632.4        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0331 

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 192–199

Denysiuk, K. V., Satarova, T. M., Cherchel, V. Yu., Dziybetskyi, B. V.   

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. The development and selection of maize genotypes resistant to head smut (Sporisorium reilianum) is a topical issue in modern breeding research, which helps prevent yield losses caused by the pathogen and ensure high-quality grain. Purpose. To evaluate the infection rate with S. reilianum of promi-sing maize inbreds on natural and artificial infection backgrounds and identify resistant and susceptible genotypes among them. Materials and methods. Ten promising maize inbreds adapted to conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine were selected as the research material. The research was conducted in 2021 and 2024. The research methods were as follows: field method, statistical analysis. Results. The viability of the flying smut spores used in the artificial infectious background was tested and confirmed by cultivating the spores on an artificial nutrient medium in vitro before inoculation of maize seeds. A two-year field testing of maize  inbreds showed that the average infection rate with S. reilianum was 0.90 % on the natural infection background during the study years, while it was 10.28 % on the artificial infection background. Plant infection with head smut depended on the maize genotype and agrometeorological conditions of the year. The highest rate of pathogen infection was observed in the P354 inbred on an artificial infectious background and was 41.18 % and 59.26 % for two years of the study, respectively. No cases of plant infection in the inbreds DK3044, DK267 and Mo17 with head smut were observed either on natural or artificial infectious backgrounds during the years of research. Conclusions. Ten promising maize inbreds adapted to conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine were evaluated in terms of resistance to S. reilianum. A high level of resistance to the pathogen was established at the studied inbreds. Inbreds DK315, DK3044, DK267, PLS61, DK3008 and Mo17, which had less than 5% of plants infected with S. reilianum on an artificial infectious background for two years, were identified as resistant. They have the potential as donors of resistance to head smut. Inbreds P354, DK3023 and DK7575, which had 20 % or more of plants infected on an artificial infection background, were identified as susceptible to the disease.

Key words: maize (Zea mays L.), resistance to biotic factors, fungal diseases of grain crops, head smut, donors of resistance, artificial infectious background

UDC633.15:631.52             https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0332

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 200–205

Cherchel V. Yu., Aldoshyn A. V., Kuprichenkov D. S.,Suchkova V. M. 

¹SE Institute Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine.

²National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Mykhaylo Omelianovych-Pavlenko St., Kyiv, 01010, Ukraine

Topicality. The subzone of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine is characterized by severe droughts, which lead to a significant decrease in the yield of popcorn (Zea mays everta Sturt.). In this regard, evaluation of hybrids for drought resistance is essential for selection of the best samples that can withstand difficult hydrothermal growing conditions. Purpose. To determine the drought resistance of popcorn hybrids under conditions of air and soil drought. Materials and Methods. The material for the research was 58 popcorn hybrids that were subjected to competitive variety testing. The mid-early hybrid Shans and the mid-ripening hybrid Hostynets were used as standards. The trials were conducted at the Laboratory of Food Maize Breeding at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station of the SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine in 2020-2021. An index approach based on both resistance and susceptibility of genotypes to moisture deficit was used to study the hybrids' response to drought. Results. The growing season of 2020 was hot and dry in contrast to 2021. In unfavourable conditions of 2020, average grain yields for mid-early hybrids were 3.1 times lower and for mid-ripening hybrids 3.2 times lower compared to 2020. Such weather conditions allowed us to evaluate the maize hybrids for drought resistance, and identified 22 hybrids (36.7 %) as drought-resistant, given their corresponding indices for 5–7 indicators. The Shans hybrid, a standard of the mid-early group, was also drought-resistant.. Conclusions. According to the results of research, it was established that mid-early popcorn hybrids (IKR 30 × IKR 2-3), (IKR 2-3 × IKR 9-2) × IKR 4, (IKR 30 × IKR 24) × IKR 37 and mid-ripening hybrids (IKR 11-9 × IKR 16/75/24-5), (IKR 15-2 × IKR 37/17/72-5) × IKR 21, (IKR 30 × IKR 2-1) had high yield and drought resistance.

Key words: popcorn, selection, resistance, drought, drought resistance indices, grain yield

UDC 633.11“321”:631.527.5      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0333 

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 206–211

Ivantsova, L. V., Fedorenko, M. V.  

The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS, Tsentralne village, Obukhiv district, Kyiv region, 08853, Ukraine

Topicality. Modern plant breeding involves many factors, among which the source material holds the first place. The experience of global and domestic breeding shows the importance of using genetic sources from around the world to develop new wheat varieties meeting the requirements of modern agricultural production. Purpose. To develop a new spring wheat source material by crossing samples of Triticum aestivum L. × Triticum durum Desf. of domestic and foreign selection. Materialsand Methods. The research was carried out at the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine. The parental forms for hybridisation were MIP Vesnianka variety and Erythrospermum 15–36 line of spring wheat, and MIP Kseniia variety of durum wheat of domestic selection and Triso variety of spring wheat of foreign selection. In the heading stage, florets were castrated in the usual way 2–3 days before flowering. Pollination was carried out by a limited forced method in the morning, mainly on 3–5 days after castration. Twelve hybrid combinations were developed. Threshing of wheat spikes was carried out manually. Results. It was found that the efficiency of spring wheat grain setting during crossing depended not only on the environmental conditions during pollination, but also on the genotypic diversity of the crossing components. The average grain-setting percentage varied from 0 to 56.2%, depending on the source forms and growing conditions of the plants. The average grain-setting percentage was 16.0 % in 2022 and 17.1 % in 2023. In 2022, this indicator varied from a minimum of 1.0 % to a maximum of 43.7 %, and this indicator varied from 1.9 % to 56.2 % in 2023. Conclusions. It was found that the of grain-setting percentage in spring wheat hybrids was significantly higher when crossing varieties and line Triticum aestivum L. × Triticum aestivum L. compared to Triticum aestivum L. × Triticum durum Desf. and Triticum durum Desf. × Triticum aestivum L., regardless of the crossing groups. The highest indicators of grain setting were observed in the group of paternal and maternal components in crosses of varieties and line of domestic selection. It was found that the effectiveness of crossing, i.e. the percentage of grain setting in the field conditions, depended on the genetic characteristics of the variety and the growing conditions of spring wheat plants.

Key words:spring wheat, hybridisation, crossbreeding, grain-setting percentage, variety, line

UDC 633.11″324:631″.526.32    https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0334

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 212–219

Vashchenko,V. V., Shevchenko, A. A.   

Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, 25 Serhii Yefremov St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. The adaptive plant breeding system should be considered a practical and effective tool to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. An adaptive variety is ecologically flexible and capable of adapting to all environmental factors. Developing specific adaptive genotypes is feasible under conditions similar to those in which the variety will be cultivated. Targeted adaptation of cultivars to specific agro-ecological conditions allows them to maximize their genetic potential, enabling producers employing modern technologies to achieve high profitability from their implementation. Purpose. Comparison of varieties and hybrid combinations of winter wheat under changing growing conditions. Materials and Methods. During 2018–2023, a research of the adaptive resource of 10 hybrid combinations of soft winter wheat and standard varieties Yednist and Podolianka was conducted in the crop rotation of the Department of Breeding and Seed Production of the DSAEU. Results. Yield differentiation was observed under uncontrolled weather conditions during the vegetation period. The maximum yield across the years was 9.12 t/ha in 2020, while the minimum yield was 4.18 t/ha in 2018. The average yield across varieties was 6.66 t/ha, with the maximum yield (9.10 t/ha) achieved by genotype 15-442 and the minimum (3.78 t/ha) – by genotype 15-309. The average yields in all environments for 2018-2023 did not completely reflect their adaptability, since the value of a specific trait is not inherited, and yield is a polygenic trait that indicates the rate of response of a particular variety sample. Conclusions. Yield variability is largely dependent on environmental conditions during a specific growing season with low significant effects of genotypes. The value of the average yield indicates the response rate of genotypes and their plasticity. Response of soft winter wheat cultivars in favourable years indicates productive potential, and in unfavourable years – adaptability or adaptive resource of genotypes to unstable moisture conditions. Under such conditions, the yield potential of soft winter wheat genotypes is maximally realised by the following: 15-383 – 8.37 t/ha, 15-259 – 8.15 t/ha, 15-442 – 9.10 t/ha, 15-145 – 8.22 t/ha, 15-291 – 8.78 t/ha, 15-393 – 8.70 t/ha, and the standard variety Yednist – 7.89 t/ha. Based on regression coefficients, genotypes were identified according to their environmental response: highly responsive genotypes included the standard Podolianka, 15-383, 15-705, 15-330, 15-256, 15-426, 15-309, and 15-442. Genotypes with low responsiveness included the standard variety Yednist, 15-291, and 15-145.

Key words: soft winter wheat, yield, stability, environment, adaptability

UDC 633.15:631.562/.526.32/.53.01/.53.011.2/.559

https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0335

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 220–225

Kyrpa, М. Ya., Kovalov, D. V.,  Kozariichuk, D. V.  

¹State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

²Bukovyna State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Agriculture in the Carpathian Region of NAAS, 21 Bohdan Kryzhanivskyi St., Chernivtsi, 58000, Ukraine

Topicality. Post-harvest processing technologies for maize seeds include seed separation, which has a significant impact on the seed quality.  The main methods of separation include sieving a seed mixture on flat sieves with different mesh sizes depending on the linear size of the seeds. This sieving technique helps to separate fractions with high sowing and yield properties. Purpose. To establish the peculiarities of sieving of seeds of maize hybrids and their parental components, as well as determine the seed fractions with high germination and yield properties. Materials and Methods. The object of the research was hybrids and their parental components of the selection of the SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS. Seed separation was carried out on sieves with different mesh types and sizes: round meshes with a diameter of 7.0–9.5 mm and oblong meshes with a diameter of 4.5–7.00 mm. Seed quality indicators of individual fractions were determined according to the standard DSTU 4138-2002, as well as in the field according to the methodology of the SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS. Results. The process of sieving of maize seeds is studied on the example of different maize hybrids and self-pollinated lines. The dependencies between the yield of individual seed fractions, their linear size (width and thickness of the seed) and quality are revealed. The process of sieving of maize seeds is studied on the example of different maize hybrids and self-pollinated lines. It was found that the yield and quality indicators depend on the physical and biological properties of the separation object. Conclusions. When seed was separated on sieves with round openings, the main part of hybrid seed was separated on sieves with mesh size of 8.0–8.5 mm (DB Khotyn) and 9.0–9.5 mm (DN Khortytsia), seeds of their parental components were separated on sieves with mesh sizes of 7.0–8.0 mm and 8.5–9.0 mm, respectively The highest field germination is observed in seed fractions separated on sieves with round opening of 8.5–9.0 mm and oblong opening of 4.0–5.5 mm. In the process of sieving, the type and size of sieves (by the type of opening) is subject to control, depending on the yield of individual seed fractions and their germination.

Key words: separation, maize seeds, hybrids and self-pollinated lines, fractions, yield, seed germination

UDC 631.16:631.527:631.5    https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0336

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 226–234

Popov, S. I., Kuzmenko, N. V., Hutianskyi, R. A., Hlubokyi, O. M., Mikhalov, I. A. 

Yuriev Plant Production Institute of National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine,142 Heroiv Kharkova Ave., Kharkiv, 61060, Ukraine

PrJSC ‘AB InBev Efes Ukraine’, 30-v Fizkultury St., Kyiv, 03150, Ukraine

 Topicality. Increasing demand for malting barley encourages breeders to develop new varieties that combine a high yields and grain quality with resistance to adverse environmental conditions. The introduction of highly adaptive spring barley varieties of both domestic and foreign breeding, which are capable of increasing the realisation of their productivity potential and the stability of grain production, is of great importance today. Purpose. To study the formation characteristics of morphological traits, productivity elements and yield attributes of malting spring barley varieties of foreign selection depending on the nutritional background and weather conditions of the year. Materials and Methods. The trials were laid out on two nutrition backgrounds: 1 – no fertiliser; 2 – N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀. Twelve foreign varieties of malting barley were studied. Laboratory, field, calculation and statistical methods were used. Results. It was established that the growth, development and formation of productivity elements of malting spring barley varieties were significantly influenced by the weather conditions of the growing season and the nutritional background. Averaged over the years (2021 and 2023) on the background without fertilizers, the highest number of productive stems was formed by Skyway and Quench varieties (560–580 pcs./m²), and on the fertilized one, by Odyssey, Guzel and Lexy varieties (680–690 pcs./m²) with productive tillering, respectively, 1.8–2.0. BARI, Evgenia and Planet varieties provided the largest number of grains per spike on both backgrounds, from 20.0 to 22.8 pcs. Guzel and Evgenia varieties had the highest grain size, with the 1,000-kernel weight of 47.1–50.0 g on the background without fertilizers, and 50.2–50.7 g, on the fertilized background. The greatest response to fertilisation was observed in Odyssey, Guzel and Lexy varieties, which provided an increase in grain yield of 66.2–76.1% in accordance with biological yield data. Actual yields on the background without fertilisers ranged from 2.43 t/ha (Odyssey) to 3.06 t/ha (Lexy), with an average yield of 2.73 t/ha. At the same time, Lexy Guzel, Evgenia and BARI varieties stood out with yields of 2.83–3.06 t/ha. The maximum increase in grain yields was provided by Odyssey (1.41 t/ha) and Fandaga (1.39 t/ha) varieties on the background of N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀. The greatest variety effect (+0.31 t/ha) with a grain yield increase of 8.6 % was observed in Lexy variety, compared to the average yield by varieties (3.30 t/ha).  Conclusions. Lexy, Evgenia and Guzel varieties can be considered the most suitable for cultivation in the eastern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, as they produced the highest grain yields and had the most pronounced positive response to fertilisers regardless of the growing conditions.

Key words: spring barley, malting varieties, fertilisers, yield attributes, productivity, yield

UDC 633.81/.85:632.9:633.854.78      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0337

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 235–243

Cholovskyi S. M. 

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. Today, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the leading agricultural crops in Ukraine with sowing area of 5–5.5 million hectares. Among numerous sunflower production systems, the Clearfield^® and Clearfield^® Plus Production Systems are the most effective in controlling broomrape and difficult-to-control weeds. Purpose. To identify the advantages of the Clearfield^® Plus Production System compared to Clearfield^®. Materials and Methods. Field trials were conducted on the facilities of Hovtva LLC in Reshetylivka, Poltava region, and Terezyne ALC in Terezyne, Kyiv region, in accordance with the generally accepted research methodology during 2020–2022. All elements of agricultural technology are generally accepted for the Forest-steppe zone. Results. Over three years of research, it was found that the yield of SY Bacardi CLP sunflower hybrid (Clearfield^® Plus) compared to the NK Neoma hybrid (Clearfield^®) was 0.33 t/ha higher (13.2%) on average in two locations. According to the analysis of a larger sample of Clearfield® and Clearfield® Plus hybrids, the hybrids of the Clearfield® Plus Production System formed a yield of 0.28 t/ha higher (12.8%) compared to hybrids of the Clearfield^® ones. Given the average level of weed infestation and the absence of sunflower broomrape and difficult-to-control weeds, there was no significant difference in yields on the background of Euro-Lightning® (1.2 l/ha), Euro-Lightning® Plus (2.5 l/ha) and Pulsar® Flex (2.0 l/ha) herbicides within each Clearfield® and Clearfield® Plus Production Systems. However, the hybrids of the Clearfield® Plus Production System on each herbicide background provided higher statistically significant yield indicators: an increase in yield was 0.29 t/ha (13.3 %) due to application of Euro-Lightning® (1.2 l/ha); 0.21 t/ha (9.8 %) – Euro-Lightning® Plus (2.5 l/ha); 0.34 t/ha (15.3 %) – Pulsar® Flex (2.0 l/ha). The sunflower hybrids of Clearfield® Plus showed higher tolerance to IMI herbicides and stability of the yields. Conclusions. The sunflower hybrids of the Clearfield® Plus Production System have demonstrated an advantage in terms of seed yield and tolerance to IMI herbicides compared to Clearfield® hybrids, so they have the potential to further expand their cultivation areas.

Key words: sunflower, hybrid, yield, herbicide, Euro-Lightning^® Plus, Pulsar^® Flex, phytotoxicity

UDC 635.652/654:631.558.3         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0338

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 244–250

Parfeniuk, O. O., Trush, S. H., Balaniuk,L. O.   

Tobacco Research Station of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agriculture of NAAS",4 Internatsionalna St., Uman, Cherkasy region, 20300, Ukraine

Topicality. One of the priority areas of scientific research in the field of crop production is the substantiation and improvement of modern cultivation technologies for grain legumes based on energy and resource conservation and environmental safety. A comprehensive study of agrobiological characteristics and elements of cultivation technology is a prerequisite for the efficient utilisation of the biological potential of varieties and the increase of individual and grain productivity of common bean plants. Nowadays, the issues of theoretical and practical aspects of common bean cultivation technologies under climate change in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are particularly important, as they would ensure the creation of optimal conditions for its growth, development and formation of maximum grain productivity. Purpose. Investigation of the impact of cultivation technology elements on biometric parameters and individual productivity of common bean plants in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field method (laying out experiments, phenological observations and records), measuring and weighing (determining yield attributes), statistical (mathematical processing of research results). Results. It was found that the best development and individual productivity of common bean plants in the agroclimatic conditions of the Forest-Steppe were on wide-row crops (row spacing of 45 cm). The tendency to decrease biometric parameters of plants with increasing planting density is observed. The highest values of yield attributes of common bean were obtained on wide-row crops at the first sowing date (11-14 May). The highest grain weight per plant was obtained in the crops of the first sowing date at plant density of 450,000 plants/ha (22.6 g in Mavka variety and 23.7 g in Panna variety). The lowest value was observed on conventional row crops (15 cm) with a plant density of 750,000 plants/ha (14.5 g and 13.5 g, respectively). The highest 1000 grain weight was obtained in wide-row crops at the first sowing date (212-217 g in Mavka variety and 329-341 g in Panna variety). Conclusions. Sowing methods and dates, plant density significantly affect the biometric parameters and individual productivity of common bean plants. The variation of these parameters depends on the genotype of plants of a particular variety. The highest individual plant productivity is achieved with wide-row sowing at the first sowing date with a plant density of 450,000 plants/ha. The number of grains and their weight per plant corresponded to the varietal characteristics of each sample.

Key words: common bean, sowing method, plant density, sowing date, biometric indicators, individual productivity

UDC 633.15/.17:632.95:631.811.98       https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0339

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 251–254

Semenov, S. S. 

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

 Topicality. Maize and sorghum seedlings are damaged by a number of phytophages, among which the most dangerous is the Elateridae family. Integrated pest management, along with other steps, includes pre-sowing seed treatment. In the best case scenario, complex formulations that simultaneously control pests and pathogens should be chosen for seed treatment. However, there are practically no such products in the List of Permitted Pesticides. Thus, scientific substantiation of the feasibility of using tank mixtures containing insecticides, fungicides and substances with other physiological effects (immune stimulation, growth regulation, etc.) is required. Purpose. To study the agrotechnical efficiency of pre-sowing seed treatment (encrustation) with formulations of different spectrum of action for controlling click beetles larvae in maize and sorghum crops of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted at the expe-rimental plots of the Plant Protection Laboratory at State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops NAAS. The pre-sowing seed treatment (incrustation) of the maize hybrid DN Khortytsia and grain sorghum variety Yarona with a tank mixture of formulations including Cruiser 350 FS insecticide, Maxim XL 035 FS fungicide and Vermystym growth regulator was conducted. The following methods were used: laboratory and field me-thods to determine the damage degree of seedlings, statistical methods to perform analysis of variance of yield data. Results. The best results among the studied formulations and their mixtures were obtained when the tank mixture of insecticidal, fungicidal and growth-regulating action was used for seed treatment, which provided technical efficiency up to 70–75 % and an increase in maize grain yield of 1.90 t/ha and sorghum grain yield of 2.40 t/ha. Conclusions. In the growing season 2019–2021, the highest protective capacity (seedling death rate – 2.3–4.0 %) and technical efficiency of 70–75 % was shown by the mixture of formulations: Cruiser 350 FS + Maxim XL 035 FS + Vermystym in all weather conditions. The synergy of active ingredients contributed to the preservation of 1.90 t/ha of maize grain and 2.40 t/ha of sorghum grain.

Keywords:maize, sorghum, larvae of click beetles, weather conditions, efficiency of formulations, grain yield

UDC 633.111.5    https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0340

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 255–263

Butenko, O. M., Viniukov, О. О., Bondareva, O. B., Likhushyna, Н. A. 

Donetsk State Agricultural Research Station of NAAS of Ukraine,1Zakhysnykiv Ukrainy St., Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, 85307, Ukraine

 Topicality. Durum wheat is of great importance due to its excellent quality properties, which contribute to the provision of high-quality food to the population. Triticum turanicum Jakubz, a species genetically related to durum wheat, should be widely disseminated. Solving this problem requires the study of agrotechnological methods of growing Khorasan wheat, including the application of growth inhibitors and pesticides, which contribute to the formation of high plant productivity. Purpose. To establish the effect of growth regulators and protection systems on the growth and development of Khorasan wheat (Triticum turanicum Jakubz.) plants in the conditions of the eastern part of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Research was conducted in the field crop rotation of the Donetsk State Agricultural Research Station of NAAS according to the method of field work by B. O. Dospehov in 2022–2024. Khorasan wheat of the Sarmat variety was used for sowing. Two growth regulators were studied: Chlormequat chloride and Tava, which were sprayed on plants in different development stages. The plant protection system included two variants: System 1 – Sheriff herbicide (20 g/ha) at the beginning of tillering; Paracelsus fungicide (0.5 l/ha) at the first internode stage; Presto insecticide (0.4 l/ha) at the heading stage; System 2 – tank mixture of Primus herbicide (0.5 l/ha,), Dot fungicide (0.5 l/ha,) and Presto insecticide (0.4 l/ha,) in the second internode stage. The research methods used were the following: field, laboratory, mathematical and statistical. Results. According to the analysis of plants in the full ripeness stage, spraying with Chlormequat-chloride at the first internode stage resulted in the lowest plant height 110.5 cm (System 1) and 110.3 cm (System 2) in the experiment. It was found that growth inhibitors and the application date increased the number of grains per head by 3.0-4.0 grains compared to the control.  Spraying with Chlormequat-chloride at the first internode stage provided an increase in yield of 1.4 t/ha compared to the control, and at the tillering stage, the application of this growth inhibitor increased the yield by 1.8 t/ha. The highest yield level in the experiment was achieved by spraying the crops with Tava at the first internode stage (+2.0 t/ha compared to the control), while its application at the second internode stage provided an increase in yield of 1.5 t/ha. Conclusions. We found that the expediency of applying growth inhibitors together with pesticides in the Khorasan wheat cultivation is conditioned not only by increasing the lodging resistance of plants, but also by the formation of better plant productivity indicators in the eastern part of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine.

Key words:Khorasan wheat, plant development stages, growth inhibitors, plant protection system, biometric indicators, yield attributes, yield

UDC 633.15: 631.81.095.337: 631.816.35        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0341  

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 264–270

MoldovanV. H., Moldovan, Zh. A. 

Khmelnytskyi State Agricultural Experimental Station of Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia            of NAAS, Samchyky village, Khmelnytskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region, 31182, Ukraine

Topicality. For optimal development and yield formation, maize requires macronutrients, not only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also sulphur and magnesium, as well as microelements such as boron, manganese, copper and zinc. Even a small demand in these elements is essential for the plant growth and development. Purpose. Studying the effectiveness of the application of individual macro- and microelements for foliar feeding of maize, their effect on the formation of biometric parameters of the ear, yield attributes and grain yield in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. In a two-factor experiment, the impact of macronutrients (magnesium and sulphur) and microelements (boron, manganese, copper, zinc) in the form of highly concentrated liquid fertilisers used for foliar feeding in 5–6 and 8–9 leaf stages of maize for early-ripening hybrids DN Aton and mid-early hybrid DN Astra was studied. Results.  It was established that foliar feeding with macro- and microelements had a positive effect on the formation of biometric parameters of the ear and yield attributes. In particular, in the early-ripening hybrid DN Aton, the grain weight per ear increased by 1.7–12.2 % , the 1000 grain weight – by 2.6–7.8 % , the grain yield per ear – by 0.5–2.2 % in the experimental variants compared to the control. These indicators increased by 2.2–15.4 %, 2.4–11.3 % and 1.2–2.9 %, respectively, in the mid-early hybrid DN Astra. Variation of the number of productive ears and yield attributes over the years of research definitely had an impact on the formation of grain yield of maize hybrids. Over the years of research, the average grain yield of the early-ripening hybrid DN Aton was 9.00–9.40 t/ha, and the mid-early hybrid DN Astra was 9.11–9.88 t/ha. All macro- and microelements used in the research provided a significant increase in grain yield compared to the control, namely DN Aton had an increase in yield of 0.29–0.72 t/ha or 3.2–8.0 % and DN Astra – 0.32–0.77 t/ha or 3.5–8.4 %. Conclusions. The macro- and microelements used for foliar feeding of maize have a positive effect on the formation of biometric parameters of the ear and yield attributes, as well as increase the number of productive ears and grain yield. Zinc has the greatest impact on the formation of the above indicators. Boron, magnesium and manganese were the least effective in maize crops.

Key words: maize,hybrid, macronutrients, micronutrients, feeding, biometric indicators, yield attributes, yield

UDC: 633.11:632.4        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0342

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 271–275

Vorozhko, S. P., Mazur, Z. O., Necheporenko, L. P.   

Verkhniachka Research and Breeding Station of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet NAAS, 1 Shkilna St., Verkhniaсhka village, Uman district, Cherkasy region, 20022, Ukraine

Topicality.Developing high-productivity varieties with resistance to lodging and diseases, and adverse environmental conditions, improving a number of other indicators is the task of modern plant breeding.Solving the problem of rust resistance of winter rye, as an important grain crop, is quite relevant. Purpose. Studying the resistance of winter rye varieties, hybrids and lines to brown leaf and stem rust in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out at the VerkhniachkaResearch and Breeding Station of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of NAAS during 2020–2023. The material of the study was crops of 58 collection winter rye samples.We carried out route surveys of crops, determined the spread of diseases in the maximum disease development stage using generally accepted methods. Results. According to the degree of resistance to brown leaf rust, 58 (immune) samples were found as follows: 1 (1.7 %) was very highly resistant, 19 (32.8 %) were characterised as highly resistant, 21 (36.2 %) as resistant and 17 (29.3 %) as moderately susceptible. According to the degree of resistance (susceptibility) to stem rust, 14 (24.1 %) hybrid combinations were characterised as immune, 24 (41.4 %) as highly resistant, 9 (15.5 %) as resistant, and 11 (19.0 %) as slightly susceptible. Significantly high yields were recorded in eleven F₁ hybrids: Khlibna Nyva (7.7 t/ha), Volonter (7.1 t/ha), Fiol.F3 (7.0 t/ha), D/S-7 and I-99/(X-55/Pallada) (6.9 t/ha), Fiol.lus.F3 (8.0 t/ha), l. Palasso (6.7 t/ha), l. Utino (7.1 t/ha), l. Vetvitske/22 (6.8 t/ha), I-95/(B/P)(B/P) (6.9 t/ha), l. R-5/22 (8.4 t/ha).It was found that the test weight varied insignificantly from 634 g to 711 g, and the 1000 grain weight ranged from 30.0 g to 44.0 g. Conclusions. A comparative assessment of varieties and hybrids of winter rye to brown leaf and stem rust was carried out. The average yield in the experiment was 5.9 t/ha. The yields of eleven (18.9 %) experimental hybrids, i.e. the studied crossing combinations, were high and ranged from 6.7–8.4 t/ha.

Key words: winter rye, brown rust, hybrids, lines, resistance, damage

UDC 632.9 / 63:579.64           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0343

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 276–282

Vlasiuk O. S., Kvasnitska L. S., Voіtova Н. P.   

Khmelnytskyi State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia
of NAAS, 1 Samchyky St., Samchyky village, Khmelnytskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region, 31182, Ukraine

Topicality. There is a global trend towards biologisation of agriculture, driven not only by environmental and social issues, but also by economic ones. Therefore, the search for and implementation of effective energy-saving and environmentally friendly elements of crop cultivation technologies, including the use of biologicals with fungicidal and stimulating properties, as well as biodestructors of plant residues, is of high relevance. The effectiveness of biologicals is unstable and depends on many environmental factors, so they need to be studied and adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of a particular ecological and geographical zone. Purpose. Evaluation of the impact of seed and crop treatment with biologicals and the introduction of a plant residue biodestructor on soybean productivity and disease infection. Methods. The field method was used to study the impact of the interaction of the studied factors on soybean productivity and disease infection; the quantitative and weighing method was used to determine soybean yield; and the mathe-matical and statistical method was used to analyse and establish the reliability of the results.  Results. The influence of soybean seed treatment with the Vympel-K stimulant (0.5 l/t), MycoHelp biofungicide (3 l/t) and treatment of seeds and crops with Organic-Balance biological product of systemic action (1.5 l/t and 0.5 l/ha) on the background of introduction of Organic-Balance (1.5 l/ha) as a biodestructor into the soil on productivity and disease infection was investigated. It was found that pre-sowing treatment of seeds with environmentally friendly formulations increases soybean yield by 3.9-14.4 %, depending on the use of Organic-Balance for spraying crops and introducing it into the soil as a biodestructor. Spraying the crops with Organic-Balance increased soybean yields by 7.1-15.3 %, the introduction of Organic-Balance biodestructor into the soil increased yields by 5.0-9.6 %. The most effective variant was the seed treatment with MycoHelp biofungicide in combination with Organic-Balance for introduction into the soil and spraying of crops, where the yield increase was 31% or 0.71 t/ha compared to the control without biologicals. Also, seed treatment and introducing biodestructor reduced the spread of root rot to 5.0-8.1 %, compared to 14.0 % in the control. The spraying of the crops with Organic-Balance restrained the spread of Septoria leaf spot to 41-45 %, compared to 70-72 % in the control. Conclusions. The use of biologically friendly formulations (Organic-Balance, Vympel-K, and MikoHelp) leads to a significant increase in yield (by 3.9-15.3 %) and a decrease in soybean disease infection. Seed treatment formulations show a higher percentage efficiency in increasing yields in variants without the destructor introduction and without spraying crops (by 7.6-14.4 %) compared to the background with these treatments (by 3.9-8.0 %). These elements of agricultural technology can be used to improve environmentally friendly technologies of soybean cultivation in agricultural formations of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Key words: biologicals, plant growth stimulators, soybean, yield, destructor of plant residues,
soybean diseases

UDC 11: 631.8: 632.51      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0344

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 283–288

Kvasnitska L. S., Voіtova H. P., Vlasiuk O. 

Khmelnytskyi State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia NAAS,
1 Samchyky St., Samchyky village, Khmelnytskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region, 31182, Ukraine

Topicality. Modern innovative approaches of winter wheat cultivation technology involve the use of biological products.Purpose. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of the integrated use of the plant residue biodestructor Organic-Balance (1 l/ha) and the multifunctional biological product Organic-Balance with the bioadhesive Liposam (1.0 l/t + 0.3 l/t) for seed treatment and crop spraying (0.5 l/ha and 0.3 l/ha) against different fertilizer backgrounds on the productivity of winter wheat crops in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and methods.The research was conducted at the Khmelnytskyi State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia NAAS in a temporary field experiment on crops of winter wheat variety Bohdana during 2021–2023.Research methods: field, laboratory, mathematical and statistical. Results. The effect of the combination of biologicals on increasing the density of productive stems from 4,878,000 to 5,240,000 stems/ha on the background without fertilisers and from 5,320,000 to 5,627,000 stems/ha with mineral fertilisation (N₉₀P₆₀K₆₀) was established. There was also an increase in the number of grains per spike – from 24.2 to 25.1 grains on the background without fertiliser and from 26.4 to 27.3 grains with mineral fertilisation, and the grain weight per spike – from 1.01 to 1.08 g and from 1.19 to 1.29 g, respectively. The integrated use of the plant residue biodestructor Organic-Balance (1 l/ha) and the multifunctional biological product Organic-Balance with the bioadhesive Liposam (1.0 l/t + 0.3 l/t) for seed treatment and spraying of crops (0.5 l/ha + 0.3 l/ha both on a non-fertilised and mineral background increased yields by 0.72 and 0.91 t/ha, gluten content by 2.4 and 2.8 %, and grain hardness by 6 and 7 %, respectively. Conclusions. The combination of biologicals had an effect on the formation of winter wheat yield with a significant increase in the number of productive stems by 7 % against non-fertilised background and 6% against mineral background, and in the grain weight per spike by 7 % and 8 %, respectively, which resulted in a yield increase of up to 16 %.

Key words: fertilisation background, biodestructor of plant residues, biologicals with multifunctional action, yield, grain quality

UDC 631:581.5:633.1      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0345

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 289–296

Solodushko, M. M., Solodushko, V. P., Gasanova, I. I., Zavalypich, N. A. 
State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine 

Topicality. Knowledge of the trends and patterns of influence of atmospheric phenomena, in particular air temperature and precipitation, on the formation of certain yield attributes of winter wheat, allows us to avoid or significantly mitigate the negative effect of a certain weather factor that in some cases plays a decisive role in ensuring the emergence of friendly sprouts, plant development in autumn and plant condition before overwintering. Purpose. To determine the influence of weather conditions in autumn on the soil moisture availability and the condition of winter wheat plants grown after sunflower before overwintering in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods.  The study and analysis of problematic issues was carried out at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station in the crop rotation of the Laboratory of Agrobiological Resources of Winter Grain Crops of SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS during 2019–2024.  The winter wheat cultivation technology is generally accepted for the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Sampling of soil and plants was carried out in accordance with existing recommendations. Results. Weather conditions during the autumn vegetation largely determined the condition of winter wheat crops at the beginning of the winter period. In 2019–2024, the average air temperature and precipitation in September-November were 10.8 °C and 114.6 mm, respectively, which was 1.6 °C higher and 2.4 mm lower than the long-term average. High temperatures and a prolonged lack of precipitation almost every year resulted in a critical decrease in productive soil moisture reserves at the time of sowing winter wheat, which averaged only 2 mm in the 0–10 cm soil layer, 4 mm in the 0–20 cm layer, 10 mm in the 0–50 cm layer, and 17 mm in the 0–100 cm layer, which was 21–25 % of the long-term average. The amount of precipitation did not meet the moisture needs of the plants during the autumn vegetation, and thus the average amount of available moisture in the arable and one-metre layers of soil at the autumn vegetation cessation was only 16 mm and 45 mm, respectively, or 50 and 44 % of the average long-term norm. As a result, the biometric parameters of winter wheat plants before overwintering in most years did not correspond to optimal values, which primarily ensured high frost tolerance of winter wheat plants, as a result - plants were 13–15 cm high, with an average of 1.1–1.4 shoots and 1.8–2.7 nodal roots. Conclusions. It was found that soil moisture availability during the autumn period in most years did not meet the moisture needs of winter wheat plants, as a result, the plants began wintering in a relatively weak morphophysiological condition. Nevertheless, the elevated air temperature during the calendar winter allowed winter crops of optimal sowing dates to successfully complete the winter period, with virtually no losses.

Key words: winter wheat, weather conditions, soil moisture reserves, autumn vegetation, plant condition

UDC 633.11:631.53.027.2:632.95    https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0346

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 297–304

Zaima O. A., Kalitsinska O. B.   

The V. M Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS, Tsentralne village, Obukhiv district, Kyiv region, 08853, Ukraine

Topicality. The problem of rational feeding of winter wheat crops and the study of its impact on yield, grain quality and sowing quality is relevant and of great practical interest. Purpose. To investigate the impact of early spring feeding of bread wheat crops with different rates of nitrogen fertilisers on the yield level, grain quality indicators and seed sowing qualities. Materials and Methods. The impact of nitrogen feeding with ammonium nitrate and UAN-32 at different application rates of N₂₅, N₅₀, and N₇₅ was studied on bread wheat varieties MIP Valencia, MIP Vidznaka, MIP Aelita and MIP Fortuna. Nitrogen feeding of crops was carried out at the beginning of the spring growth resumption. Results. The application of nitrogen fertilisers contributed to the formation of higher indicators of yield attributes.  In the control variants, plant height was 86–105 cm, spike length – 8.3–8.8 cm, number of grains per spike – 42–49 pcs, grain weight per spike – 2.13–2.39 g, and in the variants with nitrogen feeding – 87–109 cm, 8.5–9.7 cm, 45–62 pcs and 2.18–2.84 g, respectively. In the variants with fertilisation, the yield level increased to 5.79–6.85 t/ha compared to the average yield of the varieties at 5.45–6.28 t/ha. Higher increases in yields were observed when ammonium nitrate was applied at rates of N₅₀ and N₇₅. A positive effect of nitrogen feeding on the grain quality and
sowing qualities of bread winter wheat seeds was noted. The yield of standard seeds was 66.7–80.7 % in the controls, and 68.9–85.3 % in the variants with fertilisers. Indicators of germination energy and laboratory germination of seeds in the variants with nitrogen feeding showed a tendency to increase. Thus, the laboratory germination rate of seeds from variants without fertilisers was 94–96 %, while seeds from variants with nitrogen feeding had a germination rate of 95–99 %. Conclusions. Early spring feeding of bread winter wheat with nitrogen fertilizers contributes to the formation of plants with larger productivity elements and increases the level of grain yield by 0.15–0.60 t/ha. The application of ammonium nitrate at rates of N₅₀ and N₇₅ contributed to higher increases in yield. The positive effect of nitrogen feeding on grain quality and sowing qualities of seeds of bread winter wheat varieties was also noted.

Key words:varieties, feeding, yield level, grain quality, yield of standard seeds, germination energy, laboratory germination

UDС631.81(477.74)        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0349

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 317–324

¹Burykina, S. I., ²Kryvenko, A. I., ¹Serhieiev, L. A., ¹Kohut, I. N., ²Trandafir, I. V. 

¹Odesa State Agricultural Experimental Station of the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine, 24 Maiatska road St., Khlibodarske village, Odesa region, Odesa district, 67667, Ukraine

²Odesa State Agrarian University, 87 Kanatna St., Odesa, 65012, Ukraine

Topicality. Mineral and organic fertilisers are still the basis for increasing crop yields and quality, but optimising their application requires a detailed and in-depth analysis of the results of long-term trials in different climatic and soil zones. Purpose. To investigate the impact of different fertilisation systems in field crop rotation on crop yields in the rainfed conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Material and Methods. The data array of the long-term stationary experiment for the period 1972–2024 was used. The soil was southern low-humus heavy loamy chernozem. The initial content of mobile phosphorus and potassium compounds (according to Chirikov's method) corresponded to an elevated level of availability, and at the beginning of the fifth rotation it was high and very high pH = 7.0–7.2. To analyse yields of crops in grain- fallow-row crop rotation (1972–2010, I–IV crop rotations), we studied 17 fertilisation systems, and selected fertilisation variants: organic fertilisation system – 7.8 t/ha (Background 1) and 12.1 t/ha (Background 2); mineral fertilisation system – N₄₉P₄₂K₃₇, organic-mineral fertilisation system – N₃₁P₂₈K₂₄+Background 1; N₃₁P₂₈K₂₄+Background 2; N₄₉P₄₂K₃₇+Background 1; N₄₉P₄₂K₃₇+Background 2. In the next four crop rotations, by-products of crops and green manure were introduced into the soil as organic fertiliser, which averaged 8 t/ha. Against this background, three different rates of nitrogen fertiliser (42.9, 85.7 and 128.6 kg/ha) and compound mineral fertiliser with phosphorus and potassium rates of P_21.4K _21.4 and P_42.8K _42.8 were introduced to each crop. The results of the study were subjected to mathematical processing using Microsoft Excel. Results. The optimal rates and types of fertilisers for field crop rotations with a grain crop saturation of 57–62 % were determined. The effect of mineral fertilisers on the productivity of crop rotation, individual crops and yield variability was revealed. Predecessors of winter wheat were analysed. Conclusions. In the eight-field crop rotation, the organic-mineral fertilisation system is the most effective, as the introduction of 7.8 tonnes of manure + N₄₉P₄₂K₃₇ increased the overall productivity of the crop rotation by 38.9 %; in case of introduction of 12.1 tonnes of manure + N₃₁P₂₈K₂₄, the productivity of the crop rotation increased by 40.5 %. High soil availability of phosphorus and potassium with introduction of by-products of crops and green manure, the application of N_42.9 or N_85.7 on the background of P P_21.4K _21.4 increased the productivity of grain-fallow crop rotation by 47.9 % and 66.2 %, yields of winter wheat from 31.5 % to 73.3 %, and of winter rapeseed – by 1.8–2.0 times, respectively. In the arid conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, the best predecessors for winter wheat was fallow (black and green manure fallow), which provides an increase in yields by 2,3 times compared to the stubble predecessor; for maize for silage – by 1.8 times, for winter rapeseed – by 1.6 times and for peas – by 1.3 times. Variability of yields of the main grain and commercial crops in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine was affected by weather conditions, and the crops are arranged in the following descending order in terms of their response to weather conditions: peas > maize > winter rapeseed > winter wheat > sunflower, whereas the predecessor line according to this trait is as follows: winter wheat > maize for silage > peas > winter rapeseed > green manure fallow > black fallow.

Key words: fertilisers, rates, crop rotation, harvests, variability

UDC 633.631.813:631.582       https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0347

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 305–309

Ivanina, V. V., Prokopiuk, T. P.  

Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet NAAS,25 Klinichna St., Kyiv, 03141

Topicality. With the warming of the climate, the issues of obtaining stable yields of agricultural crops are gaining special importance. Optimizing the fertilization system and crop rotation structure are factors that shape soil fertility, ensure the stability of the soil system, and shape the water regime and mineral nutrition of plants. Winter wheat occupies a leading place in modern crop rotations, and therefore the study of fertilization and optimization of the structure of crop rotations is important for obtaining high and stable yields of this crop. Purpose. To investigate the impact of fertilisers and the crop rotation structure on the yield and nutrient removal by winter wheat. Methods. Long-term field and analytical. Results. The results of research on the influence of crop rotation structure and fertilization systems on the yield of winter wheat and removal of nutrients from the soil are presented. It was established that the highest yield of winter wheat was achieved in the crop rotation under the predecessor of clover and the use of the traditional organic-mineral fertilization system. It was found that winter wheat is the most nitrogen-removing crop, which requires increased attention to the application of nitrogen fertilisers. Conclusions. After the predecessor vetch-oat mixture, the yield of winter wheat in grain-grass-row crop rotation on the control without fertilisers was higher than in grain-row crop rotation – by 0.60 t/ha, and in row crop rotation – by 0.33 t/ha. The grain yield increased by 1.17 t/ha after clover as a predecessor compared to the vetch-oat mixture in the in the grain-grass-row crop rotation, and by 1.22 t/ha after spring vetch in the grain-row crop rotation while the absolute yields were 5.18 and 4.63 t/ha. The introduction of N₅₃P₄₂K₄₂ + manure of 6.7 tonnes per 1 ha of crop rotation provided the highest grain yield (7.67 t/ha) in the grain-grass-row crop rotation after predecessor clover, which was 2.43 t/ha higher than in the control without fertilizers, and 1.93 t/ha higher than after vetch-oat mixture. The winter wheat cultivation in the grain-grass-row crop rotation with alternative organo-mineral fertiliser was considered effective.  When N₅₃P₄₂K₄₂ + by-products were applied per 1 ha, the grain yield was 7.17 t/ha for the predecessor clover, and 5.46 t/ha for vetch-oat mixture, which was 1.93 and 1.45 t/ha higher than in the control without fertilizers, respectively. When by-products were left on the field, winter wheat with a marketable harvest in the control without fertilisers removed 66–101 kg/ha of soil nitrogen, 25–38 kg/ha of phosphorus, and 21–32 kg/ha of potassium from the soil of crop rotations. Fertiliser application increased the removal of nitrogen by 11–51 kg/ha, phosphorus by 8–19, and potassium by 4–17 kg/ha.

Key words: winter wheat, yield, nutrients, removal, fertilizers, crop rotation

UDC 631.51:631.8:633.854.78        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0348

^{Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 310–316}

¹Furmanets,M. H., ¹Furmanets,Yu. S., ²Furmanets,I. Yu.

¹Institute of Agriculture of the Western Polissia of NAAS, 5 Rivnenska St., Shubkiv village, Rivne district, Rivne region, 35325, Ukraine

² Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 1 Universytetska St., Lviv, 79000, Ukraine

Topicality. Sunflower is a climate-demanding crop that requires a significant moisture availability during the growing season. This crop requires the development of adaptive components of technology in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the region. Problem definition. Under high anthropogenic pressure, the water regime of the soil can deteriorate significantly; therefore, resource-saving cultivation technologies should be developed based on optimising tillage methods using straw and other non-commodity parts of the harvest as fertiliser, which ensure the accumulation and most rational utilisation of moisture. Purpose. To establish the influence of tillage and fertilization systems with the use of by-products on moisture availability and productivity of sunflower in crop rotation of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Long-term stationary experiment. Tillage systems (ploughing at 25–27 cm, disking at 15–17 cm and 10–12 cm with periodic deep loosening at 35 cm). Fertilisation systems: 1) without by-products; 2) by-products; 3) by-products + N₁₀ (ammonium nitrate) per 1 ton. The reserves of productive moisture were determined by the thermostatic weight method at two stages (seedlings, full ripeness). Results. The highest reserves of productive moisture (140.7–144.0 mm) in the 0–100 cm soil layer at the sunflower seedling emergence were observed in the variant of ploughing with different use of by-products. At full ripeness stage of sunflower, the reserves of productive moisture in all variants were exhausted and significantly decreased in the upper 0–20 cm soil layer to 7.3–11.4 mm and in the one-metre soil layer to 77.2–104.6 mm. The highest seed yield of sunflower was 2.15–2.42 t/ha in the variant of ploughing with different use of by-products in the fertilisation system, and the lowest yield was 1.68–2.02 t/ha in the variant with disking at 10–12 cm depth. The introduction of by-products and by-products + N₁₀ in the fertilisation system under different tillage systems contributed to an increasing of sunflower seed yield to 2.08 and 2.23 t/ha, respectively. Conclusions. The influence of tillage systems and fertilization with by-products on the moisture availability of sunflower crops in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine was established. The reserves of productive moisture under sunflower crops decreased by 39.4–57.7 mm in the one-metre soil layer during the harvesting period compared to the beginning of the growing season. The use of by-products in the fertilisation system in sunflower cultivation technology increased the reserves of productive moisture in the 0–100 cm soil layer by 8.4–14.1 mm during the growing season, compared to the variants without by-products. The positive influence of tillage and fertilization systems on the structural elements of the sunflower crop was determined.

Key words: sunflower, tillage, fertilisation, productive moisture, yield