Grain Crops.- 2025. - Vol. 9.- № 2

UDC 633.15: 631. 52         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0379

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2).198–206.

Cherchel, V. Yu., Kulyk,О. V.

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

Topicality. Environmental changes are encouraging breeders to develop initial forms of maize combining high plant productivity and resistance to adverse weather conditions. The morphological structure of the ear, in particular its length, diameter, number of kernel rows and number of kernels per row, and 1000-grain weight, is one of the key elements of maize productivity and ecological stability. Purpose. Investigation of the peculiarities of the formation of yield attributes in short-season maize families S₄–S₅ depending on weather conditions during the growing season. Materials and Methods.  Research was based on initial material consisting of 195 maize families S₄–S₅ developed from seven sister hybrids of mixed germplasm: DK2815×DK247MV; DK2815×DK315; DK2815×DK3152; DK2835×DK3152; DK2835×DK247MV; DK3152×DK247MV; DK3152×DK285/315. The experiments were conducted at the breeding nursery of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS during 2023–2024 in accordance with generally accepted methods and principles of research design. Results. According to the results of our research, we found that weather conditions have a significant impact on the productivity of maize plants. The study showed that morphometric indicators, such as ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows, and 1000-grain weight, varied significantly depending on weather conditions. Under unfavourable conditions, the coefficient of variation increased for all traits, indicating the heterogeneity of the initial material in terms of its response to such changes. The best self-pollinated families based on sister hybrids DK3152×DK285/315 and DK3152×DK247MV were selected in terms of plant productivity and its stability, both in the favourable conditions of 2023 and in the stressful conditions of 2024. Conclusions. The research confirmed the significant influence of weather conditions on both the productivity of self-pollinated maize families and morphometric indicators, including ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows, and 1000-grain weight. The results confirm the importance of further research on the adaptive potential of breeding material in the context of climate changes, as well as the development of effective agronomic practices to mitigate the adverse effects of unfavourable weather conditions on maize productivity.

Key words: maze, self-pollinated lines, families, yield attributes, plant productivity, stress resistanc

UDC 633.16:631.527     https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0380

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 207–214

Vasko N.I., Mykhailenko Ye.O. 

Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS of Ukraine, 142 Heroiv Kharkova av., Kharkiv, 61060, Ukraine

Topicality. Development of high-yielding hybrid varieties of various crops is a way to ensure food security. This is a challenge in case of barley, as this crop is an obligate self-pollinator with cleistogamous flowering. Research into heterosis helps breeders to select more productive hybrid combinations in early generations, contributing to the optimization of breeding procedures and identification of larger numbers of transgressive segregants in later hybrid generations. Purpose. To investigate types of gene interactions in F₁ hulless barleys with coloured caryopsides in order to select valuable parental components and promising crossing combinations. Materials and Methods. The starting material consisted of 10 samples of hulless barley, including yellow-grained varieties: Yavir, CDC Hilose, CDC Alamo, Mebere, and coloured-grained varieties: UA 0800645 (black seeds), UA 0800663 (green seeds), UA 0805462 (grey-green seeds), Violet 18-1207, Hoem (purple seeds), SGI 7024 (blue seeds). Crossing performed using the topcross method. The degree of dominance (hp) was calculated by B. Griffing’s formula; the data were grouped in accordance with G.M. Beil and R.E. Atkins’ classification; superiority of traits in F₁ over the parents was assessed by heterobeltiosis (H_bt) formula. Results. It was found that plant height was most often inherited by heterosis (36 % of all crossing combinations) or depression (39 %); spike length – by heterosis (42 %) or intermediate inheritance (24 %); number of grains per spike – by intermediate inheritance (33 %) or depression (27 %); spike density – by intermediate inheritance (70 %). The inheritance of grain weight per spike occurred according to all possible types of gene interaction, most often heterosis (36 %) or depression (27 %). The highest heterosis degree in terms of grain weight in the main spike, as the most significant component of productivity, was observed in F₁, where Violet 18-1207 (up to 32.9%), UA 0805462 (26.8 %), and Mebere (23.1 %) were taken as female components. The best male component was SGI 7024. Conclusions. The study of hulless barleys with coloured caryopsides demonstrated that the heterosis effect depended on cros-sing combinations and environmental conditions. At the same time, the heterosis level varied for different quantitative traits: plant height (1.7–15.0 %), spike length (1.1–37.3 %), number of grains per spike (7.4–14.3 %), and grain weight per spike (1.2–50.8 %). The best parental components for hybrid barley combinations that are considered to be promising for performance characteristics-oriented selection of transgressive segregants were identified: as maternal components Violet 18-1207 with purple grain and UA 0805462 with grey-green grain, and paternal component – line SGI 7024 with blue grain.

Key words: heterosis, depression, hybrid plant, parental component, dominance, performance ёstructure, spike length, plant height, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike.

UDC 575.22:633.16"321" 041.64      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0381

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 215–220

Vashchenko V. V., Shevchenko O. O. 

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

Topicality. Based on the study of the morphological and economic characteristics of spring barley varieties bred by various breeding institutions, the parameters of the variety model for unstable moisture conditions have been determined. It was found that in order to realise the full potential of varieties, the main attention should be paid to the characteristics that determine the productivity of varieties – tillering of plants, grain content of the spike, number and size of grains, resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. The optimal ratio of physiological indicators of adaptability parameters in terms of productivity under different growing conditions has been determined. Purpose. Determining crop potential and its realization in changing weather conditions. Materials and Methods. The varieties Stepovyik, Repryz, Stalyi, Avers, Partner, Komandor, Donetskyi 14, Donetskyi 15, and F₁ hybrids obtained using a complete 8x8 diallelic scheme, as well as modern adaptive varieties Bunchuk, Heneral, Shubin, and Pokolinnia were used in the studies. The experiments were conducted in the breeding crop rotation of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University of NAAS in 2022–2025. Statistical processing was performed using correlation, variance, and genetic analyses using the OSGE Elite Systems software package. Results. A significant positive correlation was found bet-ween yield and productive tillering (r = 0.71), number of grains per plant (r = 0.84), and 1000-grain weight (r = 0.80**). The presented diallelic scheme shows that the dominant type of gene action is decisive in the general variability of productive tillering, grain weight and spike productivity. It has been established that positive and negative alleles of loci that show dominance are distributed unevenly, and the positive direction of dominance determines the prevalence of dominant genes for the trait ‘productive tillering’ in hybrids (involving the varieties Partner, Stepovyk, Repriz, Avers), and for trait ‘grain size’ (Stalyi, Komandor, Donetskyi 14). Conclusions. In genetic control of inheritance of quantitative traits that determine productivity, overdominance has been established, which is caused by the additive-dominant action of genes. Additive genes determine the variability of grain content of spike and plant. The breeding and genetic characteristics of different varieties of spring barley have been established. Dominant gene effects prevail in the studied varieties. According to the traits ‘number of grains in the spike’, ‘1000-grain weight’ and ‘plant height’, the non-additive effects of dominant genes prevail to a significant extent, with F equal to 139.24, 50.7 and 78.5, respectively.

Key words: spring barley, varieties, productivity, breeding value, adaptability.

UDC 663.17:631.559:621.039.542.3         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0382

 Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 221–227

¹Yalanskyi О. V., ¹Nosov М. H., ²Tahantsova М. М., ³Sereda V. І.  

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

²Ukrainian Institute of Plant Variety Examination, 15 General Rodimtsev St., Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine

³Інститут Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAS, 24 Maiatska Road St., Khlibodarske village, Odesa
district, Odesa region, 67667, Ukraine

 Topicality. For the agro-industrial complex and renewable energy sector, the search for, research into and implementation of new technologies for the production of solid biofuels is a priority. Sorghum crops are considered a strategic direction in terms of supplying raw materials to the bioenergy industry. There is currently almost no scientific literature on the selection of parental components for the development of drystalk sorghum hybrids for bioenergy use. Therefore, the current focus is on establishing approaches for developing such hybrids in order to accelerate the breeding process and use the source material more efficiently. Purpose. Selection of parental components for the breeding of drystalk sorghum hybrids used in the production of solid biofuel. Materials and Methods. The research programme used parental components bred at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station, the Henichesk Research Station, and the Research Farm of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS. The experiments were conducted at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine during 2021–2023. Results. The lines DN 19s, A 326 and HOS 11s stood out for their high general combining abi-lity (GCA) in terms of green mass yield. The lines Kafrske kormove 186s, Nyzkorosle 81s and DN 17s had low GCA for this indicator. The lines DN 19s, A 326 and HOS 11s had high GCA for the dry matter yield trait. The Kafrske kormove 186s line had low combining ability for dry matter yield. Among the testers, Karlykove 45 and Sylosne 42 were characterised high GCA for the green mass yield trait. Over the years of research, as tester, Karlykove 45 broom sorghum variety stood out for its high combining ability in terms of green mass yield and dry matter yield. The tester Krasen had low combining ability in terms of green mass yield and high combining ability in terms of dry matter yield. Conclusions. It was established that in order to produce sorghum hybrids for both solid and liquid fuel production, lines with high GCA in terms of the green mass yield trait should be included in the crossbreeding process. Low combining ability for dry matter yield was found in the Kafrske kormove 186s line, which is valuable for developing sorghum hybrids for liquid biofuel production. Testers with high GCA for the green mass yield trait (Karlykove 45 and Sylosne 42) should be included in crosses to obtain sorghum hybrids for both solid and liquid fuel production. The tester Krasen had a low GCA for green mass yield and a high GCA for dry matter yield, which gives it an advantage in breeding drystalk sorghum hybrids.

Key words: sorghum hybrids, green mass, dry matter, bioenergy, solid biofuel.

UDC 633.112.1:631.527:474.4          https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0383

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2).   

Palamarchuk A. I., Kodzhebash V. F. 

Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS, 3 Ovidiopolska Road, Odesa, 65036, Ukraine

Topicality. Durum wheat is one of the main food products, as it is a source of important amino acids, carbohydrates, mineral elements and vitamins, which are extremely beneficial for humans, so many high-quality pasta, cereals, etc. are made from it. Purpose. To highlight the results of many years of research on durum winter wheat selection of the Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS (Odesa). Materials and Methods. The main breeding method is multiple hybridization with a thorough evaluation of lines and hybrids with desired biological and economic traits. Varieties and forms of common winter wheat characterised by high winter hardiness were used for both intraspecific and interspecific hybridisation. Introgressive hybridization was also used to develop new forms and varieties with high adaptive properties (resistance to frost, drought and major diseases). Results. Over the past 65 years, Ukraine has seen six renovations in durum winter wheat cultivars, and the leading role in the assortment belongs to varieties developed by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute. As a result of many years of breeding work, material was developed that contributed to a gradual increase in the productivity potential of durum winter wheat varieties from 2.8 to 7–10 t/ha and, at the same time, increased the protein content and vitreousness of the grain. The last sixth cultivar renovation includes the following winter durum wheat varieties: leucurum (Lainer, Shlyahetnyi, Blyskuchyi, Almaznyi, Yantarnyi, Kryshtalevyi, Zolotystyi, Marmurovyi, Sribliastyi), hordeiforme (Areal Odeskyi, Hranatovyi) and leucomelan (Prestyzhnyi, Yaskravyi). All cultivars belong to intensive type and universal use, characterised by high resistance to lodging, drought and the most common diseases and moderate or high frost resistance. Their grain has high vitreousness. Conclusions. Today, in agricultural production in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones of Ukraine, the most widespread and well-established varieties of durum winter wheat of the fifth cultivar renovation are Hardemaryn, Burshtyn, Kontynent, Kreiser, Linkor and Bosfor. New varieties of sixth cultivar renovation are also gradually spreading, namely, Areal Odeskyi, Lainer, Prestyzhnyi, Shliakhetnyi, Blyskuchyi, Yaskravyi, Almaznyi, Yantarnyi, Kryshtalevyi, Hranatovyi, Marmurovyi, Zolotystyi and Sribliastyi, which belong to the selection of the Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS.

Key words: durum winter wheat, breeding, cultivar renovation, grain quality.

UDC 681.527:633.16:632.938                         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0384

Grain Crops. 9 (2). 2025. 

Lehkun I. B., Sheremet O. M., Kovtun I. V.,Skvortsova K. O., Shcherbina Z. V.

Breeding and Genetic Institute – National Center for Seed Science and Variety Researc

Topicality. The world gene pool of barley (Hordeum vulgare L) of winter and alternative development types is quite narrow in terms of genetic diversity, therefore, it requires a constant search for new genetic plasma in terms of breeding. Purpose. Search for new methods for creating genotypes of winter and alternative development types. Materials and Methods. Based on the known existing allelic formulas for controlling the development type (according to Takahashi and Yasuda [4, 5]), the probability of genotypes of different development types occurring when classes are crossed with each other was calculated using the classical genetic method of offspring distribution for independent inheritance – the Punnett square. A test evaluation of spring barley varieties currently involved in the breeding process at the Barley Breeding and Seed Department was conducted to determine their belonging to a specific allele group of the spring development type. tThe χ² criterion was used to assess the difference between the observed and expected variation series of genotypes by development type. A method for field evaluation and distribution of genotypes of F₂ hybrid populations by development type is proposed. Results. A theoretical calculation of the probability of splitting  by type of development in F2 offspring from crossing the allele combination responsible for the winter type of development with genotypes belonging to seven known allele combinations of the spring type of development is proposed. The offspring were divided according to the phenotypic principle of manifestation, i.e. into the spring development type class and the winter development manifested type class, which in fact included both typical winter genotypes and alternative development type genotypes. The analysis showed that the genotypes of the winter group appeared in the offspring from the crossing of winter genotypes with all groups of the spring development type. Also, according to calculated data, these genotypes are produced by crossing spring allelic compositions with each other, namely: 3×1; 3×2; 3×4; 5×3; 6×3; 6×4; 7×1; 7×3; 7×4. A breeding method for mass selection of genotypes with an alternative development type has been tested, which allowed the Barley Breeding and Seed Production Department to obtain such well-known varieties with an alternative development type as: Deviatyi Val, Snihova Koroleva, Valkiriia and many others.

Key words: barley, breeding, hybridisation, selection, spring, alternative, winter type of development.

UDC 633.15:631.53.01/.563.2      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0385

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

Kyrpa, M. Ya., Kozariichuk, D. V., Lupitko, O. I., Kyrpa, V. M.

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

² Bukovyna State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Agriculture in the Carpathian Region of NAAS, 21Bohdan Kryzhanivskyi St., Chernivtsi, 48000, Ukraine

Topicality. Drying the seed maize is carried out mostly on ears and significantly affects the yield, quality and cost of seed materials. Seed drying is carried out in compliance with various technical and technological indicators and characteristics of maize seeds. The biological and physical-mechanical properties of seeds, which affect the drying process, are of especial importance, but they have not been sufficiently studied. Purpose. To investigate the characteristics of maize seeds as a product for drying, to identify drying method depending on various indicators of harvest moisture content and heat resistance of maize seeds. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in the Laboratory of Grain Storage Methods and Standardization of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (SE IGC NAAS) in 2023–2025. The research material consisted of maize hybrids bred by SE IGC NAAS. The drying methods and seed quality were studied in accordance with the DSTU 4138-2002 and regulatory guidelines for the operation of grain dryers. The results of the experiments were analysed by means of mathematical and statistical data processing in accordance with the Statistica 5 software. Results. Physico-mechanical, thermophysical and hygroscopic indicators were established that characterize the moisture yield, heat resistance and quality of corn hybrid seeds during their drying process. The peculiarities of drying corn cobs within the harvesting humidity range of 20–36 % were revealed. Conclusions. During the drying process of maize ears, it was found that the rate of moisture loss is higher for cobs (0.41–0.43 % per hour) and lower for grains (0.26–0.30 %). Seed heat resistance indicators include heat cracking, germination, seed vigor and productivity. The effect of different methods of drying maize cobs on seed quality was determined. The highest seed quality was achieved through thermal methods involving heating the seeds to 34–44 °C and at a seed moisture content of 36–20 %.

Keywords:maize, seeds, drying, main technical and technological indicators, drying methods, quality.

UDC 632.51:932.954:633.15        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0401

Grain Crops.2025. 9 (2). 381–386

Zadorozhnyi V. S., Chernelivska O. O. 

Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia of NAAS, 16 Yunosti Ave., Vinnytsia, 21100, Ukraine

Topicality. In modern socio-economic conditions, one of the most important tasks of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine is to increase and stabilize agricultural production. One of the factors affecting the yield is the loss of crop products from weeds, which is 35 %, and with severe weed infestation can exceed 50 %, and sometimes the crop perishes completely. Therefore, it is important to study and investigate the weed infestation of agrocenoses, which will allow developing a concept for managing processes, provide an understanding of the mechanisms and principles of effective action of herbicides, and help maintain and obtain high yields. Purpose. To study the features of the formation of segetal groups in grain maize agrocenoses and to establish the effectiveness of herbicides with different mechanisms of action. Materials and Methods. Field, laboratory, quantitative-weight, calculation-comparative, mathematical-statistical. Results. The species composition of weed plants in maize crops is quite diverse. Research has revealed a mixed type of weed infestation, a dicotyledonous-monocotyledonous class with an advantage of dicotyledonous species (68.9–87 %). Spraying maize crops in grain with a combination of herbicides Kideka, e.c. (1.15 l/ha) + Astral, o.d. (1.15 l/ha), Prima, s.e. (500 ml/ha) + Astral, o.d. (1.20 l/ha), Riflew.g. (45 g/ha) + Callistoe.c. (0.2 l/ha) provides control of dicotyledonous weed infestation at the level of 93.0–99.6 %, monocotyledonous weed infestation at the level of 96.9–99.3 %. A 15 % decrease in the herbicide rate from the recommended one and the addition of surfactants resulted in a slight decrease in the total number of weeds to the initial level (96.4–98.0 %). The use of a crop protection system against weeds ensures the preservation of the grain corn yield at the level of 3.69–4.00 t/ha (82–90 %). With a 15 % decrease in the recommended rate of herbicide application and the addition of surfactants, the preservation of the grain yield was 81–90 %. Conclusions. The use of a combination of herbicides with different mechanisms of action on grain maize crops ensures weed control at the level of 96.4–98.9 %, the grain maize yield is 8.11–8.48 t/ha, while maintaining 3.64–4.01 t/ha. A decrease in the herbicide rate from the recommended one and the addition of surfactants leads to a slight decrease in the effectiveness of agrocenosis protection, while there is a decrease in the harmful impact on the environment.

Key words: weeds, maize, yield, protection efficiency, herbicides.

UDC 632.91: 004.85: 633.11:631.15: 004.382.2: 631.17

 https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0402

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 387–392     

Sauliak N. I.^1*, Averianova Yu. А.², Ivanytskyi М. S.², Kirchuk Ye. І.¹, Rudenko V. А.³,Znakovska Ye. A.² 

¹Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute - National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation, 3 Ovidiopilska Road St., Odesa, 65036, Ukraine

²State University Kyiv Aviation Institute, 1 Lyubomyr Huzar Ave., Kyiv, 03058, Ukraine

³Odesa State Agricultural Experimental Station of Climate-Smart Agriculture Institute, NAAS of Ukraine, 24 Maiatska Road St., Khlibodarske, Odesa district, Odesa region, 67667, Ukraine

Topicality. The relevance of the research lies in the importance of early detection of the initial stages of leaf rust in wheat, one of the most widespread and harmful pathogens threatening agriculture in Ukraine and other countries. The first symptoms of disease appear 7–14 days before the farmer notices typical pustules of leaf rust, and already at this stage, the pathogen reduces the photosynthetic area by 20–40 %. Conventional detection methods are too slow — classic inspection of large areas requires too much time and is subjective, while satellite NDVI data collection only responds to severe damage. The development of a modular visualisation system prototype with over 68 % accuracy opens up new opportunities in automatic monitoring of wheat crops for detecting leaf rust, allowing farmers to respond quickly and prevent massive damage. This provides a decisive advantage of 10–14 days for early disease diagnosis, allows localised treatment, reduce the number of sprayings from 2–3 to 0.8–1.2 per season, reduce costs for fungicides by 35–60 % and additionally preserve 0.6–1.4 t/ha of yield. Given the wheat acreage in Ukraine of approximately 6.5 million hectares, the total economic effect is 4–9 billion UAH annually. Purpose. Detection of wheat leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia recondita (synonym Puccinia triticina), at the early stage of development, using machine learning technology to classify plant condition and make decisions on effective measures based on the generated recommendations. Methods. Field research, phytopathological assessment, comparison, model training, generalization, and mathematical statistics. Results. An algorithm aimed at detecting wheat plants infected by leaf rust was developed. The algorithm also provides UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) flight mapping to correlate field coordinates with the plant condition class. Real images of Triticum aestivum in a healthy state and infected by leaf rust were used as test datasets for automatic visual diagnosis of plant condition. Also, a modular visualisation system prototype for analysis of plant condition based on machine learning and preliminary classification according to physiological characteristics of plants was developed. Conclusions. We focus on the possibility of improving phytosanitary monitoring using UAVs in combination with machine learning technologies for the timely detection of areas with the initial development of leaf rust, which is a wheat pathogen widespread in many regions of the world and causes devastating epiphytotics.

Key words: wheat, leaf rust, harmfulness, smart agriculture, UAV, machine learning, algorithm.

UDC 631.543:633.34:633.10         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0386

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 256–265

Pavlichenko K. V., Grabovskyi M. B., Panchenko T. V., Lozinskyі M. V., Nimenko S. S.  

Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, 8/1 Soborna Sq., Bila Tserkva,Kyiv region, 09117, Ukraine

Topicality. The use of renewable sources for biomethane production is important for the sustainable use of agricultural biomass and has significant environmental benefits. Purpose. To determine the effect of macro- and microfertilisers on the maize vegetative mass quality and the estimated biomethane output. Material and Methods. The research was carried out at the Agricultural Limited Liability Company Korobivskyi Poultry-Breeding Factory located in the Andrushivka district of Zhytomyr region during 2019–2021. The three-factor experiment involved the study of: factor A – maize hybrids (Amaros, Bohatyr, KWS 381, Carifols); factor B –macronutrient fertilisers (kg a.i./ha): control (no fertilisers), N₉₀P₆₀K₆₀, and N₁₂₀P₉₀K₉₀); and factor C – micronutrient fertilizers: control (no application), seed treatment with YaraVita Teprosyn NP+Zn (5 l/t) followed by foliar spraying with YaraVita Corn Boost (4 L/ha) at the 3–5 leaf stage, and seed treatment with YaraTera Tenso Cocktail (0.15 kg/t) followed by spraying with YaraVita Kombiphos (3 l/ha) at the same stage. Results. In the case of application of macro- and microfertilisers, there was a tendency towards an increase in the level of starch, crude protein and cellulose in the vegetative mass of maize plants compared to the control. At the same time, fertiliser application resulted in a decrease in fibre content. Among the maize hybrids under study, the vegetative mass of mid-ripening hybrids KWS 381 and Carifols had a higher content of starch, crude protein and fat in comparison with the mid-early hybrids Amaros and Bohatyr. The specific methane yield in the experiment was in the range of 272.1–356.6 m³/t of dry organic matter (DOM), which corresponds to 97.2–129.2 m³/t of vegetative mass of maize plants. The highest specific methane yield was recorded in the Carifols hybrid – 335.0–356.6 m³/t DOM, followed by KWS 381 – 319.6–343.2 m³/t DOM, Bohatyr – 310.2–332.8 m³/t DOM, and Amaros – 272.1–301.7 m³/t DOM. Conclusions. A strong positive correlation was found between methane yield and the content of starch (r = 0.86), crude protein (r = 0.93), and fat (r = 0.95). A moderate correlation was observed with crude ash (r = 0.57) and cellulose (r = 0.66), whereas the correlation with crude fibre content was weak (r = 0.31). The application of macrofertilisers had a greater effect on methane yield compared to the variant with microfertilisers. Thus, the application of mineral macronutrients resulted in an increase in methane yield by 11.2–28.4%, while the application of micronutrients led to an increase by only 1.6–3.3 % compared to the control (no fertilisers).

Key words: bioenergy,maize, hybrids, vegetative mass, chemical composition, specific methane yield

UDC 633.854.78:631.533.04        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0387

Grain Crops. 9 (2). 2025. 266–271

Didur I. M., Tkachuk O. P., Pantsyreva H. V., Tsyhanskyi V. I. 

Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, 3 Soniachna St., Vinnytsia, 21008, Ukraine

Topicality. A scientifically based system of weed control methods (agrotechnical, chemical and biological) is a pressing issue in ensuring high crop productivity. Purpose. To the effect of various groups of surfactants (Liposam, Liposam Extra, Liposam Ultra) on the effectiveness of soil-applied herbicides in sunflower, soybean and maize crops. Methods. The research was conducted at the Ahronomichne Scientific Research Farm of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, Ahronomichne village, Vinnytsia region, during 2020–2023. The quantitative method for determining weed infestation was used. Results. Based on observations and records, we found that the number of weeds in the control variant (without Liposam) in the experiment with sunflower at natural moisture + 100 mm of water was 19±4 pcs/m², in the variants where Liposam Extra (0.5 l/ha) was applied, the average number of weeds was 12±3 pcs/m², which is 7 pcs/m² less than in the control. The most effective combination was Guardian Tetra herbicide (3 l/ha) applied to the soil with Liposam Ultra (0.5 l/ha) 30 days after application, which resulted in an average number of weeds of 9±1 pcs/m² in these variants, which is 10 pcs/m² less than in the control. When Liposam was used with the soil-applied herbicide Guardian Tetra, an average of 14±3 pcs/m² of weeds were formed on the test plot. On soybean crops, the most effective combination was the soil-applied herbicide Gezagard (3 l/ha) with the surfactant Liposam (0.5 and 0.8 l/ha), the difference between these options being minimal. On maize crops, the most effective combination was the soil-applied herbicide Guardian Tetra (3.5 l/ha) with the surfactant Liposam Ultra (0.5 l/ha), with minimal differences between the two variants. Conclusions. The research showed that combining the soil-applied herbicide Guardian Tetra with the surfactant Liposam in various combinations did not significantly affect plant density. The most effective combination on sunflower crops 30 days after application was Guardian Tetra soil-applied herbicide with Liposam Ultra. In which case, the number of weeds was 9±1 pcs/m², which is 10 pcs/m² less than in the control. The most effective treatment for soybean crops was the application of the soil-applied herbicide Gezagard (3 l/ha) with Liposam (0.5 and 0.8 l/ha), with a minimal difference between the variants. In maize crops, the lowest number of weeds (14±3 pcs/m²) 30 days after application was recorded in the experiment with the application of Liposam Ultra (0.5 l/ha) combined with additional irrigation (+100 mm of water). These agrotechnical practices can be used to improve the cultivation technologies for sunflower, soybean and grain maize.

Key words: sunflower, soybean, maize, technological techniques, weed infestation of crops.

UDC 633.15:631.81.095.337           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0388

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 272–282

Palamarchuk V. D., Krychkovskyi V. Yu. 

Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, 3 Soniachna St., Vinnytsia, 21008, Ukraine

Topicality. Maize is one of the leading agricultural crops cultivated on the largest areas worldwide, and its yield growth can be achieved through the application of foliar fertilization. The study presents the results of an economic analysis of the efficiency of maize hybrid cultivation depending on a complex of agronomic factors, in particular vegetation conditions, biological characteristics of hybrids, and foliar fertilization. Purpose. To determine the economic and production efficiency of applying foliar fertilization in grain maize cultivation technology. Methods. Field, laboratory, and laboratory-field methods were applied. The research was carried out during 2021–2022 in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine at the facilities of Organic-D LLC. The study involved maize hybrids of different maturity groups: early-ripening hybrids: Pyvykha (FAO 180), Mas. 10A (FAO 180), DN Meotyda (FAO 190), Pochaivskyi (FAO 190); med-early hybrids: SI Chorintos (FAO 290), Daniil (FAO 280), Arioso (FAO 260), Aladium (FAO 260); med-ripening hybrids: DMS Amiho (FAO 340), SI Batanha (FAO 240), SI Premeo (FAO 360), DKS 4590. Results. It was established that the application of foliar fertilization ensured an increase in the yield of early-ripening maize hybrids within the range of 0.82–1.34 t/ha compared to the control (without fertilization). A single foliar feeding increased yield by 0.83 t/ha, while two applications resulted in an increase of 1.43 t/ha compared to the unfertilized variant. The average profitability level of maize hybrid cultivation was as follows: Pyvykha (FAO 180) – 58.0 %, Mas. 10A (FAO 180) – 91.0 %, Pochaivskyi (FAO 190) – 75.4 %, and DN Meotyda (FAO 190) – 84.4 %. The application of foliar fertilization increased profitability by 20.3–29.5 % compared to the control. In the group of med-early and med-ripening maize hybrids, a similar trend was observed in the relationship between yield, biological characteristics of hybrids, and profitability level. In the med-early group, a single foliar application provided an average increase in yield of 1.01 t/ha and a profitability gain of 20.1 p.p., whereas two applications resulted in an increase of 1.77 t/ha and a profitability gain of 35.4 p.p. compared to the control. In the group of med-ripening hybrids, the use of foliar fertilization contributed to an increase in profitability of 18.5–25.7 p.p. compared to the control. In particular, a single feeding provided a profitability increase of 14.7 p.p., while two applications raised it by 29.5 p.p. Conclusions. The indicators of economic efficiency and yield of maize hybrids largely depend on their maturity group, the biological characteristics of each specific hybrid, and the application of foliar fertilization. The highest values of yield and profitability were obtained with the micronutrient fertilizer Chelatin Zinc applied at the 5–7 and 10–12 leaf growth stages of maize. The application of this fertilizer ensured an increase in economic efficiency ranging from 83.1 % to 125.8 %, which confirms its high suitability for use in maize cultivation technology.

Key words: maize, grain, hybrids, maturity group, foliar fertilization, profitability level, conditional net profit, yield.

UDC 635.652/654:631.558.3                https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0389

Grain Crops.2025. 9 (2).

Parfenіuk O. O., Trush S. Н., Balanіuk L. O. 

Research Station of the Kyiv Agrarian University of NAAS, 4 Internatsionalna St., Uman, Cherkasy region, 20300, Ukraine

Topicality. Currently, the issues of theoretical and practical aspects of cultivation technologies for leguminous crops under climate change in the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, which would ensure the creation of optimal conditions for growth, development and formation of maximum grain productivity of plants, are insufficiently studied. Therefore, the development of new and improvement of existing models of common bean cultivation technology, in particular based on the optimization of the components of productivity, is a current problem of today. Purpose. Study of the influence of elements of cultivation technology on the processes of forming common bean productivity under climatic changes 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 established that the highest yield of common beans in all variants of the experiment under the agroclimatic conditions of the Forest-Steppe was obtained during the first sowing date (second ten days of May) — 2.85 t/ha for the Mavka variety and 2.57 t/ha for the Panna variety. The highest yield (Mavka variety – 3.05 t/ha, Panna variety – 2.75 t/ha) was obtained in the variant with a 45 cm row spacing and a plant density of 450,000 plants/ha. The highest protein content in the grain (22.56 % in the Mavka variety, 21.73 % in the Panna variety) was in the variant with a 60 cm row spacing and a plant density of 350,000 plants/ha at the first sowing date. The highest values of the yield attributes for common bean plants were obtained in crops with a 45 cm row spacing and a plant density of 450,000 plants/ha at the first date. The largest grain weight per plant (18.6 g in the Mavka variety and 17.7 g in the Panna variety) was obtained from bean crops with a plant density of 450,000 plants/ha at the first sowing date. The greatest absolute grain weight (203–217 g in the Mavka variety and 257–277 g in the Panna variety) was recorded in wide-row crops at the first sowing date. Conclusions. It was established that sowing methods and dates, as well as plant density, significantly affect the productivity and yield attributes of common bean plants. The variation in indicators is determined by the genotype of the variety. The indicators of the number of grains per plant and their absolute weight corresponded to the varietal characteristics of each bean sample. Under changing climatic conditions in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, the highest productivity of common bean plants is observed when sowing is carried out in the second ten days of May by the wide-row method (45 cm row spa-cing) with a plant density of 450,000 plants per hectare.

Keywords: common bean, sowing method, plant density, sowing dates, productivity, yield, protein content.

UDC 631.11:631.559             https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0390

Grain Crops.2025. 9 (2).

¹Umrykhin, N. L., ¹Almaieva,T. M., ²Samoilenko, O. A. 

¹Institute of Agriculture of the Steppe of NAAS, 2 Tsentralna St., Sozonivka village, Kropyvnytskyi district,Kirovohrad region, 27602, Ukraine

²Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, 3 Ivan Bank St., Poltava, 36003, Ukraine

Topicality. Climate changes observed in the territory of Ukraine in recent years have forced agricultural scientists and farmers to constantly review and adapt existing crop cultivation technologies to specific soil and climatic conditions. Ukraine ranks among the top ten wheat grain exporters in the world; therefore, achieving high and stable yields of wheat grain under current climatic conditions is an urgent issue for producers. Purpose. To determine the effect of sowing dates and preceding crops on the productivity of winter wheat under the conditions of the Right-Bank Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out in the first scientific and technological crop rotation at the experimental fields of the Institute of Steppe Agriculture of NAAS during 2021–2023. The cultivation technology of winter wheat was generally accepted, except for the factors under study. Results. On average during the 2020–2023 growing seasons, weather conditions were mostly favorable for winter wheat. On average for 2021–2023, it was established that, regardless of the sowing date, the highest yield (6.45 t/ha) of winter wheat was obtained after soybean as the preceding crop, which was 0.86 t/ha more than after sunflower. In terms of sowing date, the highest yield of winter wheat was obtained with early sowing on 15 September. The grain yield was 6.59 t/ha after soybean and 5.93 t/ha after sunflower, which was 0.36 and 0.77 t/ha higher, respectively, compared to late sowing date (15 October). When conducting a qualitative analysis of winter wheat over the years of research, it was found that the grain had a very low protein content (8.0–9.1 %) and gluten content (16.9–18.8 %), but no obvious relationship between the factors studied and the quality indicators of the grain was observed. The highest economic efficiency was obtained when wheat was sown on 15 September after soybeans as the preceding crop – 12,997 UAH of conditional net income and profitability – 83.7 %, and after sunflowers – 10,446 UAH/ha and 68.4 %, respectively. Conclusions. The research showed that under the conditions of the Right-Bank Steppe of Ukraine, the optimal sowing date for obtaining high winter wheat yields is September 15, with an average yield of 6.26 t/ha. Economic efficiency indicators in this case amounted to: conditionally net income — 11,721.5 UAH/ha, profitability — 76 %. When choosing a preceding crop for winter wheat, it is advisable to prefer soybean, as after this crop winter wheat forms higher yields.

Keywords: winter wheat, sowing dates, preceding crop, yield, economic efficiency.

UDC 633.11           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0391

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

Polovyi, V. M., Lukashchuk, L. Ya., Lukanik, M. M., Zlotenko, O. Yu. 

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

Topicality. The article reflects on a relevant problem, namely, the search for ways to improve winter wheat cultivation technology in order to achieve yields close to the potential in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe.Purpose. To study the influence of using a complex that includes high-yielding winter wheat varieties and optimisation of the crop care system on grain yield and quality, as well as the economic efficiency of cultivation in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe.Methods. Visual method was used to establish the phenological stages of growth and development of the crop, counting method – to determine the parameters of the crop structure and yield of the crop, chemical – to determine the content of nutrients in the soil; mathematical and statistical – to assess the reliability of research results; calculation-comparative – for the analysis of economic efficiency.Results. It was established that the intensification of the care system for winter wheat crops based on the use of microfertilisers and plant growth stimulators contributed to the formation of a significantly higher grain yield compared to the basic one and improved indicators of yield attributes and its quality.Increases in grain yield were 0.21–0.83t/ha or 2.21–9.6%. On average, over the years of research, the maize varieties Astarta, Kraievyd, Glaucus, and the Hubery hybrid formed yields, res-pectively, within 8.37–9.06; 8.64–9.47; 8.78–9.43 and 9.50–9.71 t/ha, depending on the crop care system.

Keywords: varieties, winter wheat, intensive technology, potential productivity, grain quality.

UDC 633.16 «321»:631.559/.816.3                          https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0392

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

Hyrka A. D., Sydorenko Yu. Ya., Bochevar O. V., Aleksieiev Ya. V., Ilienko O. V. 

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

Erastivska Experimental Station of the SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, Vyshneve village, Kamianske district, Dnipropetrovsk region, 52150, Ukraine

Topicality. Spring barley is an important food, feed, and industrial crop, the yield level of which significantly impacts the gross grain harvest in Ukraine. According to the FAO, 42–48 % of the gross barley harvest is used in the processing industry, 16 % for feed purposes, 15 % for food and 6–8 % for beer production. Despite the high adaptability of spring barley to growing conditions, the crop is quite demanding in terms of soil fertility, which virtually prevents increasing yield without the application of mineral fertili-sers. Barley plants begin to consume nitrogen and potassium intensively and phosphorus more slowly in the early stages of development, immediately after seedling emergence. his is explained by the poorly developed root system and low assimilation of less available forms of nutrients. However, unstable meteorological conditions in recent years have resulted in a significant reduction in the assimilation of mineral fertilisers by barley plants, which affects fluctuations in its yield, which can reach 40–50 %. Purpose. To study the effectiveness of mineral fertiliser application with different methods and rates in spring barley cultivation technology. Materials and Methods. Field trials were conducted at the Erastivka Research Station of SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS during 2022–2024. The climate of the research area, located in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine, is moderately continental, characterized by drought and unstable moisture conditions. The soil cover of the experimental plots is ordinary low-humus heavy loam chernozem. In the arable soil layer (0–30 cm), the humus content is 4.0–4.5 %, nitrate nitrogen content is 30.5 mg/kg (DSTU 4729:2007), mobile phosphorus and potassium compounds of 125 and 145 mg/kg, respectively, according to the modified Chirikov’s method (DSTU 4115−2002), and the pH of the water extract is 6.5–7.0. The experiment was carried out after the winter wheat. The spring barley variety Sviatomykhailivskyi, bred by the Institute of Agriculture of the Steppe of NAAS, was grown using generally accepted farming techniques for the zone. According to the experimental design, nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) and complete mineral fertilizers (NPK) were applied broadcast under pre-sowing cultivation at rates of 30, 45, and 60 kg a.i./ha in spring, followed by root feeding with ammonium nitrate at rates of 30, 45, and 60 kg/ha at the full seedling stage. Results. Over three years of research, it was found that the incorporation of mineral fertilisers in pre-sowing cultivation at rates of N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀, N₄₅P₄₅K₄₅, N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ and root feeding with nitrogen fertilizer at rates of N₃₀, N₄₅ and N₆₀ at the full seedling stage ensured an increase in plant height by 0.3–3.6 cm, tillering coefficient by 0.15–0.31, ear length by 0.1–1.0 cm, grain content per ear by 0.1–1.2 grains, and 1000-grain weight by 0.2–1.9 g. The abovementioned positively influenced the formation of spring barley grain yield, which increased by 0.08–1.33 t/ha depending on the method of application, composition and amount of nutrients in fertilisers. Conclusions. In the cultivation technology of spring barley variety Sviatomykhailivskyi, it was found that the most effective method was pre-sowing fertilization at a rate of N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ and additional root feeding with ammonium nitrate N₆₀ at the full seedling stage, where the grain yield reached 3.86 t/ha and exceeded the result of the no-fertilizer option by 1.33 t/ha or 52.3 %. It was established that root feeding at a rate of N₄₅ against a background of N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀, and the double application of only ammonium nitrate at the N₆₀ under pre-sowing cultivation and at the full seedling stage resulted in the formation of an equally high grain yield of 3.60 t/ha and 3.64 t/ha, respectively, which is 1.11 and 1.07 t/ha (43.9 and 21.3 %) higher compared to the control, respectively.

Key words: spring barley, predecessor, fertilised background, root feeding, biometric indicators, yield attributes, grain yield.

UDC 004.93:025.4.03:633.11       https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0393

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2).

Relina L. I., Holik O. V., Yehorova N. Yu., Ozherelieva V. M., Naumov O. H.   

Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS, 142 Heroiv Kharkova Ave., Kharkiv, 61061 Ukraine

Topicality. Emmer wheat is the subject of various studies, which determines the large number of publications on this topic. Bibliometric approach is used to analyse such arrays of literary sources. There are different ways to visualize results of bibliometric analysis, including heatmaps, which, in our opinion, can be used more widely. Purpose. Our goal was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of publications on the topic of emmer wheat using heatmaps. Materials and Methods. The search for publications was carried out in the scientometric databases Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Lens and PubMed. In total, 2,215 documents published between 1905 and May 2025 were selected for analysis. The diagrams were created in Microsoft Excel. Heatmaps were created using Google Sheet and GPT. Results. The bibliometric analysis of cumulative data from several scientometric databases showed that the publication activity on the topic of emmer wheat reached its maximum in 2021 and then it began to decline. The largest number of works (40 %) was published in collaboration between different organizations of the same country. It was found that Israel, China, Italy, Germany, Turkey, and the United Kingdom were the leaders in terms of the number of publications in this field of knowledge. The journals Theoretical and Applied Genetics Genetic Resourcesand Crop Evolution, Euphytica and Vegetation History and Archaeobotany were the leading publications in this field. Notably, the leading countries tend to publish in these journals. The dynamics of publication activity by countries and journals on the topic of emmer wheat over time was also analysed. Conclusions. Analysis of publications using the WoS tools allowed for identification of organizations that were the largest sponsors of emmer wheat research. Among the institutions funding such research, The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) stands out in particular. This bibliometric analysis showed that heatmaps were a rather clear and informative approach for visualizing bibliometric parameters.

Key words: Triticum dococcum, Triticum dicoccoides, scientometrics, data mapping, temporal evolution of research, regional trends.

UDC 633.11:631.559              https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0394

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

¹Bahatchenko, O. S., ^{1, 2}Tsentylo, L. V.   

¹The V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS, Tsentralne village, Obukhiv district, Kyiv region, 08853, Ukraine

²National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine Ukraine, 15 Heroiv Oborony St., Kyiv, 03041,Ukraine

Topicality. Yield is one of the main criteria for evaluating the efficiency of crop cultivation, particularly that of winter bread wheat. Seed quality indicators are key parameters reflecting the viability and reproductive potential of the crop. These indicators vary depending on the preceding crop, sowing dates, mineral nutrition level, hydrothermal conditions during the growing season, and the biological characteristics of the variety. Purpose. To study the effect of sowing dates and preceding crops on the formation of yield and seed quality indicators of modern bread winter wheat varieties under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted during 2022–2024 at Agrofirm Kolos LLC. Eight modern bread winter wheat varieties, namely AFK Stabiliti, AFK Lait Hrin, AFK Elit Hrein, AFK Fentezi, AFK Yunion, AFK Premium, MIP Feieriia, and MIP Roksolana, were stu-died. The variety Podolianka was used as a standard. We also studied such preceding crops as peas, soybeans, sunflowers, and winter rapeseed, as well as the following sowing dates: 20 and 30 September and 10 October. Results. It was established that the leading factor influencing yield formation and seed quality indicators of bread winter wheat was the variety, while the preceding crop significantly affected the proportion of certified seed yield, and sowing dates had a noticeable impact mainly through their interaction with other factors. The average yield of winter wheat varieties in the experiment was 6.3 t/ha, with the highest yield (7.5 t/ha) – after pea and the lowest (5.4 t/ha) – after sunflower. Shifting the sowing date from 20 September to 10 October slightly reduced the yield of varieties, and the highest value of this indicator (over 7 t/ha) was observed for the AFK Premium variety planted on 20 September after peas and rapeseed. The highest yield of certified seeds (74.5 %) was observed in the AFK Elit Hrein variety, which was sown on 20 September after peas. The highest 1000-seed weight, laboratory germination and germination energy were achieved by the varieties AFK Elit Hrein, AFK Lait Hrin, and AFK Premium, which significantly exceeded the standard. Conclusions. The results obtained are a significant contribution to the study of both theoretical and practical aspects of winter wheat seed production technology. The presented findings will facilitate more efficient use of the tested wheat varieties not only in seed production and crop cultivation but also in breeding practice.

Key words: variety, preceding crops, sowing dates, yield, indicators of seed quality.

UDC 633.15:661.169.23:632.111.6      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0395

  Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

^{1Melnyk T. V., 2Yarchuk I. I.}

¹ HYCS Ukraine LLC, 5 Hurdzhuanska St., Synelnykovo, Dnipropetrovsk region, 52500, Ukraine

² Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, 25 Serhii Yefremov St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine 

Topicality. In recent years, the warming climate has led to an earlier start to spring vegetation, forcing farmers to begin sowing earlier in order to maximise the use of spring moisture. However, the early onset of spring significantly increases the possibility of a return to cold weather, which will lead to a decrease in field seed germination, thinning of seedlings and productivity. The relevance of this work is determined by finding ways to protect seedlings as much as possible in case of a return of spring cold weather (temperature drop). Purpose. Development of technological measures aimed at maximising the preservation of maize crops in the event of a return of cold weather. Since pesticides, in addition to their direct action, usually have an indirect effect on plants, an attempt was made to determine the specific effects of pesticides on maize seed germination in low-temperature conditions and to identify the most suitable pesticides for overcoming low-temperature stress. Materials and Methods. Extra-early sowing of maize was carried out to simulate the effect of spring cold spells on plants. These conditions were as close to natural conditions as possible, allowing us to observe the response of plants to the seed protectant fungicides at low temperatures. The experiments were conducted at the training farm of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, sowing was carried out on April 15 and 19, and in 2024 - on April 12 and 19. These sowing dates can be considered extremely early for this region. The research involved the maize hybrid Onio and the self-pollinating line V 831. The following seed protectant fungicides were used in the experiment: Ventsedor, Bastion, Fever, Maxim XL and Avicenna. Results. It was found that seed protectant fungicides, which showed equally high activity in laboratory conditions, had different effects on seed germination in field conditions at low temperatures in extra-early sowing periods. Among the formulations studied, the highest field germination rates were observed with the application of Ventsedor, Avicenna and Maxim XL. They ensured field seed germination of 68.8–85.0 % under low temperature conditions. The lowest results (51.3–67.5 %) were recorded after application of the fungicides Bastion and Fever, respectively. Conclusions. Given the high probability of a return of spring cold weather, the protectants Ventsedor, Avicenna and Maxim XL should be applied in case of early sowing, in order to promote maximum seed germination in low temperature conditions.

Key words: fungicides, seed treatment, extra-early sowing dates, low temperatures, field seed germination.

UDC 633/635:655.056(075.8)           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0396

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

¹Kramarov S. M., ¹Bandura L. P., ¹Аmbroziak Yu. V., ²Kramarov O. S.

¹ Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, 25 Serhii Yefremov St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

²SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine, 14 Volodymyr Vernandskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. The relevance of this work is determined by its contribution to addressing the issue of meeting the high demand of soybean plants for mobile forms of phosphorus, especially in the early stages of plant growth and development. This problem can be partially solved by using phosphate-mobilising microorganisms, as the enzymes and organic acids secreted by them in the soil promote the conversion of poorly soluble phosphorus compounds into mobile forms, which ensures optimal phosphorus nutrition for plants during the juvenile period. Purpose. To investigate the effect of bacterial and mineral fertilisers on the yield and biochemical composition of soybean seeds. Materials and Methods. Field trials were conducted at the TOPKA V. G. farm located in the Mahdalynivka territorial community of the Samar district in the Dnipro-petrovsk region during 2021–2023. The effectiveness of the bacterial fertilisers Groundfix and Biofosforin, applied under pre-sowing cultivation separately and in combination to a mineral background of N20P₅₀K₅₀, was studied. Yields were recorded using the direct combining method on a plot-by-plot basis. The protein, fat and moisture content in the seeds was determined according to DSTU 7491:2013. Results. Among the variants studied, the highest efficiency was achieved by applying Groundfix and Biofosforin bacterial fertilisers (5 l/ha) on a mineral background of N₂₀P₅₀K₅₀. Under these conditions, the increase in soybean seed yield relative to the control was 0.51 t/ha and 0.46 t/ha, respectively. The use of Groundfix (8 l/ha) increased the protein content in seeds by 0.8 % and fat content by 1.6 %. A similar pattern was observed with the use of Biofosforin, with an increase in protein content of 0.9 % and fat content of 1.0 %. At the same time, the application of 5 l/ha against a background of N₂₀P₅₀K₅₀ was only slightly inferior to the norm of 8 l/ha in terms of biochemical indicators. Conclusions. Based on the results of field trials, it was found that the optimal application rate of Groundfix and Biofosforin bacterial fertilisers is 5 l/ha on a mineral background of N₂₀P₅₀K₅₀, which increases the yield and improves the seed quality of soybeans.

Key words: soybean, seeds, rhizosphere, soil microorganisms, protein, fat, bacterial fertilisers.

UDC 633.631.813:631.582                  https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0383

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 

Poltoretskyi S. P., Shcherbyna A. V. 

Uman National University, 1 Instytutska St., Uman, Cherkassy Region, 20300, Ukraine

Topicality. Millet is an important cereal crop with good adaptive potential for cultivation in drought conditions. Sowing dates and fertilisation system are the main factors in increasing its yield and improving grain quality. These issues have not been studied sufficiently for the unstable moisture conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, which became the prerequisite for conducting these studies. Purpose. To investigate the effect of sowing dates and nitrogen fertiliser rates on the yield and grain quality of millet. Methods. Field trial and analytical approach. Results. The results of a temporary field trial on the influence of sowing dates and doses of nitrogen fertilizers on the yield and quality of millet grain are presented. It was found that increased nitrogen nutrition of plants and earlier sowing dates were the determining factors in the formation of the yield and quality of millet grain and ensured its highest productivity. Conclusions. Under unstable moisture conditions on podzolised chernozem, the highest grain yield was obtained when millet was sown in the second ten days of April with the application of N₈₀P₃₀K₃₀ (threefold nitrogen fertilisation: prior to ploughing – N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀; in pre-sowing cultivation – N₃₀, foliar application – in the end of tillering stage – N₂₀): grain yield – 3.96 t/ha, exceeding the control (no fertilisers) by 1.13 t/ha. When millet was sown in the third ten days of April with fertilisation, the yield was 0.41 t/ha lower. Intensive fertilisation of millet with nitrogen at a total application rate of 80 kg/ha and sowing in the second ten days of April ensured the best grain quality with a protein content of 12.9 %, which is 1.3 % higher than the control and 0.4 % higher than for millet sown in the third ten days of April.

Key words: millet, nitrogen, application rates, yield, grain, protein content.

UDC 633.631.813:631.582         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0398

Grain Crops. 2025. 9(2). 358–364

Ivanina V. V., Poplavskyi V. B.  

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

Topicality. With global warming, the issues of fertilisation, accumulation of moisture in the soil and its effective utilization by plants are gaining special importance. Winter wheat occupies a significant place in the structure of agricultural production, and therefore measures aimed at obtaining high and stable yields of this crop are always relevant. In four-field crop rotations, the issues of fertilisation and providing winter wheat plants with moisture are insufficiently studied, which prompted the conduct of these studies. Purpose. To investigate the effect of fertilisers on the yield and efficiency of moisture utilization by winter wheat in four-field crop rotations. Methods. Long-term field trial and analytical method. Results. It was established that organic-mineral fertilisation systems provided the highest yield of winter wheat in the four-field grain-grass-row crop rotation. Application of an alternative organic-mineral fertilisation system ensured the most efficient utilization of moisture by winter wheat. Conclusions. Under insufficient moisture conditions, the highest yield of winter wheat grain was obtained in a four-field grain-grass-row crop rotation with the application of 6.3 t/ha of manure + by-products + N₃₄P₃₄K₃₄ and by-products + N₄₆P₃₄K₃₄ per 1 ha of crop rotation, namely 3.74 and 3.76 t/ha, which exceeded the control (without fertilisers) by 0.85 and 0.87 t/ha, respectively. In grain-row and row crop rotations, the grain yield was lower by 0.26–0.43 t/ha. The use of organic-mineral fertilisation systems increased moisture reserves in the 1.5 m soil layer during the spring period across all crop rotations by 6–15 mm compared to the control (without fertilisers). In grain-row and row crop rotations, moisture reserves were higher compared to grain-grass-row crop rotation by 11–15 mm. Winter wheat consumed soil moisture most efficiently for the formation of one tonne of biological yield in grain-grass-row crop rotation with the application of by-products + N₄₆P₃₄K₃₄ per 1 ha of crop rotation – 424 m³, which was 92 m³ less than in the control (without fertilisers). In grain-row and row crop rotations, moisture consumption for yield formation was 68–69 m³ higher than in grain-grass-row crop rotation.

Key words: winter wheat, fertilisers, yield, moisture supply, crop rotation.               

UDC 631.53.01/.04:633.11"324":330.131.5(477.4)    

 https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0399

Grain Crops.2025. 9 (2). 365–371  

¹Los R. M., ²Olefirenko B. A., ²Olefirenko T. M., ²Kyrylenko V. V., ³Sabadyn V.Ya.  

¹Institute of Steppe Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine, Cozonivka village, Kropyvnytskyi district, Kirovohrad region, 27602, Ukraine

²The V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS of Ukraine, Tsentralne village, Obukhiv district, Kyiv region, 08853, Ukraine

³Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, 8/1 Soborna Sq., Bila Tserkva, 09117, Ukraine

Topicality. Gradual climate warming and the more intensive development of innovative winter wheat varieties in autumn are driving the improvement of existing agricultural practices and the development of new ones. Cost calculations are important for analysing production efficiency and optimising costs. Purpose. To develop more advanced and cost-effective agricultural techniques for growing winter wheat seeds. Materials and Methods. Innovative winter wheat varieties bred by the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS of were studied: MIP Yuvileina, MIP Fortuna, Avrora Myronivska, MIP Lakomka, MIP Lada, and Podoianka (standard). The experiments were conducted after two predecessors: soybeans and sunflowers. Sowing was carried out on 25 September and 5 October. The economic efficiency of winter wheat seed production was calculated based on 2021 prices. Results. The results obtained on average over three years of research (2018–2021) show that in the north-eastern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, the highest yields were obtained from the MIP Yuvileina and MIP Fortuna varieties when sown after soybeans and sunflowers. After sowing on 25 September and soybean as a predecessor, the MIP Yubileina and MIP Fortuna varieties yielded 6.38 t/ha and 6.79 t/ha, respectively; after sunflower as a predecessor, they yielded 5.84 t/ha and 5.76 t/ha, respectively. The self-cost of growing winter wheat after soybeans as a predecessor during the first sowing date (25 September) varied from 3,122 to 4,101 UAH/t; during the second sowing date (5 October) – from 3,109 to 3,869 UAH/t. The self-cost of growing winter wheat after sunflower as a predecessor varied from 3,630 to 4,371 UAH/t for the first sowing date and from 4,015 to 4,398 UAH/t for the second sowing date. The conditional net profit was as follows: after sunflower—from 27,300 to 37,200 UAH/ha for the first sowing date and 23,700 and 31,600 UAH/ha for the second; after soybeans—30,500, 46,700 and 33,500, 47,000 UAH/ha, respectively. Conclusions. In the north-eastern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, the profit from wheat varieties after sunflower as a predecessor ranged from 6,081 to 6,370 UAH/t for the first sowing date, and from 5,278 to 5,985 UAH/t for the second sowing date; after soybeans, it was 5899–6878 and 6124–6891 UAH/t, respectively. The highest profit of 6,891 UAH/t was obtained in MIP Yuvileina after soybean as a predecessor for sowing on 5 October and 6,878 UAH/t in MIP Fortuna for sowing on 25 September, respectively, with the highest level of profitability. Winter wheat should be sown after soybeans from 25 September to 10 October, and after sunflowers from 25 to 30 September.

Key words: variety, winter wheat, sowing period, yield, economic efficiency.

UDC 631.445.4 / .452           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0400

Grain Crops.2025. 9 (2). 372–380

Chaban V. I., Podobed O. Yu.    

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

Topicality. Intensive and unbalanced agricultural use of soils leads to the spread of degradation processes that cause deterioration of their qualitative state. Long-term stationary observations make it possible to identify the direction of soil transformation processes and to improve farming systems aimed at stabilizing and restoring soil fertility. Purpose. To determine the effect of long-term agricultural use of Calcic Chernozem on agrochemical indicators of soil fertility. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment (Certificate No. 044). The effects of prolonged fertilizer application (since 1991) in a grain–grass crop rotation on the physicochemical and agrochemical properties of soil fertility were investigated. Soil analyses and the assessment of soil quality were carried out in accordance with current DSTU standards. Results. Regularities of changes in the main fertility indicators of Calcic Chernozem were established under systematic use of fertilization systems and tillage methods in the grain–grass crop rotation. The physicochemical properties remained favourable for field crop cultivation. Given the unfertilized control (stubble-to-row crop ratio – 71:29 %) over a 30-year period of extensive land use, the humus content (0–20 cm) remained close to the initial level (4.79–4.85 and 4.83 %). At the initial elevated phosphorus content in the soil, its content remained stable (141–149 and 137 mg/kg). The potassium content decreased by 45–47 mg/kg (134–136 and 181 mg/kg) compared to the initial level. Fertilisation systems did not cause sharp changes in the soil solution reaction. The organic fertilisation system provided a significant increase in humus content (by 0.15–0.18 %) compared with the control (4.79 and 4.85 %). Nitrate nitrogen content increased by 13–21 % under fertiliser application. The organo-mineral and mineral fertilisation systems had the greatest effect on available P₂O₅ (30–36 %), while the organic system enhanced available K₂O (29–35 %). Conclusions. During long-term agricultural use of Calcic Chernozem, active aci-dity values (in 0–20 cm soil layer) fluctuated within the optimal range of soil solution pH (7.07–7.42). Fertilisation systems had no significant effect on the total content of exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, which remained at a high level (29.8–31.2 m eq./100 g). The predominance of stubble crops over row crops (71:29 %) was effective for maintaining humus even in the unfertilized control In the organic fertilisation system variant, there was a steady trend towards a humus accumulation relative to the initial level recorded before the start of the experiment. Long-term systematic fertilizer application significantly adjusted the soil nutrient regime, increasing the mobility of available nutrients.

Key words: Calcic Chernozem, agrochemical indicators of fertility, crop rotation, fertilisation system, soil tillage.