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UDC 633.11:631.811(477.7)                    https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0416

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1).

PanfilovaA. V., Kuvshinova A. O. 

 Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, 9 Heorgii Hongadze St., Mykolaiv, 54008, Ukraine

Topicality. In recent years, Ukraine has ranked among the top ten countries in the world in terms of grain production and has become one of the key global exporters of cereal crops. Winter barley is one of the high-yielding grain crops, which occupies a significant place in the grain balance of Ukraine. This crop not only ensures stable grain yields but is also a vital resource for animal feed and industrial grain processing. To obtain consistently high yields of winter barley, it is essential to create optimal nutritional conditions, while paying considerable attention to the biological characteristics of crop development. Purpose. To investigate and evaluate specific aspects of the cultivation technology, in particular the effectiveness of pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar feeding with biologicals during the spring tillering and stem elongation stages for the cultivation of various winter barley varieties in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted at the Educational, Scientific and Practical Center of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University during 2024–2025, with using winter barley varieties Dostoynyi (standard) and Valkiriia. Field trials were established and carried out according to generally accepted research methodologies. Methods applied: field, laboratory, and comparative analytical. Results. It was found that double foliar feeding with biological product Organic-balance (at a rate of 2.0 l/ha) in the spring tillering and stem elongation stages ensured the most intensive accumulation of fresh aboveground biomass and leaf area in winter barley varieties Dostoynyi (st.) and Valkiriia. At the milk ripeness stage, aboveground biomass reached 1288 g/m² (Dostoynyi) and 1285 g/m² (Valkiriia), while the maximum leaf area amounted to 40,050 and 41,120 m²/ha, respectively. The biological product Azotohelp also increased the studied parameters; however, its effectiveness was lower: leaf area ranged from 35,690–37,280 m²/ha with seed treatment and single foliar feeding, and from 36,080–38,170 m²/ha with double application, depending on the variety. Conclusions. Under the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, double foliar feeding with biologicals stimulates the growth processes in winter barley, promotes more intensive accumulation of aboveground biomass, and increases leaf area regardless of varietal characteristics. The highest efficiency was achieved with the biological product Organic-balance applied at the tillering and stem elongation stages.

Key words: winter barley, biologicals, seed treatment, foliar feeding, aboveground biomass, leaf area.

UDC 631.524.84:631.526                 https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0417

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 

Yashchuk, T. S., Samets, N. P., Hrytsevych,Yu. S., Dovhan,O. M. 

Ternopil State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Agriculture in the Carpathian Region of NAAS of Ukraine, 12 Troleibusna St., Ternopil, 46027, Ukraine

Topicality. Global warming, which has been ongoing for the past few decades, has significantly affected the Earth’s climate. In the opinion of scientists, against the backdrop of rising global temperatures, no significant decrease in total annual precipitation is expected; however, greater variability is possible across specific regions, seasons, and years. Therefore, further adaptation of crop cultivation models to weather conditions is necessary, along with the corresponding differentiation of agricultural practices, adjustment of sowing dates, selection of varieties, and etc. Purpose. To establish the influence of sowing dates of winter wheat on the yield formation depending on the meteorological conditions during the growing season under climate change, and to justify postponing sowing dates to a later time compared with those previously recommended. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out on the fields of the Ternopil State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Agriculture in Carpathian region of NAAS during 1982–2025. Experiments involved sowing 6–8 varieties of winter wheat. Sowing was carried out on 5–7 different dates: 25 August, 5, 15 and 25 September, and 5, 15 and 25 October. The field trials were laid out and conducted in accordance with generally accepted research methods. Methods included field, laboratory and comparative-analytical approaches. Results. Over 43 years of research, the influence of winter wheat sowing dates on yield formation has been established, and their shift in response to climate change has been experimentally demonstrated. It was found that the highest winter wheat yields were achieved by plants that entered the winter dormancy phase during the period between the third leaf stage and the beginning of tillering. The study found that sowing between 1 and 20 October resulted in the highest winter wheat yields – 7.01–9.19 t/ha (2021–2025). Conclusions. During the period 1982–2025 agrometeorological conditions during the growing season of winter wheat in the Western Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, combined with the varietal characteristics of the crop, contributed to the postponement of sowing dates to later periods, thereby ensuring that the yields of new domestically bred varieties for the period 2006–2020 within the range of 5.02–6.14 t/ha, and 7.01–9.19 t/ha in 2021–2025, which is 1.4–2.8 %, and 3.0–9.8 % higher, respectively, compared with crops sown in September in the corresponding years.

Key words: agrometeorological characteristics, average daily temperature, vegetation, tillering, vernalisation, yield.

UDC 633.15:631.5:663.5                   https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0418

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 

Andriienko, A. L., Tkalich, Yu. I., Semeniaka, I. M., Andriienko, O. O., Vasylkovska, K. V. 

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

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

³Central Ukrainian National Technical University, 8 Universytetskyi Ave., Kropyvnytskyi, 25006, Ukraine

Topicality. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a leading crop with high starch content (70–75 %), which determines its significant potential for bioethanol production. Given the unstable moisture conditions in the Steppe region of Ukraine, there is a pressing need to improve agricultural practices aimed at increasing yield and the starch and bioethanol output per unit area. Purpose. To develop the fundamental parameters of bio-adaptive maize cultivation technology and determine their impact on grain yield, starch and bioethanol output per unit area in the Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The primary research method is field trials, with   supplementary methods including laboratory testing, calculation, and mathematical statistics (analysis of variance and correlation analysis). The research was conducted in the Steppe zone of Ukraine during the period of 2007–2017. Results. The influence of primary tillage systems, methods of crop residue utilization, fertilisation, predecessors, sowing dates, and plant density on the productivity of maize agrocenoses was established. Moldboard plowing to a depth of 25–27 cm ensured the highest grain yield (6.72–6.90 t/ha), starch output (4.76–4.81 t/ha), and bioethanol output (294–297 dal/ha), while shallow disk tillage and direct sowing reduced these indicators by 5–41 %. The predecessor significantly affected the crop's adaptability: the highest grain yield, starch, and bioethanol outputs were achieved after soybean, whereas coarse-fibered predecessors better compensated for tillage minimization. Early sowing dates (April 15), and optimal plant density (45,000–60,000 plants/ha) ensured the maximum realization of the production potential of maize hybrids Adevey, LG3350, LG3475. An organo-mineral fertilisation system supplemented with microbial preparations stabilised the starch and bioethanol output per unit area. The results confirm that optimizing technological factors improves the efficiency of grain maize cultivation and bioethanol production. Conclusions. Moldboard plowing and an organo-mineral fertilisation system provided the maximum yield, starch and bioethanol output. Tillage minimization reduced productivity by 5–41 %. Higher results were obtained with soybean as a predecessor, combined with early sowing and a plant density of 45,000–60,000 plants/ha. Maximum efficiency was achieved through a combination of an optimal predecessor, moldboard plowing,  organo-mineral fertilisation, adaptive hybrid composition, and optimal sowing parameters.

Key words: soil tillage, predecessors, organo-mineral fertilisation system, sowing dates, plant density, starch, alcohol.

UDC 633.11:631.8:631.559          https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0419

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 

Meshko, R. H., Yarchuk, I. I.

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

Topicality. The efficiency of soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine depends on balanced mineral nutrition and plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. Therefore, the evaluation of multicomponent preparations as components of integrated cultivation technology is of particular relevance. Purpose. To evaluate the influence of multicomponent preparations on grain yield of winter wheat varieties Mudrist Odeska and Kaledon under different mineral fertilisation backgrounds (average for 2024–2025). Methods. In the field trial, the results of ten variants were compared, including a control, mineral fertilisation (P₁₀, N₄₅P₄₅K₄₅, and N₃₀ feeding on frozen-thawed soil) and multicomponent preparations (VitaStar, Antistress, Polyamide, Defense; NEO, Stimulin, UNI). Grain yield was determined with gravimetric method and recalculated to standard moisture content of grain (14 %); data were processed by ANOVA with LSD₀₅. Results. The Mudrist Odeska variety produced the highest yield (3.93 t/ha) in variant no. 10 (N₄₅P₄₅K₄₅ (primary tillage) + VitaStar (pre-sowing treatment) + Antistress (autumn application) + N₃₀ (on frozen-thawed soil) + Polyamide (spring application)), which is 1.88 t/ha (91.7 %) higher than the control; the Kaledon variety – 4.16 t/ha (+2.19 t/ha; 111.2 %). Also highly effective were the variants with a complete mineral background without additional preparations (Mudrist Odessa – 3.90 t/ha), and the P₁₀ + N₃₀ variants with/without the addition of preparations (Mudrist Odessa – 3.65–3.68 t/ha; Kaledon – 3.88–3.98 t/ha). In variants with preparations but without sufficient mineral fertilisation, no significant increase in yield was observed, and in some cases a decrease in productivity was noted compared to the control.  Conclusions. Multicomponent preparations are most effective as a component of integrated fertilisation and anti-stress support, but they cannot substitute for basic mineral nutrition under drought-prone Steppe  conditions.

Keywords: soft winter wheat, variety, multicomponent preparations, mineral fertilisers, grain yield, Northern Steppe.

UDC 633.11:631.53.027.2:632.95:631.86        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0420

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 

Zaima, O. A., Kalitsinska, O. B., Siroshtan, A. A. 

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

Topicality. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with fungicides and microfertilisers is a crucial step in achieving healthy, uniform seedlings, as well as influencing the early stages of plant development and preventing infection of seedlings by diseases and pests, which ultimately affects crop yield. This method is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of protecting crops. The market offers a wide range of products for pre-sowing seed treatment, but the mechanism of their interaction and effect on seed germination, seedling development, and the vegetative and reproductive systems of plants has not yet been fully studied. Purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different types of fungicides for seed treatment and microfertilisers on sowing quality and yield of bread winter wheat. Materials and Methods. The follo-wing varieties of bread winter wheat were studied: MIP Aelita, MIP Valensiia, MIP Vidznaka, and MIP Fortuna. The effect of the fungicides Greenfort Star, Yunta Quattro 373.4 FS, Cruiser 350 FS, and their combinations with the 5 Element microfertiliser on sowing quality and grain yield was investigated. Results. Treatment of seeds with fungicides and their combination with the 5 Element microfertiliser increased seed germination rate by 0.2–11.7 % and germination energy by 0.2–8.2 %, laboratory germination by 0.2–2.8 %, and field germination by 1.3–9.3 % compared with the control variant. The highest seed germination energy for the MIP Valensiia and MIP Aelita varieties was observed in the variants treated with the Cruiser 350 FS; for the MIP Vidznaka variety – with Greenfort Star; and for the MIP Fortuna variety – with Yunta Quattro 373.4 FS. Higher laboratory germination rates for MIP Aelita variety were obtained in the Cruiser 350 FS treatment variants and its combination with the 5 Element microfertiliser; for the MIP Vidznaka variety – Yunta Quattro 373.4 FS with the 5 Element microfertiliser; and for the MIP Valensiia – Greenfort Star in combination with the microfertiliser and Cruiser 350 FS, and the MIP Fortuna variety – Yunta Quattro 373.4 FS. Higher field germination rates were achieved following the combined application of Cruiser 350 FS and 5 Element microfertiliser. For the MIP Vidznaka and MIP Valensiia varieties, high yields were also observed with treatment using Yunta Quattro 373.4 FS in combination with the 5 Element. Depending on the seed treatment variants, the increase in yield for the varieties ranged from 0.15 to 0.48 t/ha compared to the controls. A greater increase in bread winter wheat grain yield was achieved by seed treatment with the Yunta Quattro insecticide-fungicide in combination with a microfertiliser. The highest yield (6.62 t/ha) was obtained in this variant for the MIP Fortuna variety. Conclusions. We found that seed treatment with the fungicides and microfertiliser under study improved almost all sowing qualities of bread winter wheat and resulted in higher yields.

Key words: Triticum aestivum L., pre-sowing seed treatment, chemical preparations, complex microfertiliser, seed quality indicators, yield level.

UDC 633.34:631.8:631.53.01                            https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0421

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 163–172.

¹Harbar, L. A, ²Dovbash,N. I., ³Knap, N. V., ¹Umanets, D. V.

¹National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 15 Heroiv Oborony St., Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine

²National Science Center «Institute of Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine», 2-B Mashynobudivnykiv St., Chabany, Kyiv region, 08162, Ukraine

³Separate subdivision of NUBiP of Ukraine "Mukachevo Agricultural College", 32 Tomash Masaryk St., Mukachevo, Transcarpathian region, 89600, Ukraine

Topicality. Soybean cultivation is a timely and profitable business in Ukraine, driven by the growth of global agricultural production, the high nutritional value of the seeds, and their versatility. Therefore, research should focus on identifying the optimal nutritional conditions for soybean cultivation. Purpose.To determine the influence of optimal growing conditions and seed inoculation on the formation of yield attributes in soybean plants and crop yield. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted on typical low-humus chernozems (humus content 4.12%), which were characterized by average phosphorus and potassium content and low nitrogen content, in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine during 2024–2025. The experiment was conducted using a three-factor design: factor A – variety, factor B – NPK, factor C – seed inoculation with the dry soybean inoculant RyzoStar (2 kg/t). The varieties Mentor and Avatar, which were studied in the experiment, belong to the early-maturing group. Fertilisation was carried out with N₁₅P₃₉K₃₉; and the preparations Aidamin Complex (1 L/ha) and Dobrodii Comfort Universal (0.25 L/ha) were applied as top dressing during the 2–3 true-leaf stage. Results. The balanced application of macro- and micronutrients ensures the formation of optimal indicators of yield attributes. The composition of yields depended on the application of major nutrients (NPK), micronutrients (Aidamin (1 L/ha), Dobrodii Comfort (0.25 L/ha)), seed inoculation with RyzoStar (2 kg/t), the genetic characteristics of the variety, and the weather conditions during the year of the experiments. The Mentor variety had higher values for yield attributes. The number of pods per plant ranged from 18.3 to 19.6. The number of seeds per pod under the influence of the experimental treatments ranged from 2.2 to 2.7. The of 1,000-seed weight ranged from 169.1 to 172.7 g. Correlation analysis between the soybean yield attributes allowed us to identify relationships between the indicators under study. All experimental factors influenced soybean yield formation. For the Avatar variety, yield indicators ranged from 1.87 t/ha to 2.84 t/ha. In general, the Mentor variety had higher yields, which varied from 2.06 to 3.04 t/ha depending on the fertilisation and inoculation treatments.  Conclusions. The Mentor variety achieved the highest yield due to cultivation in a variant involving inoculation with RyzoStar, application of N₁₅P₃₉K₃₉, and foliar feeding with the complex preparation Dobrodii Comfort Universal (0.25 l/ha) at the stage of formation of the 2–3 true leaf – 3.04 t/ha. Analysis of the factors influencing crop yield showed that fertilisation was the most critical factor (35 %), whilst variety accounted for 24 %. Statistical processing of the data indicates a strong positive correlation between all yield attributes.

Keywords: Aidamin Complex, Dobrodii Comfort Universal, yield attributes, inoculation, correlation dependence, 1000-seed weight, RyzoStar, fertilisation, yield, Glycine max (L.) Merrill

UDC 633.11: 631.8: 632.51                   https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0422

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 173–178

Kvasnitska, L. S., Voіtova, H. P.   

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. Production of high-quality grain requires modern innovative approaches in winter wheat cultivation technology, particularly involving the application of biologicals. Purpose. To study the effect of the integrated use of the biological fertiliser Humifriend (1.0 l/ha) and the plant growth biostimulant Azotofit (0.5 l/t) for seed treatment and crop spraying (0.5 l/ha) during the third stage of organogenesis, against backgrounds with no fertiliser application and a mineral fertiliser application (N₄₅P₃₀K₃₀), on the yield and grain quality of winter wheat in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. Methods. Field, quantitative-weight, mathematical-statistical. The research was conducted in the temporary field trials at the Khmelnytskyi State Agricultural Research Station of the Feed Research and Agriculture Institute of Podillia of NAAS in 2024–2025. Results. The effect of the integrated use of the biological fertiliser Humifriend (1.0 kg/ha) and the plant growth biostimulant Azotofit for seed treatment (0.5 l/t) and crop spraying (0.5 l/ha) on increasing the productive stem density from 531 to 584 pcs/m² (without fertilisers) and from 585 to 629 pcs/m² (with the application of N₄₅P₃₀K₃₀) was established. The number of grains per spike increased from 20.6 to 21.3 in the control and from 22.4 to 24.0 on the background of N₄₅P₃₀K₃₀; the grain weight per spike increased from 0.85 to 0.92 g and from 0.92 to 1.02 g, respectively, as well as an increase in yield of 0.76 and 0.94 t/ha, gluten content by 1.2 and 1.5 %, and grain vitreousness by 10 and 7 %. Conclusions. The integrated use of the biological fertiliser Humifriend (1.0 kg/ha) and the plant growth biostimulant Azotofit for seed treatment (0.5 l/t) and crop spraying (0.5 l/ha) in the studied agrocenoses contributed to the formation of winter wheat yields with a significant increase in the productive stem density by 10 % in the variant without fertilisers and by 8 % with the application of N₄₅P₃₀K₃₀, as well as an increase in the grain weight per spike by 8 % and 11 %, which provided a yield increase of 19 % and 20 %, respectively.

Key words: fertilisation, biological fertiliser, plant growth biostimulant, yield, grain quality.

UDC 631.559:631.811.98:633.15                           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0423

Grain Crops. 2026. 10 (1). 179–186

Antal, Т. V., Kysil, Т. V. 

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

Topicality. Maize is one of the leading cereal crops globally and in Ukraine, playing a crucial role in food security, feed production, and the processing industry. At the same time, modern cultivation technologies involve production intensification, which often leads to soil depletion and a deficiency of available micronutrient forms. In this context, the application of micronutrient fertilisers becomes particularly relevant, as they play an essential role in plant physiological and biochemical processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, protein synthesis, and enzymatic activity. Deficiency of elements such as zinc, boron, manganese, and others can significantly limit the realisation of the genetic potential of maize hybrids, reduce yield, and deteriorate grain quality. Therefore, studying the specific effects of micronutrient fertilisation on maize productivity and grain quality is a relevant research direction and is of great importance for improving the efficiency of grain production. Purpose. To determine the peculiarities of maize productivity formation depending on hybrid and fertilisation. Materials and Methods. Experimental studies were conducted at the Panfyly Research Station of the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agriculture of NAAS” located in Boryspil district of Kyiv region during 2023–2025. The soil of the experimental plot is typical low-humus light loamy chernozem. The climate of the region is moderately continental. The study investigated maize hybrids Amelior (FAO 240) and MAS 25 F (FAO 250). In accordance with the experimental design, the control trial involved the application of diamofoska (200 kg/ha) during ploughing + urea (200 kg/ha) during pre-sowing cultivation. Additionally, YaraVita Zintrac was applied at a rate of 1.0 l/ha at the 5–6 leaf stage, and Gramitrel was used for foliar feeding at a rate of 2 l/ha at the 4–8 leaf stage. Results. On average, over the three years of the study, the maximum yield (9.8 t/ha) was obtained by applying diamofoska (200 kg/ha) for plowing + urea (200 kg/ha) in pre-sowing treatment as background with  foliar feeding YaraVita Zintrac. The protein, starch, and fat content indicators reached their maximum value for the same variant and were 9.6%; 72.3% and 5.5%, respectively. Conclusions. We found that the application of fertilisers as part of the cultivation technology (diamophoska (200 kg/ha) under ploughing + urea (200 kg/ha) during pre-sowing cultivation and additional feeding in the 5–6 leaf stage with YaraVita Zintrac (9.8 t/ha)) has the greatest impact on maize grain yield. The quality parameters of maize grain, namely: protein, starch and fat content, also depended on the application of fertilisers and foliar feeding of maize crops.

Key words: maize, fertilisers, feeding, yield, grain quality, protein, starch, and fat content.

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.