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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.

UDC 633.1:631.51.021:631.8(251.1–17:477)           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0372

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (1). 152–160

Shevchenko, M. S., Havrylenko, N. V.

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

Topicality. In the Steppe zone of Ukraine, where moisture is the main limiting factor in harvest formation, the issue of rational regulation of soil water regime is particularly relevant for ensuring stable productivity of grain crops. Among agrotechnical practices, the primary tillage system plays a key role, as it determines the level of accumulation, preservation, and efficient utilisation of soil moisture by plants. Purpose.  To determine the effect of different primary tillage methods on the moisture availability of grain crops under the conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine in order to optimise agricultural technologies aimed at the effective conservation and utilization of moisture under conditions of unstable moisture supply and increasing climatic risks. Materials and Methods. A stationary field trial was conducted in a crop rotation system including peas, winter wheat, maize, spring barley and sunflowers, in accordance with generally accepted research methodology requirements over the period 2022–2024. Field trials were carried out at the experimental field of the Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine. Results. The largest productive moisture reserves were recorded in the 0–150 cm soil layer before sowing crops in the crop rotation variant without fertilisers with mulching of soil (151.5 mm) and shallow moldboardless (149.2 mm) tillage, which exceeded the moldboard ploughing indicator (140.6 mm) by 7.7 % and 6.1 %, respectively. A similar trend was observed on fertilised plots: the mulching variant had 151.3 mm (+7.6 %), and the shallow variant had 149.2 mm (+6.1 %). Residual moisture content at the time of harvest was highest (29.0 mm) under shallow moldboardless tillage, followed 27.8 mm – under mulching, and 25.5 mm – moldboard ploughing. The plants on the unfertilised plots used more water during the growing season in the no-till variants (123.5 mm and 120.2 mm compared to 115.1 mm for ploughing). On fertilised backgrounds, total water consumption reached 282.3 mm in variants with mulching (+3.1% compared to unfertilised ones) and 293.8 mm with shallow tillage (+7.3% compared to unfertilised variants). Moisture was used most efficiently for harvest formation under no-till systems: the water consumption coefficient was 79.9 and 88.2 mm/t compared to 75.6 mm/t under moldboard plowing. Without fertilizers, these coefficients were higher due to lower yields with similar moisture consumption. Conclusions. Moldboardless tillage systems, especially mulching, provide significantly higher indicators of moisture conservation and utilisation compared to moldboard plowing. Productive moisture reserves in the crop rotation under mulching before sowing exceeded the ploughing variant by 10.7–10.9 mm (over 7%); residual moisture content at harvest was 2.3–3.5 mm higher, and moisture consumption during the growing season was 4.4–7.3 % higher. The highest total water consumption (up to 293.8 mm) and most efficient moisture utilisation for yield formation (75.6–88.2 mm/t) were observed under no-till systems, especially in fertilised conditions, indicating their advantage in moisture-deficient environments.

Key words: moisture supply, soil moisture content, tillage system, fertilisation, post-harvest residues, yield, productivity

UDC 631.445.4 / .452      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0373

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (1). 161–168.

Chaban,V. I., Podobed,O. Yu. 

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

Topicality. The qualitative state of soil cover determines the productivity of agrocenoses, which directly affects the yield, chemical composition of plants and, ultimately, the health of the population. However, the intensive and unbalanced land management in recent decades has caused degradation processes that have resulted in a decline in soil fertility. Purpose. To identify changes in the fertility indicators of typical chernozem under long-term anthropogenic load. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in a certified (certificate No. 044) stationary experiment The effect of continuous fertiliser application (since 1991) on the physical, chemical and agrochemical properties of the soil in crop rotation was studied. Analyses and assessment of soil condition were carried out according to the current DSTU. Results. It was established that long-term agrogenic load (from 1991 to 2021) affects the maximum statistically reliable decrease in humus content compared to the initial data on the control and under the mineral fertilisation system by 0.20 % and 0.18, respectively, under conventional (moldboard) tillage. In contrast, under non-moldboard til-lage, the humus content remained unchanged. The highest levels of labile organic matter were re-corded in all fertilisation variants against the background of chiselling. In the variants of absolute control and mineral fertilisation system, a decrease in the pH of the soil solution by 0.28–0.40 units was observed compared to the initial data (7.55). The systematic application of fertilizers improved the mobility of nutrients. The N–NO₃ content increased by 15–22 % on fertilised plots. The P₂O₅ content was most affected by the organo-mineral and mineral fertilisation systems (26–34 %), while the K₂O content was primarily affected by the organic fertilisation system (32–34 %). Conclusions. Long-term anthropogenic load without the involvement of a compensatory mechanism for fertility regulation (control) leads to a decrease in soil solution reaction (pH) and humus content. The use of organic fertilisers helped to maintain the humus content at the initial level, which was determined before the experiment was laid down. The mobility of nutrients increased in the fertilisation system variants.

Keywords:ordinary chernozem,fertility indicators, crop rotation, fertilisation system, tillage

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

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 305–309

Ivanina, V. V., Prokopiuk, T. P.  

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

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

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

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

^{Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (2). 310–316}

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

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

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

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

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

UDС 633.14"324":631.434:631.582        https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0324

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (1). 144–149

Borovyk S. O. 

State Biotechnological University, 44 Alchevskykh St., Kharkiv, 61002, Ukraine

Topicality. The role of soil structure in creating a favourable water-air regime in soils of medium and heavy granulometric composition is well known. Thus, the number of structural aggregates of agronomically valuable size (0.2–10.0 mm), which are sufficiently porous and water-resistant in soils, determines the soil adsorption capability and the ability to store and conserve precipitation moisture and use it economically. Purpose. This study was aimed to determine the aggregate composition of the soil depending on the predecessor of winter rye (sunflower and safflower) at various sampling depths. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted at the Dokuchaievske Experimental Field Training and Research and Production Centre of the State Biotechnological University during 2022–2023. The soil structure was determined using N.I. Savinov's method, supplemented by graphical data processing for visual representation of results. Results. At 0–10 cm soil depth, agronomically valuable structure with aggregates from 0.25 mm to 10 mm after safflower was 74.6 %, and after sunflower – 61.2 %. While at soil depths of 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm, higher values were found after sunflower, with percentages of 79.8 % and 83.6 %, respectively, compared to 55.8% and 67.4 % for safflower. Aggregates smaller than 0.25 mm and larger than 10 mm were calculated separately, showing that in the 0–10 cm soil layer, the highest value was 38.8 % after sunflower, compared to safflower's 25.4 %. At a depth of 10–20 cm, the opposite values were recorded: the share of these particles in the soil after safflower was 44.2 %, which is 24 % higher than their share after sunflower. Similar results were obtained in the soil layer of 20–30 cm, where the value of 32.6 % was recorded after safflower, and 16.4 % after sunflower. Conclusions. Soil structure plays a crucial role in forming air, water, nutrient, and other regimes, ultimately resulting in high and stable agricultural crop yields. According to our calculations, the most valuable structure with aggregate sizes from 0.25 mm to 10.0 mm in the 0–10 cm depth was observed after safflower. At depths of 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm, superior values were observed after sunflower. According to the coefficient of structure-forming ability, sunflower is the best predecessor for winter rye, with an average value of 3.6 for the 0–30 cm layer, compared to 2.1 for safflower. This is attributed to sunflower's well-developed root system significantly improving soil structure and aiding subsequent crops in better root establishment. Additionally, more moisture remains in the soil after sunflower due to plant density per square meter compared to safflower.

Key words:soil structure, predecessor, safflower, sunflower, winter rye

UDC 631.86:631.521.54:632.954      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0325

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (1). 162–171

GrabovskyiM. B., Mostypan O. V., Panchenko T. V., Kachan L. M., Pavlichenko K. V., Nimenko S. S. 

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

Topicality. The high weed infestation is a limiting factor that slows the growth of soybeans area and yield, which is influenced by anthropogenic factors, biological properties of weed communities and crops. Herbicide use remains one of the most important elements of intensive soybean production. Herbicide application remains one of the most important elements of intensive soybean cultivation. As weeds become more resistant to certain active ingredients, there is a demand to study the effectiveness of new herbicides and their combinations. Purpose. To study the effect of soil-applied and post-emergence herbicides on the weed infestation in soybean crops. Methods. Field, laboratory, measuring and weighing, mathematical. Results. The observations showed that weather conditions had a significant effect on the weed infestation in the soybean crop. In 2021, the highest number of weeds by species (an average of 203.2 plants/m²) was recorded in the registration plots. In 2022 and 2023, the numbers were 141.3 and 189.2 plants/m², respectively. The segetal vegetation was dominated by representatives of the monocotyledonous class, the grass family (50.7%) and dicotyledons (43.1%), and the percentage of perennials was only 5.8 %. The application of Primextra TZ Gold 500 SC (4.5 l/ha) and Frontier Optima (1.2 l/ha) and Stomp 330 (5 l/ha) at the third trifoliate leaf stage (BBCH 12) resulted in reduction in the amount of segetal vegetation in the crops of the soybean varieties under study by 71.4–84.5 % and in their dry weight – 63.2–81.7 %. Before harvesting the crop, the effect of soil-applied herbicides Primextra TZ Gold 500 SC (4.5 l/ha) and Frontier Optima (1.2 l/ha) + Stomp 330 (5 l/ha) was decreased, and the application of post-emergence herbicides Bazagran (3 l/ha) + Fusilade Forte 150 ES (1 l/ha) and Corum (2 l/ha) + Achiba (2 l/ha) was more effective. Conclusions. The most effective variant of controlling segetal vegetation in soybean crops of varieties Aurelina, ES Komandor and ES Navigator was the post-emergence application of herbicides Bazagran
(3 l/ha) + Fusilade Forte 150 ES (1 l/ha) and Corum 2 l/ha) + Achiba (2 l/ha) in the stage of 2–4 leaves of the crop, which reduces the number of weeds by 91.3–95.8 % and their dry weight by 90.1–95.1%.

Key words: soybean, herbaceous vegetation, weed species composition, number of weeds, dry weight

UDС 631.5:633.854     https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0326

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (1). 172–179

Andriienko¹ A. L., Semeniaka¹ I. M., Andriienko² O. O., Vasylkovska² K. V.

Grain Crops. 2024. 8 (1). 159–165

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

²Central Ukrainian National Technical University, 8 Universytetskyi Ave., Kropyvnytskyi, 25006, Ukraine

Topicality. Today, the issue of biologisation in agriculture, increasing the sustainability of agrocenoses and obtaining stable yields of high-quality products requires attention. The utilisation of predecessor by-products on fields accelerates water infiltration into the soil, reduces surface runoff and wind speed near the soil surface, reduces soil temperature and moisture loss through evaporation, absorbs the kinetic energy of raindrops, and prevents the formation of surface soil crust. Crop residues absorb residual nitrogen and are used by the following crops after decomposition. Purpose. To develop and improve the main parameters of zonal adaptive resource-saving technology of sunflower cultivation and determine its productivity in the Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The effectiveness and feasibility of minimising the primary tillage was investigated under different predecessors and their integrated effect on the growth, development and formation of sunflower productivity was determined. Also, the response of sunflower to the effect of predecessor by-products and compensation rate of nitrogen under different depths of tillage was determined. Results. The complex effect of the predecessor by-products and the compensatory dose of nitrogen stabilised and increased the yield of sunflower grown after winter wheat to 2.72 t/ha, and after maize for grain to 2.97 t/ha. Minimising tillage after winter wheat resulted in an 8.4 % yield shortfall on the background of removing by-products, a 5.5 % shortfall without removing by-products, and a 7.4 % shortfall in the case of mulching and applying compensatory nitrogen. Direct sowing of sunflower compared to ploughing resulted in a yield shortfall of 49 %, 40 %, and 39 %, respectively.  Maize for grain as a predecessor provided higher yields compared to winter wheat under deep tillage by 0.23–0.25 t/ha, under shallow tillage by 0.22–0.39 t/ha, and under direct sowing by 0.96–1.31 t/ha. The yield decrease under shallow primary tillage after maize for grain, the leaf mass of which was removed from the field, was insignificant, under its surface distribution – 4.7%, and under the integrated effect of by-products and compensatory nitrogen application – 8.7 %. Direct sowing reduced sunflower yield by 8.1, 10.0 and 12.2 % compared to ploughing. Conclusions. Growing sunflower after winter wheat and maize for grain gives better results with deep tillage and surface distribution of plant residues of the predecessor using a compensatory nitrogen rate.

Keywords: biologisation of agriculture, plant residues, leaf mass, by-products, yield, oil content, seed volume weight