Effect of fertilizers and liming on soil condition and productivity of sugar beet

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the influence of an alternative organo-mineral fertilization system on the productivity of sugar beet at different application rates of lime. Methods. Short-term field and analytical. Results. The results of research on the influence of alternative organo-mineral fertilizers and liming on the alkaline-acidic balance of leached chernozem, its nutritional regime and productivity of sugar beets are presented. The perspective of using traditional and alternative fertilizers combined with lime on weakly acidic soil in conditions of sufficient moisture was revealed. Conclusions. The application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge in sugar beet ensured the maximum stability of the acid-alkaline balance of leached chernozem, increased the amount of absorbed alkalis with an increase in the content of calcium and magnesium in the soil-absorbing complex. Obtained рНsalt was 6.62, hydrolytic acidity 1.69 mg-eq/100 g, amount of absorbed alkalis 28.4 mg-eq/100 g of soil. Application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha defecation sludge ensured the highest mobility of phosphorus and potassium in leached chernozem: the content of mobile phosphorus in the 0–30 cm layer was 170 mg/kg and potassium 128 mg/kg that provided increase of 32 and 38 mg/kg of soil, respectively, compared to control. Liming increased the mobility of potassium in the soil and did not affect the content of mobile phosphorus. The maximum productivity of sugar beet on leached chernozem was achieved with the application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw + 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge (1.5 standard rate of CaСО3). Obtained root yield was 73.3 t/ha, sugar content 18.6%, and sugar yield 13.6 t/ha that is higher compared to control without fertilizers and defecation sludge by 22.7 t/ha, 0.2%, and 4.3 t/ha, respectively.