Effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with biologics on the spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield in the Lower Volga region of Russia

Abstract

The biologization of crop production involves reducing the use of synthetic organic pesticides in the production cycle of harvesting, increasing the use of biological methods of plant protection that solve the problems of environmental pollution and agricultural products. The basis for the biologization of plant protection systems is the wider use of biological products that make it possible to obtain environmentally friendly, economically sound yields of major agricultural crops. In this regard, studies were conducted in the arid zone of the Lower Volga region, Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology, Russia from 2018 to 2020 to study the influence of pre-sowing seed treatment with chemical, biological protectants and physiologically active substances as well as an economic assessment of the impact of this agricultural to increase the yield of spring barley. The objects of research in field experiments were chemical seed protectant (Inshur Perform, CS), biological fungicide (BSKa-3), and organic fertilizers (Fertigrain Start, BP and potassium humate, BP). The maximum values for such indicators as field germination – 86%, plant survival for harvesting – 61%, productive bushiness – 1.04% were recorded in the variant of the use of biological preparations. There was also the highest number of grains in the ear – 14.5 pcs., the mass of 1000 seeds – 32.1 g. In comparison with the yield with the variants without treatment (control) and with the use of only chemical preparations, the yield in the variant with the use of biological preparations was, respectively, 25.7% more.