Effect of «Quantum» system preparations on biometric parameters of potato plants

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the influence of different preparations of the «Quantum» system on the biometric parameters of potato plants of the medium-early variety «Zhytnytsia» and the medium-ripening variety «Melaniya». The purpose of the research is to develop new and improve existing agrotechnical measures for growing new potato varieties on sod-podzolic sandy loam soils of Ukrainian Polissya. It has been experimentally proven that the application of a complex of agrotechnical measures has a positive effect on the biometric indicators of potato plants development during the growing season. New potato varieties «Zhytnytsia» and «Melaniya» responded positively to fertiliser application, their rates and methods. According to the studies conducted in 2021–2022, both «Zhytnytsia» and «Melaniya» varieties distinguished 2 variants, the 4th and 6th, where N90P60K90 (locally) + «Quantum Seamin» (0,5 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen (leaf – budding, flowering, after flowering) and N90P60K90 (locally) + «Quantum Diafan 3-18-18» (2 l/t) + Prolonged nitrogen (leaf – budding, flowering, after flowering) were applied. In 2021 in the varieties «Zhytnytsia» and «Melaniya» on average the period from planting to full germination was 44 days, from planting to budding – 58 days, from planting to flowering – 64 days. The period from planting to tops dieback in 1, 3 and 5 variants of «Zhytnytsia» variety was 100 days, and in 2, 4 and 6 variants – 110 days. Accordingly, in «Melaniya» variety these figures were 110 and 120 days. The highest density was found in variants 4 and 6, respectively, 49.3 and 47.5 thousand bushes/ha. In the same variants the field germination rate was 92.5 % and 89.1 %; the number of stems was 3.9 (401.7 thousand pcs/ha) and 3.5 (367.5 thousand pcs/ha) per plant respectively; plant height was 77.0 and 73.0 cm; leaf surface area was 229.2 and 194.3 cm² respectively. Similar results were obtained for the «Melaniya» variety. The same variants had a longer growing season due to the use of prolonged nitrogen, which had a good effect on the yield. Thus, after analysing these indicators, we can conclude that the best options for varieties «Zhytnytsia» and «Melaniya» are variants 4 and 6. Key words: potato, budding, flowering, tops dieback, density, height, leaf surface area, preparations.