Features of development of winter wheat plants in the autumn-winter vegetation period as affected by pre-sowing seed treatment

Abstract

Purpose. To identify the peculiarities of growth and development of winter wheat plants in the autumn-winter vegetation period as affected by pre-sowing seed treatment in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.
 Methods. The experiments were carried out at the Agronomic Research Station of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (Pshenychne, Bila Tserkva district, Kyiv region) in the years 2019–2021: inoculant Binok Grain, complex micro fertilizer Harvest Start, organic biostimulant containing enzymes Rhizomax and bacterial formulations Trichodermin and Planoryz at the application rates recommended by their manufacturers. The background (control) for the study was a treatment where seedbed preparation included the application of nitroammophos N32P32K32 together with a complex granular fertilizer Actibion. The cultivation technology in the experiment is generally accepted for the research area.
 Results. In the control treatment, on average for the years of research, the field germination of bread winter wheat seeds was 82.7% with a plant density of 414 per 1 m2. The use of protective and stimulating formulations for seed treatment increased these indicators compared to the control by 1.9–4.8% and 9–26 plants/m2, respectively. The highest sugar content in the tillering node (14.2%) and, accordingly, winter hardiness of plants (96.8%) was obtained in the treatment with Binok Grain + Harvest Start. In other seed treatments, these indicators ranged between 12.6 and 14.0% and 93.4–96.0%, while in the control between 12.4% and 82.7%, respectively. In the control treatment, the incidence of Septoria in autumn was 1.6%, powdery mildew 5.6%, and Fusarium root rot 2.9%, while in the case of using biological formulations the values were 0.1–0.9%, 0.1–3.0 and 0.0–1.4%, respectively. Complete control of these diseases in sowings (plant damage was not detected) is provided by the combined use of Binok Grain + Harvest Start. Most likely, this is because Binok Grain contains antagonists of pathogens, phytohormones, antibiotics, vitamins, amino acids, and growth regulators. Harvest Start, in addition, to trace elements, contains auxins, amino acids, and B vitamins.
 Conclusions. The use of all studied protective and stimulating formulations for the winter wheat seed treatment ensured a significant increase in the field germination of seeds, plant density, sugar content in the tillering node, winter hardiness, and limit the development of dangerous pathogens in crops. Consequently, these biological formulations may be recommended for implementation in the current cultivation technologies practiced in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.