Influence of Bischofite on sowing qualities of seeds in spring barley varieties

Abstract

Spring barley is an important food, fodder and technical crop, the volume of cultivation of which is much less than the national needs for it. To date, intensive varieties of this valuable crop have been bred, which is demanding to soil fertility, which necessitates increased yields by improving the sowing quality of seeds. Modern chemical fertilizers can not provide stable plant productivity, which would ultimately increase the yield capacity of spring barley in unstable natural and climatic conditions. In addition, the use of preparations that do not threaten the environment and the quality of crops becomes relevant. One of them is bischofite, an aqueous solution of which is a natural stimulant that provides germinating power and sprouting energy of spring barley seeds. The laboratory studies on the example of three varieties of spring barley (Helios, Vakula, Parnassus) showed that soaking of the seeds in 0.1 and 1% concentration of aqueous solution of bischofite increases their germinating power and sprouting energy, which has a positive effect on the growth and development of barley, yield growth, fodder and food quality of grain. These researches allow the use of natural bischofite in agriculture in order to create the optimal conditions for growth and development of spring barley to obtain high and stable yields. Key words: bischofite, spring barley, germinating power, sprouting energy, sowing qualities.