Study of the Long-Term Effect of Mineral Fertilizers in a Stationary Experiment in the Steppe Volga Region

Abstract

The analysis of the results obtained over 48 years in a long stationary experiment with fertilizers, which is located in the Saratov region (Russia) on the southern heavy loam chernozem, is presented. The influence of various types and doses of mineral fertilizers on the productivity of 6-field crop rotation, yield and grain quality of cultivated crops (winter and spring wheat, millet, barley, oats) has been studied. The optimal doses of fertilizers for the arid steppe of the Volga region have been identified, providing maximum yield increases and the greatest payback of 1 kg of mineral fertilizers. The influence of the conditions of humidification of the growing season on the yield of grain crops, the accumulation of protein in the grain and the removal of nutrients from the soil is shown. The scales of carbon losses, gross nitrogen and phosphorus reserves have been established both in untreated soil and with the systematic application of various doses of mineral fertilizers over 48 years of observations.