Winter wheat yields depending on preceding crops in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the specifics of winter wheat yield formation depending on preceding crops. It was established that in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, according to the ability to provide winter wheat during the sowing period (0-10 cm soil layer) with available moisture, the preceding crops were arranged as follows: peas – winter rape – sunflower – soybeans – corn for silage. At the time of sowing winter wheat, sufficient reserves of available moisture in the 0-10 cm soil layer were established after peas and winter rape, respectively, 11.5 and 10.9 mm. Soybeans and corn for silage, as predecessors, did not provide sufficient moisture reserves for sowing winter wheat in both the 0-10 cm and 0-30 cm soil layers. The highest yield of winter wheat in 2019-2021 averaged 5.68 t/ha, achieved by planting it after peas. The use of winter rape and soybeans as a precursor reduced its yield by 4.40 and 5.40%, respectively, which in absolute terms amounted to 0.25 and 0.31 t/ha. When winter wheat was cultivated after corn for silage and sunflower, the crop yield decreased by 0.48 and 0.67 t/ha, respectively. The highest quality indices of winter wheat grain – protein content of 13.1 and 13.3% and gluten content of 25.2 and 25.5% – were obtained when it was placed after legumes (peas and soybeans). Winter rape, as a predecessor, provided grain quality indices of 13.0% protein and 24.5% gluten. When sown after sunflower and corn for silage, the protein content of winter wheat grain was 12.6% and 12.8%, respectively, and the gluten content was 24.0% and 24.1%