Yield and quality of pea grain as affected by agronomic practices under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. To identify the features of pea productivity as affected by application of organic and mineral fertili­zers and plant growth regulators under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.Methods. The objects of the study were two leafless pea varieties ‘Uliublenets’ and ‘Yulii’. At the stage of budding, the plants were fed with organic and mineral fertilizers “Biovit” and “Freia-Akva Bobovi” and treated with growth regulators “Rehoplant” and “Ahrostymulin”, both separately and in one pass, with the fertilization rates recommended by manufacturers.Results. A relation of the yield components formation (number of plants survived through vegetation period per unit area, number of beans per plant, number of seeds in beans and seeds per plant, as well as the 1000 kernel weight and seed weight per the plant) and the varietal peculiarities, treatments and weather conditions of the year was found. The most significant effect on the crop productivity had plant density, seed number per plant and seed weight per plant. A clear pattern was observed regarding the efficiency of organic and mineral fertilizers and plant growth regulators combination on the formation of yield components, and consequently, on the yield and quality of pea grain. Moreover, this pattern was not affected by adverse environmental conditions in both varieties under study and was observed in all years of the experiment. The highest yield and quality of grain (content of crude protein, fat, etc.) were recorded in complex treatments.Conclusions. Application of fertilizers and plant growth regulators in pea sowings is an important and effective factor in the realization of crop yield potential. The characteristics of individual plant productivity, grain yield, and quality determined in the experiment can be used to improve the model of cultivation technology for pea under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine