Application Of Mineral Fertilizers Research Articles

Efficiency of biological products and mineral fertilizers application on winter garlic crops in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

The article presents the results of three years of research on the effectiveness of the influence of the biological product Phytohelp, mineral fertiliser Drip Fert N15P5K30+МЕ and bioadhesive Liposam on the structure of the winter garlic yield of the Lyubasha variety under drip irrigation. The relevance of the research is due to the search for new approaches to the development of technological methods for growing winter garlic, taking into account the specific conditions of unstable moisture in the Forest-Steppe. The purpose of the article is to establish the optimal doses and the ratio between them to achieve an increase in the quality and yield of winter garlic. The study was conducted on the experimental field of the Department of Vegetable Growing of the National Assessed Contribution of Ukraine of the Uman National University of Horticulture on podzolised heavy loamy black soil in 2017-2019. As a result, it was proved that in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on podzolic chernozem under drip irrigation, a higher yield was obtained in plots with the combined use of the biological product Phytohelp at a rate of 1-2 l/ha, mineral fertiliser Drip Fert N15P5K30+МЕ and bioadhesive Liposam at a rate of 1 l/ha. This resulted in an increase of 9.0-10.6 t/ha compared to the control variant, respectively. Using the biopreparation Phytohelp and bioadhesive Liposam at a rate of 2/1 and 1/1 l/ha, a yield of 16.6-17.1 t/ha was obtained, where the increase to the control was 7.7-8.2 t/ha. The effect of foliar fertilisation with Drip Fert N15P5K30+ME (4 g/2 l of water or 0.5 c/ha) on the yield of winter garlic was determined. The increase to the control was 1.6%. The results of this study may be useful for agricultural enterprises and farmers who grow garlic and other crops

Effect of sideral fertilizer on the content of humus in the soil

In a long-term experiment, which was laid down in 1971, in 2 bookmarks with an interval of one year, the effect of sideral fertilizer on the humus content in the soil during 6 rotations of an 8-field crop rotation was studied. The soil is sod-medium-podzolic medium loam on a cover red-brown heavy loam with agrochemical indicators of the arable layer before the experiment was laid: рНKCl 5.0, Ah – 2.7, S – 14.8 mmol/100 g, V – 85.2%, the content of P2O5–52, K2O – 98 mg/kg of soil. In the 6th rotation, instead of manure, a sideral fertilizer – a pea–oat mixture (18 t/ha) was used as an organic fertilizer. In the experiment, the levels of application of mineral fertilizers on different backgrounds were studied using lime (1 + 2 h. a. in the 1st and 2nd rotations of crop rotation), manure (40 t/ha in the 1st and 60 t/ha in the 2nd and 5th rotations), siderate (in the 6th rotations) and without them. Options with fertilizers: 1 – without fertilizers, 5 – N10P10K10, 6 – N20P20K20, 7 – N30P30K30, 8 – N40P40K40, 9 – N50P50K50, 10 – N60P60K60. For 4 rotations of crop rotation (32 years) without applying background fertilizers, the humus content decreased from 2.5 to 1.96–1.92% (by 0.54 and 0.58 abs.%), against the background of manure – up to 2.38%, lime + manure – up to 2.30%. In the 5th rotation on the backgrounds with the introduction of manure, its content on average in 7 variants increased to 2.62 and 2.70%, which was higher than the initial (2.50%) by 0.12 and 0.20 abs.%. In the 6th rotation, the use of pea-oat mixture as a siderate led to a decrease inthe level of humus content by 0.28–0.30 abs.% is reduced by periodic use of manure (once in each rotation) and winter rye straw (2 times in 3–6 rotations).

Microbial transformation of soil organic matter under varying agricultural management systems in Ukraine.

This paper presents comparative studies on the content and structure of organic matter (OM) and the activity of microbiological cellulose destruction in three types of Ukrainian soils intensively used in agricultural production. The highest content of humus in the arable layer (4.9%), OM (410 t ha-1), and total carbon (30.9 mg C g-1 soil) was determined in chernic phaeozems, which is 2.2-2.5 times higher than in albic retisols. The soil of natural ecosystems is characterised by a high content of microbial carbon (Cmic) in the carbon fraction of organic soil compounds. In arable soils, the content and reserves of humus and soil organic matter (SOM) have decreased by an average of 1.5-2 times. The most considerable loss of humus reserves in the soil profile was identified in albic retisols (1.96-1.44 times) and the smallest in chernic phaeozems (1.27-1.81 times). During the long-term systematic application of mineral fertilisers, the Corg content decreased by 8-21% in chernic phaeozems, 12-33% in greyzemic phaeozems, and 6-38% in albic retisols. A significant difference of 2.1-8.0 times was determined regarding the number of aerobic cellulolytic microorganisms and 1.3-3.3 times in the potential cellulolytic activity of the studied soils. The high number of cellulose-destroying microorganisms is characteristic of chernic phaeozems with a high content of OM in the soil; the advantage over other types of studied soils was 1.4 times and 7.8 times for greyzemic phaeozems and albic retisols, respectively. Among the studied soil types, high values of CO2 emissions were identified in chernic phaeozems. Intensive agricultural practices in Ukrainian soils have significantly altered the content and composition of organic matter, leading to reduced humus and soil organic matter reserves. The study also underscores the importance of considering the abundance of cellulose-destroying microorganisms and their potential activity in assessing soil health and sustainability.

Poultry litter biochar soil amendment affects microbial community structures, promotes phosphorus cycling and growth of barley (Hordeumvulgare)

Phosphorus (P) is a non-replaceable, finite component of fertilizers. The imbalanced resource distribution and possible depletion of P impose challenges on current crop production worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of poultry litter biochar on plant growth and P mobilizing capability of the microbiome in comparison to a mineral fertilizer application. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) was grown in microcosms using a P-limited soil, fertilized with 0 (control), 50 (fertilizer) kg P ha−1 or a poultry litter biochar amendment (biochar, 2% w/w). Biochar amended rhizospheres had significantly higher phosphonate-utilizing bacteria, phoC and phoD gene (acid and alkaline phosphatase) copy numbers and improved P availability. Spring barley dry matter yields were significantly higher for biochar and fertilizer over control; however, P uptake with biochar was higher than with fertilizer. Furthermore, biochar had higher arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and significantly raised soil pH. Fingerprint-analysis showed significant differences between all treatments for bacterial and fungal communities. 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing analysis revealed increased relative abundance of the phyla Actinobacteriota and Chloroflexi in biochar compared to control, potentially contributing to the ameliorated plant growth conditions. Pearson correlations of both phyla was positive with a range of P cycling variables as well as Morgan's P but negative with acid phosphatase activity. FAPROTAX analysis revealed positive correlations of aromatic compound degradation with phoC and phoD gene abundance, highlighting a possible link between biodegradation and P release. In conclusion, poultry litter biochar could potentially replace mineral P fertilizer for sustainable plant growth in P depleted soil environments.

Changes in soil properties of differently aged abandoned lands and agrotechnical methods for the land development

The purpose of the study. Assessment of changes in the agrochemical status of soils of abandoned lands at different stages of spontaneous revegetation in the south-east of West Siberia and the development of technologies for such lands development. Location and time of the study. The research was carried out in 2014–2022 in the subtaiga and forest-steppe zones of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, confined to the Achinsk-Bogotolsky (Tyukhtetsky district, Zarechenskoye experimental field, sod-podzolic and gray forest soils) and Nazarovsky (Sharypovsky district, gray forest soils) natural areas. Methods. The age of the abandoned lands was modeled by sequentially removing arable land from the agricultural use. In studies on the humus transformation in the abandoned lands a comparative analysis of soil analogues of the abandoned and arable areas was used at the following study sites: 1) long-term arable land; 2) land abandoned for 8 and 10 years. Field experiment was carried at Zarechensky Experimental Station on abandoned lands aged 3 and 10 years during the first four years after the land was put once again in the agricultural use, cropped for wheat, oats or rye. Humus, mobile soil P and K, pH and the sum of exchangeable bases were measured in soil samples collected from the ploughed layer. The primary soil tillage consisted of ploughing in spring, followed by removing woody plants and two cultivations prior to sowing rye. Prior to sowing spring wheat and oats the soil was ploughed, cultivated an harrowed; herbicides were not used. Results. The content of humus in the sod-podzolic soil of the abandoned land increased 1,6 times over 10 years, and mobile humus substances increased 2,2 times compared with the arable soil. The newly formed humic substances were mainly of the fulvate-humate type. In the gray forest soil in the forest-steppe, the humus content in the 8-year-old abandoned land 1,2 times mainly due to humic acids. The greatest increase in humic substances was observed in the sod-podzolic soils of the abandoned lands in the subtaiga zone, followed in the descending order by the gray forest soil of the subtaiga and the gray forest soil of the forest steppe. In sod-podzolic soils the content of humus, available forms of phosphorus and potassium, as well as soil acidic/alkaline properties did not change significantly over 3 and 10 years of land abandonement. In the lands abandoned for long terms, i.e. for 15 and 25 years, the humus content increased by 33 and 55%, whereas K2O increased by 57 and 70%, the amount of exchange bases by 28 and 54%, respectively. The soil acidity and the mobile phosphorus content did not change. At the 10-year-old abandoned site the proportion of agronomically valuable fractions of soil aggregates increased by 10–15%. Compared with the arable soil, the amount of easily decomposable organic matter in soils of abandoned lands increased by 59%, or 2,5 times. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers applied on 3- and 10-years-old abandoned lands increased the winter rye yield by 23% jn average. Spring nitrogen fertilization increased the yield by 20% and 17% more according to the longevity of abandonement. Wheat and oats yields were almost similar on abandoned lands of different ages in all variants of the experiment. Spring crops response to the application of nitrogen fertilizers was stronger. Conclusion. Abandonment of lands occupied with sod-podzolic soils in the subtaiga zone and gray forest soils in the forest-steppe resulted in a positive humus budget, which depends on the soils genesis. The largest annual increase in humic substances content was observed in sod-podzolic soils, followed in decreasing order by the gray forest soils of the subtaiga and forest steppe. In the mid-term (10–15 years) and long-term (more than 15 years) abandoned lands the soil agrophysical and agrochemical properties were improving. An area abandoned for 3–10 years can be prepared for sowing winter rye in one field season. The application of mineral fertilizers on the abandoned lands once again ploughed for agricultural use can increases the grain yields by an average of 70–100%, nitrogen fertilizers being of crucial importance. The best option for the conservation of abandoned lands occupied by acidic soils (especially in locations remote from settlements) is to stablish meadows of perennial grasses and herbs. Such lands will serve as a reliable source of feed, a place for the livestock grazing and a promising object for biological agriculture.

ВЛИЯНИЕ МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО УДОБРЕНИЯ И ПОДВОЕВ НА РОСТ И РАЗВИТИЕ САЖЕНЦЕВ ВИШНИ СОРТА ТРОИЦКАЯ

The growth and development of fruit crop seedlings depend on various factors that allow increasing the growth and the root collar diameter. The parameters are crucial for obtaining high-quality products. The application of mineral fertilisers allows the plant to fully feed on trace elements throughout the growing season, in conditions when the plant has a limited space for growth but experiences no deficiency in nutrients. Using rootstocks in growing stone fruit trees is critical for the development of seedlings and their resistance to adverse environmental conditions. The variety and rootstock response to mineral fertilisers is another important criterion for obtaining strong cherry seedlings [12, 14]. The Urea mineral fertiliser enhanced the growth of seedlings 1.5-fold on the rootstock of the Ashinskaya and Maak cherry varieties. The fertilisers also increased the root collar diameter: RCD enlarged 1.4-fold on the rootstocks of varieties Ashinskaya and Maaka. The Ashinskaya cherry tree variety has a high regenerative capacity, winter hardiness, rapid growth, high field resistance to pests and diseases [11]. The Maaka cherry tree variety has a monogenic resistance to coccomycosis, high winter hardiness, drought resistance, a high rooting rate of green cuttings and produces no overgrowth. The properties make variety Maaka valuable for rootstock use. The Troitskaya cherry tree variety has an average early ripening period, a high yield, annual fruiting, resistance to pests and diseases, it is a donor of large fruit. The experiment identified the best variant that involved applying the Urea mineral fertiliser at a dose of 5 g / l and, using the Maaka cherry tree variety as a rootstock. The variant demonstrated the highest values for the height of seedlings (68.6 cm) and the highest RCD values (6.9 mm) on average for three years

Hierarchical structure of forest-steppe soil changes as a vector of orientation of agrophysical stability

Annotation Purpose. To develop a statistical model of the organization of the structural state, to identify the orientation vector and criteria for assessing the structuring of forest-steppe soil differences at the macro- levels microaggregate and of the organization in order to obtain objective and comprehensive information to establish the level at which the process of manifestation of resistance against agrophysical degradation is born. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical and analytical method. Results. The improved instrumental method of air-dry scattering of soil and the application of modern methods of statistical analysis (fractal, factorial, cluster) made it possible to evaluate the series of distribution of structural units by size for the subject of stability according to fractal indicators, and the structuring of fractions of microaggregates >0.25 mm made it possible to strengthen the reliability of the approximation trends of the exponent of the equations to the level of R > 0.7 and to determine 2 the persistence and anti-persistence of the distribution series themselves, that is, the stability or trendiness of the distribution. A parallel study of changes in the state of the soil structure on the main soils of the Forest Steppe at two hierarchical levels made it possible to establish that within the soil-genetic intervals of valuable structural individualities, depending on the type of soil, the regrouping of components takes place by size, and structured microaggregates in the amount of <0.25 mm are involved, to a greater extent, to structural aggregates of 1–0.25 mm and to a lesser extent to more valuable structural units of 5–1 mm. Conclusions. The meadow-chernozem soil was the most resistant to anthropogenic influences (application of mineral fertilizers): Kmaсr = 1.91–219, and for sowing perennial grasses with fertilizer application Kmaсr = 2.24–2.47. Less resistant to the application of mineral fertilizers was the dark gray podizolized soil (Kmaсr = 1.08–2.58) and the most vulnerable was the typical chernozem with little humus (Kmaсr = 0.28–0.59). The coefficient of microaggregation (Kmicr) increased from chernozems typical to dark gray podzolized to meadow chernozem soils. Keywords: structural state, microaggregates, macroaggregates, elementary soil particles, factor analysis, analysis, coefficient. cluster

Analysis of the principle of action and features of the use of ground and above-ground technical means for the protection of field crops and their surface fertilization with mineral fertilizers

Annotation Purpose. To determine the peculiarities of the use of ground and above-ground technical means for the protection of field crops and their fertilization with mineral fertilizers. Methods. Analysis of the features of the use of ground and above-ground technical means, by studying the principle of their operation. Results. The analysis of the features of the use of ground and above-ground technical means for the protection of field crops and their fertilization with mineral fertilizers proved that, from a technical point of view, for this purpose, Ukraine has created all the prerequisites for a gradual reduction of ground-based technical means. Conclusions 1. Existing ground sprayers and technical means for surface feeding of field crops, which currently dominate in this field, do not meet agronomic and technical requirements. 2. The use of multi-copter means for this purpose can eliminate almost all the disadvantages inherent in ground-based ones. Modern multicopter technical means have an unsatisfactory quality of distribution of the working fluid over the treated area. To improve the quality of the distribution of the working fluid, it is advisable to use a rod structure of the type of ground sprayers. 3. The use of agricultural aviation is acceptable for performing operations on fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and dispersal of trichogram, which do not require too high uniformity of distribution. 4. With an increase in the capacity of the tank in ground sprayers from 5000 l to 25000 l, for run lengths from 500 m to 1500 m, the productivity of these sprayers will increase only 1.08 times, which emphasizes the impracticality of further increasing the capacity of tanks in ground sprayers. Keywords: plant protection, application of mineral fertilizers, terrestrial, overhead technical means, trichogram settlement.

Justification of the design and technological scheme of a new type of machine for applying mineral fertilizers

Annotation Purpose. Rationale for the structural and technological scheme of the transport-technological machine for the application of solid mineral fertilizers, which will ensure the improvement of the quality of the application of mineral fertilizers by stabilizing the dose of their application as the body of the machine is emptied and its annual load increases. Methods. Analysis of known designs of machines for applying solid mineral fertilizers, theoretical based on the laws of mechanics and experimental using standard methods. Results. The structural and technological scheme of a new type of machine for applying mineral fertilizers and dependencies for determining the main parameters and modes of operation of its working bodies are substantiated. Its experimental sample was created, the results of which in the process of laboratory and field studies confirmed the independence of the dose of mineral fertilizers from the filling (emptying) of the car body with mineral fertilizers. In addition, the possibility of using the machine in the operations of transporting loose technological materials and transshipping them to other technical means and stationary capacities, as well as unloading to the site, was confirmed, which ensured an increase in its annual loading by more than 4 times. Conclusions. The creation of body-type machines for applying solid mineral fertilizers according to the principle of transport-technological machines, which include a body equipped with a feeder, a screw conveyor, a hopper with a dispenser and sorting working bodies, ensures: - exclusion of the influence of the degree of filling (emptying) of the body machines with mineral fertilizers for the dose of their introduction; - expansion of the scope of application of the machine thanks to its additional use in transportation operations of loose technological materials and their transshipment into other technical means and stationary capacities, as well as unloading at the site, which in general leads to an increase in its annual loading more than 4 times.

Cotton irrigation regime under the mole irrigation method in the south of Russia

Studies on developing optimal soil water regimes under mole irrigation of cotton compared with sprinkling and drip irrigation were conducted in 2023 on light-chestnut soils of southern Russia. As a result, it was found that under mole irrigation, with increasing the pre-watering threshold of soil moisture from 70-70-65 to 80-80-75 % of the lowest water holding capacity (LWC) irrigation rates decreased from 250...290 to 170...210 m3/ha and the number of irrigations and irrigation rate increased from 4 to 7 units and from 1040 to 1270 m3/ha. A comparison of irrigation methods showed that under mole irrigation, in comparison with drip irrigation, irrigation rates increased by 7.4. 13.3 %, and the number of irrigations per season and irrigation rate decreased by 1...2 units and 11.2...12.6 %, respectively. Compared to sprinkling, irrigation rates and total amount of water decreased by 45.2...46.3 and 28.8...34.5 %, respectively, and the number of irrigations increased by 1 unit. It was also found that maintaining a moisture availability level of 75-75-70 % LWC created optimal conditions in cotton crops, which, combined with mineral fertilizer application with doses N140P60K45, allowed the highest cotton yield under mole irrigation of 3.18 t/ha. When sprinkling on a similar option, it decreased by 0.21 t/ha, and at drip irrigation, it increased by 0.13 t/ha.

Influence of nitrogen and mineral fertilizer application on technological quality indicators of winter wheat harvest and grain in repeated soy crop

Influence of nitrogen and mineral fertilizer application on technological quality indicators of winter wheat harvest and grain in repeated soy crop

THE FORMATION OF THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC POTENTIAL OF SOYBEAN VARIETIES DEPENDING ON THE DOSES OF MINERAL FERTILIZERS AND FOLIAR NUTRITION WITH ORGANO-MINERAL FERTILIZER

The main key to the formation of the maximum yield of agricultural crops in general, and of soybeans in particular, is the index of the leaf surface area. Providing plants with a full range of mineral nutrition elements and foliar fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizer significantly affect the indicator of the size of the assimilation surface and the intensity of its growth. Foliar fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizers and applying mineral fertilizers in different doses according to research results is quite an effective way to ensure optimal nutrition of plants. The results of research on the study of the photosynthetic productivity of soybean varieties under the influence of different doses of mineral fertilizers and different periods of foliar fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizer (foliar fertilizing in the phase of the 3rd trifoliate leaf, foliar fertilizing in the phase of budding) in the conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe are presented. The peculiarities of the formation of the leaf surface area of soybean plants have been established. It was found that the dose of mineral fertilizers and the timing of foliar fertilizing with organo-mineral fertilizer Helprost Soybean (2.0 l/ha) had a significant impact on this indicator. The use of foliar fertilizing with Helprost Soybean in the budding phase ensured an increase in the leaf surface area by 7.2 - 12.7% in the Onyx variety and, accordingly, by 8.6 - 13.3% in the Sensor variety. Based on the results of research, it was found that the most effective technological technique was the combination of foliar feeding in the phase of the 3rd trifoliate leaf with Helprost Soybean with foliar feeding with the same organo-mineral fertilizer in the budding phase. Such growing conditions contributed to an increase in the area of leaves in comparison with variants without treatment by 10.6-17.9% in the Onyx variety and 12.3-18.2% in the Sensor variety. According to the results of the observations and calculations, it was found that the photosynthetic potential of soybean crops increased dynamically during the entire growing season and was directly dependent on the doses of mineral fertilizers, foliar fertilizing with organic-mineral fertilizers, and the weather conditions of the year. Together with mineral fertilizers, foliar feeding in different phases of the growing season of soybean crops had a positive effect on the formation of the photosynthetic potential of crops.

The effect of soil liming, nitrogen and potassium application on the growth, development and physiological parameters of Calendula officinalis L.

The effect of soil liming and the addition of different doses of nitrogen and potassium on the growth, development and operation of FAS pot marigold plants (Calendula officinalis L. abrikosovy jam variety was studied. Experimental options: option 1 (control); option 2 (lime 4.6 t/ha); option 3 (lime 4.6 t/ha, N70K140); option 4 (lime 4.6 t/ha, N100K200). The plants were grown at an illumination intensity of PAR 200 mmol/m2, with a photoperiod of 12 hours before the flowering stage. The results of the study showed that the application of lime and mineral fertilizers significantly increased the biomass, height, leaf area of plants and the intensity of photosynthesis, accelerated the development of plants compared with the control. At the same time, the greatest influence on plant productivity was exerted by the introduction of lime into the soil, which caused a maximum increase in the intensity of photosynthesis and the water use efficiency (WUE), an increase in the number of inflorescences and their mass. The addition of urea and potassium sulfate caused an additional increase in plant weight and leaf area. There was no significant effect of nitrogen and potassium addition on the chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, transpiration intensity and WUE.

Influence of cultivation techniques on productivity and quality of meadow clover

Meadow clover (red clover) is the most important fodder plant in most parts of Russia. Positive characteristics of this plant are the presence of a significant amount of reserve nutrients (crude protein, protein, nitrogenfree extractive substances) in the composition of plant tissues, which provides high fodder value. As a legume, meadow clover accumulates in the soil organically bound nitrogen, a large amount of organic mass of crop root residues, enriching the soil with nutrients and contributing to the increase of its physical and mechanical properties. The disadvantage of this crop is its short productive life. In this regard, it is necessary to intensify the cultivation methods for a short period of use in order to obtain the greatest return from the crop in the fodder and agronomic aspect. Intensification of cultivation methods means everything that contributes to the increase of plant productivity: application of mineral and organic fertilizers to improve mineral nutrition, inoculation of seeds before sowing to mobilize and activate soil microflora and productive symbiosis between plants and microbiota, use of growth regulators to optimize photosynthesis processes. The study of the influence of these intensification methods was the purpose of our research. It was found that the use of estimated doses of mineral fertilizers contributed most optimally to the processes of yield formation and final productivity of clover grass. Among all the strains of nodule bacteria studied, inoculant strain 348a was the most effective because it is speciesspecific for meadow clover. The use of growth regulators Ribav Extra and Root Super is a positive technique that provides optimal growth and development of plants during vegetation. The methods studied also had a positive effect on the seed productivity of the clover plants, increasing yield and seed quality.

Responses of soil physico-chemical properties, structure of the microbial community and crop yields to different fertilization practices in Russia's conventional farming system.

The use of fertilizers affects not only the soil fertility and crop yield, but also significantly changes the taxonomic structure of the soil microbiocenosis. Here, based on stationary field experiment, we studied the influence of organo-mineral fertilizer (ОМF), modified by bacteria Bacillus subtilis, H-13 in comparison with different fertilizer systems (organic, mineral, organo-mineral) on (i) crop yield, (ii) physical and chemical properties, and (iii) alpha and beta diversity of the microbial community Albic Retisol (Loamic, Aric, Cutanic, Differentic, Ochric). The studies were carried out against the background of liming (рНКCl - 5.9) and without it (рНКCl - 5.1). The use of only one cattle farmyard manure was less effective than its co-application with mineral fertilizers in half doses. A similar effect was obtained when applying ОМF. In addition, the use of OMF contributes to a significant increase in the reserves of soil organic carbon in the soil layer 0-20 cm by 18%-32%. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA variable V4 gene sequence libraries, 10.759 taxa from 456 genera were identified, assigned to 34 fila (31 bacterial and 3 archaeotic. Unilateral application of mineral fertilizers leads to a significant decrease in the alpha diversity of the structure of soil microbial communities (OTE (other things equal) and Shannon index). A clear clustering of the microbiota was found in the variants with and without the introduction of сattle farmyard manure. It is revealed that the taxonomic structure of the microbiocenosis is formed under the influence of two main factors: crop rotation culture and applied fertilizers. The type of cultivated crop determines the dynamics of the microbiota at the level of larger taxa, such as domains, and fertilizers affect the structure of the microbial community at a lower taxonomic level (phyla, orders, bloodlines). On the basis of the Deseq analysis, marker taxa were identified, according to the share participation of which it is possible to determine the type of cultivated crop and fertilizers used in the experiment. Understanding the dynamics of taxa association and other influential factors can lead to the creation of universal systems of metagenomic indication, where tracking the dynamics of microbial communities will allow for a comprehensive assessment of the agroecological state of soils and timely decisions to prevent their degradation.

FORMATION OF THE YIELD OF THE ABOVE-GROUND MASS OF WHITE SWEETCLOVER IN SINGLE-SPECIES AND COMBINED CROPS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST STEPPE OF UKRAINE

FORMATION OF THE YIELD OF THE ABOVE-GROUND MASS OF WHITE SWEETCLOVER IN SINGLE-SPECIES AND COMBINED CROPS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST STEPPE OF UKRAINE

ПОЖИВНИЙ РЕЖИМ І ЗАБУР’ЯНЕНІСТЬ ПОСІВІВ СОРГО ЗЕРНОВОГО ЗА РІЗНИХ СПОСОБІВ ОСНОВНОГО ОБРОБІТКУ ҐРУНТУ ТА УДОБРЕННЯ

The article presents the results of experimental studies on the influence of different methods and depths of primary tillage, as well as nitrogen fertilizer rates, on the nutrient regime and weed infestation of grain sorghum crops. The research aims to scientifically substantiate and improve existing technological methods to increase the yield of grain sorghum plants, taking into account their morphobiological characteristics and reaction to the application of mineral fertilizers under various methods and depths of primary soil tillage. During the experiment, field, quantitative-weight, visual, laboratory, comparative-computational, and mathematical-statistical methods were used, employing widely recognized techniques and methodological recommendations. Results. The highest amounts of nitrates, mobile phosphorus compounds, and exchangeable potassium in the soil layer of 0-40 cm under grain sorghum crops during the years of the study were recorded against the background of the N60 nitrogen fertilizer dose applied during plowing to a depth of 28-30 cm. The lowest content of mobile phosphorus forms over the average of 3 years was observed in the disk tillage variant to a depth of 8-10 cm. The potassium content in the soil layer of 0-40 cm under grain sorghum crops over the average of 3 years of experimental research was characterized by a medium level. No significant difference was found in the utilization of available potassium by grain sorghum plants throughout the entire vegetation period, depending on the study factors. With an N30 dose, weed quantity increased by 1.4 and 2.2 times compared to the unfertilized background, depending on the soil tillage variant, and with an N60 dose, it increased by 1.3 and 2.1 times. The average yield of grain sorghum for plowing to a depth of 28-30 cm with the application of nitrogen fertilizers at a dose of N60 was 5.44 t/ha over the years of the study. For chisel tillage to the same depth, a yield of 3.89 t/ha was obtained, and for disk tillage, it was 2.54 t/ha. Conclusions. When growing grain sorghum in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, it is advisable to apply plowing to a depth of 28-30 cm against the background of nitrogen fertilizer application at a dose of N60, which creates favorable nutrient conditions and forms grain yield at the level of 5.44 t/ha. Keywords: grain sorghum, method and depth of tillage, nitrogen fertilizers, nutrient regime, weed infestation, yield.

Optimizing plant growth, nutrient uptake, and yield of onion through the application of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and endophytic fungi.

The application of mineral fertilizers deteriorates soil properties and affects crop yield and nutritional properties. However, plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM- Serendipita indica, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM)) have great potential to reduce fertilizers and improve soil fertility, crop yield, and nutrient uptake and mitigate the environmental effect of mineral fertilizers. Hence, a field experiment was conducted involving nine treatments to evaluate the effects of PGPM along with 50% or 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizers on plant growth, soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and onion productivity. Results indicated that 100% RDF combined with S. indica or PSB led to improved plant growth, and higher nutrient concentrations in both leaves and bulbs of onions compared to RDF alone. Moreover, the application of 100% RDF with S. indica increased total dry matter yield by 11.5% and 7.6% in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons, respectively, compared to 100% RDF alone. This treatment also resulted in the highest nutrient uptake, with N uptake increasing by 6.9%-29.9%, P by 13.7%-21.7%, K by 20.0%-23.7%, and S by 18.1%-23.4%. Additionally, the combination of 100% RDF with S. indica inoculation led to a notable increase in bulb yield, with increments of 16.2% and 13.9% observed in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, respectively, compared to 100% RDF alone. Similarly, the application of 100% RDF along with PSB inoculation resulted in an increase in bulb yield by 7.2% and 9.4% in the respective years. However, VAM did not exhibit satisfactory performance or improvements in the onion crop. Overall, the study suggests that combining 100% RDF with S. indica or PSB can enhance onion productivity and nutrient use efficiency. The present study may open a new avenue of PGPM application in enhancing onion yield and improving the bulb quality as well as soil health. However, field trials across different regions and soil types are necessary to validate these findings for practical adoption by farmers.

Environmental aspects of the application of mineral fertilizers

To increase crop production, it is practically important to study the influence of micro fertilizers in the context of organic fertilizers (compost). The effect of micro fertilizers on the yield, quality, and chemical composition of the fruit of the pepper variety was studied in a compost-based cropping trial. It was found that the combined use of organic and micro fertilizer increased pepper yield by 6.67-19.37%. The sugar content in the optimum varieties increased by 1.07-1.31 times, vitamin C by 1.01-1.14 times, ash by 1.02-1.17 times, and cellulose by 1.06-1.44 times compared to the background. The influence of different concentrations of trace element salts on the chemical composition of pepper fruits was also studied. The concentration and chemical properties of micro fertilizing salt solutions were found to influence both the content and accumulation of TE in pepper fruits.

Composts of diverse green wastes improve the soil biological quality, but do not alleviate drought impact on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth

AbstractIntense soil cultivation and climate change have detrimental effects on soils. Solutions are needed to improve the biological quality and water holding capacity of agricultural soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of compost application and drought stress on a soil/plant system in order to determine the improvement of soil quality and plant growth and the alleviation of drought stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown under greenhouse conditions in a sandy soil with sufficient mineral fertilizer application to test the effect of five compost types (three made from municipal garden and park wastes with differing nutrient contents, one from municipal household waste, and one from farm plant residues) applied at 30 Mg ha−1 dry weight, with which we compared soil quality and plant growth to soil without compost application. Treatment pots were irrigated or subjected to drought conditions during the last 14 days of lettuce growth. Assays of potential N mineralization during 28 days, dehydrogenase and β‐glucosidase activities, and a phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis were performed to assess effects on soil biological quality. Gas exchange, leaf relative water content, biomass, nitrogen accumulation, and root tip growth of lettuce were measured to investigate compost and drought stress effects on lettuce physiology. All composts improved indices of soil biological quality significantly, except for fungal abundance, relative to soil without compost. The greatest increase was obtained from farm compost, which significantly increased potential nitrogen (N) mineralization and soil enzyme activities of β‐glucosidase and dehydrogenase by factors of 4, 2, and 43, respectively. Furthermore, soil with farm compost generally showed a higher abundance of soil microbial organisms compared with soil without compost, which could be related to its high cellulose and hemicellulose contents. The lowest abundance of microbial organisms was generally found in soil with garden and park waste compost with a medium nutrient content, which could be related to its low organic matter content. The beneficial effect of compost on soil biological quality did not lead to improved lettuce growth, which suggests that soil biological quality (ameliorated by compost application) is not important for a fast‐growing crop, such as lettuce, that is sufficiently fertilized. Drought stress reduced aboveground lettuce biomass, root tip growth, and the abundance of most soil microbial groups significantly, but compost in soil did not alleviate these negative effects. In conclusion, the farm compost made from grass–clover, straw, and vegetable residues is superior to garden and park waste and household waste composts in terms of beneficial effects on soil biological quality. Compost clearly improved soil biological quality, but did not influence lettuce's response to drought stress. The knowledge gained in this study is useful for producing tailor‐made compost with desired effects of improved soil biological quality.