Complex Fertilizer Research Articles

PROCESSING AND RESEARCH OF EFFECTIVENESS OF NEW BIOPREPARATES BASED ON RHODOCOCCUS SP. H33, GUMATES AND LIGNOSULFONATES FOR THE CLEANING OF NEFTEZAINOUSLY CONTAMINATED SOILS

Development of preparations for increasing the efficiency of carbon deposition by woody plants in the conditions of technogenically contaminated lands is an urgent task and is divided into 2 stages. The first stage is related to the remediation of lands polluted with hydrocarbons in the process of oil production and refining. The second stage is aimed at obtaining biopreparations to accelerate carbon deposition by biosystems (woody and herbaceous plants).In this work, the effectiveness of a biopreparation based on a new strain of bacteria-oil-destructors Rhodococcus sp. H33 in combination with humates and lignosulfonates for cleaning of oil-contaminated lands was studied.It is shown that the most effective of several strains of oil destructors isolated from oil-contaminated soils is Rhodococcussp. H33, which was used as the basis of biopreparation for cleaning of lands contaminated with oil and oil products.It was found that at 8 % level of oil pollution microorganisms of the biopreparation based on strain H33 together with additives are capable of its greater destruction (the degree of biodegradation in the variant with lignosulfonates reaches 47.4 % for 6 weeks of experiment) than components separately (introduction of strain H33 without additives leads to destruction of 20 % of oil, humic preparations — does not exceed 10 %), comparison preparation «Lenoil» — 15–20 %. Based on the values of the number of heterotrophic, as well as hydrocarbon- oxidizing microorganisms, as well as the results of reducing the concentration of oil hydrocarbons, it is shown that the following composition of the complex biotechnological preparation-oil-destructor is optimal: biopreparation based on bacterial strain H33 (titer 2·109 CFU/ ml) — NPK — complex fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) 0.25 g/kg soil — 0.02 % wt. sodium lignosulfonate.

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIETIES, FOLIAR FERTILIZATION AND BIOSTIMULATOR ON TRITICALE PRODUCTION IN NORD-WESTERN ROMANIA

Triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) are a hybrid created by man by crossing two species, namely Triticum aestivum and Secale cereale. They adopted the good ability to adapt to climatic conditions, high resistance to plant diseases and the utilization of low fertility soils from Secale cereale and the high production capacity and high protein content from Triticum aestivum. In general, triticale is used in feeding animals in different forms (concentrated fodder, straw, silage, pasture), especially in feeding pigs and birds. More recently, it was discovered that this plant has several properties, being similar to wheat. It is also used in the bioethanol, alcohol, cellulose industry and even in aquaculture. Fertilization is one of the most important in the cultivation technology of this plant, ensuring production increases both quantitatively and qualitatively. The experiment is located in the year 2021-2022, in northwest Romania, in Livada, Satu Mare county on a typical preluvosol with an acidic reaction, with a pH of 5.19 in the arable layer. It is placed after the method of subdivided plots, being an experiment with three experimental factors, of which only two factors were studied, the variety and fertilization and their influence on triticale production. Due to the severe climatic conditions, with high temperatures and lack of precipitation, additional fertilization with foliar fertilizer and biostimulator recorded significantly negative differences in production. It was found that the best fertilization option during that testing period was the basic fertilization of the soil with complex fertilizers in the fall and nitrogen-based fertilizers in the springtime.

Winter wheat crop production and its quality when using complex fertilizers

The purpose of the current study was to estimate the effect of mineral and complex fertilizers with macro- and microelements, methods, and methods of their application upon productivity and individual quality elements of crop products when cultivating winter wheat in the conditions of the North-West of the Russian Federation. The study was carried out on the experimental plots of the FSBSI FRC LK OP Pskov Research Institute of Agriculture in 2020–2021. The objects of the study were the winter wheat variety ‘Skipetr’, mineral and complex fertilizers. The main application of mineral fertilizers (N40P50K70) provided favorable conditions for plant nutrition from the beginning of a vegetation period. The use of complex fertilizers for crops helped eliminate the deficiency in nutrients in the following phases of development. The trials have established a positive effect of mineral and liquid complex fertilizers on winter wheat productivity improvement (from 0,32 to 0,96 t/ha according to the trial variants); on the nitrogen content in grain (by 9–13 %) with a stable level of phosphorus and potassium; on crude protein yield per unit area (from 1.5 to 44.8 kg/ha) with the yields of main and by-products; on the formation of more filled grain (by 0.5–2.6 g) with an increase in the mass fraction of raw gluten. The use of complex fertilizers ‘Kodafol’ and ‘Strada N’ during the vegetation period made it possible to obtain the greatest increase in a number of indicators. An estimation of the agronomic efficiency of the studied agricultural practices has shown that the greatest return on 1 kg of NPK in terms of productivity increase was achieved in the trial variants treated with ‘Kodafol’ (against the background of mineral nutrition N40P50K70) and ‘Strada N’ (against the background of N40P50K70+N20) with 4.7–6.7 and 4.8–6.8 kg of grain, respectively.

Effect of Crop Specific Blended Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A Field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2022-23 at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Kathalagere, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, to study the effect of crop specific blended fertilizers on the growth and yield of maize. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with ten treatments replicated thrice. Nutrient composition of blended fertilizer used for basal application was 16:18:11:4:1 N:P2O5:K2O:S:Zn and for top dress was 27: 0:13 N:P2O5:K2O. The treatments T1, T2, T3 consisted of application of basal blended fertilizer @ 312.5, 412.5 and 515 kg ha-1, respectively and top dress blended fertilizer @ 237.5, 312.5 and 390 kg ha-1, respectively. Basal blended fertilizer @ 412.5 kg ha-1 + top dress of urea at 30 and 45 DAS (T4), Package of practice (PoP) through straight fertilizer (T5), PoP through complex fertilizer (T6), recommended dose through Urea, DAP, MOP and ZnSO4 + top dress of nano urea @ 0.4% at 30 and 45 DAS (T7), physical blending of Urea, SSP, MOP and ZnSO4 (16:18:11:4:1 N:P:K:S:Zn) for basal and Urea and MOP (27:0:13 N:P:K) for top dress (T8), farmers' practice (T9) and absolute control (T10). Among all treatments, the application of basal blended fertilizer @ 515 kg ha-1 + Top dress of blended fertilizer @ 390 kg ha-1 recorded the maximum plant height (222.4 cm), number of leaves (10.3 plant-1), total dry matter accumulation (285.86 g plant-1), cob length (21.31 cm), cob girth (18.31 cm), number of kernels per cob (516.57) and test weight (24.22 g) at harvest as compared to PoP through straight and complex fertilizer and absolute control. The same treatment recorded significantly higher kernel and straw yield (69.51 and 89.36 q ha-1, respectively) in comparison to other treatments but it was on par with T2, T5 and T6. The treatment T3 recorded 27.8 % higher yield compared to T9. In study area the application of basal blended fertilizer @ 515 kg ha-1 + Top dress of blended fertilizer @ 390 kg ha-1 is recommended to achieve higher growth and yield of maize.

Productivity of brown mustard plants depending on pre-sowing application of mineral fertilisers and foliar feeding

Brown mustard has a prominent genetic potential for seed productivity, which can be fulfilled by optimising the elements of cultivation technology, namely the nutrition system, which makes research relevant. The purpose of this study was to determine the complex effect of the combination of different variants for pre-sowing mineral feeding and foliar feeding with water-soluble fertilisers on the formation of productivity elements and biological yield of brown mustard seeds. Field, laboratory (for accounting for structural elements of the crop), and statistical (for mathematical processing of materials) research methods were used in the study. The study was conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2023 on the basis of the farm “KYRYCHENKO M” located in the central part of Borivskyi district of Kharkiv region. The experiment compared five variants of pre-sowing mineral feeding and five variants of foliar feeding with various combinations of water-soluble fertilisers. The largest number of seeds on the plant and the largest mass were in the variants of the combination of pre-sowing application of N45P45K45 and carrying out two foliar feedings during microphases 21-23 and 50-53 with a mixture of carbamide and complex fertiliser Quantum technical – 627.3 pcs. and 1.97 g, respectively. However, these indicators did not significantly differ from the variant with a lower dose of presowing fertilisers – N45P30K30. Generally, according to the experiment, the highest biological yield of brown mustard seeds in an average of three years was in the variants of the combination of pre-sowing application of N45P45K45 and N45P30K30 with two foliar top dressings with different mixtures of fertilisers – 2.72-2.79 t/ha. Proceeding from this, the best variant in the experiment was the pre-sowing application of N45P30K30 in combination with two foliar feedings during microphases 21-23 and 50-53 with a mixture of carbamide and the complex watersoluble fertiliser under study in single doses of 10 kg/ha and 2.0 l/ha, respectively. It was established that the highest biological yield of mustard seeds in all years was on the variants of pre-sowing application – N45P45K45 and N45P30K30. There was no significant difference between these variants by year. The findings of this study can be used by agricultural enterprises to adjust the nutrition system (pre-sowing application of complex fertilisers and foliar feeding), which will ensure a more complete fulfilment of the genetic potential of brown mustard productivity

Effectiveness of new agromeliorations under barley cultivation in radionuclide soil contamination

Based on the results of three-year production tests, the effectiveness of new agromeliorants (PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer and Gumiton organo-mineral complex) was evaluated when growing barley on radioactively contaminated sandy loam soddy-podzolic soils of Novozybkovsky district of Bryansk region. It is shown that non-root treatment of barley crops in the earing phase with Gumiton (1 l/ha) without the use of fertilizer contributed to an increase in grain yield by 17-29% relative to the control, depending on the year. The introduction of PhosAgro NPK fertilizer (0.3 t/ha) gave an increase in yield of 22-39%. The combined use of fertilizer and the drug increased the yield by 18-72%. The multiplicity of the decrease in the intake of 137Cs in grain during the treatment of crops with Gumiton was up to 2.3 times, with the combined use of the drug and fertilizer - up to 4.7 times compared with the control. The use of Gumiton and PhosAgro NPK guaranteed the production of grain with a content of 137Cs corresponding to the standards of Sanitary Rules and Regulations 2.3.2. 2650-10. The conditional net income per 1 ruble of costs for processing barley crops with Gumiton amounted to 3.75-17.6 rubles, depending on the year. Both the introduction of PhosAgro NPK and the treatment of barley crops with Gumiton did not significantly affect the grain quality indicators: the content of protein, ash, fat, fiber. Thus, it is shown that the organo-mineral complex Gumiton and complex fertilizer PhosAgro NPK are effective agromeliorants in barley cultivation technologies in conditions of radioactive contamination of soils.

Technology of applying a multifunctional homogenizer assembly for carbamide-ammonium mixture preparation

This paper considers the technological process of preparing carbamide-ammonium mixture using a multifunctional homogenizer assembly. The study object is the work process in the flow part of the multifunctional homogenizer assembly. Carbamide-ammonium mixture is used to feed plants with nitrogen, which is one of the main macro elements necessary for their growth and development. Nitrogen contributes to the formation of proteins, enzymes, and other important organic compounds, which are necessary for healthy plant growth and crop formation. Production of carbamide-ammonium mixture includes several stages, such as mechanical, hydromechanical, thermal, mass exchange, and chemical processes. To optimize these processes, a multifunctional homogenizer assembly of the rotary-dynamic principle of action was designed, which is capable of simultaneously performing all stages of carbamide-ammonium mixture preparation. A test bench was constructed to study the process of preparing carbamide-ammonium mixture and the sample was analyzed for nutrient content. The designed unit is capable of preparing about 30 liters of ready-made KAS-32 mixture in 10 minutes. The energy indicators obtained as a result of parametric tests are: head H=22.1 m, power N=27 kW, with productivity Q=5 m3/h. The use of such technology makes it possible to implement the principles of precision agriculture under the conditions of small-scale production, thereby increasing the efficiency of land cultivation. There is also the possibility of using equipment of this type for other needs, for example, for the preparation of liquid complex fertilizers and growth stimulants based on humates. Further development based on this assembly includes the construction of an automatic component supply line and the formation of a closed production cycle system

Effect of Combinations of Chemical, Nano-Fertilizer and Bio-Fertilizer NPK on Yield and Quality Traits of some Bread Wheat Cultivars Triticum aestivum L.

A field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season 2022-2023 in the fields of the College of Agriculture - Al-Qasim Green University, located at latitude 32.33 north and longitude 42.45 east, in soil with a mixture of clay textures in order to study the effect of chemical and nano fertilizer NPK and bio-fertilizer on yield and quality traits of wheat cultivars. the bread. The experiment was applied according to split-plots arrangement using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Three cultivars of bread wheat occupied IPA-99, Bahouth-22 and Baghdad, and were given the symbols V1, V2, and V3 on the main plots, while fertilizer combinations occupied the sub plots, which are fully recommended compound fertilizer and fully recommended compound fertilizer + biofertilizer and compost. Full compound recommendation + nano fertilizer and 50% compound fertilizer only and 50% compound fertilizer + 50% biofertilizer and 50% compound fertilizer + 50% nanofertilizer and 50% complex fertilizer + 50% biofertilizer + 50% nanofertilizer and the codes were given F1 and F2 and F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7, respectively. The results of the study showed the superiority of cultivar IBA-99 over the other two cultivars by giving the highest average percentage of protein in grains and the ratio of wet and dry gluten, which amounted to 12.73%, 36.13% and 13.54%, respectively. Baghdad cultivar achieved a significantly excelled by giving the highest average of grain yield, biological yield and harvest index, which amounted to 4.60 tons ha-1 and 13.55 tons ha-1 and 33.04%, respectively. The plants treated with the fertilizer combination 50% compound fertilizer + 50% bio-fertilizer + 50% nano-fertilizer excelled in most of the studied traits (grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, protein percentage in grains, carbohydrates in grains, and the ratio of wet and dry gluten), which amounted to 5.15 tons ha-1 and 15.89 ton ha-1, 35.70%, 13.87%, 60.46%, 38.24%, and 14.71%, respectively.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННАЯ УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ ВИНОГРАДА ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ НЕКОРНЕВЫХ ПОДКОРМОК

The article presents the results of 6-year experi-mental studies to identify the varietal reaction of table and wine grapevine grades on systematic use of foliar top dressing with special complex fertilizers of various compositions. One-factor field experiments were carried out in fruit-bearing industrial vine plantations of the Black Sea (Abrau-Durso LLC, Novorossiysk) and Anapa-Taman (Temryuksky district, Vysheste-blievskaya station) viticulture zones of the Kras-nodar Territory. The object of the study was technical (Merlot, Chardonnay) and table (Au-gustine, Moldova) grapevine varieties. The set-ting and conducting of experimental studies were based on the recommended methodological manuals adopted in viticulture. As a result of the conducted studies, the positive effect of foliar top dressing on the main productivity indicators of all studied grapevine varieties (fruiting coeffi-cient, number and mass of bunches) was re-vealed. The advantage of the systematic use of organomineral fertilizer Maxifol of various brands is determined by the indicator of the number of fertile shoots per bush in the varieties Chardonnay and Augustine. The effectiveness of the humic preparation "Norm L" was revealed in Merlot, Augustine, Moldova varieties. Special complex fertilizers of various compositions used in vine plantations provided a total increase in yield in experiment No. 1 in the amount of 13.9 t/ha (Merlot variety) and 11.6 t/ha (Char-donnay variety) in 2016–2021; in experiment No. 2 – 29.9 t/ha (Augustine variety) and 27.0 t/ha (variety Moldova).

Ammonized Superphosphate and Liquid Nitrogen-Phosphorus Fertilizer Based on the Decomposition of Washed Dryed Concentrate with a Mixture of Sulfuric and Phosphoric Acids

The process of obtaining ammoniated superphosphate and liquid NP-fertilizer by phosphorus-sulphuric acid processing of washed and burned phosphorus concentrate (WBPC) in one cycle were studied. It has been established that at ratios of 100 : 5÷10 : 15 the compositions of ammoniated superphosphate samples are characterized as follows (wt., %): Р2О5total(t.). - 20.60-24.85; Р2О5free - absent; Р2О5acceptable by citric acid(ac.c.a.):Р2О5t. = 91.03-100; Р2О5water.solubility(w.s.). : Р2О5t. = 78.87-96.86; N - 4.20-4.79; pH - 2.95-3.17. The product is mainly from calcium sulfate di- and hemihydrate, mono-ammonium phosphate, mono- and dicalcium phosphate, quartz and activated fluorocarbonate apatite. A liquid NP fertilizer consists of 3.22-4.49% N, 16.92-17.75% P2O5, 2.18-2.86% CaO, 0.09-0.19% MgO, 0.5 -0.6% SO3, 0.10-0.11% Fe2O3, 0.003-0.007% Al2O3, while Р2О5ac.c.a.:Р2О5t. = 97.75-100% and Р2О5w.s.: Р2О5t. = 96.93-100%. The material balance of obtaining ammoniated superphosphate and liquid NP-fertilizer in one cycle is calculated. It has been shown that the ammonization of phosphorus-sulfuric acid phosphate pulp results in the maximum precipitation of insoluble components in the form of complex salts, which ensures the production of a purified liquid complex fertilizer for drip irrigation.

Crop productivity and quality of brown mustard seeds under the influence of pre-sowing fertilization and foliar feeding in the conditions of the North-Eastern Steppe of Ukraine

The article presents the research results of the complex impact of the pre-sowing fertilizers and foliar fertilization on the yield and quality of gray mustard seeds in the conditions of the North-Eastern Steppe of Ukraine. The purpose of the research was to identify the options for pre-sowing application of complex fertilizers and foliar feeding, which ensure the formation of the highest seed yield and the largest collection of gray mustard oil the «Felicia» variety. The research was conducted in 2020, 2021 and 2023 on the basis of farm «Kyrychenko M» of Boriv district, Kharkiv region. A two-factor field experiment was set up using the split-plot method in four replications. The first-order plots were five variants of pre-sowing fertilization, the second order ones – five variants of foliar fertilizing with various combinations of watersoluble fertilizers. The area of the sown plot was 90 m2, the accounting plot was 70 m2 . The highest seed yield (2.27–2.33 t/ha) and oil collection (0.915–0.939 t/ha) were noted on the variants of the combination of pre-sowing application of N45P30K30 and N45P45K45 with two foliar top dressings during 21–23 and 50-53 microphases with a solution urea (10 kg/ha) and complex water-soluble fertilizer «Quantum technical» (2.0 l/ha). The oil content in the seeds did not undergo significant changes. There was only a tendency to increase the oil content in the seeds under the condition of foliar fertilizing and the dose reducing of pre-sowing fertilizers. In particular, the oil content in mustard seeds increased by 0.3–0.4 % in the variants of two foliar feedings compared to the control, and in the variants of pre-sowing application of N45P45K45 it deceased by 0.7 % compared to the control. Weather conditions led to significant changes in seed yield and oil yield per hectare, but the general tendency of influence of the studied factors remained. Based on this, increasing the dose of pre-sowing application from N45P30K30 to N45P45K45, as well as adding to the working solutions for foliar fertilization of the monoelement fertilizer «Quantum-BOR Active» is not advisable. Key words: brown mustard, nutrition system, crop productivity, oil content, foliar feedings, water-soluble fertilizers.

Влияние некорневой обработки специализированным листовым удобрением на качественные показатели развития однолетнего прироста привитых виноградных саженцев

Abstract. Relevance. Currently, in grape nursery breeding, pre-plantng treatment of the seedlings (in own-root culture) and the basal part of the grafting (with grafted culture) is used to increase the yield of seedlings. There is very little data on the use of modern complex fertilizers during stratification and at nursery in the production of grafted planting material, which reflects the relevance of our research. The purpose of the study is. the exploring of the foliar application of the agrochemicals “Fertigrain Foliar Plus” on the intensity of the development of the leaf surfase of the Siberian grape variety. Methods. The methods of setting up the experience and analyzing the data obtained were used in the work, which are generally accepted in the practice of nursery breeding. Results. With additional application of “Fertigrain Foliar Plus”, a significant increase in biometric indicators was observed, namely: the total length from 84 cm (c) to 150.7–171.7 cm; shoot maturation from 25.7 % (c) to 45.4–48.0 %, shoot diameter from 5.6 mm (c) to 8.3–9.0 mm and leaf surface area with 645.1 cm2 (c) to 1995.8–3382.0 cm2. With an increase in the number of treatments, the ratio of the number of leaves by fractions changed in the direction of increasing their size, namely (< 5; 5.1–10; > 10 cm): in the control – 1 : 5 : 0; with double processing – 1 : 12 : 4; with triple treatment – 1 : 9 : 8; with quadruple treatment – 1 : 6 : 12. With an increase in the number of treatment from 2 to 4 times, there was no increase in the number of leaves, however, the average leaf size increased significantly from 8.5 to 10.5 cm. Scientific novelty. For the first time in the conditions of the Rostov region, a modern growth stimulator “Fertigrain Foliar Plus” was studied during the foliar treatment of grafted grape seedlings on nursery-garden. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in the practice of grape nursery to improve the adaptation of seedlings on nursery-garden, stimulate the development of the leaf area and the intensity of ripening, which is especially important for growing varieties with weak ripening.

Removal of Ammonium and Phosphate from Synthetic Wastewater of Complex Fertilizer Industry Through Struvite Crystallization Process

The complex fertilizer industry produces wastewater which contributes to the pollution of water bodies because it contains high levels of phosphate and ammonium concentrations and high TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) which contains organic nitrogen. The organic nitrogen contained in the complex fertilizer wastewater is urea so it can be hydrolyzed to ammonium using the urease enzyme. The ammonium formed from the hydrolysis of urea will then react with magnesium and phosphate to form struvite, a crystal of Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (MAP). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aeration and the enzyme urease in the removal of ammonium and phosphate in complex fertilizer synthetic wastewater through struvite precipitation. Struvite precipitation was carried out in a batch reactor which had a working volume of 0.5 L with variations in aeration rate, aeration time, and the addition of urease enzyme from Jack bean peas (Canavalia ensiformis). Residual ammonium and phosphate levels were analyzed and struvite crystal formation (MAP) was determined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the aeration reactor was able to form struvite crystals and remove the ammonium and phosphate content in the synthetic wastewater of complex fertilizers. The removal of ammonium with a molar ratio of [Mg2+] : [NH4+] : [PO43-] 1:2:1 reached 61-77% at high aeration rates because a lot of ammonium was released into the air. The phosphate removal reached 99%. The urease enzyme was proven to be able to hydrolyze urea into ammonium and increase the pH value and affect the shape of the resulting struvite crystals. The precipitate product obtained was struvite crystals which were confirmed by analysis using SEM-EDX and XRD.

ВЛИЯНИЕ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО УДОБРЕНИЯ С МИКРОЭЛЕМЕНТАМИ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ВИНОГРАДНЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ

Information is provided on the positive effect of complex fertilizer (NPK) with microelements in chelated form on the productivity of grape-vine plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon variety. Foliar feeding was carried out 2 times during the growing season − in the phase of inflorescence formation and in the phase of berry growth. Feeding plants with an agrochemical in doses of 4.0 and 6.0 l/ha contributed most to the increase in the number of berries in a bunch and their weight, which led to an increase in yield by 24.0...28.4 % compared to the control. With a significant increase in yield in the 6 l/ha option, a decrease in the content of soluble sugars in the berries and an increase in titratable acids were observed compared to the control. Despite the fact that the berry juice conditions in the variant with a dose of 6.0 l/ha did not go beyond the standard for the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, the recommended dose of fertilizer was − 4.0 l/ha.

Оценка перезимовки и урожайность озимой ржи в зависимости от применения жидких комплексных удобрений в условиях Нечерноземной зоны

The analysis of winter rye overwintering in 2022/2023 and crop productivity depending on micro-fertilizers in the conditions of the Moscow region is proposed. According to the research results, all winter rye hybrids were characterized by enhanced autumn tillering, the crop was more resistant to adverse weather conditions. Rye overwintered better than the varieties of winter wheat that were grown on adjacent plots. It is noted that the indicators of overwintering and preservation in this growing year were significantly lower than the average data of the years in the region. The maximum yield of winter rye was obtained on the variant with the ZU Forzetti hybrid and triple treatment with Folirus Active micro-fertilization (41.4 c/ha, +8.8 c/ha to the variant without treatment). The variants ZU Forzetti + Arksoil KKR (37.6 c/ha, +5.0 c/ha), ZU Forzetti + Folirus Maxi (34.8 c/ha, + 2.2 c/ha) showed good results in yield. For other hybrids, higher yields were found on the variant with Folirus Active fertilizer treatments. Keywords: WINTER RYE, NON-CHERNOZEM ZONE, AGROCHEMICALS, LIQUID COMPLEX FERTILIZERS, YIELD

Production Waste Management: Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics and the Calculation of the Hazard Class of Phosphogypsum

Phosphogypsum (PG: CaSO4·2H2O) is a waste product (or by-product) from the production of phosphoric acid, the main component in the production of concentrated simple and complex fertilizers. The world production of phosphogypsum exceeds 200 million tons per year. PG discharged into water bodies (seas, rivers) or disposed of in land dumps may contain elements (including heavy metals and radionuclides) in forms and concentrations that are toxic to ecosystems and human health, which raises concerns about its impact on the environment. The concentrations of these elements vary depending on the region where the raw material is mined and the process used to produce phosphoric acid. Given the significant volumes of phosphogypsum formed, an urgent problem is not only the development of methods for its disposal, but also a special, specific control over its composition after the release of PG and during its use for removal, transportation, and storage in dumps and sludge storages. This article presents the results of comprehensive studies on the determination of the chemical and mineralogical composition of by-products from an experimental plant for the processing of phosphate raw materials of the designed chemical complex of the EuroChem-Karatau company (Republic of Kazakhstan). Based on the conducted studies, it was established that, in terms of the total toxicity index, the studied wastes belong to the fourth hazard class (low-hazardous) with the possibility of processing for the purpose of their further use.

Widespread Occurrence of European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) and Damage of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Crop in Northern Europe

AbstractIndustrial hemp cultivation restarted in Estonia in mid 2000s and the hemp cultivation area has increased very fast in recent years, but it is unknown to what extent hemp productivity can be curbed by widespread crop pests. Thus, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and damage of hemp pests in northern field conditions. A field trial with the hemp cultivars ‘Finola’ (2021) and ‘Estica’ (2022) was established in Central Estonia (58° N, 26° E), and the plants were grown with different fertilizer types (complex fertilizer, ammonium nitrate), fertilization methods (at sowing/top dressing) and nitrogen rates (0–200 kg ha−1) and their effect on the European corn borer (ECB, Ostrinia nubilalis) damage was assessed. The O. nubilalis infestation increased with every observation date throughout the seasons until the harvest. The O. nubilalis damage was overall greater in 2022 than in 2021, and the seed yield reduction reached to 120 kg ha−1 in 2022, indicating progressive increase in O. nubilalis damage. Fertilization rate strongly increased biomass and seed yields, but weakly reduced O. nubilalis infection. Estonia is one of the most important hemp-cultivation areas in Europe, and in northern conditions, the crop was previously considered to be relatively pest-free. The northward movement of crop infection by O. nubilalis implies that future hemp cultivation might need integrated O. nubilalis control practices adapted to site-specific agro-climatic conditions.

Assessment of yield and profitability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) with foliar fertilization under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2018–19, 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Dryland Agriculture Research Farm of the Chaudhary Charan Singh, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to study the effect of various foliar sprays on yield and profitability of rainfed Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj.]. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 3 replications, comprising 7 foliar nutrition treatments, viz. control (no spray), water-spray, urea @ 1%, urea @ 2%, water-soluble complex fertilizer (18: 18: 18) @ 0.5%, 0.5% ZnSO4 spray, water-soluble complex fertilizer (18: 18: 18) @ 0.5% + 0.5% ZnSO4 . The experimental results revealed that, the growth and yield attributes, viz. plant height at harvesting, dry-matter accumulation at harvesting, number of siliquae/plants, number of branches/plant and number of seeds/siliqua, were significantly influenced by different foliar nutrition treatments except water spray. Among different foliar spray treatments, foliar spray of water-soluble complex fertilizer (18: 18: 18) @ 0.5% + 0.5% ZnSO4 resulted in significantly higher plant height at harvesting (226.1 cm), dry-matter accumulation at harvesting (99.3 g/plant), siliquae/plant (426.0), branches/plant (32.6) and seeds/siliqua (15.2). Further, the data showed that, foliar spray of water-soluble complex fertilizer (18: 18: 18) @ 0.5% + 0.5% ZnSO4 increased the seed and stover yield of Indian mustard by 30.6 and 21.1% compared with the control with higher net returns (`121,300/ha), benefit: cost ratio (4.98) and rainwater-use efficiency (75.6 kg/ha-mm).

The Effect of Soaking Root Fertilizer on Promoting the Seedling Early Growth and Root Development of Eucalyptus urograndis

We examined the feasibility of applying soaking root fertilizer to Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings by dipping the roots, and the effectiveness of the method for improving the overall growth quality of the seedlings by affecting root growth. The seedlings of E. urograndis in the Southern National Forest Seedling Demonstration Base in China were dipped with seven kinds of soaking root fertilizer formulas, while another group of clear water was set as a control. We regularly investigated the relationship between root traits and other seedling traits, and the formulas conducive to the high-quality growth of seedlings in one month and two months were screened by principal component analysis (PCA). The feasibility of applying soaking root fertilizer by dipping the roots was analyzed by comparing the difference between the formula and the control. The F2 formula had the best promoting effect on the growth and biomass of seedlings and the highest ground diameter within one month. The biomass, cumulative height growth, and average crown width were also the highest in the two months, but the decreasing growth height in F2 was also obvious, along with reduced photosynthesis and root morphology. The F8 and F4 formulas as compound fertilizers showed the potential of a high growth rate and high quality. The seedlings on which they were all applied had an excellent photosynthetic capacity and a well-developed root system. A correlation analysis showed that root traits were significantly correlated with some aboveground indices of seedlings (growth, biomass and nutrients, etc.), among which the root K concentration was very significantly correlated with photosynthetic capacity, and the root P was very significantly correlated with seedling biomass. Dipping roots mainly promoted the uptake of P and K nutrients by roots, which had a positive effect on seedling photosynthesis and the root system, and thus improved the growth increment and growth quality of seedlings. A principal component analysis showed that dipping roots significantly promoted the growth traits of seedlings, and the best-performing formula for dipping roots was F8 at one month of growth. F4 was the best choice for growth at two months. F4 showed excellent performance in all trait indices and was the only treatment where an increase in the rhizome-to-stem ratio occurred, indicating that the nutrient distribution of F4 seedlings was uniform and efficient, which compensated for the deficiency of the follow-up fertility of the quick-acting complex fertilizer. The scientific formula of soaking root fertilizer can be economically applied by dipping roots to synchronously promote early growth and quality of seedlings, which can provide a theoretical basis for the early large-scale cultivation of E. urograndis and other plants.

Biological Efficiency of Tank Mixtures of Preparations for the Protection of Spring Wheat and Their Effect on Grain Quality

In relatively favorable humidification years, the loss of spring wheat grain harvest from fungal infections – brown leaf and stem rust, powdery mildew, etc., has increased significantly, reaching 25–30% or more of the gross grain harvest. The purpose of the study conducted in 2018–2021 is to improve protection measures against harmful leaf–stem diseases in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. Main tasks: monitoring the phytosanitary situation, studying the biological effectiveness of chemical fungicides, biological preparations, growth regulator and tank mixtures, including with liquid complex fertilizer, in spring wheat crops, determining the effect of various preparations on grain yield and quality. The study was conducted in short-term multivariate field experiments. The plot area is 25 m2, the repetition is fourfold, the placement of options is randomized. The effectiveness of the drugs was compared with the control variant without protection from diseases. The use of chemical fungicides, tank mixtures of them with fertilizer, growth regulator in the sowing of spring wheat Omsk 36 provided a high level of biological effectiveness against leaf-stem diseases. The maximum efficiency indicators against brown leaf and stem rust were obtained with the use of tank mixtures of the drugs Soligor + Fast and Furious, Rex Plus + Larixin and Title Duo + Fast and Furious (98.4–99.7%). The best results of protection against powdery mildew were mixtures of drugs Rex Plus + Fast and Furious and Soligor + Larixin, respectively 78.8 and 81.2%. The greatest increases in grain yield to control were obtained in the variants of the use of the drugs Rex Plus + Larixin and Title Duo + Fast and Furious, respectively 1.80 and 1.89 t/ha. The level of economic efficiency in this case was more than 50%. The use of fungicides and tank mixtures significantly increased the nature and weight of 1000 grains. There was an increase in the gluten content from 1.2 to 5.1% in variants with the phytoregulator Larixin, protein – by 0.85–1.71%. In a field experiment similar to the scheme with Melody wheat, conducted in adverse weather conditions in 2020 and 2021, grain yield growth from the use of drugs was not obtained. The main reasons are the dry weather and, accordingly, the low incidence of diseases in the crop. Treatment with Larixin and its tank mixtures with Title Duo, Rex Plus and Soligor fungicides significantly increased the protein content in the grain by 0.80–1.50%, gluten – up to 2.0%. The obtained results testified to the high biological and economic efficiency of the use of modern fungicides and tank mixtures with a growth regulator and fertilizer in conditions of high infestation of spring wheat with leaf–stem diseases.