Winter Wheat Grain Yield Research Articles

Вплив строків сівби на урожайність і якість зерна пшениці озимої

Вплив строків сівби на урожайність і якість зерна пшениці озимої

Winter wheat yield and water use efficiency response to organic fertilization in northern China: A meta-analysis

Nitrogen (N) application is a basic practice for increasing cereal yield and efficient utilization of N sources is key to sustainable intensification. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine how organic fertilization (i.e., livestock manure) affects yield, yield variability and water use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in northern China, and how this is impacted by N management and growing environment. Organic fertilization significantly increased grain yield and WUE by an average of 18 and 20 % compared to without organic fertilizer, respectively, and also reduced spatial and temporal yield variability. Compared to without organic fertilizer, change in grain yield was +24, +28, and −11 % for treatments of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer plus organic fertilizer with the same level of synthetic nitrogen (NOF), decreased level of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer (NLOF), and a portion of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer replaced with organic nitrogen fertilizer at the same level of nitrogen (NROF), respectively. The positive effect of organic fertilizer on grain yield and WUE of winter wheat was greatest when yield levels was <4.0 Mg ha–1. Moreover, organic fertilization was most effective at improving grain yield and WUE in North China Plain when synthetic N application was <150 kg N ha−1 and in growing environments with SOM <1.4 % and ET <500 mm. These results demonstrate that applying organic fertilizer in combination with a decreased level of synthetic N fertilizer is an effective approach for advancing sustainable intensification of winter wheat in northern China, and that greatest benefits with organic fertilization may occur when local environmental factors (e.g., growing region and soil conditions) are appropriately considered.

Effects of straw and manure management on soil and crop performance in North China Plain

The North China Plain (NCP) is one of the most intensively farmed agricultural regions in China, and the annual double-cropping system of winter wheat and summer maize produces a large quantity of straw. A field experiment was carried out from 2010 to 2016 to assess the effects of straw and manure management on crop performance, soil physical and chemical characteristics. Four management practices were tested: (1) all the straw from the annual double-cropping system was returned to the soil directly (as a control, WMs); (2) maize straw was removed as yellow silage and winter wheat straw was maintained (Ws); (3) manure produced from dairy farms was added to Ws (Ws + M); (4) extra manure was added to WMs (WMs + M). The results showed that the soil bulk density and soil aggregates were not significantly different among the four treatments. The soil nutrient contents and organic matter (OM) increased continuously under the four treatments. The results indicated that with at least one season of straw returning to the field would maintain an improved soil nutrient contents. The increase rate for organic matter, P and K for the treatments with manure addition was higher than that for the treatments without manure application. Both biomass and grain yield of summer maize were improved with the continuous addition of manure. Although the biomass of winter wheat was improved with manure addition, the grain yield of winter wheat was not affected due to the reduction in the harvest index, which might be related to the shortened grain-filling duration. No significant difference in water use efficiency was found among the four treatments for winter wheat or maize. The improved soil nutrient and organic matter contents affected the production of the two crops differently in this annual double-cropping system. The larger increase in organic matter contents using maize straw changed manure through animal feeding would benefit the grain production of summer maize as well as the soil carbon sequestration.

Short-term impacts of biochar, tillage practices, and irrigation systems on nitrate and phosphorus concentrations in subsurface drainage water.

Leaching of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural lands can cause serious environmental problems such as eutrophication. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of biochar application, tillage practices, and irrigation systems on nitrate and dissolved phosphorus (DP) concentrations in subsurface drainage water and grain yield of winter wheat using a strip-split plot design with 3 replications. Irrigation at three different levels (flood (Ifl), furrow (Ifu), and sprinkler (Is) systems) considered as main factor, tillage at two levels (reduced tillage (Tr) and conventional systems (Tc)) as subplot factor, and bagasse biochar at two levels (without biochar (B0) and 20tonha-1 biochar (B1)) as sub-subplot factor. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) standpipes were used in each sub-subplot to collect leachate water at 100-cm depth. The results indicated that irrigation had significant effects on yield, collected water volume (CWV), nitrate, and DP concentrations (P < 0.01). Interaction of tillage and irrigation was significant for grain yield (P < 0.05). Biochar application only caused a significant decrease in nitrate concentration under sprinkler irrigation (P< 0.05), while no significant impact was observed under flood and furrow irrigation systems. Under sprinkler irrigation, the total nitrate collected in the PVC standpipes decreased by 37.51 and 34.29% compared with flood and furrow irrigations, respectively. Biochar application reduced the total nitrate collected by 16.84%, while difference among tillage treatments was negligible (4.51%). The total DP collected under sprinkler irrigation was lower in comparison with flood and furrow irrigations by 42.24 and 38.76%, respectively. Biochar application reduced the total DP collected by 10.84%, while reduced tillage increased the total DP collected by 8.90% compared with the conventional tillage.

Effects of bundled straw mulching on water consumption characteristics and grain yield of winter wheat in rain-fed semiarid region

To explore a new technique of planting wheat with high yield and efficiency by mulching technology in rain-fed semiarid regions in Northwest China, a two-year fixed-site trail was conducted during 2013-2015. There were five mulching modes: (1) three sowing rows by bundled straw mul-ching with alternating 30-cm-wide mulching belt and planting belt (SM1), (2) four sowing rows by bundled straw mulching with alternating 40-cm-wide mulching belt and planting belt with (SM2), (3) five sowing rows by bundled straw mulching with alternating 50-cm-wide mulching belt and planting belt (SM3), (4) whole plastic film mulching with dibbling (PMF), (5) bare field planting without any mulching (CK). We examined the effects of different mulching modes on water consumption, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield of winter wheat in rain-fed region in Northwest China. The results showed that bundled straw mulching significantly increased soil water storage. Soil water storage with bundled straw mulching was remarkably higher than that with the whole plastic mul-ching with SM1＞SM2＞SM3. Soil water storage at 0-200 cm soil layer in flowering period was increased by 15.4%-20.8%,11.2%-14.7%and 10.1%-14.5% respectively over that in the bare field. Bundled straw mulching significantly increased water consumption during the whole growing period while reduced water consumption from sowing and flowering periods. Further, it increased water consumption from flowering to maturity periods and the ratio of water consumption during this period to the total water consumption during the whole growing periods. The results showed that mulching could increase the consumption ratio of deep water storage from the soil layer below 120 cm. Compared with CK, PMF and SM significantly increased grain yield and water use efficiency by 11.9%-19.5%, 26.9%-27.1%, respectively, and increased water use efficiency by 9.8%-13.9%, 18.4%-22.0% respectively. In all, bundled straw mulching could reduce water consumption ratio in the early growing periods, improve moisture condition, increase grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat. Therefore, we concluded that bundled straw mulching is an environment-friendly cultivation technology suitable for the winter wheat in semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau in Northwest China.

Growing grain of winter wheat without the use of herbicides

The models for predicting the contamination of winter wheat crops are presented, including a method of tillage, sowing time and sowing density. They make it possible, after appropriate calculations, to establish the parameters of agricultural practices, the use of which allows growing high grain yield of winter wheat without the use of herbicides, thereby making its growing technology more environmentally friendly and less energy-intensive, reducing not only the cost of grain but also natural environment pollution.

Physiological and developmental traits associated with the grain yield of winter wheat as affected by phosphorus fertilizer management

Although researchers have determined that attaining high grain yields of winter wheat depends on the spike number and the shoot biomass, a quantitative understanding of how phosphorus (P) nutrition affects spike formation, leaf expansion and photosynthesis is still lacking. A 3-year field experiment with wheat with six P application rates (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg P ha−1) was conducted to investigate this issue. Stem development and mortality, photosynthetic parameters, dry matter accumulation, and P concentration in whole shoots and in single tillers were studied at key growth stages for this purpose. The results indicated that spike number contributed the most to grain yield of all the yield components in a high-yielding (>8 t/ha) winter wheat system. The main stem (MS) contributed 79% to the spike number and tiller 1 (T1) contributed 21%. The 2.7 g kg−1 tiller P concentration associated with 15 mg kg−1 soil Olsen-P at anthesis stage led to the maximal rate of productive T1s (64%). The critical shoot P concentration that resulted in an adequate product of Pn and LAI was identified as 2.1 g kg−1. The thresholds of shoot P concentration that led to the maximum productive ability of T1 and optimal canopy photosynthetic capacity at anthesis were very similar. In conclusion, the thresholds of soil available P and shoot P concentration in whole plants and in single organs (individual tillers) were established for optimal spike formation, canopy photosynthetic capacity, and dry matter accumulation. These thresholds could be useful in achieving high grain yields while avoiding excessive P fertilization.

Accuracy of genomic selection for grain yield and agronomic traits in soft red winter wheat

BackgroundGenomic selection has the potential to increase genetic gains by using molecular markers as predictors of breeding values of individuals. This study evaluated the accuracy of predictions for grain yield, heading date, plant height, and yield components in soft red winter wheat under different prediction scenarios. Response to selection for grain yield was also compared across different selection strategies- phenotypic, marker-based, genomic, combination of phenotypic and genomic, and random selections.ResultsGenomic selection was implemented through a ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction model in two scenarios- cross-validations and independent predictions. Accuracy for cross-validations was assessed using a diverse panel under different marker number, training population size, relatedness between training and validation populations, and inclusion of fixed effect in the model. The population in the first scenario was then trained and used to predict grain yield of biparental populations for independent validations. Using subsets of significant markers from association mapping increased accuracy by 64–70% for grain yield but resulted in lower accuracy for traits with high heritability such as plant height. Increasing size of training population resulted in an increase in accuracy, with maximum values reached when ~ 60% of the lines were used as a training panel. Predictions using related subpopulations also resulted in higher accuracies. Inclusion of major growth habit genes as fixed effect in the model caused increase in grain yield accuracy under a cross-validation procedure. Independent predictions resulted in accuracy ranging between − 0.14 and 0.43, dependent on the grouping of site-year data for the training and validation populations. Genomic selection was “superior” to marker-based selection in terms of response to selection for yield. Supplementing phenotypic with genomic selection resulted in approximately 10% gain in response compared to using phenotypic selection alone.ConclusionsOur results showed the effects of different factors on accuracy for yield and agronomic traits. Among the factors studied, training population size and relatedness between training and validation population had the greatest impact on accuracy. Ultimately, combining phenotypic with genomic selection would be relevant for accelerating genetic gains for yield in winter wheat.

Evaluating the performance of SALTMED model under alternate irrigation using saline and fresh water strategies to winter wheat in the North China Plain.

The effective water management in the North China Plain (NCP) needs a tool to predict winter wheat production due to water quality. A large quantity of brackish water is stored underground in this region, and whether this water can be used properly in agriculture is becoming a crucial issue that is about to be resolved. The SALTMED model is a generic modeling tool for efficient irrigation management strategies, especially for cyclic use of saline and fresh water as well as different water qualities, and it still needs further investigation for alternate irrigation using saline and fresh water at different growth stages of winter wheat. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the performance of SALTMED model and simulate the production of winter wheat grown under different irrigation strategies. Irrigation strategies comprised rain-fed cultivation (NI), fresh and saline water irrigation (FS), saline and fresh water irrigation (SF), saline water irrigation (SS), and fresh water irrigation (FF). Three-year observed data were used for the validations of SALTMED model. The values of evaluation indices of relative error, RMSE, NRMSE, index of agreement (D-index), and R2 between simulated and observed grain yield were 6.8%, 0.8, 10.7, 0.9, and 0.9, respectively. The model results supported and matched the observed data and indicated similar differences among the irrigated and rain-fed treatments. It is concluded that the SALTMED model is able to predict grain yield of winter wheat and its productivity under the alternate irrigation using saline and fresh water and their interaction in the climate condition of the NCP.

Interactive effects of sowing pattern and planting density on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in large spike wheat cultivar

In order to find out the way to achieve further improvement in the grain yield (GY) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of winter wheat, two sowing pattern (the wide range sowing and conventional drilling sowing) and seven planting densities (130×104, 200×104, 270×104, 340×104, 410×104, 480×104, and 550×104 plants hm–2) were designed during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 growing seasons. Tainong 18, a winter wheat cultivar with larger spike and lower tillering capacity, was used to investigate the combined effects of sowing pattern and planting density on GY and NUE. Compared with the conventional drilling sowing, the wide range sowing with higher planting density effectively alleviated the negative effect of increasing spikes per unit area and nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) on decreasing single spike weight and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), respectively. Concurrent improvement in GY and NUE was achieved by increasing the number of spikes per unit area and NUpE. The planting density resulting in the highest GY and NUE under wide range sowing conditions was 410×104 plants hm–2, which was significantly higher than that (340×104 plants hm–2) under conventional drilling sowing. Moreover, the increase percentage of GY and NUE under wide ranging sowing was also significantly higher than that under drilling sowing. In summary, it is feasible to further improve GY and NUE of large spike wheat cultivar through rational combination of wide range sowing with higher planting density. Under the condition of this experiment, the optimal combination measure for high GY and NUE was sowing width of 8–10 cm with plant density of 410×104 plants hm–2.

The Proportion of Superior Grains and the Sink Strength are the Main Yield Contributors in Modern Winter Wheat Varieties Grown in the Loess Plateau of China

Understanding the changes in phenotype resulting from the selection pressure and agronomic adaptation of grain yield provide an indication of the pathways for future increases in grain yield. Six dry land representative winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) released from 1942 to 2004 in the Loess Plateau of China were investigated to determine how the yield components of winter wheat were associated with grain yield at the Changwu Agricultural Research Station during the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons, using a completely randomized block design with three replicates. Plant height, aboveground biomass, grain yield, and yield components were measured, together with the traits of superior and inferior grains and the pre-anthesis stored dry matter remobilized to the grain was determined. In the relatively wet 2011–2012 season, there was a significant increase in grain yield and aboveground biomass with the year of release, but not in the dry 2012–2013 season. The harvest index (HI) and average grain weight (AGW) increased significantly with the year of release in both cropping seasons. HI and AGW are likely potential traits for improving grain yield of winter wheat in the Loess Plateau. The increase in HI mainly resulted from the decrease in plant height, and the increase in the use of pre-anthesis stored assimilates for grain filling. The increase in AGW mainly resulted from the increase in the proportion of superior grain (SG) and the decrease in the proportion of inferior grain (IG) in the whole spike in both cropping seasons. Depending on the climatic conditions, the different winter wheat cultivars showed different ability to use pre-anthesis stored assimilates. Modern wheat cultivars had higher yield under different rainfall conditions, and high ability to use pre-anthesis stored assimilates to fill the grain than earlier released cultivars. Both, the increase in sink capacity and source availability, should be considered as a strategy for increasing future grain yield in Loess Plateau of China.

Effects of allelic variation at Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 on grain yield and agronomic traits of southern US soft red winter wheat

Semi dwarfism in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is primarily governed by two loci, Rht-B1 and Rht-D1. Cultivars adapted to the soft red winter wheat growing region of southeastern USA are predominantly Rht-D1b genotypes but report no significant grain yield advantage over Rht-B1b semi dwarfing cultivars. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of allelic variation at Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 on plant height, grain yield and additional yield components in a doubled haploid population consisting of 35 semi dwarfs with Rht-B1b, 50 semi dwarfs with Rht-D1b, eight wild type lines, and two lines with dwarfing alleles at both loci. Rht loci significantly affected plant height, with double dwarfs shorter than both single gene semi dwarfs and wild types. Rht-D1b semi dwarfs were significantly shorter than their Rht-B1b counterparts. Rht loci also had a significant effect on grain yield, with Rht-D1b lines having higher mean grain yield (4.03 t ha−1) compared to Rht-B1b (3.83 t ha−1) and wild type (3.49 t ha−1) lines. A significant interaction between Rht loci and site-year was detected only for thousand kernel weight, indicating that the advantage of Rht-D1b over the other haplotypes was consistent across environments. Overall, their higher grain yield was due in part to higher thousand kernel weight that contributed to higher kernel weight spike−1 and likely influenced by a shorter stature. The results of this study will aid breeders in choice of semi dwarfing alleles for adaptation to the soft wheat growing region of the southern USA.

Effects of cultivation management on the winter wheat grain yield and water utilization efficiency

The growth of winter wheat consumes a substantial amounts of water, and precipitation in most years cannot meet the water demand for the normal growth of winter wheat. The unsuitable irrigation strategies waste a large number of water resource, and the low water use efficiency has become the main factor limiting wheat yields. This research explored the effects of different cultivation managements on water consumption characteristics, water utilization efficiency, and grain yields of winter wheat. A field experiment, in which 4 cultivation managements including traditional cultivation management (T1), optimized cultivation management compared with T1 (T2), super high-yield cultivation management (T3) and optimized cultivation management compared with T3 (T4), was conducted during 2008–2010 to measure the above parameters. The results showed that different cultivation managements had significant effects on the total water consumption amounts and water source compositions. Total water consumption amounts in T1 and T3 managements were significantly higher than that in T2 and T4 managements, possibly from irrigation water. T2 and T4 managements remarkably increased the uptake and utilization of soil storage water and precipitation amounts. T3 and T1 managements increased and decreased water consumption in upper (0–40 cm) and lower (60–100 cm) soil layers, respectively, while effectively increased the consumption of storage water in middle and lower soil layers (60–100 cm) and yield water use efficiency (WUEY), precipitation water use efficiency (WUEP), soil water use efficiency (WUES), irrigation water use efficiency (WUEI), and irrigation efficiency (IE) in T4 and T2 managements were higher than those in T3 and T1, respectively. Total water consumption amounts markedly raised in T1 and T3 managements, whereas their soil storage water amounts utilization declined. T2 and T4 managements reduced irrigation water amounts and optimized the water and fertilizer supplies, resulting in significant increase in WUES and WUEI. Collectively, our results suggest that synergetic improving the water uptake and utilization of irrigation water and soil storage water can be the primary means to increase the grain yields and WUE.

Sulphur nutrition index in relation to nitrogen uptake and quality of winter wheat grain

A sulphur nutrition index (SNI) is an analogue of the N nutrition index, which is a widely used simple indicator of plant N status. The aim of this study was to relate the SNI (ratio of S concentration in shoot biomass to critical S concentration - Sc) to N uptake, grain yield and breadmaking quality of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain during 4-yr small-plot field experiments realized under non-limiting N conditions in three different locations in the Czech Republic. The model of S dilution curve (Sc) developed by Reussi et al. (2012) for spring wheat was used for expression of the SNI. According to the model, optimal S concentration in shoot biomass was calculated using nothing but shoot biomass weight. The constant value of Sc = 0.55 was determined for shoot biomass weight lower than 1.0 t ha-1. A very strong correlation was recorded between the SNI and an N to S weight ratio (N:S) in shoot biomass. Both, optimal N:S weight ratio in shoot biomass and qualitative parameters of grain (particularly Zeleny sedimentation volume, grain protein content and wet gluten content) were recorded if the SNI exceeded values of 0.80 at the beginning of stem elongation, 0.70 at the late boot stage, and even 0.60 at the beginning of heading despite the fact that the Reussi et al.’s model of S dilution curve was originally applicable only until the end of stem elongation. Correlation between the SNI and relative grain yield was weak

Critical concentration of available soil phosphorus for grain yield and zinc nutrition of winter wheat in a zinc-deficient calcareous soil

The decrease in cereal grain zinc (Zn) caused by phosphorus (P) application has attracted wide attention. However, optimizing P fertilization for both satisfactory grain yield and grain Zn concentration is still a problem due to a poor understanding of the relationship between P application rates and available soil P, and that of available soil P and soil Zn availability, relevant soil factors, and plant Zn uptake and utilization. A location-fixed field experiment was initiated in 2004 with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown at five P rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg P2O5 ha−1, and soil and plant samples were collected during the three growing seasons of 2013–2016. Winter wheat grain yield increased, and the grain Zn concentration decreased with increasing available soil P in a linear-plus-plateau manner. The grain yield plateau, averaging 6009 ± 155 kg ha−1, was reached at an available soil P concentration of 10.2 ± 2.5 mg kg−1, and the grain Zn plateau, averaging 22.4 ± 0.9 mg kg−1, was reached at an available soil P of 14.2 ± 1.8 mg kg−1. Shoot Zn uptake after flowering was not affected, while Zn remobilization from vegetative parts to grains and the Zn harvest index increased with P application at available soil P levels below 11.6 mg kg−1. The available soil Zn increased, and root mycorrhizal colonization was unaffected at lower available soil P levels. The decrease in wheat grain Zn concentration with increasing P application at lower available soil P levels was primarily explained by yield dilution effects, not the changes in available soil Zn and root mycorrhizal colonization. Under the experimental conditions, the available soil P would have to be as low as 0.7 ± 0.4 mg kg−1 to achieve the target grain Zn concentration of 40 mg kg−1, and at this level, the grain yield would only be 4127 ± 252 kg ha−1.

Effects of micro-sprinkling with different irrigation amount on grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain

It’s very important to guarantee the wheat production and improve water productivity in the North China Plain (NCP). In order to reduce irrigation and ensure the crop production in the NCP, a two-year field experiment of winter wheat was conducted in 2016–2018 using micro-sprinkling irrigation including different irrigation amount treatments (60 mm, MI60; 90 mm, MI90; 120 mm, MI120; and 150 mm, MI150), and the local traditional water-saving and productive flooding irrigation method (TI120) was as a control. The grain yield (GY), dry matter accumulation (DM), root system distribution and water utilization were investigated. The results showed that, the GY of MI60 decreased by 5.1–13.4% compared with TI120; GY of MI90 was comparable with TI120, while that of MI120 and MI150 increased significantly. The higher GY in micro-sprinkling treatments was mainly due to the significant increase of 1,000-grain weight (TGW), which was the result of the significant delay of the senescence in flag leaves during grain filling and then the increase in the post-anthesis DM. In addition, the roots mainly distributed in the 0−60 cm soil profile, and micro-sprinkling ensured the soil water supply in this areas at the critical growth stages; what’s more, micro-sprinkling with reducing irrigation treatments significantly promoted the growth of root system to the deep soil layer, which improved the absorption and utilization of moisture stored in soil. Compared with TI120, the same irrigation amount treatment under micro-sprinkling (MI120) significantly increased water use efficiency (WUE) due to higher GY and lower seasonal evapotranspiration (ET); the 125% irrigation amount treatment (MI150) increased WUE due to higher GY and comparable ET; the 75% irrigation amount treatment (MI90) obtained the similar WUE to TI120; the 50% irrigation amount treatment (MI60) got similar or lower WUE to TI120. Overall, suitable reduction of irrigation amount under micro-sprinkling (MI90) can ensure the grain yield of winter wheat and efficient utilization of irrigation water in the NCP.

Effects of maize straw‐derived biochar application on soil temperature, water conditions and growth of winter wheat

AbstractBiochar application to soil has been widely accepted as an approach to enhance soil carbon sequestration, promote nutrient use efficiency and improve crop yields. Maize straw‐derived biochar application is also a novel practice for the sustainable use of straw waste. However, it remains unclear whether biochar modifies soil temperature, thereby influencing winter wheat growth. Field experiments were conducted for 2 years to answer this question. Maize straw‐derived biochar was applied at rates of 0 (B0), 20 (B20), 40 (B40) and 60 (B60) t ha−1 in the field plots. Biochar application increased the soil temperature compared to the unamended control plot for all growth stages. The highest soil temperatures occurred at 40‐cm depth in the B40 treatment and 20‐cm depth in the B60 treatment. Biochar application also enhanced the soil water content of the winter wheat fields during the growing seasons, with a maximum effect achieved at a rate of biochar application of 40 t ha−1. However, water content did not increase with increasing rate of application. Biochar application decreased the soil bulk density, and this effect was enhanced with increasing rates of biochar application. The largest grain yield was obtained in the B40 treatment, resulting from an increase in aboveground biomass and effective spike number. Our study suggests that biochar application potentially improves the grain yield of winter wheat from the increased soil temperature. This conclusion needs to be confirmed by a long‐term study on biochar application.Highlights The effects of rates of biochar application on wheat growth and yield were evaluated. Response of soil temperatures to biochar application improves understanding of underlying mechanisms involved. Warmer soil temperature and lower soil bulk density with large rates of biochar were unfavourable for water storage and wheat growth. Biochar application at a rate of 40 t ha−1 was optimal to enhance wheat growth and grain yield.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ СТИМУЛЯТОРА РОСТА МЕЛАФЕН ПРИ ОБРАБОТКЕ СЕМЯН ОЗИМОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ПРОТРАВИТЕЛЕМ «ПОЛАРИС»

The most important task at all stages of modern agriculture development is to increase the yield and quality of grain. Plant growth regulators can play a big role in this. The paper considers an impact of Polaris fungicide on winter wheat seeds and the use of growth regulator Melafen in winter wheat crops in Ufa region of the Republic of Bashkortostan are considered. The soil and climatic conditions of the growing season 2017-2018 years have influenced on formation of the yield and quality of winter wheat grain. Seed treatment with Polaris fungicide in combination with the crop care products provided productivity of 41.8-61.5 centner per hectare. The use of growth regulator Melafen in Ufa region of the Republic of Bashkortostan ensured an increase in crop yield up to 59.2-63.7 centner per hectare or 30.3-40.4%, depending on the processing scheme used. Determining the number of falls in the experience showed that this indicator fluctuated within 215-314 sec., which corresponds to the indicators for higher, first and second class of grain - a state of emergency more than 200 sec. In the experiment, the indicators of the nature of the grain had a value of from 671 to 758 g/l. The use of Polaris in the experiment contributed to the enhancement of the grain nature and reaching the level of the highest, 1.2 grade of grain. Due to the fact that in terms of quality group - all the options corresponded to group 2 of quality or grain of grade 3-5, the assessment of the quality of winter wheat grain shows that in the experience the quality of grain of all options corresponds to class 3.

Yield and quality of soft winter wheat grain under diffe­rent types of crops treating with fungicides

Purpose. Determine the best options for effective fungicidal protection of soft winter wheat varieties against disea­ses that will ensure a high yield and grain quality. Methods. Four winter wheat varieties with different disease resistance were sown in the field: ‘Berehynia myronivska’, ‘Hospodynia myronivska’, ‘Horlytsia myronivska’ and ‘Podolianka’ (originator – The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine). In the shooting phase, the crops were treated with fungicides Acanto Plus 28, Talius 20, Falcon 460 EC, and in the heading phase – Amistar Trio 255 EC, Tilt Turbo 575 EC, Vareon 520. Results. During the period of milky stage, the technical effectiveness of the use of fungicides against powdery mildew was at the level of 72–100%, septoria leaf spot – 58–76, brown rust – 100%. The most effective option for fungicidal protection is the application of Acanto Plus 28 in the shooting phase + Amistar Trio 255 EC in the heading phase. Under such conditions, ‘Podolianka’ variety formed the maximum grain yield – 5.56 t/ha, the preserved yield was 0.75 t/ha. Greater yield increase (0.82–0.86 t/ha) was provided by ‘Horlytsia myronivska’ variety. The use of Acanto Plus 28 and Amistar Trio 255 EC fungicides also contributed to the formation of the best grain quality of the studied winter wheat varieties. Conclusions. The varieties ‘Berehynia myronivska’ and ‘Podolianka’ formed the highest grain yield during the processing of crops with the fungicide Acanto Plus 28 in the shooting phase and Amistar Trio 255 EC in the heading phase, ‘Hospodynia myronivska’ – Falcon 460 EC + Vareon 520, variety ‘Horlytsia myronivska’ Talius 20 + Tilt Turbo 575 EC, respectively. The variety ‘Berehynia myronivska’ provides the best indicators of grain quality when using the fungicide Falcon 460 EC in the shooting phase and Vareon 520 in the heading phase, other varieties – Acanto Plus 28 + Amistar Trio 255 EC, respectively.

DEPENDENCE OF PHYTOSANITARY CONDITIONS OF CROPS AND GRAIN YIELD OF WINTER WHEAT IN THE CROP ROTATION SYSTEM ON APPLICATION LEVEL OF CHEMICALS

The article presents the study results of the field experiments on chemicals impact on phytosanitary conditions of crops and grain yield of winter wheat. Winter wheat was grown in a long-term crop rotation by the following scheme: potatoes, spring barley, pea- vetch-oat mix for green fodder, winter wheat. Phosphorus and potash fertilizers (P60K90) were applied as the background one. Nitrogen fertilizers in the form of ammonium nitrate were used on the experiment variants at the rate of N34.6 – N69.2 and N103.8. The herbicide Agritox, fungicide Alto and microelement cuprous sulphate were applied in ac-cordance with the scheme of the experiment. The statistical processing of experimental data proved that no harmful impact of pesticides on the productivity of winter wheat was observed in the years of the weak development of weeds and harmful phytopathogens. Regulating the phytosanitary condition of crops due to the winter wheat in the crop rotation, and the application of the herbicide Agritox at the rate of 1.5 kg/ha and the fungicide Alto (250 g/ha) and cuprous sulphate (350 g/ha), it is possible to achieve the planned level of winter wheat yield of 5.37-5.95 t/ha. The combined effect of nitrogen fertilizers and plant protection chemicals allows a differentiated approach to the role assessment of each studied factor de-pending on weather conditions. It has been revealed that the optimal combination of the applied means of chemicalization in the crop rotation system ensures the implementation of the planned level of grain yield of winter wheat in the range from 5.37 to 5.95 t/ha.