Main Agricultural Crops Research Articles

Economic efficiency of an investment project for the laying (restoration) of protective forest strips in the Dinsk district

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the economic efficiency and riskiness of an investment project for laying (restoring) shelterbelts on the example of the municipality Dinskoy district of the Krasnodar Territory, located on the territory of the fifth alluvial-loesslike flat landscape with plowed steppes. An analysis was made using GIS technologies of the current state of the existing field-protective forest belts in the territory under consideration, the areas of their laying and the volume of necessary repair work were determined. A project for laying (restoring) a system of field-protective forest belts has been developed, the amount of necessary capital investments in forest reclamation measures has been determined, and expected indicators of efficiency and riskiness of investments have been calculated. In the course of the study, it was taken into account that without timely work to restore forest belts, the yield of winter wheat, the main agricultural crop in the region, could be reduced by 30–70 % in the long term, which would result in large losses in cash receipts and profits for commodity producers. It has also been proven that for the effective implementation of the proposed project, it is important to provide state subsidies for at least 30 % of the amount of capital investments incurred

AGRICULTURAL INFLUENCE FACTORS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATE OF THE LOW-PROTECTED FOREST STRIPS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST STEPPE

Today, the current state of field protection forest plantations is practically unknown. This is due to the fact that their inventory has not been carried out since the mid-70s of the twentieth century. There are data indicating the presence of 0.43-0.44 million hectares of field protection plantations in Ukraine. About 13 million hectares of agricultural land are under the protection of this area of field protection forest strips, which is only 30% of the total area of such land in Ukraine. Taking into account roadside, farm, watershed forest strips, forest areas adjacent to fields, steppe glades with trees, the area of agrolandscape protection increases to 40% of their total number. Today, field protection forest cover in the agro-landscapes of Ukraine is 1.5%, while the scientifically-based coverage is 3.0-3.5%. Therefore, along with the creation of new forest strips, an important task is the inventory, care, reconstruction and preservation of the existing field protection forest plantations. Plowing the edges of the field to the outermost row of trees is most often 1.5 m for the main field protection forest strips and 1.0 m for the auxiliary field protection forest strips, although this distance can vary from 0.5 to 10.0 m. Among all the studied field protection forest strips 25,0-28.6% did not have field roads. Other field protection forest strips had field roads with an average width of 3.0-4.0 m. The projection of the crown of the outer row of trees of the forest strip protruding above the field can be 1.0-12.0 m, most often - 7.0-8.0 m. Corn and winter wheat are the main agricultural crops adjacent to field protection forest strips in the conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe. They were grown on 71.4-75.0% of the investigated fields. The main factors of suppressing the trees of field protection forest strips by cultivated crops are deep plowing to a depth of 25-27 cm near the forest strip for corn crops; the spreading method of applying mineral fertilizers, which is about 850 kg/ha of physical weight when growing corn and 650 kg/ha - when growing winter wheat; spraying of crops with synthetic pesticides, growth stimulants, trace elements and other drugs, which can be repeated up to 8-9 times during the growing season for both winter wheat and corn, especially by aerial method.

Agriculture in the Baksan Gorge of the Central Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia

No agriculture is possible without soil. This article reviews available data on the soils of the Baksan Gorge located in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Russia. The research objective was to collect and analyze information on the soil composition and crop yields in this region of the Central Caucasus. The review covered the last five years of scientific publications cited in Scopus, Web of Science, and Elibrary. It also featured contemporary and archival documents on the soil composition and periglacial agriculture in the Baksan Gorge. The agriculture and cattle breeding started in the Central Caucasus in the first millennium BC when the local peoples began to develop these lands as highland pastures and, subsequently, for agricultural farming. During the second millennium BC, crop production became one of the most important economic sectors in the Central Caucasus. Corn, barley, wheat, and millet were the main agricultural crops in the Baksan Gorge. Millet has always been a traditional Kabardian crop, and millet farming occupied the largest flatland areas. Barley was the staple crop in the highlands. Currently, the list of local staple crops includes corn, wheat, and sunflower. Barley, oats, peas, potatoes, vegetables, berries, nuts, grapes, and annual herbs are also popular. The past fifteen years have seen an extensive development of intensive horticulture in the Baksan Gorge. Agricultural ecology and production problems depend on the localization of agriculture in the Central Caucasus. This research reviewed data on the effect of soil composition on the yield and value of agricultural crops in the Baksan Gorge of the Central Caucasus.

The Role of Somaclonal Variation in Plant Genetic Improvement: A Systematic Review

The instability of in vitro cultures may cause genetic and epigenetic changes in crops called somaclonal variations. Sometimes, these changes produce beneficial effects; for example, they can be used in breeding programs to generate new cultivars with desirable characteristics. In this article, we present a systematic review designed to answer the following question: How does somaclonal variation contribute to plant genetic improvement? Five electronic databases were searched for articles based on pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria and with a standardized search string. The somaclonal variation technique has been most frequently applied to ornamental plants, with 49 species cited in 48 articles, and to the main agricultural crops, including sugarcane, rice, banana, potato and wheat, in different countries worldwide. In 69 studies, a technique was applied to evaluate the genetic diversity generated between clones, and, in 63 studies, agronomic performance characteristics were evaluated. Other studies are related to resistance to pathogens, ornamental characteristics and resistance to abiotic stresses. The application of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) benzylaminopurine (BAP) and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was the most common method for generating somaclones, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers were the most commonly used markers for identification and characterization. Somaclonal variation has been used in genetic improvement programs for the most economically important crops in the world, generating genetic diversity and supporting the launch of new genotypes resistant to diseases, pests and abiotic stresses. However, much remains to be explored, such as the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms from which somaclonal variation is derived.

Heavy metal content in soybean production waste in the southern zones of the Amur region

The Amur region is one of the main agricultural areas of the Far East. The main agricultural crop in the fields of the southern zone of the Middle Priamurye is soybean. Soybean production waste, such as soybean straw and soybean husk, are most often used by livestock breeders as roughage in the main diet. According to the monitoring results of heavy metal content in soybean production waste in the farms of the southern zone of the Amur region, it can be noted that these indicators do not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations. There is also an insufficient content of such elements as copper and zinc in soybean straw and soybean husks, which must be taken into account when formulating diets for farm animal feeding and introduce additional mineral supplements to prevent metabolic diseases.

ПРОЄКТИ, РЕАЛІЗОВАНІ В УкрНДІПВТ ім. Л. Погорілого

Summary The purpose of this work is to highlight the range of scientific and industrial projects implemented in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT during the last years, and promising directions of the institution’s activities. Methods and materials: a comprehensive analysis of the available results of project solutions implemented in UkrNDIPVT and scientific publications in the direction of this research. Results. In recent years, in the experimental fields of UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pogorily implemented a number of projects related to the implementation of promising technical and technological solutions for the implementation of various tillage systems and their impact on the efficiency of growing the main agricultural crops, the implementation of new methods of forecasting the yield of agricultural crops, optimization of technologies for growing perennial energy crops, etc. In particular, the following projects were implemented: “AgroOlymp” - the latest technical and technological solutions for a differentiated system of soil cultivation and sowing when growing grain crops; “Agroperspective” is a complex multivariate test of the productivity of new varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops typical for the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine in real production conditions of a demonstration crop rotation; “MARS” – monitoring of agro-resource systems and forecasting of the productivity of the main agricultural crops using the data of remote sensing of the Earth; “Biotechnology” - greening of technologies, extended reproduction of soil fertility, increase in the economic efficiency of growing agricultural crops; “Strip-till” - development of technical and technological solutions for strip tillage and sowing for small and medium-sized farms; “Bioenergy Conveyor” - development and optimization of technologies for growing perennial energy crops, which ensure obtaining the maximum amount of raw materials for the production of thermal energy from a unit of area. In addition to active scientific work, UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pohoriloy also works in the field of testing and ranking of technical means for the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine and helps manufacturers of agricultural machinery overcome the path of promotion to European markets Conclusions. Analysis of the implemented in UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pogorily of project solutions certifies that the institution’s active research and testing activities have quite fruitful results and broad prospects for the implementation of scientific and industrial ideas in the agricultural direction.

Assessment of ecological plasticity and stability of promising potato hybrids of the Komi Republic (Russia)

In the Republic of Komi (Russia), one of the main agricultural vegetable crops cultivated by agro-enterprises, peasant farms and the population in the private sector is potatoes. The food security of Russia in the Arctic zone and obtaining competitive varieties for the regions of the Far North of our country is the main task solved by agricultural science in the field of breeding. New, promising varieties of potatoes must meet modern requirements for high yields obtained in various natural, soil and climatic conditions of their cultivation. In addition, varieties should have high stability in terms of commercial and economic characteristics and give an equivalent yield in constantly changing environmental conditions, both for the better (favorable) and for the worse (unfavorable). The use of modern methods of mathematical, statistical analysis, calculation of the assessment of environmental stability, plasticity, adaptability, as well as an objective and complete assessment of the potential of potato genomes, rigorous selection of promising lines and hybrids and screening for various negative traits, especially at the first stages of breeding, variety samples that do not correspond and do not satisfy these parameters, allow you to quickly obtain new varieties adapted to the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. In order to strengthen breeding work aimed at breeding promising varieties of potatoes, in 2020-2022, a research program was carried out in breeding nurseries of the dynamic competitive first, second and third years of testing (hybrids of the sixth, seventh and eighth tuber generation) on the basis of the Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Federal Research Center Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia, Syktyvkar). New promising potato hybrids (varieties) were selected as the object of study: 2341-265 (Amur x Gala), 2339-8 (Oksania x Gala), 2339-9 (Oksania x Gala), 1992-14 (Udacha x Elmundo), 2000-60 (Colette x FZ 1867); the standards were zoned and recommended for this region varieties of two groups of ripeness: Udacha - early, early ripening, Nevsky - medium early. As a result of research work in the course of a comprehensive assessment of ecological plasticity and stability, a promising potato hybrid 2000-60 was identified. This hybrid is characterized by stability to growing conditions,responsiveness to improved cultivation conditions, high average yield (33.7 t/ha).

ПРОГНОЗНІ ОЦІНКИ ВРОЖАЙНОСТІ ТА НЕПРЯМИХ ВТРАТ ВИРОБНИЦТВА ОСНОВНИХ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКИХ КУЛЬТУР В УКРАЇНІ У 2023 РОЦІ В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ

Summary The purpose of the work is to highlight the results of forecasting the yield and production of the main agricultural crops in 2023 based on the operational data of remote agromonitoring and the assessment of indirect losses of the gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine under martial law. Methods and materials. Predictive estimates of the yield of agricultural crops are calculated on the basis of statistical data on their productivity for the period 2000-2022 and remote agricultural monitoring data (NDVI indices) on the state of crops in Ukraine in the spring of 2023. Standard methods of correlation-regression analysis were used to establish relationships between NDVI indicators and regional average yield values of the main field crops. Potential indirect production losses of the group of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine in 2023 were calculated based on the dynamics of the reduction of sowing and harvesting areas in the conditions of martial law and, accordingly, from the losses for the country’s agrarian sector due to the lack of potential profit from the sale of grain, estimated at domestic purchase prices. Results. According to estimates based on actual winter sowing volumes and spring sowing rates, the harvested area of grain and leguminous crops in 2023 is expected to be about 10.4 million hectares. The average yield of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine as a whole is predicted with a probability of 80-85% at the level of 47-49 t/ha, which according to preliminary estimates is close to last year’s value and the average indicators of the pre-war level. At the same time, the gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops is expected at the level of 48.4-50.5 million tons, compared to the average pre-war level of 75 million tons. That is, the losses from military aggression only for the loss of production of this group of crops currently reach about 25-24 million tons or more than UAH 150 billion. Conclusions. Military aggression against Ukraine will have negative consequences for the cultivation of agricultural crops in 2023, mainly due to the shortage of mineral fertilizers, pesticides and other means of production, the general reduction of sown areas and a number of other negative economic consequences, however, the projected production volumes of grain crops are currently sufficient to ensure needs of the Ukrainian population.

Impact of long-term (1764-2017) air temperature on phenology of cereals and vines in two locations of northern Italy

Understanding how long-term temperature variability affects the phenology of the main agricultural crop is critical to develop targeted adaptation strategies to near and far future climate impacts. The objective of this study was to use crop phenology as a proxy to quantify the impact of a long-term temperature variability series (1764-2017) on a summer cereal crop (maize), spring wheat, winter wheat, and four different vines (perennials) in two locations representative of the main agricultural areas in northern Italy. To develop the phenological models for cereals and grapevines, the minimum (TDmin) and maximum (TDmax) daily temperatures for Milano and Bologna, northern Italy, from 1763 to 2017 were used. Results showed that wheat (spring and winter) has experienced a reduction in the growing period of 13 days for each °C of air temperature increase during the growing season. Vernalization requirements of winter wheat indicated that further increase in air temperature will determine a shift towards a supraoptimal range. The subsequent delay in vernalization fulfilment causes the grain filling phase to occur in warmer conditions and will be further shortened with consequences for final yield. Chilling accumulation in vines was fulfilled over the entire period under study with 90% effective chilling. Highlights - Long-term weather series show how the mean air temperature and its extremes have changed over the years. - Simulation of cereals and perennials phenology using long-term weather series showed a shortening of the growing season and a shift of developmental stages. - The number of days when the air temperature is above the crops’ physiological threshold increased, with implications for development and senescence rates.

The current regime of heat waves and their impact on the yield of cereal crops in Ukraine

Heat waves are one of the most dangerous meteorological phenomena, the manifestations of which have become more frequent in all regions of the globe in recent decades. Due to excessively high temperatures persisting for a long time, heat waves cause heat stress in living organisms and plants, and negatively affect various sectors of the national economy. Although the mechanism of heat wave formation is well known, the question of determining and predicting the intensity and duration of these processes in advance, as well as the areas of their propagation, remains open, including due to the lack of unified concept of a heat wave. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of extremely warm days and heat waves for the period 1996-2021 in 16 regions of Ukraine, where the production of the main agricultural crops (winter wheat, spring barley, corn) is concentrated. The analysis was performed using the surface skin temperature Ts, which contains information about the temperature of both the canopy and ground surface.
 It was found that during the study period, the number of extremely warm days increased in all regions of the country and in all seasons of the year, with the most significant increase occurring in the last decade in winter and autumn. The warmest year was 2020, when the number of extremely warm days in some regions reached 100-106 per year. The frequency of heat waves at the end of the study period almost doubled compared to the beginning, reaching an average of 8-10 cases per year. The average seasonal frequency of heat waves was 4-5 cases in summer and 2-4 cases in other seasons. The longest heat waves lasting 17-19 days were recorded in all agro-climatic zones in August 2010. In other seasons, the maximum duration of heat waves did not exceed 10-14 days.
 Statistical assessment of the relationship between the seasonal number of extremely warm days and the grain yield crops showed that an increase in these days in the spring leads to decrease in the yield crops of winter wheat and spring barley; in summer this negative impact is observed for corn.

DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF USING A LOGISTICS CENTER IN SUNFLOWER OIL ROAD TRANSPORTATION SUPPLY CHAIN

The Ukraine agro-industrial complex is one of the budget filling main sources. Therefore, it must be constantly modernized, invested in scientific developments and constantly updated equipment, which, in turn, will increase the main agricultural crops production profitability. Increasing the road transport efficiency as a whole, as well as increasing the sunflower oil road transportation efficiency is an important state task for Ukraine, especially in the Ukraine transport sector deep crisis conditions, caused by russian federation military aggression. When the sunflower oil supply chain building, several schemes for the transportation process organization are used - according to the direct option or with the logistics center use. The using a logistics center expediency in the supply chain for sunflower oil automobile transportation will be conducted on the determining basis the total transportation costs according to two schemes. In connection with the using natural research methods impossibility (large material costs), it is advisable to use mathematical modeling methods when conducting experimental studies due to their universality and high accuracy. The sunflower oil road transportation system mathematical model according to the direct option was built and the using the logistics center feasibility area for a given transportation volume was determined. The proposed sunflower oil road transportation models for two transportation options: direct option and using a logistics center correspond modern market conditions - minimal laboriousness and ease of implementation. When the transportation volume value is 100 tons and the transportation distance changes from 51 km to 536 km it is more appropriate to use the direct option and with an increase in the transportation distance, you need to choose the option using logistics centers, since the costs are much lower than with the direct option. Keywords: logistics center, supply chain, sunflower oil.

A sustainable approach to control whitefly on soybean: Integrating entomopathogenic fungi with insecticides

Soybean is the main agricultural crop produced and exported by Brazil, and the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the main pests of this crop. Whitefly control is carried out mainly with chemical insecticides, which has led to an increase in number of applications and evolution towards resistant populations. There is a need to study alternatives for the control of this insect pest, and biological control using entomopathogenic fungi can be an effective tool, offering less risk to the environment. This study aimed to design and evaluate four management programs in two soybean cropping seasons, including two integrated management alternatives, a conventional chemical management alternative and a biological (fungal) control alternative. Two sequential sprays set 10 days apart were performed for each program, and the results of ANOVA and Scott-Knott test (P ≤ 0.05) revealed differences among treatments. The integrated management consisting of a sequential spray of chemical insecticide followed by a fungal one stood out as the best control option, presenting 60% of control efficacy for whitefly adults and 34% for whitefly nymphs in the first cropping season; 83% of control efficacy for whitefly adults and 53% for whitefly nymphs in the second cropping season. Therefore, integrating fungi-based products with chemical insecticides may provide an efficient alternative for controlling B. tabaci in soybean.

Estimation of the Parameters of the State of Agrocenoses Based on Remote Sensing Data

Objective: The purpose of this study is to substantiate the method and means of forming estimates of the physical parameters of the state of agrocenoses, including the main agricultural crops and weeds. These physical parameters include biomass parameters, the estimates of which will be used to address the technological issues of future agriculture management. Methods: With consideration of the differences in the physical dimension of information, a method for integrating ground-based measurements and earth remote sensing data is proposed by the joint use of a mathematical model of the dynamics of agrocenoses biomass state parameters and a model for the relationship between the calculated state parameters and remote sensing data. Spatial coordinates are the main feature of the mathematical models used, and the task of assessment is divided into the task of forming average field estimates of the parameters of the state of agrocenoses and their spatial correction for elementary sections of the field using a linear corrector. Results: An algorithm for estimating the parameters of the state of agrocenosis according to remote sensing data was developed, which was implemented in a specialized computer program. Original sources of information were employed to ensure sufficient accuracy and reliability of the assessment. Ground measurements were used to identify and adapt mathematical models, including data from stationary remote sensing devices, and a mobile remote sensing tool was used to estimate the parameters of the biomass of agrocenoses over the entire area of the field. Conclusion: The proposed method and the algorithm for its implementation ensure the stability of the estimation process with an error in assessing the biomass of agrocenoses being ±10%. The current research has been carried out over the past 10 years in the experimental fields of the Menkovsky branch of the Agrophysical Institute, within the framework of the thematic plan of the Agrophysical Institute in the scientific direction of "Precision Farming".

Economic Assessment and State Regulation of the Agri-industrial Sector in Ukraine: Solutions for Ensuring Food Security (Modeling and Analysis)

The paper studies the dynamics of the relative production and consumption of the main agricultural crops in Ukrainian enterprises for 2017- 2021 years, in particular sunflower. The issues and provisions given in it may be used to analyze existing theoretical positions. Because of aggressive invasion of Russia, Ukraine suffers significant losses in agricultural production. This situation has a negative impact on the provision of agricultural food and food security around the world. In 2022, the war prevented Ukraine from sowing all areas of crops, which in fact, according to various estimates, range from 50% to 75%. Therefore, the issue of providing agricultural products not only to Ukraine, but also to those who import Ukrainian sunflower crops and other crops is of practical interest. In this work the relationship between the volume of sunflower gross harvest and its sown areas on many years research data – more than thirty years has been estimated on the basis of correlation-regression modeling. According to FAO estimates, 25-30% of fields in the 2022-2023 season may be unsown or unharvested in Ukraine. In addition, crop yields are expected to decline. According to some experts, in 2022 in Ukraine the sown area is less than 80% of last year’s figures, and the total sown area has decreased to 3 million hectares. In this work on the basis of the analytical method the forecast of productivity in the conditions of military aggression of Russia against Ukraine at change of sown territories on an example of oilseeds is formed. It is established that price instability restrains the intensification, which increases the yield of oilseeds, but the degree of risk increases too. A set of measures for economic stimulation of agricultural cultivation of oilseeds has been developed, the foundations for the development of partnerships between the state and agrarian business and the population have been formed.

Introgression of Asian soybean rust resistant genes into elite soybean lines from Uruguay

Soybean is the main agricultural crop in Uruguay. One of the diseases with the greatest damage potential is Asian soybean rust, with estimated grain yield losses up 80% in the region. Throughout history, different authors have stated the importance of genetic resistance as a fundamental tool to decrease the adverse effects of phytopathogens, leading to agriculture sustainability. The objective of this work was to introduce rust resistance genes into elite lines of INIA’s soybean breeding program and to evaluate the enhanced resistance. Introgression of resistant genes was carried out in a greenhouse, through three backcrosses from F1. Two donors: Py7-1-47 and No6-12-B handed by JIRCAS with two resistant genes combinations (Rpp1-b + Rpp5 and Rpp4 + Rpp5, respectively) and three elite lines: SJ10-122-040, SJ10-158-039, and SJ10-173-072 from INIA’s breeding program were used. After each backcross, plants carrying both genes were selected with marker assisted selection. Each third backcross was self-pollinated (BC3F2) and single plant families were inoculated in the greenhouse. Percentage of rust resistant plants within the introgressed families ranged from 42% to 98%, compared to fully susceptible recurrent parents.

АГРОПРОМЫШЛЕННОЕ ПРОИЗВОДСТВО КАЗАХСТАНА: ВОПРОСЫ ДИВЕРСИФИКАЦИИ КАК ПРИОРИТЕТНОГО НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ РАЗВИТИЯ

As a result of agricultural reforms carried out in Kazakhstan, the legal and organizational forms of farms have changed, and a diversified economy has been formed. The purpose of the study is to assess the state of the country's agro-industrial complex, to identify the main problems and prospects for the growth of agricultural production, to show the importance of diversification processes for the sustainable development of agricultural sector in the context of destabilization of the world economy. Methods – quantitative-qualitative and factor analysis, economic-statistical, abstract-logical conclusions. Results – the situation in AIC for 1990-2021 is analyzed in crop production and animal husbandry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Dynamics of sown areas of main agricultural crops of enterprises, peasant (private) farms in recent years and 1990 shows that there have been changes in the structure of crops in the republic: expansion of the size of arable land for cultivation of wheat, vegetables, melons, root crops and reduction in forage grasses. A study of the livestock sector in Kazakhstan led to the conclusion that population nu mber of livestock and poultry did not reach the level of 1990. The data on redistribution of livestock by categories of farms are presented. The necessity of its increase for creation of large livestock complexes is substantiated. Conclusions – the authors note that at present, th e country's agricultural producers are facing a constant increase in costs. This leads to higher food prices. Diversification in market economy makes it possible to reduce the risks of unreasonably high costs and respond flexibly to imbalances between supp ly and demand, maintain production capacities, and ensure the growth of profits and profitability of agricultural producers. It is necessary to use i nnovative, resource-saving technologies, the integrated use of land resources, and solution of the problems of degraded pastures.

Leaching of saflufenacil in soils with different organic matter contents

Saflufenacil is a herbicide recommended for use in the main agricultural crops in Brazil to control eudicotyledonous weeds. However, the application of saflufenacil has been carried out without previous knowledge of this herbicide interactions with soil colloids, which may increase environmental contamination risks. In this study, the leaching of saflufenacil in soil samples was estimated with different organic matter contents. Therefore, PVC columns were filled with samples of Xanthic Ferralsol (XF) and Ferralsol (F), with different physical and chemical attributes. Twelve hours after herbicide (70 g i.a. ha-1) application, the PVC columns were subjected to a rainfall of 60 mm. For the evaluation of saflufenacil leaching, the columns were sectioned in ten parts with 5-cm each. Saflufenacil leached up to 50 and 40 cm deep in the samples, with the lowest contents of organic matter of XF and F, respectively. The increase in organic matter content of Ferralsol and Xanthic Ferralsol samples reduced saflufenacil leaching and the symptoms of intoxication in the indicator species. There was an inverse relation between the content of organic matter and the leaching of the herbicide in both soils studied. It was observed that the application of saflufenacil in soils with low organic matter contents may represent a significant environmental contamination risk of soils and watercourses.

INFLUÊNCIA DA DENSIDADE E DISTÂNCIA DE Digitaria horizontalis Willd NOS PARÂMETROS BIOMÉTRICOS E NUTRICIONAIS DE MUDAS PRÉ-BROTADAS DE CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is one of the main agricultural crops in Brazil and the presence of weeds in production areas can affect growth, development and accumulation of nutrients of the crop, which may relate to the density and area of influence of the weeds in the field. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the density and distance of crabgrass (Digitaria horizontalis Willd) on the development of pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) of sugarcane of the variety IAC SP 95-5000. We conducted the experiment in a greenhouse in a randomized design with four repetitions. We evaluated height, leaf area, aerial dry biomass, and nutritional analysis of leaf tissue of the PSS after the weeds flowered at 84 days. The crabgrass did not interfere in the biometric and nutritional parameters when they were 18 and 24 cm away from the crop. Regardless of the planting density and the density of 80 plants m-2 of crabgrass for all distances, we considered the distance of six cm between the crop and the weeds critical for the crop, since they significantly reduced height, leaf area, and aerial dry biomass of the PSS. The crabgrass was a potential competitor for N, P, K, Mn, Fe, and Zn with the PSS in the conditions of 2, 6, and 12 cm when they were in 40 and 80 plants m-2.

GENERALIZATION OF MACROECONOMIC PRECONDITIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESULTS OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN THE REGION

The study focuses on the relevance of the study of macroeconomic prerequisites for the formation of financial and economic results of the management of agricultural enterprises in the region (on the example of Lviv region). The purpose of the article is the analysis and generalization of macroeconomic prerequisites for the formation of financial and economic results of agricultural enterprises of the Lviv region. The results of the analysis of the volumes of production and sale of products of agricultural enterprises of the Lviv region in 2011-2020 are presented. The structure of the production cost of products (works, services) of crop production and livestock products of agricultural enterprises of the Lviv region in 2017 and in 2020 is detailed. The volumes and dynamics of the sown areas of the main agricultural crops of the agricultural enterprises of the Lviv region in 2010, 2014-2020 were characterized. The yield indicators of the main agricultural crops of the agricultural enterprises of the Lviv region in 2010, 2014-2020 were studied. The characteristics of income, profit, financial results and profitability of agricultural enterprises of the region are provided. Conclusions have been made regarding positive aspects, as well as macroeconomic obstacles to the formation of financial and economic results of enterprises of this industry, which are implemented at the regional level. The factors that destabilize the financial and economic results of agricultural enterprises in the region include: a decrease in the sales of rye, potatoes, vegetable crops and eggs, a reduction in the sown areas of potatoes and fodder crops, the instability of the yield level and full harvest on the sown areas of certain agricultural crops, the loss of a number of enterprises, the low level of profitability and the presence of a tendency to its further decrease for open ground vegetable crops, factory sugar beet and potatoes. The applied value of the research results lies in the formation of an informational and analytical basis for the development of management decisions in terms of improving macroeconomic prerequisites for increasing the financial and economic results and performance indicators of agricultural enterprises in the region. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the improvement of the methodology of analyzing macroeconomic prerequisites for the formation of financial and economic results of agricultural enterprises in the region.

Restoration of Land Acquired for Resettlement and the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe

This paper examines the effect of the land reform program on the production of main agricultural crops, which are maize and soyabean, in a bid to deduce the implications of the possible restoration of land acquired for resettlement in Zimbabwe. The interest of this paper is in response to the new legislation by the Government of Zimbabwe under which former farm holders may apply for restoration of title to the piece of agricultural land that was compulsorily acquired from them for resettlement during the 2000 Fast-Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). Contrary to cross-sectional studies done before, this study applied the Ordinary Least Squares estimation technique on time series data covering the period 1980–2019. The results show that the period after the land reform has lower maize and soyabean output per hectare compared to the period before land reform. The findings imply that the FTLRP disrupted production, which has never been restored to prior output levels; this points to the new government’s interest in the restoration of land to former farm holders to sustain agricultural production, particularly maize and soyabean.