Sowing Rate Research Articles

The Optimum Mixed Cropping Ratio of Oat and Alfalfa Enhanced Plant Growth, Forage Yield, and Forage Quality in Saline Soil.

The forage shortage is more aggravating than ever before, with husbandry development accelerating and meat and dairy product demand increasing. Salinized soils are important reserve land encouraged to be used for forage production in China. However, the salt-tolerant cultivation techniques for forage crops are still inadequate. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of the mixed cropping ratio of oat and alfalfa on plant growth and physiological traits, forage yield, and forage quality in saline soils. Oat (Avena sativa L.) variety of Canadian Monopoly and alfalfa variety of WL525HQ were used, and five mixed cropping ratios (T1 = 100% oat + 0% alfalfa, CK, T2 = 75% oat + 25% alfalfa, T3 = 50% oat + 50% alfalfa, T4 = 25% oat + 75% alfalfa, and T5 = 0% oat + 100% alfalfa) were evaluated. The results showed that plant height, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, starch, antioxidant enzymes, and crude fat were increased firstly and then decreased prominently with decreased oats and increased alfalfa sowing rate; the maximum values showed under T2 but the minimum value under T5 at evaluated growth periods. On the contrary, malondialdehyde and acid detergent fiber were significantly decreased and then increased; the lowest contents were recorded under T2 and highest under T5. Furthermore, the relative growth rate, forage yield, neutral detergent fiber, and crude ash were decreased prominently with decreased oats and increased alfalfa sowing rate, and the highest and lowest values showed under T1 and T5, respectively. Oppositely, the contents of sucrose, proline, N, P, K, relative feeding value, and crude protein were all increased, with the highest contents generated under T2 and the lowest under T1. On the whole, the mixed cropping treatment of T2 showed the best performance in improving both biomass yield and forage quality by enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, osmotic regulatory substances, and nutrient uptake and utilization. Therefore, this study indicates that 75% oat mixed cropping with 25% alfalfa can be recommended as a salt-tolerant cultivation technique for forage high-yield and high-quality production in moderately saline soil.

Multi-year performance of white clover oversown into eastern North Island hill country

Animal performance on summer-dry North Island hill country pastures is limited by soil fertility and the challenge of establishing and retaining a strong legume base in swards on steeper slopes. However, this can be overcome by 1. selecting legume species adapted to the various slope, aspect and soil type combinations; and 2. following well-recognised establishment and management techniques developed in the 1980s. We broadcast white clover in two large southerly aspect paddocks on Tangihanga Station, Gisborne, in the autumn of 2019. Establishment methods involved resident pasture control by hard grazing and selective herbicide to supress dominant low-fertility grasses, broadcasting at high sowing rates and trampling of seed with sheep. We followed white clover persistence and animal performance over the subsequent 5 seasons of rotational cattle grazing with heifers and steers, in comparison with adjacent unsown paddocks. The cost of establishment was c. $220/ha. White clover abundance remained high throughout the 5 years, between 25-40% of cover, compared with 7-17% in unsown paddocks. This increase in clover content of the pastures translated into both increased stocking rates and per head growth rates, with overall annual LWG increasing by 67-169% depending on season. The investment was paid back within the first year.

Breeding peculiarities of the manifestation of hemp fiberness signs

Aim. To establish the genetic features of the manifestation of signs of fibrousness and yield of stems, depending on growing conditions and harvesting periods. Methods. New methods were applied: "Method of evaluation of hemp plants for the presence of cannabinoids", "Method of evaluation of individual plants of monoecious hemp varieties by fiber content at the beginning of flowering", "Method of creation of hybrid breeding material of monoecious hemp". Results. It was established that the main conditions for obtaining the maximum amount of fiber and its quality indicators are the use of the late-ripening variety Hlukhivski 51, sowing with a feeding area of 15x5 cm, the diameter of the stems 6-8 mm, the sowing rate of 75 kg/ha (4.2 million pcs./ha) against the background of increased fertilization. Conclusions. The genetic features of the Hlukhivski 51 variety are high fibrousness and high yield of the stems, which are maximally manifested by observing the conditions of the feeding area of 15x5 cm, the sowing rate of 75 kg/ha (4.2 million pieces/ha) and the increased background of fertilization (N120P90K90). Expansion of the response of genotypes of late-ripening varieties to the level of dry biomass yield of 20 t/ha occurs with a feeding area of 50x5 and 50x10 cm and increased doses of N150P120K120 fertilizers. This can become the basis for the use of hemp for bioenergy purposes. When growing production crops for fiber in order to speed up harvesting, an important factor is the start of harvesting at an earlier time, and therefore we recommend growing two varieties of hemp: early-ripening (technical maturity occurs 2 weeks earlier than late-ripening varieties) and late-ripening varieties of hemp.

The Response of Insects and Weeds within the Crop to Variation in Sowing Density of Canola

The relationships between weeds and insects in canola stands with different seeding rates are not fully understood. Varying seeding rates in canola crops can create different conditions that affect both weed and insect populations and their interactions. The aim of this work was to determine the response of weeds and insects of selected taxa to different densities of canola stand densities and to clarify the interactions between weeds and insects in canola stands. The field experiment was conducted on a plot located in the cadastral area of the municipality of Pěnčín (Moravia, Czech Republic). The results show that a reduced canola sowing rate of oilseed rape leads to increased weed infestation, which is dominated by one taxon (Papaver rhoeas L.). The increase in weed infestation of canola stands is not reflected in an increase in the diversity of captured insects. Increased canola seeding rate improves weed suppression but increases the number of canola pest insects. A higher number of plants and more canola biomass increase the food supply and, thus, make the stand more attractive to canola pests. The taxon Brassicogethes aeneus dominated the pests species spectrum. Changing the seeding rate of canola results in a response in weed and insect populations. The standard recommended seeding rate is optimal in terms of competitive suppression of weeds and the occurrence of pests and trapped insects. Increasing or decreasing the seeding rate of rapeseed does not bring any benefits in terms of pest regulation or biodiversity. However, the results obtained indicate an interesting weed–insect interaction in the conditions of canola stands.

The Influence of Seeding Rates on Crop Infestation and Safflower Yield

Background: Safflower is an oil seed crop that can form seeds in extreme conditions, so it can be used as an alternative to sunflower because their growing technologies are similar. Weeds cause significant damage to the safflower crop. The safflower crop does not tolerate chemicals used to control weeds, so the study was devoted to alternative methods of weed control in its crops, namely the effect of seeding rates on weed infestation and seed yield. The goal is optimal seeding rate and its effect on weed infestation of safflower crops. Methods: The experimental site was laid out on the right bank of the Volga River, Kamyshinsky district, Volgograd region, in a dry steppe zone of chestnut soils with a hydrothermal coefficient of 0.6-0.4. Safflower seeds were sown with three seeding rates: 25, 30, 35 kg/ha in triplicate, with row spacing of 15 cm. The experimental results were presented graphically and processed by dispersion analysis. Result: The research results showed that in the area with a sowing rate of 35 kg/ha of viable seeds there was the least weed in the safflower crops, and the seed yield was higher than in other areas with lower sowing rates. Statistical analysis determined that the seeding rate has a 51.1% effect on safflower yield.

Seed yield limitations of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) based on plant structure analysis

The present study describes the dependencies of key productivity and growth indicators of coriander plants on sowing rate and fertilization parameters. The aim of the research was to establish the patterns of coriander yield formation through the prism of plant structure considering modifications in nutrient conditions and sowing rates. Graphical models and correlation matrices were developed for three coriander varieties with similar morphological features (Oksanit, Nectar, Caribe). Data from field studies conducted in 2013–2015 in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine serve as the basis for model construction. Two variable technological elements were studied (sowing rate of seeds; fertilization system) to determine the dependencies of biometric indicators for each variety. 3D graphical models of dependency for structural elements showed advantages over linear models. Seed yield of coriander in the study ranged from 1.24 t/ha with the lowest sowing rate to 1.91 t/ha with a sowing rate of 2.5 million seeds/ha. Maximum essential oil yield for cv. Oksanit was 46.4 kg/ha with a seed yield of 2.16 tons/ha. Cv. Nectar forms 45.6 kg/ha of essential oil with a seed yield of 2.01 tons/ha, and cv. Caribe forms 40.6 kg/ha with a seed yield of 2.06 tons/ha. Absence of statistically significant correlation between seed yield and essential oil output points to the peculiarities of the experiment. Research factors have opposing effects on the formation of essential oil, and consequently, its yield from the seed yield. The value of the results lies in the potential application of this approach in practice and the implementation of findings in the humid zone. The development of productivity models (like 3D plots) across a range of multiple factors simultaneously, based on crop structure indicators, allows for the prediction of target crop parameters, enabling the efficient utilization of available resources.

Intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and field beans (Vicia faba L.) for forage, increases protein production

In 2005–2007, a field study was conducted into intercropping of maize with faba bean at Pawlowice research station, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences. The main aim of the multi-year field research was an investigation into the reactions of differing maize hybrid earliness to intercropping cultivation with faba bean. The field research evaluated the effect of three maize hybrids—Wilga (early—E), Blask (medium—M) and Iman (late—L)—and the sowing rate of faba bean—18 (Fb1), 27 (Fb2) and 36 (Fb3) seeds per 1 m2—on growth dynamics and yield structure, and biomass, protein, and energy yield. Cultivation of faba bean in maize inter-rows led to significant competition with maize and affected yields, causing a decrease in maize dry matter yield from 14.1 (Fb1) to 20.6% (FB3) compared with maize sown alone. In terms of total biomass yield from maize and faba beans, no significant differences were found, but a slight increase in yield of 1.1–4.2% (repective to Fb1 and Fb3) was noted compared to maize sown alone. The early maize hybrid had a significantly lower yield but was most suitable for intercropping with faba bean. The dry biomass yield of early hybrids increased in intercropping by 25% compared to pure maize cultivation. Total protein yield from both intercropping components was higher than in the pure sowing of maize: from 24 (Fb1) to 39% (Fb3). The increase in protein production resulted in an improvement in the energy–protein ratio. The number of UFL per kg of total protein decreased from 13.2 in pure maize cultivation (M-P) to 9.3 (Fb3). A more balanced forage biomass was produced from intercropping maize with faba bean, especially when an early maize hybrid was sown with faba beans.

The Productivity of Sareptsky Mustard Depends on the Sowing Rate and the Level of Biologization of the Crop Growing Technology

The Productivity of Sareptsky Mustard Depends on the Sowing Rate and the Level of Biologization of the Crop Growing Technology

AGROBIOLOGICAL SUBSTANTIATION OF SOWING METHODS AND SOWING RATES OF WHITE MUSTARD SEEDS ON YIELD AND PRODUCT QUALITY

AGROBIOLOGICAL SUBSTANTIATION OF SOWING METHODS AND SOWING RATES OF WHITE MUSTARD SEEDS ON YIELD AND PRODUCT QUALITY

Promoting sustainable smallholder farming systems in China

CONTEXTHundreds of millions of smallholder farmers account for 84% of farming households globally. Owing to the limited access to knowledge and resources, smallholder farming systems under sub-optimal management are facing multiple challenges such as adverse environmental impacts and difficulties in meeting growing food demand. Although substantial advanced techniques and practices have been developed, applying these practices on the ground at a large scale remains a great challenge. OBJECTIVESThis study aims to assess the sustainability of typical soil-crop management practices in order to recommend best practice bundles. The study also deploys a farmer survey in order to identify barriers hindering the adoption of sustainable practices and propose ways to overcome these barriers. METHODSTo achieve these aims, we develop a generalizable framework combining technical innovations and social realization pathway for sustainable transformation of smallholder farming systems. We apply this framework in the North China Plain as a case study, propose target-oriented practice bundles and subsequent realization roadmaps from smallholder farmer's perspectives and interests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results show that nitrogen reduction has the greatest positive effect on the overall sustainability of smallholder farming systems (12–14%), followed by formula fertilizer (6–10%) and optimal crop practices (2–4%). Thus, our recommended practice bundles include reducing fertilizer inputs and optimal sowing date and rate. However, our farmer survey shows that the implementation of these recommended practices faces barriers associated with economic costs, labor requirements, and farmer's preferences and acceptance. We suggest ways to overcome these barriers, including multi-stakeholder platforms better connecting smallholders, scientists, government, and industry. SIGNIFICANCEOur framework can be amended to fit different contexts and targets, therefore it can be adopted and tweaked by other regions worldwide dominated by smallholder agriculture to promote sustainable transformation.

Response of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum) to limited irrigation, seed rate and depth of sowing

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at New Delhi, to study the effect of limited irrigation, seed rate and depth of sowing on growth, yield, water-use parameters and economics of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment comprised 3 factors, viz. 3 irrigation levels [(I1 , irrigation at crown-root initation (CRI) stage; I2 , irrigation at CRI stage + 0.2 irrigation water: cumulative pan evaporation (IW : CPE) ratio; and I3, irrigation at CRI stage + 0.4 IW : CPE ratio), 3 seed rates (S1, 75; S2, 100 and S2, 125 kg/ha) and 2 depths of sowings (D1, 5 cm and D2 , 10 cm). The field experiment comprising 18 treatment combinations, replicated thrice, was laid out in strip-plot design. Interactions between irrigation levels and seed rates, and irrigation levels and depths of sowing for grain yield were significant during 2014–15. Irrigation levels, seed rates and depths of sowing also significantly affected plant height, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Irrigation at CRI stage + 0.4 IW : CPE ratio resulted in significantly the highest plant height (86.3 cm), effective tillers/m2 (407.82), spike length (14.40 cm), spikelets/spike (17.43), grains/spike (44.20), grain weight/spike (2.05 g), 1,000-grain weight (48.95 g), grain yield (4.22 and 3.75 t/ha during 2014–15 and 2015–16) and harvest index (0.497 and 0.477 during respective season). Seed rate of 125 kg/ha resulted in significantly the highest plant height (82.7 cm), effective tillers/m2 (416.66), spike length (14.62 cm), spikelets/spike (17.53), grains/ spike (40.20), grain weight/spike (2.06 g), 1,000-grain weight (47.80 g), grain yield (3.63 t/ha during 2015–16) and harvest index (0.496 and 0.456 during respective year). Sowing depth of 10 cm resulted in significantly the highest plant height (82.2 cm), effective tillers/m2 (382.64), spike length (13.94 cm), spikelets/spike (16.44), grains/spike (38.21), grain weight/spike (1.90 g), 1,000-grain weight (46.24 g), grain yield (3.95 and 3.49 t/ha during both the years) and harvest index (0.456 and 0.443 during both the years).

交错苗带式大豆精量免耕播种机设计与试验

According to the requirements of soybean stripping planting in the Huang-Huai-Hai region, a new planting mode was proposed, and a no-tillage staggered seedling belt soybean precision planter was designed. A seed-metering device with staggered distribution of sockets was designed. The optimal parameter combination was obtained through simulation analysis, and its structural rationality was verified through bench experiments. It achieved staggered seedling belt seeding; a retractable top rod seeding device was designed to improve seeding efficiency; the arrangement of the rotary cutter for the seedling belt cleaning and preparation device was designed to reduce work energy consumption. The field experiment results showed that when the forward speed was 8 km/h, the reliability and trafficability of the no-tillage staggered seedling belt soybean precision planter were qualified. The qualified rate of sowing depth was 92.6%, the qualified rate of grain spacing was 94.4%, the leak sowing rate was 1.8%, the repeat sowing rate was 38%, the seed exposure rate was 0.74%, and the operation efficiency was 1.92hm2/h.

Productivity of winter intermediate forage crops depending on the technological measures of growing in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe

Analysis of the processes of yield formation of winter intermediate forage crops under the influence of pre-sowing seed treatment and the ratio of components in the mixture. To identify the best variants of the experiment for implementation in production in the soil and climatic conditions of the western forest-steppe. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical statistics. Results. Research has established that the formation of the winter legume-cereal agrophytocenoses yield was influenced by the studied factors, in particular, the component composition of the agrophytocenosis and the methods of processing the seeds of the legume component, as well as the weather conditions of the growing season. It has been proven that, on average, over the years of research, grass mixtures of winter rye and рannonian peas were better in terms of dry matter yield compared to similar mixtures of winter triticale with рannonian peas. Depending on the ratio of the components and the pre-sowing treatment of the leguminous component seeds, their yield was 5.82–7.10 t/ha and 5.48–6.64 t/ha, respectively. It was stated that the pre-sowing treatment of рannonian peas seeds with a growth stimulator of humic origin contributed to the increase in the productivity of grass mixtures in all variants of the experiment. The increase in dry matter yield was 0.39–0.79 t/ha. Conclusions. On average, over the years of research, the highest productivity in terms of dry matter was marked by the option where a grass mixture of рannonian peas was sown with a sowing rate of 2.5 million/ha of similar seeds and winter rye 75 % of the full sowing rate in its pure form – 7.10 t/ha of dry matter. At the same time, the seeds of the leguminous component were treated with the Lignohumate growth stimulator before sowing. Among the agrocenoses of рannonian peas with winter triticale, the variant with 2.5 million/ha of similar leguminous components, which before sowing was treated with the Lignohumate growth stimulator and winter triticale 25 % of the full rate of sowing in its pure form – 6.64 t/ha of dry matter, proved to be the best .

Yield of winter wheat seeds depending on maturity groups of varieties and technology elements

o determine the yield of winter wheat depending on the maturity groups of varieties, sowing dates and seeding rates in the conditionals of the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical. Field studies were carried out at the experimental farm of the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine during 2017-2019. Results. It was determined that when sowing winter wheat at the optimal time, no significant difference in seed yield of varieties of different maturity groups depending on seeding rates was found. The seed yield of medium-ripening varieties at a sowing rate of 3 million seeds/ha was 7.71 t/ha, and that of medium-early ripening varieties – 7.23 t/ha. The yield of all varieties of medium-ripening maturity group was higher than that of medium-early maturity group regardless of seeding rates, but there was no significant difference by variety. On average, the seed yield of medium-ripening varieties did not differ significantly from that of medium-early maturity varieties at all seeding rates. At the lowest seeding rate, the seed yield of medium-ripening varieties was 6.87 t/ha, while that of medium-early-ripening varieties was only 0.09 t/ha higher. When sown at the latest date (10 October), the seed yield of varieties of both maturity groups was lower than at the optimal date, but there was no significant difference in seed yield depending on the maturity groups of the varieties. When winter wheat was sown both at the optimum and later dates, the greatest influence on seed yield was exerted by the "variety" factor, which ranged from 83.3-89.1 % depending on the sowing dates, which once again demonstrates the role of the variety in increasing crop productivity. Conclusions. When sowing winter wheat both in the optimal and later sowing dates, no significant difference in seed yield of varieties of medium and medium-early maturity groups depending on seeding rates was found. The yield of all varieties of medium-early maturity group was higher than that of medium-early maturity group regardless of seeding rates, but there was no significant difference by varieties.

Photosynthetic activity of safflower under the effect of the elements of cultivation technology

Purpose. To establish the peculiarities of the formation of photosynthetic indicators of safflower varieties as affected by the elements of cultivation technology, specifically row width, row spacing, and sowing rate, in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The research was carried out in 2021–2023 at the Agronomic Research Station of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. The soil type was typical low-humus chernozem. The design of the field experiment provided for the study of the influence of the following factors: factor A – varieties: ‘Dobrynia’ and ‘Soniachnyi’; factor B – row width: 19, 38 and 57 cm; factor C – sowing rate: 100, 200 and 300 thousand seeds/ha. Results. The leaf area of safflower increased as the row width and sowing rate increased, which emphasizes the importance of optimizing the location of plants in the field for reaching effective photosynthesis and subsequent crop formation. In particular, at the time of flowering, in the ‘Dobrynia’ variety, the leaf area was 32.7, and in ‘Soniachnyi’ 31.2 thousand m2/ha; the varieties in general differed by 1.5 thousand m2/ha, which exceeded the value of the smallest significant differences by experience. At the same time, it was determined that the average leaf area for a row spacing of 19 cm was 30.7 thousand m2/ha. Increasing the row width to 38 cm contributed to the leaf area formation of 31.4 thousand m2/ha, which is 0.6 thousand m2/ha more than in the previous treatment. At a row spacing of 57 cm, the crops had a leaf area of 33.8 thousand m2/ha, which was 3.1 thousand m2/ha more than at a row spacing of 19 cm. Sowing rate of 100 seeds/ha resulted in leaf area of 31.0 thousand m2/ha, while sowing rates 200 and 300 thousand seeds/ha ensured a leaf area increase of 1.50 and 1.53 thousand m2/ha, respectively. In the budding stage, the highest content of the chlorophylls a and b in safflower plants was noted for row width of 38 cm and sowing rates of 200 and 300 thousand seeds/ha. The content of chlorophylls was 5.21 and 5.24 5.19 and 5.22 mg/g of dry matter, respectively, in ‘Dobrynia’, and 5.19 and 5.22 mg/g of dry matter in ‘Soniachnyi’. Conclusions. The highest parameters of the photosynthetic potential were obtained for row width of 57 cm and sowing rates of 200 and 300 thousand units/ha: in ‘Dobrynia’, 0.89–90 million m2 × day/ha in the period of budding – flowering, and 1.21–1.23 million m2 × day/ha in the period flowering – full maturity; in ‘Soniachnyi’ 0.93–0.94 million m2 × day/ha and 1.35–1.36 million m2 × day/ha, respectively. The parameters of net photosynthetic productivity (NPF) of crops in the period from flowering to full maturity in ‘Dobrynia’ was 1.59 g/m2 per day, and 1.47 g/m2 per day in ‘Soniachnyi’. At the same time, for a row width of 19 cm, the NPP was 1.73, and at 38 cm 1.76 g/m2 per day, and for a row spacing of 57 cm it was 1.11 g/m2 per day, which is 0.6 g/m2 per day less than for a row spacing of 19 cm. At the sowing rates of 100, 200 and 300 thousand seeds/ha, the NPP was, respectively, 1.29, 1.65, and 1.65 g/m2 per day. In ‘Soniachnyi’, the highest NPP indicators were obtained for a row spacing of 38 cm and a sowing rate of 300,000 plants/ha: 2.02 g/m2 per day; in ‘Soniachnyi’ for a row spacing of 19 and 38 cm and a seeding rate of 300,000 seeds/ha: 1.86 g/m2 per day for both options.

Formation of biometric parameters of sowings of soybean variety ‘Sirelia’ on typical chernozems depending on the nutrition area

Purpose. To determine the effect of row width and seeding rate on the biometric parameters of sowings of the early-ripening soybean variety 'Sirelia'. Methods. The research was carried out in 2021–2023 in the stationary crop rotation of the Plant Breeding Department in the fields of the Agronomic Research Station of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (Pshenychne, Vasylkiv district, Kyiv region). Scheme of the experiment: factor A – sowing method: ordinary row with a row spacing of 19 cm; strip with a row spacing of 19 × 38 × 12 cm; wide-row with a row spacing of 38 cm; factor B – seeding rate: 450, 600 and 750 thousand seeds/ha. Recordings were carried out in the main phases of crop development: budding, flowering and grain filling. Results. The thickening of crops with an increase in the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand seeds/ha contributed to a significant increase in the height of soybean plants: by 3.5 cm for row spacings of 19 cm and by 5.9 cm for row spacing of 38 cm. Seeding rate of 450,000 seeds/ha led to a decrease in plant height by 4.1 cm, or 5.2%. Thus, from the given data it can be concluded that the height of soybean plants increased with an increase in the seeding rate. The influence of the sowing rate on the growth of plants at a row width of 38 cm was particularly significant. The absolute dry mass of plants in the budding phase was within the range of 2.87–4.00 g, in the flowering stage 4.81–6.93 g, and in the seed filling stage 11.6–21.5 g. During the last period, the mass of plants in the case of increasing the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand seeds/ha decreased by 8.9 g, for a row spacing of 19 cm, and for a row spacing 38 cm by 7.3 g. The highest mass of plants was for the row width of 38 cm and the sowing rate of 450,000 seeds/ha. Conclusions. The height of soybean plants increases with an increase in the seeding rate. This is explained by the fact that the thickening of crops causes shading and elongation of plants. Soybean plants were the highest (81.9 cm) at a row spacing of 38 cm and a seeding rate of 750,000 seeds/ha. The highest absolute dry weight of one soybean plant was formed at a seeding rate of 450,000 seeds/ha, and significantly decreases in case of its increase to 750 thousand seeds/ha for all methods of sowing. That is, the thickening of crops with an increase in the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand units/ha led to a significant decrease in the dry weight of plants, which is explained by the deterioration of the conditions for their growth and development, primarily due to high competition for life factors.

Grouping of segetal vegetation of winter pea agrophytocenosis and its influence on crop productivity in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. To study the species composition and the ratio of seed stocks in the soil of different biological groups of weeds in the agrophytocenosis of winter pea, and their influence on the yield formation depending on the sowing rate of the crop. Methods. Quantitative and weighting, agrochemical, analytical, and statistical methods were used. Results. Weeds that formed a significant seed stock, belonged to the families Chenopodiaceae (58%), Amaranthaceae (18%), Poaceae (9–11%), Brassicaceae (6%), Роlygonaceae (4.5–5.8%), and Asteraceae (1.5–2.2%). A significant raw and dry biomass was formed by Cirsium arvense (52 and 24 g/m2, respectively), Polygonum scabrum (46 and 22 g/m2), Thlaspi arvense (34 and 12 g/m2), Chenopodium album (34 and 14 g/m2), Polygonum convolvulus (27 and 13 g/m2), Sonchus arvensis (23 and 11 g/m2), Amaranthus retroflexus (21 and 10 g/m2), Ambrosia artemisiofolia (22 and 11 g/m2), Solanum nigrum (21 and 9 g/m2), Galium aparine (19 and 8 g/m2), Sinapis arvensis (18 and 8 g/m2), Setaria pumila, and Setaria viridis (9 and 4 g/m2). Conclusions. Changes in the productivity of winter pea at different degrees of weed infestation of the sowings were revealed. A significant influence of segetal vegetation on the crop yield was established at the pea seed sowing rate of 0.6 million seeds/ha, where the yield of the varieties ‘Enduro’ and ‘NS Moroz’ was only 3.01 and 3.13 t/ha, respectively. The density of segetal vegetation at the standard sowing rate of 1.1 million seeds/h and increased rate to 1.6 million seeds/ha did not affect the yield (3.33 and 3.34 t/ha, respectively). On thinned crops, weed infestation increases, which can affect the crop yield, as it has significant advantages for growth and competition with winter pea plants.

The effect of seed sowing rates on spring durum wheat productivity

The purpose of the current study was to establish the effect of sowing rates of spring durum wheat on its productivity. There has been established that reducing seed sowing rates from 7 to 3 million germinated seeds per 1 ha allows reducing spring durum wheat vegetation period by 6–7 days. There has been identified maximum density of productive stems of the two varieties at a seeding rate of 6 and 7 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The highest productive tillering capacity for two spring durum wheat varieties was obtained at the variant with a norm of 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. Thus, according to the experimental variants, the average plant height of the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Niva’ was 70.6 cm in the control variant and 81.8 cm at a sowing rate of 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya’ has produced the tallest plants of 79.5 cm, with a seeding rate of 4 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. There has been established that the length of a head also increases with a seeding rate decrease; for example, in the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Niva’, the maximum indicators of the main head were formed at a seeding rate of 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha, where the maximum length of the main head was 6.7 cm, the number of grains was 27.5 pieces with a weight of 1.47 g. For the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya’, the maximum head length was 5.6 cm, and the number of grains was 24 pieces at a rate of 4 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The fullest grain of the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Niva’ with 53.4 g of ‘1000-grain weight’ was formed at a seeding rate of 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha; the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya’ was 50.4g with a norm of 6 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The maximum productivity of the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Niva’ was 3.54 t/ha with a seeding rate of 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The variety ‘Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya’ formed a yield of 3.23 t/ha with a seeding rate of 6 million germinated seeds per 1 ha.

The effect of sowing dates and sowing rates of wintering pea varieties on protein percentage and yield of nutrients

There have been presented the study results on determining the quality of grain of wintering peas varieties ‘Fokus’ and ‘Zimus’ depending on agricultural methods. The purpose of the current study was to determine protein percentage and yield of basic nutrients in grain of wintering peas, depending on sowing dates and rates. The current study was carried out at the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in 2019–2021. The soil of the experimental plot was represented by ordinary carbonate heavy loamy chernozem. The forecrop was winter wheat. Weather conditions during the years of study were characterized by increased air temperatures in autumn and the return of cold weather in spring, which led to significant damage and thinning of crops. The amount of productive precipitation during the period of grain filling had a positive effect on productivity formation. There has been found that the greatest collection of basic nutrients was obtained in the second ten days of October with a sowing rate of 1.2 and 1.4 million pcs/ha for the varieties ‘Fokus’ and ‘Zimus’, respectively. For the variety ‘Fokus’, the highest crude protein percentage was 25.42 %, with 2.58 t/ha of feed units, 0.557 t/ha of crude protein, 25.31 GJ/ha of metabolic energy, with 189 g of a supply of a feed unit with digestible protein. For the variety ‘Zimus’, the highest crude protein percentage was 25.46 %, with 2.57 t/ha of feed units, 0.555 t/ha of crude protein, 24.62 GJ/ha of metabolic energy, with 190 g of a supply of a feed unit with digestible protein. The studied varieties according to digestible protein percentage were at the level of 205–219 g per a kg of grain.

Structural elements of grain yield in triticale (х Triticosecale Wittmack) grown under organic farming conditions

Abstract During the period 2018-2020 in the experimental field of the Agricultural Institute, Shumen, on calcic chernozem soil type, a field experiment with triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) was conducted. The experiment was based on the block method, in four replications with a size of the experimental plot of 10 m2. Sowing was carried out in October with a sowing rate of 500 germinate able seeds/m2 after the predecessor sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). In the appropriate periods treatments were made in 4 variants: 1) Control-untreated variant. 2) Treatment with biodynamic preparations: Preparation 500 (5% solution) + Fladen preparation (1.5% solution) + preparation 501 (1.5 g for 300 l H2O/ha). 3) Treatment with biological preparations: Heliosulfur (500 ml/ha) + Free N (500 ml/ha). 4) Combined treatment with the same biodynamic and biological preparations. The following indicators were studied: plant height, number of spikelet’s per spike, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike. After the statistical analysis for the first year of the study, a proven positive difference was found in all indicators in the combined biodynamic + biological method of cultivation, as well as in the stand-alone biological. In the second year of the study, a proven positive difference was obtained in all studied indicators in the variants treated with biodynamic preparations and the combination of biodynamic + biological preparations, with statistical significance for p<0.001. A positive correlation was found between all variants of the observed indicators at p<0.05.