Optimization of technology elements for spring barley cultivation in the northern part of the Right Bank Forest-Steppe

Abstract

Relevance. Barley remains a significant cereal crop in today's conditions. However, the technologies currently used in agricultural production do not fully exploit the genetic potential of modern spring barley varieties. Therefore, the search for measures to intensify cultivation technologies that will increase crop yield and product quality, stabilize grain production, and contribute to ensuring food security in Ukraine is of paramount importance. Goal - to determine the impact of using different rates of mineral fertilizers, growth stimulants in the context of various predecessors on the yield and grain quality of spring barley and to ascertain the economic efficiency of technological processes for cultivating the crop in the northern part of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. Methods. During the research, the following methods were used: field investigation method, visual method, weighing and weighing method, calculation method, and statistical-mathematical method, as well as chemical-analytical methods in accordance with the regulatory framework of Ukraine. Results. The research conducted during 2018-2020 on the dark-gray forest-steppe chernozem soil in the northern part of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe revealed that the best conditions for maximizing the potential of modern spring barley varieties are achieved by cultivating the crop after maize grown with high agrofonds fertilization for grain. The high efficiency of using mineral fertilizers in the technology of cultivating spring barley has been established. On average, over the years of research, the highest crop yield for the crop was achieved by applying fertilizers at the rate of N(45+45)P90K90, in combination with the utilization of by-products from the predecessors at a rate ranging from 4.00 to 4.39 tons per hectare when grown after soybeans, and from 4.34 to 4.88 tons per hectare when grown after corn for grain, depending on the inclusion of the intensification factor such as the use of growth stimulants in the cultivation technology. The application of the specified fertilizer rate ensures an increase in crop yield ranging from 1.52-1.83 t/ha after soybean cultivation to 2.72-3.18 t/ha after corn cultivation for grain. Improved grain quality indicators for spring barley have been observed with the application of increased doses of mineral fertilizers. The technology model, which involves applying N(45+45)P90K90 alongside the by-products of predecessors and the use of growth stimulants, provides the highest protein and starch yield: 0.65 and 2.16 t/ha, respectively, after soybean cultivation, and 0.67 and 2.44 t/ha, respectively, after corn cultivation for grain. Calculations of economic efficiency confirm that this technology allows for a profit of 14206 UAH per hectare with a profitability of 94%. Prospects. Further research should be directed towards improving the elements of spring barley cultivation technology to pre-emptively mitigate the consequences of climate fluctuations, thus stabilizing grain production of this valuable crop, which significantly contributes to the country's food security during times of war and post-war recovery.