Prospects for growing sunflowers in the zone of Western Polissia

Abstract

Goal. To justify the possibility and feasibility of growing sunflowers on drained lands of the Western Polissia zone. Methods. Field � to observe the growth and development of plants, the formation of their yield; laboratory � to study the quantitative and qualitative properties of the soil; measuring and measuring-weight � to determine the yield and water regime of the soil; calculation-comparative � to establish the efficiency of the elements of cultivation technology. Results. The study was conducted in 2022�2024 at the Sarny research station of the Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation of NAAS. They studied the possibility and feasibility of growing sunflowers on drained sod-podzolic and peat soils of Western Polissia. It was proved that the yield of sunflower hybrids for cultivation in the zone of Western Polissia varied significantly, so their selection was of key importance. The important role of observance of optimal terms of sunflower sowing was established, since a delay with its sowing in field experiments for 20 days led to a decrease in yield by 30-35%. During 2022-2024, the yield of sunflowers on sod-podzolic soils in the studied hybrids was in the range of 2.67�4.27 t/ha, while on peat soils � 2.11�3.22 t/ha. Of the fertilizer systems studied, the highest efficiency on sod-podzolic and peat soils was ensured by the introduction of complete mineral fertilizers in the norms, respectively, N90R90K90 and N30R60K120, in combination with the Rais Pi phosphorylation preparation. Conclusions. According to the results of experimental studies, it was established that sunflower was a promising crop for growing on sod-podzolic soils of the Western Polissia zone, where its yield for the selection of hybrids most adapted to local agroclimatic conditions, as well as proper agricultural engineering, could reach 3.5�4.0 t/ha. On peat soils, the yield of sunflower during the research period was lower than on sod-podzolic soils and amounted to 2.5�3.0 t/ha, which was associated with a less favorable hydrothermal regime. The effectiveness of the use of the phosphoformobilizing preparation Rais Pi for growing sunflowers on sod-podzolic and peat soils was proved.