Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Winter wheat productivity under conditions of uneven fertiliser distribution during application

Oleh Tonkha, Anatolii Bykin
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Abstract

The rational use of mineral fertilisers, given their uneven distribution, is an important factor in improving plant nutrition and achieving high yields of winter cereals. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of uneven distribution of mineral fertiliser granules during pre-sowing application on the productivity of winter wheat. The research was conducted in a four-fold field experiment on dark grey podzolised soil using nine fertiliser distribution options, including a control (100%) and deviations of ±10-25%. It was found that the rate of phosphorus and potassium fertilisers, which exceeded by 10-15% on dark grey podzolised soil, did not have a positive effect on the growth of the aboveground part and root system of winter wheat. It was found that increasing the uniformity of fertiliser distribution had a positive effect on the biometric indicators of plants, in particular height, mass of the aboveground and root parts, which contributed to higher yields and higher grain quality indicators. The maximum growth rates of the aboveground mass of plants were characteristic of the tillering phase. A deviation of 10-25% from the optimal fertiliser rate resulted in deviations in the indicators compared to the control by 10-72% in the tillering phase, 6.4-25% in the stem elongation phase, and 38-46% in the heading phase, respectively. The productivity analysis showed that only a 15% and 25% reduction in the fertiliser rate resulted in a significant decrease in winter wheat yield. The highest yield (10.4 t/ha) was obtained with the use of N38P98K98 in pre-sowing application. Increasing the fertiliser rate to 110-120% resulted in an increase in protein content to 13.6-14.0%, which is 0.3-0.5% higher than the control. The results of the effect of fertiliser unevenness on crop yield formation can be used in precision farming

Keywords

yield, experimental plots, above-ground mass, root system, precision farming

Suggested citation
Tonkha, O., & Bykin, A. (2025). Winter wheat productivity under conditions of uneven fertiliser distribution during application. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 21(4),37-49. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/4.2025.37
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