Influence of methods and rates of fertilizer application on winter wheat productivity by direct seeding on ordinary chernozem

Abstract

Purpose: to study the influence of methods and rates of mineral fertilizers on the winter wheat yield and grain quality by direct sowing on corn on ordinary chernozem under conditions of unstable moisture in Stavropol Territory. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in 2014–2019 in a three-factor experiment in the fields of the North Caucasus Federal Scientific Agrarian Center. We studied the effect of pre-sowing fertilization and nitrogen fertilization (N52) on wheat productivity with two tillage technologies: with the recommended tillage system and with direct sowing (No-Till). Pre-sowing fertilization options: 1) without fertilizers; 2) N6P26; 3) N12P52; 4) N24P104; 5) N52P52; 6) N52P52K52; 7) N52; 8) N104P52K52. Results. Direct sowing had an advantage over the recommended technology in the reserves of productive moisture in the soil layer of 0–100 cm during the sowing period. In the No-Till technology, the average yield increase from pre-sowing fertilizer was within 0.78–3.02 t/ha (28–109 %), from nitrogen fertilization it was 0.55–1.85 t/ha (15–48 %) and when both methods of application are combined – 1.47–4.02 t/ha (53–145 %). The highest and most stable increments over the years (3.07–4.56 t/ha, or 101–219 % to the control) were obtained when using the maximum rate of pre-sowing fertilizer with nitrogen fertilization – N104P52K52 + N52. The increase in grain yield per unit of active fertilizer substance was 15.5 kg. Mass fraction of crude gluten in grain exceeded the control by 3.0–7.9 %. The application of this fertilizer dose helped to equalize the yield between technologies. Conclusions. The results showed that in order to obtain the greatest agronomic effect in the third year of direct sowing of winter wheat on maize, the predominant application of nitrogen fertilizer in a total dose exceeding the dose of phosphorus and potassium by 2–3 times is required. Correctly selected methods of application and fertilizers rates prevent a decrease in wheat yield when switching from the recommended tillage technology to direct sowing.