Justification and perspective of cropping pattern on irrigated lands in the south of Russia

Abstract

Purpose: improvement of the irrigated agriculture system and justification of the rational cropping pattern, taking into account the possible provision of biological productivity of agricultural land for the period up to 2030. Materials and methods: the optimal values of the cropping patterns used in the structure of reclamation complex were used as key criteria for improving the system of irrigated agriculture. The demand and potential level of export of agricultural products and options for their processing were taken into account. The proposed cropping patterns on irrigated lands were obtained based on the results of ranking indicators: cereals (wheat, corn), industrial (soybeans, etc.), vegetables (including potatoes), beets (table and fodder). Results: the main conditions for carrying out reclamation measures aimed at increasing feed production, increasing the energy content and protein nutritional value of feed, contributing to the increase of farm animals productivity, were revealed. With a predicted high level of yield by 2030, its growth may be: for fodder – 2.5 times, sugar beet – 2.4 times, flax – 3.0, sunflower – 2.6, potatoes – 1.9, rice – 1.7 times. Conclusions. The main requirements for cropping pattern optimization have been determined: ranking according to the degree of global demand for agricultural products, which determines the trends of its production in the Russian Federation; optimization of the production structure of certain groups of crops in the domestic market, as well as for export to the foreign market; application of scientifically based crop rotation systems; work on the selection of varieties and hybrids of crops; improvement of irrigation equipment and technologies. Optimization of cropping patterns, including fodder crops in irrigated crop rotations, and restoration of soil fertility can also increase the output of livestock products – to ensure the country's food security.