Uman NUH | today: 12/21/2024
| Author(s) |
Гетман Н. Я., , , Данилюк Б. М., , , |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Category | The Agronomy | ||
| year | 2024 | issue | Issue 105 part 1 |
| pages | 163-172 | index UDK | 633.31:631.547 | DOI | 10.32782/2415-8240-2024-105-1-163-172 (Link) |
| Abstract | The study investigates the formation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Radoslava sward in the year of sowing. The research was conducted at Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, located in the right-bank forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. The aim was to examine the main growth phases and morphological characteristics of alfalfa in its first year of cultivation. The observations revealed that the growth processes of alfalfa occurred under favorable hydrothermal conditions, with a day length of 16 hours 58 minutes, an average monthly air temperature of 16.3°C, and total precipitation of 205.4 mm. Under these conditions, alfalfa plants reached the beginning of the flowering phase after 68–69 days. The study confirmed that alfalfa, in its sowing year, without herbicide application and under uncovered sowing method, is unable to compete effectively with certain harmful objects. As a result, weed infestation in the agrophytocenosis ranged from 24.56 % to 27.65 %, regardless of fertilization background and seeding rate. The main weed species observed were green foxtail (Setaria pumila) and white goosefoot (Chenopodium album L.). The research showed that the lowest plant height (63.4–66.1 cm) was observed at a seeding rate of 8.0 million/ha of viable seeds, regardless of the fertilization background. Plant height increased at a seeding rate of 6.0 million/ha, reaching 64.4–66.3 cm. The application of mineral fertilizers with microelements resulted in an increase in plant height from 0.9–1.9 cm to 1.0–2.7 cm compared to the control. Furthermore, a tendency of increased leaf formation in alfalfa plants was noted with the application of higher doses of potassium fertilizer and microelements at both seeding rates. The leaf formation at a seeding rate of 6.0 million/ha ranged from 50.45 % to 53.53 %, which was 2.24–2.42 % higher than at a seeding rate of 8.0 million/ha. The application of macro- and microelements promoted an increase in leaf formation of alfalfa plants by 2.21–5.29 % compared to the control. The study contributes to the understanding of alfalfa growth and development in its first year, providing valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices. The findings highlight the importance of appropriate seeding rates and fertilization strategies in enhancing alfalfa productivity and competitiveness against weeds. | ||
| Key words | alfalfa, plant height, leaf formation, hydrothermal conditions, growth and development, weed infestation, seeding rate, mineral fertilizers | ||