According to the results of field research conducted in 2019-2022 in the conditions of the Educational Scientific and Practical Center of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, the productivity potential of new varieties of soft winter wheat of Ukrainian selection was determined and a variety of soft winter wheat was recommended for cultivation in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine Duma of Odesa, which on average over the years of research formed an average grain yield of 6.45 t/ha.

The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of innovative approaches to cereal cultivation in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. The study used the latest plant varieties, efficient irrigation systems and biological products to increase crop yields and resilience. The wheat varieties used were Stepova 1 and Dniprovska 1, as well as Pivdennyi 1 barley, which are highly resistant to drought and high temperatures. Drip and sub-surface irrigation systems were used, as well as bio-fertilisers and organic composts to improve soil structure and increase soil fertility. The main results of the study showed that wheat yields in the experimental groups reached 5.2-5.7 tonnes/ha, which is 1.8-1.9 tonnes/ha more than in the control groups. Water consumption in the experimental groups was reduced by 35-40%, and the cost of plant protection products by 45-50%. The protein content of wheat in the experimental groups was 14-15% and the fibre content was 30-32%, while in the control groups it was 11-12% and 25-27%, respectively. Soil analysis in the experimental groups showed higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which indicates the effectiveness of biofertilisers. In addition, the use of biological products helped to reduce the chemical load on the environment. The results obtained indicate a significant increase in productivity, reduced resource use and improved environmental sustainability with the introduction of innovative methods of growing crops in this region, which is important for ensuring food security and economic development in Ukraine

The implementation of resource-efficient technology in contemporary agricultural production enhances the productivity and efficiency of sunflower farming while mitigating environmental harm. The research aimed to examine the impact of various tillage techniques on sunflower farming in southern Ukraine. A field study was undertaken from 2021 to 2023 at the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University to achieve this objective. The research established that traditional tillage yields the lowest density of the topsoil (0-10 cm), signifying good soil aeration. At the same time, no-till cultivation is characterised by the highest soil density, but it helps to increase the reserves of productive moisture at all depths. Before sunflower harvesting, the no-till moisture content was 134 mm in the 0-100 cm layer, which is 26 mm more than in conventional tillage. The study showed that plant height and vegetative mass growth of sunflowers were higher than no-till in all growth stages. In the phase of two pairs of true leaves, the height of the plants under no-till was 16.8 cm, and during flowering – 176.2 cm. The growth of vegetative mass in the phase of two pairs of true leaves under no-till reached 135 g/m2 and in the phase of seed formation – 1,380 g/m2. The leaf area index under no-till was the highest in all phases of sunflower growth, in the flowering phase it was 4.8 m2/m2, which is 10% higher than under conventional tillage (4.2). The chlorophyll content was also the highest under no-till and in the flowering phase at 46 (SPAD units). In addition, the sunflower yield under conventional tillage was 3.56 t/ha, under minimum tillage – 3.85 t/ha, and no-till was the highest at 3.95 t/ha. The practical value of the study is to provide scientifically based recommendations for agricultural enterprises on the choice of the optimal method of soil cultivation, which can increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian sunflowers on the world market

In the steppe zone of Ukraine during the growing season autumn 2021 through the beginning of summer 2022, water balancing in a winter wheat crop with peas as a precursor was 3–9 times greater than with a cereal (spring barley) or sunflower as a precursor; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) following peas was 1.6–1.7 times greater; the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI, the rate of moisture supply) in the plant leaf at the macro-stages BBCH 10–61 was 1.54–1.82 times higher; and productivity 1.43–1.56 times higher. Water consumption for the formation of a tonne of winter wheat grain following peas was one third less compared to other precursors.

The study's objective was to evaluate the efficacy of biological substances in enhancing the growth, development, and productivity of high-oleic sunflower hybrids, aiming to increase seed yields and improve oil quality. An investigation was carried out in the Mykolaiv region throughout 2021-2023 to assess the efficacy of seven different foliar feeding methods in producing five high-oleic sunflower hybrids. The findings indicated that the application of foliar feeding had a beneficial impact on the measured variables, such as plant height, leaf area, seed count per boll, seed yield, and oil and oleic acid concentration in seeds. In particular, the P64HE133 hybrid demonstrated the highest average yield of 3.89 t/ha, followed by Columbi with 3.69 t/ha, with no statistically significant difference between them. Foliar application of Organic-Balance helped to increase the average seed yield to 3.58 t/ha, exceeding the results of other types of spraying. The use of biological products contributed to an increase in yield by 0.21-0.4 t/ha compared to control, as well as an increase in oil content by 0.6-2.1-5.3%. The overall impact of the combination of hybrid and foliar feeding methods on yield was the largest, amounting to 63.5%, where the impact of hybrid selection was 27.4%, foliar feeding – was 5.4%, and other factors had an impact of 3.7%. The findings suggest that the use of foliar feeding can significantly enhance productivity and enhance the quality attributes of sunflower seeds. The utilisation of these biological substances not only enhances seed production and oil content but also promotes more sustainable and robust plant development. Accordingly, the integration of such methods into agronomic practices can significantly improve crop productivity and increase the economic benefits of growing high-yielding sunflower hybrids

Research on the development of sustainable and productive methods of corn cultivation is becoming relevant due to the growing demand for food resources and the need to optimise agrotechnical processes. The study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of maize cultivation under different tillage methods. A field experiment was conducted to achieve this goal, phenological observations of corn plant development was made, and grain quality was studied. The results of the maize yield analysis show that ploughing to a depth of 30 cm produces the highest maize yield of 91.6 c/ha while disking to a depth of 15 cm results in the lowest yield of 80.6 c/ha. The study proved that the method of tillage affects grain quality indicators, in particular, the content of crude fibre, starch, protein and crude fat. Thus, when ploughing to a depth of 30 cm, the starch content in the grain was 70.9%, crude fibre – 2.12%, protein – 10.2%, and crude fat – 4.225%. The correlation and regression analysis showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) for tillage is about 0.9, which means that the model accurately describes the available data, and for grain quality indicators, R2 is in the range of 0.66-0.99, which also indicates a strong relationship between the factors under study. The practical significance of the research results is that they can serve as a basis for optimising the agronomic processes of maize cultivation to increase yields and improve grain quality

The development and implementation of energy-saving technologies for growing sunflower hybrids is a relevant area of research to ensure sustainable development of the agricultural sector and environmental protection. The study aimed to analyse the impact of different tillage methods on sunflower yields in southern Ukraine. To achieve this goal, a field study was conducted in the fields of the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in 2021-2023. The study determined that the method of soil cultivation has a significant impact on its density, moisture reserves and structural stability. Reducing the intensity of cultivation, especially when using no-till, preserves moisture in the soil more effectively, but increases its density. With no-till, before sowing sunflower, it was 1.11 g/cm³ at a depth of 0-10 cm and 1.21 g/cm³ before harvesting, while with conventional tillage, the soil density was 1.02 g/cm³ and 1.1 g/cm³, respectively. In addition, no-till tillage provided the best sunflower productivity indicators, including 1000-seed weight (47.3 g), basket diameter (20.2 cm) and yield (2.6 t/ha). No-till cultivation also improves the quality of the sunflower crop, increasing the content of oleic acid (86.5%) and crude fat in the seeds (48.3%). The obtained results contribute to the development of integrated approaches to the introduction of energy-saving technologies in the cultivation of sunflower hybrids in southern Ukraine, which will increase production efficiency and reduce production costs

Russia’s attack on Ukraine has caused widespread contamination of agricultural land, which is now an urgent environmental problem that is important for human health and sustainable development. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of military operations in Ukraine on agricultural land. To fulfil this purpose, a study was conducted at the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, which included data collection and analysis in different regions of Ukraine, including Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. It was found that in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, soil contamination with lead exceeds the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) by 3 times and fluoride by 1.5 times; in Mykolaiv Oblast, the concentration of lead exceeds the MPC by 5 times, the content of zinc, copper, fluoride, and oil products by a quarter; and in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the concentration of lead exceeds the MPC by 11.17 times, the content of zinc and fluoride is increased by half, petroleum products – by 35%, and phosphates – by 30%. Furthermore, the study confirmed the impact of military operations on the physical and chemical properties of soils, specifically, an increase in the acidity of the soil environment (pH) and the density of the topsoil. To reduce the impact of war on soil and the ecosystem, it is necessary to monitor and assess the effects of military operations, develop and implement environmentally friendly technologies, and restore and rehabilitate the affected areas. The findings of this study can be used to prepare recommendations for the authorities to minimise the environmental impact of military operations on soils

The study aimed to validate the necessity of formulating and executing plans for incorporating the concepts of the circular economy into Ukraine's agriculture sector, while considering the impacts of globalisation and problems arising from the war. This study examined the fundamental principles and intellectual underpinnings that differentiate the circular economy from the conventional economic model. The undamental concept of the circular economy in the agricultural sector was justified, and the primary benefits of implementing this economic model in the field of agriculture were established. The European Commission has approved the strategy for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. This strategy emphasises the primary responsibilities that EU member states must undertake to implement the principles of the circular economy in agriculture. The primary patterns in the operation of agriculture in Ukraine are recognised, and the significance of the agricultural sector in the framework of gross domestic product (GDP) formation and foreign exchange profits is established. The destruction of infrastructure, mining activities, and occupation of regions resulted in a decline in the cultivated land and animals, leading to a loss in physical productivity. Due to the war, there has been a decline in production and logistics capabilities, resulting in a large fall in the export of agricultural products. Consequently, the profitability of firms in this sector of the Ukrainian economy has also decreased. Ukrainian agricultural firms lack the financial resources to independently support creative development, which includes the implementation of new technology solutions that form the foundation of the circular economy. Considering the effects of globalisation and military conflict, it is justified that prioritising innovation and investment support, particularly by the State, should be a strategic direction for implementing the principles of the circular economy of agriculture in Ukraine. This approach will enhance economic efficiency and create new opportunities

War has serious consequences for the environment and human health. As these impacts can be long-term and irreversible, it is important to understand how they affect ecosystems and how they can be mitigated or avoided in the future. The research serves as a basis for reconstruction planning in war-affected areas, including the restoration of ecosystems and natural resources. The practical component of the research is determined by its contribution to understanding the extent of environmental problems caused by the war and developing effective measures to address them.

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the formation of biometric parameters of maize hybrids of different maturity groups (DCS 2971 (FAO 200) early maturing; DKS 3472 (FAO 270) mid-early and DKS 4964 (FAO 380) mid-season) when grown in the forest-steppe zone of Mykolaiv region for foliar fertilization with a complex of microfertilizers Quantum (Quantum Silver, Quantum AminoMax 200, Quantum Chelate Zn (117) EDTA, Quantum BOR ACTIVE, Quantum Phytophos) and weather and climatic conditions of the year. The maximum effectiveness in the experiment for all hybrids was ensured by the use of foliar feeding of crops with a complex of microfertilizers Quantum 3.8 l/ha (Quantum Silver (1 l/ha) + Quantum AminoMax 200 (0.5 l/ha) + Quantum CHELATE Zn (117) EDTA (1 l/ha) + Quantum BORON ACTIVE (0, 3 l/ha) + Quantum Phytophos (1 l/ha)) in the phase of 4-6 leaves of corn and the introduction of a complex of microfertilizers Quantum 3.0 l/ha (Quantum Silver (2 l/ha) + Quantum AminoMax 200 (0.5 l/ha) + Quantum BORON ACTIVE (0.5 l/ha)) in the phase of 8-10 leaves of corn against the background of N34P34K34. The highest indicators were observed in the mid-season hybrid DCS 4964 in this variant of microfertilizers application, the height of plants was 256.8 cm, and the cobs were located at a height of 110.3 cm.

Even in peacetime, bad farming practices have degraded the soil but war has exacerbated the situation. To support comprehensive land rehabilitation, publicly available data are scrutinised to establish the composition of soils under shelling, bombing, missile strikes and pollution by fuels and lubricants. These data show that the content of various toxic substances exceeds permissible limits several-fold, and soil acidity is increased. Heavy contamination with fuels and lubricants changes the soil’s chemical and physical properties, killing all but the most resilient flora and fauna.

Aim. To highlight the results of the research conducted in 2020 – 2021 aiming at studying the ffect of multi-depth and multifraction sowing of the hybrid corn seeds of the DMS Sticker mid-early maturity group on the yield when grown in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine and determine the economic efficiency of the approaches.Materials and methods. Winter wheat was a predecessor crop in the study. Tillage methods and related conditions are described in the article. Herbicides were used to protect against weeds. Sowing was carried out in the third decade of April at a soil temperature of +8 – 10 ºС. The experiment considered 2 factors, namely the depth of sowing seeds and the size of the seed fraction. The results obtained were processed using measurement, mathematical and statistical methods of research, as well as calculation and comparison approaches.Results and discussion. On average, depending on the factors studied, the height of the plants varied significantly, as a rule, the tallest plants were obtained from large seeds, which had the highest mass of 1000 seeds. Thus, in particular, on average over two years of research, the height of the plants was 250.4 cm when the weight of 1000 seeds was 255 g, and the seeds were wrapped by 4 – 5 cm; when the weight of 1000 seeds was 300 g, the height was 251.1 cm, while with the weight of 350 g it was 258.3 cm; with the wrapping depth of 7 – 8 cm the height was 252.1 cm, 255.8 and 268.5 cm, and with the wrapping depth of 10 – 11 cm it was 257.6 cm, 261.8 and 266.1 cm.Conclusions. The use of the large seed fraction provided an increase in the yield of the DMS Sticker corn hybrid by 1.09 – 1.79 t ha-1 compared to the use of the small seed fraction and was 8.70 t ha-1. When using the large seed fraction and the wrapping depth of 10 – 11 cm, the cost of production was 56,550 UAH ha-1. The cost price of 1 ton of production was the lowest and amounted to UAH 2,247.1, the conditional net profit was the highest – 37,000 UAH ha-1, and the level of profitability was 189.3 %.

Agricultural producers use large quantities of mineral fertilisers and plant protection products, which leads to soil, seed and environmental pollution and reduces the profitability of production. Modern agriculture starts to shift its focus to biologisation, which includes the development and implementation of environmentally friendly alternative systems, the reduction of chemicals, the introduction of energy and resource-saving technologies, use of biological plant protection products and bio-organic fertilisers. The research aims to investigate the effectiveness of biological technologies for growing maize in an environmentally friendly way using various organic fertilisers. The following methods were used to study the new corn growing technology: analysis, synthesis, analogy, comparison, and generalisation; field and laboratory; calculation – assessment of economic and bioenergy efficiency. To study the effect of organic fertilisers of different biological origins on the assessment of the humus state of typical chernozems, field experiments were conducted to assess the impact on corn grain yield in the Ukrainian Steppe. After the application of organic fertiliser, the limits of organic carbon content in humus were 3.2-3.5%, humic acid 1.9-2.2%, and fulvic acid 0.7-1.0%. In the experimental samples of maize grain, the content of crude protein ranged from 13.5 to 14.0%, crude fat from 2.4 to 2.7%, crude fibre from 2.1 to 2.4%, crude ash from 1.3 to 1.7%, and nitrogen-free extractives from 64.7 to 67.4%, moisture from 12.0 to 14.9%. The grain yield in the control variant was 9.7 t/ha, and in the experimental plots, it was 11.5-13.4 t/ha. The data obtained can help in the development of biologically based maize cultivation technology following the ecological gradient of cultivation and yield with optimisation of the studied agrotechnical methods

Sugar beet is one of the crops with high industrial significance, the reduction of the area of its crops in Ukraine in recent years actualizes the development of technologies for increasing yield and technological indicators of the crop. The research aims to study different regimes of applying mineral fertilizers on productivity, and the content of soluble sugars and proteins in sugar beet. The field study was conducted in the period of April-September 2023. The pre-sowing treatment was carried out using a hybrid of the productive and sugary direction Oleksandria employing deep ploughing up to 30 cm deep, the seeding density was 100 thousand/ha. The fertilization scheme provided for the introduction of a combination of complex fertilizers in one of two concentrations: N180P150K200 or N250P200K280 and a growth stimulator based on amino acids and trace elements Quantum. The application was carried out separately or in combination, the frequency of fertilization was one or two times. It has been demonstrated that the most pronounced positive effect on the increase in biomass and sugar content of beets is caused by the combined application of mineral macro fertilizers with the drug Quantum. In the case of the combined application option, the increase in the biomass of the root crop compared to the control was 120.8±8.5%-143.0±14.3%; the increase in the content of soluble sugars – in the range from 4.23±0.6% to 5.3±0.45%. An increase was also observed in comparison with the variants of separate applications of fertilizers. There was no significant difference between the two applied fertilizer concentrations, as well as when individual fertilizers and their combinations were re-applied. The content of proteins in terms of dry weight increased depending on the concentration and frequency of application of complex fertilizers. The obtained data on the increase in biomass of sugar content indicate the expediency of increasing these indicators is the use of a combination of mineral fertilizers containing macro- and microelements, so it is advisable to recommend a similar mode of fertilization. The data can become the basis for the development of recommendations for implementation in the industrial cultivation of sugar beet. Such techniques are economically feasible, as they allow for a reduction in the number of treatments and the consumption of fertilizer to obtain a harvest with high indicators

Mine clearance and soil restoration became a live issue after the Russian incursion into eastern Ukraine in 2014; more so since the outbreak of all-out war on 24 February 2022. We investigate the suitability of the land for agriculture following demining. Suitability for agriculture is severely diminished by the previous destruction and dispersal of topsoil, damage from heavy machinery, and remains of metals, chemicals, petroleum products, animals and people which also get into the groundwater. Although restoration of damaged lands is a long-term process, it can still be accomplished and the experience won helps to develop better procedures and recommendations for citizens engaged in farming or economic activities on shelled and mined land.

The research relevance is predefined by the need to optimise fruit crop cultivation systems considering weather conditions. The research aims to test the grafting technology of intensive sweet cherry plantations on small and medium-sized rootstocks. The leading method in achieving the research goal was a field experiment. The main results of this study are as follows: the leading technologies for increasing the yield of sweet cherry varieties depending on the impact of environmental stress factors are presented; the use of clone rootstock technology in sweet cherry plantations in temperate climates is substantiated. According to a set of indicators of productivity formation, the yield of plantations of different designs was predicted. Namely, the scheme of variety-rootstock combinations of intercalary placement, its length, and parameters of the growth complex for plants were revealed; indicators of physiological activity, growth, productivity, fruit quality, and economic efficiency in intensive sweet cherry plantations were determined. It has been established that the application of this technology will increase yields and improve the quality parameters of sweet cherry fruits by developing varieties with compact crowns, which will allow to compact the plantations. It has been analysed that climatic conditions are the main factor in the process of harvest formation. A list of stress factors of temperate climate that affect the yield of sweet cherries has been identified. It is proved that the introduction of clonal rootstock technology is the most effective for growing intensive plantations of sweet cherries in a temperate climate. Practically, the research aims to determine and test a set of elements of physiological indicators of the potential yield of sweet cherry plantations of different designs, to introduce them into production and use them in further breeding

The autumn growth and development of plants depend on a complex of external factors: the average daily air temperature, the amount of precipitation, the humidity of the seed layer of the soil, nutrients, light, etc. If winter wheat is sown at a later date, there are risks that the plants will enter the winter not well developed. It is possible to accelerate the passage of interphase periods with the help of irrigation, which is a necessary agrotechnical measure in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. The purpose of the research is to establish the influence of varietal characteristics, irrigation and weather conditions on the duration of interphase periods of winter wheat in the autumn period on an international scale. Experimental research was carried out during 2020-2021 on southern chernozem, on the basis of the Educational Scientific and Practical Center of the Mykolaiv NAU with two varieties of winter wheat. Field, laboratory and comparative calculation methods were used during the research. The establishment and conduct of experiments were carried out according to the methodology of the research case. Soil moisture was determined by the thermogravimetric method, and phenophases were determined simultaneously throughout the experiment. It was determined that irrigation for 1-2 days reduces the duration of the interphase period of BBCH 00-09; for 3 days – BBCH 10-12; for 11 days – BBCH 13-19; for 5-7 days – BBCH 20-22. In natural conditions (without irrigation), the duration of the interphase periods (from BBCH 00-09 to 20-22) of the growth and development of plants of the studied varieties of winter wheat in 2020 was 93-96 days, which is 23-25 days more than in 2021. In plants of the Ovid variety under conditions of natural moisture (without irrigation), the interphase periods came 1-3 days later than in the Duma Odeska variety, while under irrigation conditions there was no significant difference. The obtained scientific results of the research will contribute to the wider implementation of irrigation, which will ensure the rapid and full growth and development of winter wheat plants in the autumn period, which will further contribute to increasing the yield and gross harvest of grain

Winter wheat is one of the main food crops that ensures the national food security of Ukraine with general production and high-quality grain. The area of winter wheat sowing ranks first in Ukraine, and the production of high-quality grain is of particular relevance. In the technology of its cultivation, the selection of varieties is a decisive factor in increasing yield and improving the quality of grain. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of weather conditions and variety characteristics during the year on plant height, lodging resistance, and yield of winter wheat. This paper presents data on the results of the research of 20 varieties of soft winter wheat in the conditions of the Research-to-Practice Centre of the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University from 2017 to 2022. During the study, generally accepted methods were used: system approach, system analysis, analysis and synthesis, field and statistical method. The study also analysed the influence of variety characteristics and weather conditions in the years under study on the yield of soft winter wheat. It was established that the optimal plant height of winter wheat varieties ranged within 94.9-100.7 cm, at which the highest grain yield is formed, from 7.09 t/ha in the Staleva variety to 7.73 t/ha in the Duma Odeska variety. An increase in the height of the winter wheat varieties under study by 4.0-6.4% led to a decrease in yield from 4.5 to 20.9%. It was established that the awned varieties of soft winter wheat formed a higher grain yield, compared to the thornless forms, which had a higher plant height and less lodging resistance. The conducted studies confirmed that, on average, the resistance to lodging was higher in the thornless forms of winter wheat plants, which is 0.4 points higher than in the awned ones. The higher average grain yield of soft winter wheat was formed by varieties of spiny forms, which is 5.8% more than that of awned varieties. The obtained results will contribute to the wide application of the varieties of soft winter wheat under study for this soil and climate zone, which will further contribute to the increase in yield and gross grain harvests.