Reaction of gray mustard varieties to sowing dates in the subzone of light chestnut soils of the Volgograd region

Introduction. This article presents the results of two-year observations of the formation of yields of three varieties of blue mustard at two sowing periods in the subzone of light chestnut soils of the Volgograd region. The control was the usual sowing time, when the soil warmed up to a seed depth of 6-7 degrees. The second sowing date was very early due to the frozen soil. Long-term observations of weather conditions were relatively favorable for the growth and development of mustard, which naturally affected both the photosynthetic parameters of the studied mustard varieties and their yields during both sowing periods. On average, in two years of research, ultra-early sowing proved to be the best. When growing mustard varieties during this sowing period, all photosynthetic parameters were significantly better than during the usual sowing period. The Gorlinka variety turned out to be the most productive. At the usual sowing time, it exceeded the Rushen variety by 10.5%, and the Slavyanka variety by 6.9%. With an extremely early sowing period, the advantage of the Gorlinka variety was even greater and amounted to 21.5 and 17.0%, respectively. The highest yield was achieved in 2023 for the Gorlinka variety – 2.25 t/ha, and the lowest – 1.48 t/ha for the Rushena variety in 2022. According to economic indicators, the Gorlinka variety turned out to be the most effective. The production of this variety at the usual sowing period was 70.9% more profitable than that of the Rushen variety, and 62.2% more profitable than that of the Slavyanka variety. At the earliest sowing date, the advantage of the Gorlinka variety was even greater and amounted to 74.4 and 62.6%, respectively.

Relevance. In recent years, interest in blue mustard has increased significantly in agricultural production. If in 2020 this crop occupied only 34 thousand hectares in the region, then in 2023 it will already be 104 thousand hectares. However, its yield varies greatly both from year to year and from region to region. In the region as a whole, the average yield of blue or Sarepta mustard does not exceed 1.0t/ha. The potential yield of modern varieties is estimated at 2.5-2.7 t/ha, and the Gorlinka variety is capable of producing up to 3.0 t/ha. Therefore, the search for ways to increase the yield of this valuable oilseed crop in the conditions of the Volgograd region is a completely relevant and timely task.

Object. As the object of the study, two periods of sowing blue mustard were taken – Factor A: 1. Normal sowing time (control). 2. Extra early on thawed frozen soil. Factor B – three varieties of blue mustard: 1. Rushena (control). 2. Slavyanka.3. Gorlinka.

Materials and methods. A two-factor field experiment was carried out on light chestnut soils of the Ilovlinsky district of the Volgograd region in 2022-2023. according to the method of Lukomets V.M. [1]. The registration area of the plot is 72 m2, the experiment is repeated three times. The predecessor is winter wheat walking on fertilized fallow.

Results and conclusions. An analysis of two-year observations of the formation of yields of three varieties of mustard blue at two sowing periods in the subzone of light chestnut soils of the Ilovlinsky district of the Volgograd region showed that weather conditions naturally affected both the photosynthetic parameters of the studied varieties and their yields at both sowing periods. On average, over two years of research, the most effective was the early sowing of mustard. Of the varieties taken for study, the Gorlinka variety turned out to be the most productive. So, if at the usual sowing period the yield of varieties ranged from 1.53 to 1.69 t/ha, then at the early sowing period these indicators were significantly higher and varied in varieties from 1.81 to 2.20 t/ha. The Gorlinka variety turned out to be the most productive. The yield of this variety did not fall below 2.0 t/ha over the years and averaged 2.2 t/ha over two years at the early sowing period. At the usual sowing period, this variety also exceeded the other varieties and amounted to 1.69 t/ha, which is 0.16 t/ha higher than at the control. All photosynthetic parameters were also the best in this variety, both at the usual and early sowing dates. The calculation of economic efficiency for cultivation options also showed a clear advantage of the early sowing period. So, if the profitability of the production of oilseeds at the usual sowing period varied by varieties from 206 to 276.9%, then at the early sowing period the profitability ranged from 262.7 to 337.1%. Of the varieties, Turtledove turned out to be the most effective. The production of this variety at the usual sowing period was 70.9% more profitable than the Rushen variety and 62.2% more profitable than the Slavyanka variety. At the early sowing period, the advantage of the Gorlinka variety was even greater and amounted to 74.4 and 62.6%, respectively.

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