Agrotechnological Fundamentals of Direct Sowing of Grain Crops in Russia’s ARID Conditions

Abstract

The authors presented the multiyear results of the research on testing the technological complexes of growing the grain crops with direct sowing in the black earth steppe of Russia’s European part. In the zonal crop rotations, in comparison with a traditional technology, it did not lead to worsening of the agrophysical, agrochemical, water and biological soil features, increased the humus content by 0.55% (NSR05- 0.42 %). In spring, during the crops sprouting, the Р2О5 and K2O quantity corresponded to 192 and 189 mg/kg of soil, which is 29 mg (17.8%) and 35 mg (22,7%) more than control. The established least production costs – 2975.1 rub/hectare on an option with direct sowing of the spring grain crops, which are 499.9 rub/hectare -16.8 % lower than the traditional technology figures, favored the acquisition of the highest contingent net income of 1220.1 rub./hectare and the profitability level of 41.0%. During the direct sowing of the spring hard wheat, the highest contingent net income is gained on options with the use of integrated plant protection and the fertilizer application – 9507.9-9753.9 rub/hectare, which is 3667.6-3913.6 rub/hectare (62.8-67.0 %) more than the control, and 825.8-3626.9 rub/hectare (9.5-59.2 %) higher than figures on other options. On the basis of the research conducted, the authors offer a new generation of technologies of growing the winter and spring wheat and the spring barley, which are built on the system basis.