Water-holding capacity and drought resistance of winter wheat depending on the variety composition under non-irrigated conditions of the Steppe zone

Abstract

The purpose of the research: to investigate the effect of varietal composition on the water-holding capacity of plants and drought resistance of agrocenoses of winter wheat in the conditions of the Steppe zone of Ukraine under different conditions of natural moisture supply. Research methods: field research was carried out in the conditions of the experimental field of FG «Svitlana» of the Voznesensky district of the Mykolaiv region on the soil – ordinary low-humus chernozem with a content of hydrolyzed nitrogen of 1.5–1.8; easily absorbable phosphorus 4.5–7.0 and exchangeable potassium 12–15 mg/100 g of soil. The experiment was laid according to a two-factor scheme during 2011–2023, in which factor A was various varieties of winter wheat of domestic selection (Dryada 1, Khersonska 99, Mudrist, Lastivka, Askaniyska), and factor B was the weather conditions of the years of research ( dry: 2012–2013 and favorable: 2022–2023). All necessary assessments, records and observations were carried out in accordance with the methodology of the «State Commission of Ukraine for Testing and Protection of Rights to Plant Varieties», statistical and dispersion analysis of research results was carried out according to the methodology of V. O. Ushkarenko. etc. and with the help of «Statistica 10.0», «Microsoft Excel» and «Agrostat» programs. Research results. The water-holding capacity of plants in all varieties decreased before the earing phase, and it increased again during the grain filling period. On average, under different growing conditions, the water loss of plant leaves in the studied varieties was almost at the same level, but in winter wheat varieties Dryad 1, Khersonska 99, Askaniyska it was somewhat lower, which indicates their higher drought resistance. In the experiment, a tendency to decrease water loss by leaves was observed in favorable growing years. The highest yields were shown by Khersonska 99, Dryada 1, Askaniyska, and Antonivka varieties, especially in an unfavorable dry year. The Askaniyska variety, despite the greater water loss during these periods, produced a yield equal to and greater (5.18 t/ha) than high-yielding varieties. Conclusions. In years contrasting in terms of moisture conditions, the Khersonska 99 and Askaniyska winter wheat varieties had the highest productivity, their yield was 4.14 and 4.24 t/ha in the dry period and 4.90 and 5.18 t/ha in the favorable period, respectively. The results of the field experiment testify to the importance of studying the modern range of grain crops and further searching for drought-resistant and high-yielding varieties from a wide range.