The influence of biological preparations on seed sowing rates on the productivity of sunflower hybrids in the conditions of Southern Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. To study the influence of biological preparations and seed sowing rates on the productivity of sunflower in the conditions of southern Ukraine. Methods. Field research was carried out in accordance with modern requirements and standards of research in agronomy and agriculture. Methods. Field studies were carried out in accordance with modern requirements and standards of research in agronomy and agriculture. Results. The use of biological preparations in the technology of sunflower cultivation for pre-sowing treatment of seeds and foliar feeding of plants had a positive effect on the formation of larger and fuller seeds. On average, over the years of research, the maximum weight of 1000 seeds of 49.5–51.3 g was noted for this fertilizer option at a seed sowing rate of 40,000 pieces/ha in the Horiv and Azart hybrids, and in the Golkeeper hybrid – 44.6 g. With pre-sowing treatment of seeds with a biological preparation and the use of foliar fertilization of crops at the standard seed sowing option 40 thousand pieces/ha, the diameter of the basket increased. The highest yield of sunflower seeds was determined for the cultivation of the Azart hybrid – on average, according to the variants of seed sowing norms and the use of biological preparations, the yield was 0.80–2.00 t/ha depending on the year of the study. The use of biological preparations contributed to the increase in the seed yield of all investigated sunflower hybrids. Thus, in 2024, 2.07 t/ha of seeds were obtained for the cultivation of the Azart hybrid, 2.03 t/ha of the Goalkeeper hybrid, and 1.89 t/ha of the Horiv hybrid on average according to the seed sowing rates, which exceeded the indicators of the control option (water treatment) by 0.13–0.18 t/ha or 6.3–8.9 %. The same trend was observed in 2025. Conclusions. In the conditions of southern Ukraine, as a result of field research conducted in 2024–2025, the use of reduced rates of sowing sunflower seeds and the use of biological preparations for seed treatment and foliar feeding of crops during the growing season contributes to increasing crop productivity. The higher yield of sunflower hybrids was formed at the rate of seed sowing of 40 thousand units/ha and the use of biological preparations – 1.08–1.36 t/ha. The highest yield of sunflower seeds was determined for the cultivation of the Azart hybrid.