Plant growth and dynamics of green mass and dry matter accumulation in crop rotations and monocrops on irrigation

Abstract

Introduction. In intensive farming, soil fertility is enhanced via sufficient amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers, appropriate ameliorative measures, and providing effective biodiversity in agricultural lands. Crop rotations play an important role in preserving and restoring soil fertility as well as in increasing crop yields.

Along with cereals, high potential soybean plays a special role in crop rotations. This crop is important for providing food, improving soil fertility and, as green fodder, for livestock development.

Material and methods. Crop rotations were compared with monocrops by the Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Diversification of the Absheron Subsidiary Research Farm in 2015–2017. Weighty results have been obtained with the effective use of organic matter from root and top residues by other plants.

Result and discussion. In the bean formation phase, the green mass of soybean increased by 2.15 t/ha, and the dry matter - by 0.69 t ha in the crop rotation compared to the monocrop.

The results showed that in the crop rotation the amount of plant residues per hectare collected from the 0-40 cmlayer of soil increased from 2.38 t to 2.68 t in soybean, from 4.38 t to 4.76 t in winter wheat, and from 3.95 t to 4.21 t in barley

Conclusions. The results demonstrated that the plant growth and development in monocrops was slowed down. The highest values of height, green mass, dry matter, root weight and yield were recorded in the crop rotation.