YIELD AND GRAIN QUALITY OF WINTER WHEAT DEPENDING ON VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FERTILIZATION IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE

Abstract

Objective. To determine the effect of weather conditions, varietal characteristics, and fertilization on the yield and grain quality of winter wheat in southern Ukraine. Methods. Experimental studies were conducted from 2022 to 2025 at the experimental field of the Educational, Scientific, and Practical Center of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University. Field and laboratory studies were conducted in accordance with current requirements and standards for research in agronomy and agriculture. Results. On average for 2023–2025 and across the varieties studied, the application of Duofertil 30 resulted in a yield increase of 0.22 t/ha, or 4.3%; Duofertil 38 resulted in an increase of 0.31 t/ha, or 6.0%; and Eurocereal 34 – by 0.42 t/ha or 8.1% compared to the control. The highest grain yield, on average over the study period and across fertilizer treatments, was observed in plants of the Pokrovska variety – 5.54 t/ha – which exceeded the yield of the Duma Odessa variety by 0.28 t/ha, or 5.3%. This indicates that this variety is better adapted to the arid conditions of southern Ukraine. On average over the study period, the application of granular fertilizers had a positive effect on the formation of technological quality indicators for winter wheat grain, regardless of the variety studied. The Eurocereal 34 fertilizer provided the highest efficiency; when used, the protein content ranged from 14.2–14.4%, the crude gluten content from 26.1–26.5%, and the specific gravity of the grain from 793–795 g/L. The Pokrovska variety was characterized by slightly higher grain quality indicators compared to the Duma Odessa variety, which indicates a significant influence of varietal characteristics on protein accumulation in the grain, crude gluten content, and grain density. Conclusions. The use of modern granular fertilizers and winter wheat varieties best adapted to the conditions of climate change in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine ensures the highest grain yield and quality. Throughout the study period, the most productive were winter wheat plants of the Pokrovska variety and the use of Eurocereal 34 fertilizer.