Grain Productivity Of Field Pea Depending On Seed Treatment And Foliar Nutrition Under The Conditions Of The Western Forest-Steppe

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study on the formation of grain productivity of field pea depending on pre-sowing seed inoculation and foliar application of a liquid micronutrient fertilizer under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve field pea cultivation technology through the rational combination of biological and agrotechnological factors aimed at optimizing plant nutrition, enhancing symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and increasing grain productivity. The aim of the study was to establish the patterns of grain productivity formation in field pea depending on pre-sowing seed inoculation with Rizovit and RizoStart preparations and foliar application of the liquid micronutrient fertilizer AVANGARD Complex Legumes, as well as to determine the most effective combination of the studied factors. Field experiments were conducted during 2024–2026 at the experimental field of the Podillia Research Center. The soil cover of the experimental site was represented by a typical, deep, low-humus, heavy-loamy chernozem formed on loess-like loams. A clear trend toward increased grain productivity of field pea was established under the combined application of pre-sowing seed inoculation and foliar nutrition. The absence of inoculation and micronutrient application was generally associated with the lowest yield levels. A single foliar application of AVANGARD Complex Legumes provided an additional increase in plant productivity, whereas two applications of the preparation contributed to the formation of the highest yield levels. It was established that the effectiveness of inoculation depended on the variety and the level of foliar nutrition. Among the inoculants studied, RizoStart provided a more consistent positive effect on grain productivity formation. The highest productivity was obtained when pre-sowing seed inoculation with RizoStart was combined with two foliar applications of AVANGARD Complex Legumes. Under this technological combination, the yield of the Malakhit variety was 3.83, 2.61, and 4.39 t ha⁻¹, while that of the Saxon variety was 4.01, 2.91, and 4.64 t ha⁻¹ in 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. The maximum grain productivity, 4.64 t ha⁻¹, was recorded for the Saxon variety in 2026.