A comprehensive solution to the resource-saving problem when growing potatoes under irrigation using hydrosorbents

Abstract

Purpose: development and experimental evaluation of resource-saving technology of irrigated potato production using hydrosorbents. Materials and methods. The hypothesis of the research is based on the phenomenon of formation of mini-reservoirs due to absorption of irrigation water by fertilizers dissolved in it by hydrogels, which is directed to the plant roots over a longer period. The supply of hydrogel with fertilizers is provided by a specially designed machine capable of introducing enriched hydrogel below the bottom of the planting furrow and only into the row zone. Results. To reduce the consumption of irrigation water, fertilizers, as well as anthropogenic impact on the soil during cultivation of agricultural crops under irrigation, it is proposed to use hydrogel enriched with fertilizers when growing potatoes. Its ability to absorb moisture in the amount of up to 280 times per 1 g of substance ensures the supply of moisture and nutrient solution to plant roots for a longer period, due to which the consumption of irrigation water and fertilizers is reduced by 1.3–1.4 times compared to standard technologies. Conclusions. A technology for a comprehensive solution to the problem of resource-saving in the cultivation of potatoes under irrigation using hydrosorbents has been developed and experimentally studied. All elements of the technology are interconnected and include the development and use of a potato-planting machine with the introduction of enriched hydrogel and ensuring irrigation rates at the rate of 300 cub. m/ha while maintaining the pre-irrigation threshold of 80% of the lowest moisture capacity. The biological yield under control is 21.6 t/ha, and with the introduction of hydrogel at a dose of 18.2 g/running m and fertilizers in the form of nitroammophoska at a dose of 33.3 g/running m yield of 29.4 t/ha at NSR0.5 = 0.04 was obtained. The marketable yield under control is 19.3 t/ha, and when maintaining the noted doses of enriched hydrogel is 28.9 t/ha. This technique contributed to an increase in yield by 7.8 t/ha (36.1 %), marketable yield – by 9.6 t/ha (49.7 %).

Keywords

• sprinkling
• potato planter
• hydrosorbent
• irrigation rate
• local application
• biological yield
• humidity