Optimization of Water Consumption of High-Oleic Sunflower Hybrids under Non-Irrigated Conditions of the Steppe Zone of Ukraine

The article is devoted to highlighting the results of field studies conducted during 2019–2021 on the influence of multifunctional growth-regulating drugs with a fungicidal effect Architecttm and Helafit Combi on the productivity and optimization of water consumption of high-oleic sunflower hybrids in non-irrigated conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. The study was carried out under non-irrigated conditions in the experimental field of the “Mykolaiv DSDS IZZ NAAS” state institution of Ukraine (GPS: 46.980168, 32.148075) on southern low-humus chernozems. The program of scientific research provided for the foundation of a two – factor field experiment, in which sunflower hybrids were studied, namely Hector and Oplot (originator-V. Y. Yuryev Institute of crop production); DSL403 and P64GE133 (manufacturer Corteva, Brevant) and 8X477KL (manufacturer Dow Seeds). In the experiment, multifunctional growth – regulating preparations of chemical origin, i.e. Architecttm, and biological origin, i.e. Helafit Combi, were used. They were introduced in the form of foliar treatments of sunflower hybrids in the Phase 6–8 of real leaves with a rate of 1 l/ha. The weather conditions in 2019–2021 can be classified as medium – arid, typical for this growing zone, but the most favorable year was 2021. As for the temperature indicators, the average monthly air temperature for the study years was higher than the corresponding long-term average data. The results of three-year field studies showed that foliar treatments of sunflower hybrids of high-oleic type with Architect and Helafit Combi multifunctional preparations had a positive effect on improving growing conditions and increasing plant resistance to stress from high temperatures and lack of moisture. The study preparations contribute to a more economical use of soil moisture for the formation of a crop unit, as evidenced by a decrease in the water consumption coefficient for all the studied hybrids. The lowest water consumption coefficient of 1283 m3/t was found in the P64GE133 hybrid under the conditions of treatment of sunflower plants with a Helafit Combi combined preparation of biological origin. Foliar treatment of plants with combined growth-regulating preparations led to optimization of water consumption of agrocenosis in general.