Modern technologies for growing and planting decorative flower crops and caring for them. Unique technology for growing vegetables

Carnation (Dianthus spp.) belongs to the clove family (Caryophyllacea Juss.). This is a complex hybrid obtained as a result of numerous crossings of different types and forms. Cloves are the most popular cut crop in the world today. In temperate regions, cloves are grown in glass greenhouses, and during the warm periods of the year in plastic greenhouses and in open field. When growing cloves, it is important to consider the biological capabilities of this plant. The conditions under which the crop is grown in each zone have their own characteristics, mainly related to light and temperature. Carnation - perennial. The root system is represented by adventitious roots, lignified in the basal part, well branched. The spread of the roots in depth depends on the thickness of the substrate layer.

Stem erect, woody at the bottom. The leaves are numerous, opposite, linear, bluish-green, often slightly twisted, covered with a waxy coating. The flowers are large, 5 cm in diameter (slightly smaller for the bush carnation), terry. The extreme petals are large, the edges of the petals are fringed, the degree of their dissection is different in different varieties. The color of the flowers is diverse - red, yellow, orange, purple, white, variegated.

TRANSPORTATION OF PLANTING MATERIAL

To maintain a high marketability of the cut, the decisive factor is the establishment of the correct temperature regime during the transportation of the cuttings. The temperature should be maintained at 2°C-5°C. When the cuttings arrive at the warehouse, they must be immediately placed in cold storage with a temperature regime of 5°C. If this is not possible, at least a cold room should be provided for storing flowers, where direct sunlight does not penetrate. During further local transportation, cold storage must also be provided without fail. temperature regime. When flowers arrive at the warehouse, check the quantity of products received!

PREPARING FOR LANDING

For good growth cloves need a well-fertilized substrate. Before planting, it is recommended to take a soil sample for nutrient analysis. Fertilizer application rates during the main filling of the substrate are calculated on the basis of agrochemical analysis data.

A good substrate for cloves is:

• moisture-intensive and well-drained substrate, loose (with high air permeability);
• the substrate is provided in a sufficient norm with nutrients;
• free from diseases and pests;
• with a low EC level (1.0-1.5 mS).

SUBSTRATE STERILIZATION

Substrate disinfection is carried out by one of the main methods - steaming or chemical treatment. When steaming, the substrate must be dry. Steaming requires a temperature of 70°C, for example, steaming 1000 m2 requires a power of 600,000 kcal/h. If cloves are to be planted in a substrate in which cloves have not been grown before, sterilization is not required. However, if in the area intended for planting, when growing other crops, there were difficulties with pest invasions, then sterilization should still be carried out.

There are three methods of steam sterilization:

1. Steaming under a tarp (or other material)
2. Steaming under pressure
3. Injection of hot steam with chem. drug.

When choosing the most popular first method of steaming, the soil is sterilized to a depth of 30 centimeters. Treatment with chemicals for sterilization is carried out using special injectors. After processing is completed, the substrate should be covered with plastic film, which allows you to get a better result from sterilization. The film is removed after five days.

For chemical treatment, the following schemes can be used:

NET FOR CLOVE

Nets for cloves usually have 8 holes, measuring 12.5 cm by 12.5 cm. For cultivation for a period of 18 - 24 months, 5-8 nets are needed. For a shorter growing period, 4-5 nets are required. It is very important to pull up the plants. Recently, plastic meshes have become more widespread, instead of zinc ones. However, the main recommendations of experts come down to the use of zinc or iron meshes. Nets can be made by hand, but in this case, do not forget about the need to use iron wire in order to ensure a strictly vertical position of the stems during the entire period of growing plants.

PLANT STRING

Much attention should be paid to the correct tying of plants. A maximum plant height of 1.8 m is allowed in the first two years of cultivation. At the peak of flowering plants should be strong and heavy. Incorrect garter, which leads to the curvature of the stems and peduncles, poor access of air and light to the middle of the ridge, breaking the stems, can significantly reduce the yield. The net must be strengthened, maintaining its level in accordance with the growth of plants. The longitudinal rows of wire are attached to the side metal racks, installed after a maximum of 3 meters (optimally 2 - 2.5 m.). The transverse rows are pulled from twine between plants according to the scheme of their planting.

LANDING

The average calculation of the number of plants for a total area of ​​1.000 m2 requires 20.000 cuttings. Basic recommended planting pattern: 32-36 plants per m2. Before planting, you should install the grid on the ridges. Average distance between raised beds = 40-50 cm. The distance between the beds should not be too narrow! The width of the ridge is from 1 to 1.25 meters.

1. The soil for planting carnations must be properly prepared. Watering the substrate should be carried out very evenly. Before landing in winter, heating is turned on for the day. 2. Plants must be acclimatized before planting, that is, cutting boxes and plastic packaging must be opened. The tops of the cuttings should be completely open, and the roots that crawled out, on the contrary, should be closed. The root system must be kept moist. When receiving plants from the supplier to the warehouse, it is recommended to plant as soon as possible!
Z. The cuttings are planted shallowly, making sure that the root formation site is not immersed in the substrate. The cuttings are placed in a small recess, so that after planting the upper part of the cassette (paperpot) is visible. Landing should be carried out across the entire width of the ridge, and not on one side!
4. It is not recommended to water the cuttings abundantly. Your task is to make the plant roots look for water. Depending on the weather and climatic conditions, watering should be carried out no later than 20 minutes after planting. For the first watering, use hoses with a mesh to prevent the roots from being buried by a strong jet of water. The most favorable short watering more once. The most problematic for plants will be the first 10 days! Start fertilizing immediately after planting. At high intensity sunlight plants should be slightly shaded until new roots become visible (glass whitening, or external cover with shading material). In the first weeks, watering the soil should be fairly moderate. However, the fogger or spray systems should be run frequently to maintain good level humidity in the greenhouse. With an excess of moisture, plants are more susceptible to various diseases, with a lack - they develop weaker, the flowers become smaller.

WATERING

Watering should always be done with clean water. Water for irrigation should not be mixed with drainage water, otherwise the risk of diseases such as Fusarium wilt or various viral infections increases dramatically!
Watering is recommended during the dawn hours, as irrigation during the day increases the potential risk of plant diseases (Botrytis, Fusarium wilt, Rhizoctonia and Alternaria), especially in temperate regions. The frequency of watering depends on the time of year, weather conditions, physical properties substrate. During the first six weeks after planting, it is recommended to use only the overhead watering (spraying) system.
In the future, the plants are watered with a thin stream of water or applied drip irrigation, without wetting the leaves and peduncles, since excess moisture can cause the occurrence of fungal diseases.

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

It is recommended to install one sprinkler system in the middle of the raised bed. The distance between the scattering nozzles is 0.75 m.
Increasingly, in the production of cloves, you can find the use of a drip irrigation system. Usually two - three (rarely four) drip lines are used, depending on the condition and degree of soil moisture. For a good, correct distribution of water, it is necessary that the drip lines are absolutely horizontal!

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Carnation is the most sensitive plant to temperature levels. The optimal temperature in the greenhouse largely determines the size of the crop and the quality of flower products. As general characteristics crops, it can be argued that carnations do not like high temperatures, therefore, during summer cultivation, it is necessary to carefully control the climate in the greenhouse. It is important when the temperature rises during the hot months to immediately raise the air humidity above 70%. It is recommended for carnations to set the temperature in the greenhouse from 15°C at night to 25°C during the day. The temperature should be even, avoid sudden fluctuations. In the middle of winter, during the period of short and especially cold days, the optimum temperature (if no additional lighting is used) during the day and night. is the interval from 8°C to 10°C. Temperature difference is not allowed. But the risk of Botrytis fungus should be taken into account (do not allow humidity to rise above 80% at such low temperatures). When growing in winter, an undersoil heating system is required. Use a ventilation system to prevent sudden increases in relative humidity.

PLANT NUTRITION

High quality flowers and yields depend on the level of plant nutrition throughout the growing period. Inaccurate levels of essential substances and nutrients during certain periods of the growing season can cause big problems.
Carnation is a demanding crop for the correct application of fertilizers and dressings. Fertilization during the growing season depends on the characteristics of the climatic zone of growing cloves.
The most important for cloves are the following elements:

Nitrogen:

After rooting and pinching, under favorable conditions, rapid regrowth of shoots begins and at the same time a root system is formed. At this time, plants need to be provided with nutrients, and primarily nitrogen. Potassium and calcium balance the nitrogen content. With an overestimated level of nitrogen, this balance is disturbed. The stems become soft. Nitrogen can quickly be washed out with abundant watering!
Potassium:
Nitrogen has the most significant effect on the growth and development of cloves. Potassium is the second most important element. The role of potassium is especially great with a lack of lighting, so it is so important to provide the substrate with this element, but not to allow it to be in excess, because otherwise the plants will have difficulty absorbing other elements, and the concentration of salts in the substrate may also increase sharply.
With a lack of potassium, the carnations weaken, the flower stalks develop thinner; lower leaves turn brown or develop prematurely. Necrotic spots may appear on mid-level leaves.
Calcium:
Calcium is another important element of great importance for the quality of flower products. With intensive growth, cloves have a greater need for calcium. One of the main tasks of calcium is to ensure the elasticity of the cell wall. Calcium deficiency leads to the development of soft flower stalks, drying of the tops of the leaves, and even drying of the root tips of the plant. The availability of calcium for plants is reduced with the frequent introduction of potassium and ammonium sulfate.

Magnesium and Iron:
Both of these important elements are responsible for the appearance of the green color of the leaf mass of the plant. Lack of magnesium or iron leads to a decrease in the assimilation of cloves and, consequently, to less growth and development. With a deficiency, the leaves of the plant turn yellow, sometimes turn white. Magnesium deficiency can be caused by an excess of potassium in the substrate.
Bor:
Carnation, in comparison with other flowers, withstands fluctuations in the level of boron quite strongly. With a lack of boron, the following symptoms may appear.
- Fragile, weak peduncles. When approaching the ripening period or after cutting, breaking the growth point of the leaf;
- Cleavage of the calyx;
- Buds stop developing and do not develop
Boron is quite immobile in the plant, therefore, in case of late detection of a deficiency of this element, the loss in yield can be quite large. The precise level of bur required must be determined in advance. Boron deficiency is caused by high levels of potassium and salts in the substrate.
The following table shows the optimal amounts of nutrients in the soil intended for planting cloves. Data are given in mmol/l water extract 1:2 (one part soil to two parts water).

The exact amounts of elements such as Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, etc. depend on the type and properties of the substrate.

STRENGTHENING AND NIPPING PLANTS

As the shoots grow, the grid must be increased. The degree of development of the flowers should be closely followed, since if the net is built up early, it will be difficult to clean, and if it is too late, the plants will fall to one side. Constantly observe the culture, its development and gradually raise the grid. Mesh - plays one of the most important roles throughout the entire growing period, including when harvesting flowers. Young shoots are systematically filled into cells. To form a branched, stable crop regulation bush, the cloves are pinched shortly after rooting, 3 to 4 weeks after planting. There are various schemes for pinching cloves in modern production. If necessary, please contact your supplier for more information.

To normalize the harvest, sometimes some of the flowers and vegetative buds are removed from the plant:
- on a bush carnation - only the main bud can be removed or pinched.
- on a bush of a standard large-flowered carnation - all side buds and several vegetative shoots are removed, the main bud is left.
Shoots are removed up to the fifth pair of leaves from the bottom. On bushes of longer varieties, when forming, shoots are removed up to the seventh - eighth pair of leaves from below.

LIGHTING

Carnation is a photophilous plant. Artificial lighting allows you to accelerate the generative growth of the flower. With a long day and high illumination, this culture quickly lays and develops buds, that is, the onset of flowering is accelerated. By changing the illumination and length of the day for carnations, in modern floriculture they regulate the quality of products and the timing of flowering of carnations, providing it during periods of late autumn, winter and early spring. Cloves in the winter months may produce fewer cuttings with a low mass. With additional illumination, which provides a 14-hour daylight hours, the number of shoots increases - the mass of shoots also increases. Using the length of the day, the intensity and quality of the lighting, both the transition of the carnation to flowering (flowering induction) and the various stages of growth are regulated. After the formation of at least 7 pairs of leaves, the plant can be considered ready for additional illumination. Usually, 8 watts of light per m2 is sufficient for carnations, at a distance of 1.5 meters from the tops of the shoots. To accelerate the peak of flowering, plants need additional lighting for 14 days.
Additional lighting of cloves increases its yield, ensuring production in the winter. Also, in the production of cloves, cyclic additional illumination can be used: for shoots with four pairs of developed leaves, 7.5 minutes of illumination every 30 minutes for 6-8 weeks, that is, at night, the lamps are turned on every 30 minutes for 7.5 minutes before dawn. Recommendations for the use of backlighting and the use of greenhouse lighting equipment for different hybrids may vary, so check with your supplier which method is appropriate for your chosen carnation.

CO2
CO2 is as vital to cloves as water and daylight. The optimal volume necessary for plants, depends on the time of year and the growth phase of the flowers. It is always necessary to observe the correct proportions of CO2 concentration with the norms of moisture during irrigation and light intensity. Studies have shown that the CO2 level in clove production should not be below 200 ppm.

CLEANING AND SORTING

Carnation harvesting requires special care and strict adherence to all technology requirements!
Mistakes lead to a drastic reduction in the lifespan of fresh flowers in a vase. Cut flowers do not withstand high temperatures during storage or transportation. It is not even recommended to clean during the hot hours of the day. Sorting should be carried out in a cool room. The flowers are then placed in water, preferably containing silverthio sulfate. This element, added to the water for cloves, prolongs its presentation and the duration of standing in a vase. Before moving the flowers to cold storage, they should be acclimatized for several hours.
The storage temperature should be between 5°C and 8°C. More low temperature can lead to deterioration in the quality of the plant. The harvesting stage is suitable for a regular carnation, at a time when the outer petals begin to open. The bush carnation is harvested at an earlier phase of development: three fully colored buds, but before the opening of the extreme petals of the bud.
We present to your attention a summary of the labor costs for the production of cloves with an area of ​​1,000 m2 at individual production sites per year.
Labor data is given in hours.
Preparation for planting (incl. disinfection) 80
Landing 40
Cleaning 650
Plant tie 450
Pinching plants 500
Plant care 80
Sales preparation 75
Other labor costs 155
Total: 2030 hour.

PESTS AND DISEASES OF CLOVE

The best way to control the appearance of various kinds of pests and the development of diseases is preventive measures!
high planting density, bushiness of plants make plant care more difficult and make it difficult to determine the presence of a disease on plants.
The costs of eradicating infection in plant diseases are many times higher than the funds spent on a routine program of daily planting treatment.

Botrytis
The disease is caused by fungi of the genus Botrytis. The affected areas turn brown, turn brown and soften. They are covered with gray mold with black small sclerotia. Healthy leaves become infected through contact with diseased ones. Spores persist on plant debris.

Stem rot (Botrytis fungus)
This disease is caused by primary infection with the fungi Botrytis, Alternaria, Fusarium. Rot appears at the sites of damage or wounds. The supply of water and nutrition stops, the root dies.

Basal rot (Fusarium culmorum)
With this disease, the growth point of the cutting or young shoot becomes brown. The plant slowly stops growing and dies. Caused by primary infection with the fungi Botrytis, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia.

Rust
The causative agent of the disease is a fungus.
The disease is easily recognized by the small, shiny brown spores of the fungus on the underside and outer sides leaf, and less often on the peduncle and flower buds. On the leaves and stems, oblong, up to 1 mm in diameter, orange, brown convex pads are formed, in which the fungus multiplies. When the spores mature, the skin on the pads breaks and many spores, which are a source of infection for new plants, are dispersed into the air. Ruptures of mature pads increase the release of moisture by the plant, which leads to gradual drying of the leaves and oppression of the entire plant.
With a strong infection, the plant dies completely.

REAL POWDER DEW
The causative agent of the disease is a fungus.
Leaves, stems, buds are affected. A barely noticeable powdery coating appears on the leaves and shoots, first in the form of small light green areas, which then merge and cover the leaf from the lower and upper sides. A purple-gray sporulation of the fungus develops under the leaves.
Sick plants are characterized by an oppressed appearance, lag behind in growth, and bloom poorly.

Spotting (VARIETY OF BOTRITIS FUNGUS)
On the lower leaves, sunken, oval-shaped necrotic spots usually appear. The center of the spot has a light brown color with purple concentric areas. The margins of the spots are watery and yellow in color.

Fusarium
The causative agent of the disease is a fungus of the genus Fusarium. Roots and stems are affected. In diseased plants, the leaves turn yellow at the same time and evenly, lose rigidity, wither, but do not fall off. The stem turns brown or acquires a reddish tint, the basal part of the stem and the root system rot. Buds do not bloom at all or do not bloom completely. Plants are especially affected during the budding period. At this time, the tissues work with maximum load, and their damage leads to the rapid withering of plants.

Heterosporiasis.
especially dangerous fungal disease for cloves. Leaves, stems, flower buds are affected. The disease manifests itself in the formation of small
round spots, first grayish-brown with a dark, sometimes reddish rim, later brightening in the center, surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Later, concentric circles of sporulation of the fungus appear in the center of the spots. The spots often merge, and along the edges of the leaves they usually have the shape of semicircles. In wet conditions spots may become covered with an olive-black coating. With a strong infection, diseased leaves, especially the lower ones, turn yellow and dry out, the stems break off easily in places of spots, the flowers either do not develop or have an irregular shape.

Alternariosis
By harmfulness, it differs little from heterosporiosis, often occurring simultaneously. The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Alternaria. Leaves, stems, buds of various types of cloves are affected. On the leaves, the spots are rounded or elongated, along the main vein of the leaf, ash-gray in color. Affected stems are bent, lag behind in growth, reappearing leaves are smaller. Severe damage leads to the death of leaves and individual parts of plants. In wet weather, the surface of the spots may be covered with a light brown, almost black coating containing many spores of the fungus. The disease develops initially on the lower parts of the plant, which is in conditions of shading and higher humidity.

PHIALOPHORIC WILTING
Fungal disease (Phialophora cinerscens) of cloves, which is especially dangerous when grown indoors. The fungus infects the vascular system of the carnation, causes wilting and drying of plants. Withering and death of leaves begins with the lower tier, then the whole plant withers and dies. There are cases of unilateral manifestation of symptoms. The first signs of the disease appear on the leaves of lateral shoots, especially in older plants, they have a reddish-purple tint. Browning of the conducting system of the stem is noticeable at a height of 10-12 cm from the root collar. The roots of a diseased carnation look healthy outwardly, but darkened vessels are visible on the cut. Diseased plants become grayish, and when dried, they brighten even more. Often affected plants show no outward signs of the disease. Fusarium, Verticillium and Phialophora can often cause wilting of carnations. All of them affect the vascular system of plants and have many similar infection symptoms in common. The fungus infects the plant through the soil, through the roots, with mechanical damage. The infection persists in plant debris.

ring spot
- a viral disease. Separate light spots in the form of rings appear on the leaves, old leaves turn brown and curl, veins lighten in young leaves. Brownish spots also appear on the stems. The flowers are small, irregular in shape. The disease is transmitted to healthy plants with the juice of a diseased plant. Aphids and nematodes are also carriers. It can often occur, in addition to ring spotting, a viral disease - Small-spotted mottling. Numerous small spots appear on young leaves of plants and the lightening of the veins disappears, a weak mosaic remains on old leaves.

verticillium wilt
Caused by the fungus Verncillium.
The disease manifests itself in the defeat of the vascular system of the plant. Pathogens penetrate the plant from the substrate, colonize the conductive vessels, which causes changes in the form of yellowing and drying of the lower leaves and withering of the entire plant. At the base of the plant, the tissues become dark brown in color, and a plaque of the fungus appears on the affected area.

Phytophthora
The disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Phytophthoria. The first node from the root neck becomes oily and lighter. Affected tissues rot and die.

Rhizoctonia
A dangerous disease of cloves caused by a fungus of the genus Rhizoktonia. The disease manifests itself in the blackening and decay of the root neck of young plants. At the site of the lesion, dry brown rot of the fibrous structure appears. Later, the stem at the site of the lesion becomes thin and the plant then dies.

bacterial wilt
A disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas caryophylli. By external signs, this disease is similar to Fusarium or Verticillium wilt. The only difference is that when pressed on a section of a diseased plant, a thick, dirty brown mucus appears, which is not observed in plants affected by fungal diseases. As a result of bacterial infection, the flower fades, the tissues of the stems and roots become brown in color and rot.

PESTS

Aphid
A dangerous pest that damages many flower plants. Greenhouse aphid - an insect with an ovoid body (about 3 mm.), Red, green or yellow color with transverse dark green stripes. Greenhouse aphid - wingless, rarely with wings, living in colonies. Eats young shoots and leaves, causing them to bend and discolor. All organs of affected plants become sticky.

thrips
Thrips is one of the most dangerous carnation pests. Thrips is a small insect 1-1.5 mm in size, dark brown in color with fringed wings. The larvae are yellow or orange. Harm is caused by adults or larvae. During the growing season, they suck the juice from the leaves, which form spots and dots of silvery color. When peduncles appear, thrips accumulate on them and penetrate into the buds. In case of severe damage, the flowers do not open, discolor and dry out. Insects cause the greatest harm under conditions of dry weather and high temperatures.

butterflies
Butterfly larvae and moths can cause great harm to carnation plantings. They feed on young leaves and carnation flowers.

spider mite
One of the most dangerous and polyphagous pests. Adults are greenish-yellow, oval in shape, with two dark spots on the back, with four pairs of legs. Eggs are round, light, shiny. Adult mites and larvae, sucking out the juice, cause a sharp violation of physiological processes in plants.
Damaged leaves become marbled, then turn yellow and dry out. With a strong infection, the plants die. The tick forms a web in which it lives. Winters in the soil and on plants in the greenhouse.

*- when using any drug, carefully read the instructions beforehand and follow the recommendations of the specialists of the manufacturer of the drug or the company supplying this drug.
** - do not always use only one drug. For the next treatment, select a preparation of another group in order to exclude the addiction of pests to it.

Outdoor cultivation

To obtain high results when growing carnations in open ground, special attention must be paid to the problem of weeds. There is currently whole line modern preparations that allow precise control over the emergence and development of weeds and the invasion of pests.
Before planting cuttings in open ground, fertilize the soil. Before planting, it is recommended to take a soil sample for planting for analysis for nutrient content. Usually for the main application of fertilizers, 7 kg of 12-10-18, 3 kg of tri-superphosphate and 3 kg of kieserite are used per 100 m2. After the main fertilizer, the soil is tilled. The distance between the ridges should not be narrow. The width of the ridge is at least 1 m. In temperate zones, the cultivation of cloves gives only 1 crop per year. In Russia, many leading flower growers produce carnations for sale on September 1, Schoolboy's Day, since this flower is usually the most massively present in autumn bouquets. For one-year cultivation, 1-2 nets are needed to support the plants.
Landing in open ground is carried out at the rate of 14.000 - 18.000 cuttings per 1000 m2. In order to get a good harvest by the last week of summer, you should first of all, when choosing varieties, remember the short warm period in our climatic zone. It is also possible to produce varieties with a long growing season with the obligatory use of growth stimulants. To obtain an earlier harvest, growth regulators are also used that inhibit the development of the plant. The first planting of cuttings is carried out in a greenhouse. Then, due to special means, the growth of plants is suspended. Shoots are formed on the bush even before landing in open ground. Such plants will produce crops a few weeks earlier.
Can be used when grown outdoors various systems watering (irrigation, overhead irrigation, drip irrigation, etc.) The most important factor in watering is the even distribution of water! Plant nutrition should be carried out regularly in accordance with the composition and concentration of various nutrients in the substrate, especially in areas with a rainy climate. Nitrogen can leave (wash out) most freely from the soil.
Protective screens, in general, have more disadvantages than advantages. Their use in outdoor carnation production reduces air circulation, increasing the risk of diseases such as Botrytis, Ringworm, Alternaria and Stem Rot. (See the chapter Pests and Diseases of Clove).

For people who are constantly engaged in agriculture and agriculture, the issues of productivity and reducing labor costs in cultivating the land are of paramount importance. Therefore, experts annually develop new technologies for growing vegetables, which facilitate care and increase the yield of marketable products.

The use of special techniques has long made it possible not only to approach the natural yield, which is inherent in the potential of each variety, but also to exceed it several times. To do this, all parameters that affect the growth and speed of the vegetative stages are carefully controlled. But with each season, new techniques and developments appear in this area that surpass the existing ones in efficiency.

Planting vegetables for seedlings

The yield and quality of the crop largely depends on when and how the planting takes place. In this direction, several new technologies have recently been developed and implemented, which promise simplicity and convenience in use, as well as an increase in yield.

Landing in cassettes

This modern technology is suitable for both large farms and home use. The method is ideal for most crops: tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, melons, cucumbers, legumes, ornamental flowers, etc. Experience shows that vegetable crops ripen 2-4 weeks earlier when planted in cassettes than when sown in ordinary soil.

Cassettes are used both for further planting on their lands or in closed ground, and for forcing seedlings for sale. Such seedlings grow faster and look stronger and more well-groomed, which ensures their quick implementation.

Advantages of cassette landing technology:

• The vegetative part and root system of each plant develops in the same way.
• The soil in all cassettes heats up faster, and the porous structure of the cells does not interfere with circulation and gas exchange in the bottom part, providing accelerated root development.
• In accordance with the cultivated type of vegetable, cassettes of different colors are selected. For early varieties whites are chosen as they reflect light, which is not enough in the early stages. In open ground, preference is given to black for the fastest warming up and transfer of heat to the soil in the cells.
• Due to the small volume, the soil dries out better, which allows the roots to absorb oxygen from the atmospheric air more efficiently.
• Bottom drainage holes allow free circulation of air and prevent moisture stagnation and inhibition of mycorrhiza.

The technique for using cassettes is as follows:

• The nutrient substrate is placed in cells, hermetically covered with a film and heated to 20-25°C.
• Seeds in a separate bowl are germinated to a seedling size of about 1 mm.
• Landing in the ground takes place in accordance with the requirements for a particular crop.
• After planting, the soil is watered with a small volume of water and the cells are supplemented with a substrate. Cassettes are again covered with foil.
• Every day, mini-greenhouses need to be ventilated for several minutes. They should be placed in a bright place without drafts.
• After the sprouts appear, the cassettes can be moved to a place with a temperature of 15-20°C. Watering occurs almost daily (as it dries), but the water should be warm.
• Seedlings grow in cassettes for about 50 days, after which they are transshipped into the ground without disturbing the lump of substrate and the root system.

The absence of a long adaptation period after transshipment accelerates the start of budding and ripening of vegetables by several weeks.

Water soluble tapes contain the seeds in coated form. At the moment, this type of sowing is the most modern achievement of agricultural technology, which combines highly ecological and efficient principles of growing vegetables.

The indisputable advantages of water-soluble tapes include the fact that the seeds in the soil are arranged according to an ideal pattern, which is taken into account by the manufacturer in advance. The time required for planting is reduced several times, which does not affect the quality of planting at all: the seedlings look perfect.

On a tape 0.8 cm wide, outwardly similar to polyethylene, seeds are applied at a certain distance from each other. When interacting with moisture, the tape dissolves without forming toxic substances. Such belts can be used both in manual mode and during the operation of sowing equipment in large farms.

They produce 2 types of this product:

• Belts with conventional hybrid seeds that have not undergone special pre-sowing treatment. Most often, these are seeds of radishes, carrots, spinach, onions, parsley, etc.
• Ribbons on which pelleted processed seeds are attached, coated with nutrients and antifungal agents. The cost of such a product is higher, but the final output repeatedly covers the difference in price.

This technology allows sowing in large areas for short term and get the best harvest throughout the season.

cultivation

The productivity and profitability of the season directly depend on the skillful regulation and control of plant maintenance parameters. To improve these characteristics, improved agrotechnical technologies are constantly being created.

John Jevons is an American agrarian and scientist who successfully applies and refines agronomic theory in practice. It was he who proposed a technology based on bio-intensive use of resources, which allows you to get amazing results.

The main advantage is that the method is close to the principles of organic farming, therefore, it allows to obtain environmentally friendly products, minimizing the use of synthesized fertilizers and pesticides. Skillful manipulation of aerobic and anaerobic soil microorganisms gives excellent results, which could not be achieved with synthetic fertilizers.

The basis of the method is special solution microorganisms, which is consumed in the amount of 1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. l. to a bucket of water. It is prepared in this way:

• 3 liters of mullein must ferment in 7 liters of water;
• after 5-7 days, add 0.5 liters of skimmed milk, whey, buttermilk and 2/3 buckets of rotten hay.

Vegetable growing according to Jevans also implies special preparation of the substrate. In the fall, it is necessary to make the liming of the site, and in the spring to dig, making humus twice. You need to do this as follows:

• pour humus and dig up on a bayonet;
• remove the resulting loose layer;
• pour more humus at the bottom of the bed;
• return the excavated earth to its place.

Such preparation does not disturb the upper layers and structure of the soil, but saturates it with nutritious organic matter, which gives a quick start to the grown vegetables and provides nutrition throughout the entire growing season.

With this technology, there is no need for subsequent annual digging of the soil. It loosens itself due to spring swelling and freezing of limestone.

Some experts recommend adding annual composting in the Jevons method, which increases the yield by another 0.8 - 1.8 times. The use of this technology preserves almost all the buds tied to the plant: after flowering, the flowers practically do not fall off, and all are pollinated and form ovaries.

Due to the change in the structure of the substrate, weeds practically do not grow on it, which reduces labor costs for inter-row weeding in the summer.

By Mittlider

This technology is based on the balance of mineral nutrition and special planting geometry. This approach guarantees the optimal consumption of fertilizers, obtaining moisture and lighting, rapid development vegetable crops and resistance to damaging factors.

The Mittlider technique requires a horizontal open area, without shading. Before the first season, the soil is dug up with a thorough cleaning of the weed roots.

Basic moments:

• Seating geometry. Beds 45 cm wide, earthen borders along them up to 10 cm high. The length of the beds can correspond to the size of the plot. The distance between the beds is not less than 1.05 m. It is impossible to dig up and break the bed in advance, this must be done only on the day of planting.
• Two-stage disembarkation scheme. Along the earthen borders, 2 rows of such vegetables are sown: beets, celery, legumes, parsnips. Tomatoes, pumpkin, physalis, cucumbers, zucchini are planted along one side. On the remaining area, ready-made seedlings of all varieties of cabbage or lettuce are planted in a checkerboard pattern.
• Nutrition and hydration. Pre-sowing and periodic top dressing is carried out with the following mixture: 6 kg of nitrophoska, 1 kg of urea, 1 kg of potassium sulfate, 1 kg of magnesium sulfate and 15 g of boric and molybdic acid. Under good weather conditions, the fertilizer consumption is 40 g/m, and under unfavorable weather conditions, 25 g/m. Distribute top dressing in a dry form, and then carry out basal watering.
• loosening. In narrow rows, do not loosen the soil, so as not to damage the roots located immediately below the soil surface.

In the Mittlider technology, it is very important to follow all the points without changes, since even a slight deviation can drastically reduce the effectiveness of this method.

The most modern and innovative technology for growing vegetables at the moment was developed in Germany. Several advanced greenhouse farms have already adopted it and even managed to implement it during one season, confirming its highest efficiency.

The method is based on combining a hydroponic growing system with aquaculture cultivation. The advantages of the system are exceptional environmental friendliness and obtaining a by-product of production. The disadvantages include the fact that it is necessary to equip the system practically from scratch, since it involves the use of fundamentally new containers for growing vegetables.

Vegetables are cultivated together with a very unpretentious telapia fish, known for its high adaptive properties. The containers in which the development of the root systems of plants and fish takes place are large barrels. In conditions of darkness and lack of water flow, calf grows and gains weight much faster than in natural conditions. The same temperature suits both vegetables and fish. Fish successfully feed on substances dissolved in water, since they are detritophages (they absorb bottom organic sediments).

The waste produced by the telapians, in turn, serves as a high-quality fertilizer for vegetables. This principle makes the system closed and allows obtaining a high yield. This technology has proved to be best when cultivating tomatoes, although it can be successfully applied with any hydroponic crops.

Thus, agricultural technologies currently offer big choice new and exotic ways of growing vegetables both outdoors and in greenhouses. Among them, each farmer can find an available resource and consistent with his principles of agriculture.

New technology

growing potatoes in small farms

("PLANTED-DIGGED")

Head of the department of investment, financial and material resources in the agro-industrial complex GNU VNIOPTUSH of the Russian Agricultural Academy, Ph.D. n.,

Introduction

In the Russian Federation, about 90% of potatoes are grown in small forms of agricultural production (16 million families living in rural areas and 21 million urban families, owners and users of garden and summer cottages).

As a rule, in these categories of farms, manual labor prevails in the production of potatoes. In fairness, we note that in rural areas (household plots), permanent residents on their plots use equipment most often when plowing, sometimes when harrowing and cutting ridges. However, other basic agricultural operations - planting, weeding, top dressing, seed treatment against pests and harvesting potatoes - are carried out manually.

As practice shows, despite the fact that potatoes are grown everywhere in our country and around the world, where for the vast majority of the population it is the “second bread”, very little has changed in the technology of its cultivation for rural residents.

The studies of many experts confirm that the main contingent of rural residents and summer residents of our country are the elderly, for whom weeding and weeding potatoes are considered the most complex and time-consuming operations in the cultivation of this type of product. For this reason, the sown area for potatoes is decreasing in small plots of owners of summer cottages and vegetable gardens, as well as rural residents. In this regard, the question arises: how to reduce the complexity of these operations and make life easier for rural residents and city dwellers - owners of garden gardens and plots?

For this purpose, these methodological and practical advice for the cultivation of environmentally friendly potatoes on an innovative basis according to the scheme: PLANTED-DIGGED.

Principal features of the proposed technology for growing potatoes on an innovative basis;

Preparing potato tubers for planting;

Processing and preparation of soil for planting;

Preparation and application of organic fertilizers (manure, compost, ash);

Potato planting technology on an innovative basis;

Monitoring (tracking) the process of growing potatoes according to the proposed
scheme: PLANTED-DIGGED;

Harvesting - digging potatoes.

1. Principal features of the proposed technology for growing potatoes on an innovative basis

This potato growing technology is offered for rural residents and city dwellers - owners of garden plots and garden plots, where, as a rule, all operations are performed manually, that is, it is most suitable for small plots where there is either no agricultural machinery or there is no economic reason to its application. The fundamental difference between this innovative technology and the traditional, widely used in practice, is that:

Potato tubers vernalize, that is, they germinate in the sun or light in
for 7-10 days until buds and small green leaves appear on them;

When planting potato tubers, they are first covered with humus, and then
covered with as much land as possible. It is easier to spud potatoes during
planting, than to do it later after the emergence and flowering of potato crops,
since by this period the earth hardens and strengthens Negative influence weedy
vegetation for seedlings. Hilling during the planting period reduces labor costs
3-4 times;

When planting potato tubers fall into a favorable environment, and together with their
vernalization accelerates the growth and development of seedlings in comparison with weeds;

An increase in the planting density of tubers provides potato seedlings with
the ability to actively fight for their survival compared to the weed
vegetation and accelerates the growth rate of potato seedlings.

All these technological operations are fundamentally important in the aggregate, since, compared with traditional technologies, they increase the biological method of combating potato seedlings with weeds and drastically reduce (or completely eliminate) labor costs for weeding and hilling potato crops. At the same time, in order to obtain the greatest effect in the practical use of the recommended technology, it is also extremely important to prepare the soil and tubers for planting.

2. Preparing potato tubers for planting.

In order to effectively use the moisture accumulated in the soil and accelerate the growth rate of plants - potato seedlings - it is recommended to vernalize the tubers before planting. This operation should be carried out at home as follows. Potato tubers (preferably purchased from a seed farm) are scattered in a thin layer in shallow boxes, moistened once or twice a day by spraying and kept in the daytime in the light, and best of all in the sun. At night, potato tubers should either be covered with plastic wrap or brought into a warm room closed from night frosts. So the tubers germinate (vernalize) for 7-10 days, until greenish sprouts appear on them. The same should be done to urban residents, owners of summer cottages and garden plots on balconies and loggias.

Long-term observations allow us to state that this operation accelerates the growth and development of plants, increases the resistance of potato seedlings to possible spring frosts, as well as pests and diseases, and increases the potential ability of potatoes to fight biologically for their survival with weeds and the Colorado potato beetle.

3. Processing and preparing the soil for planting.

It is best to start preparing a plot of land allotted for potatoes in the fall, that is, it needs to be plowed before winter (for rural permanent residents) or dug up (for owners of suburban and urban plots). In the spring, in advance of sowing, the soil should be re-harrowed, and if necessary, plowed up or dug up again so that the soil is soft before planting and the site is leveled. The area for potatoes must be prepared as soon as possible. Each natural-climatic zone has its own optimal terms. Almost every villager or owner of a summer cottage in Russia knows when is the best time to plant potatoes.

From our long-term observations, we strongly recommend not to force the timing of planting potatoes. On the contrary, it is best to prepare the soil, then, when it is warm enough by the sun, plant germinated potato tubers.

4. Preparation and application of organic fertilizers (manure, compost, ash)

In order to grow environmentally friendly potatoes during planting, we strongly recommend applying only organic fertilizers together with tubers - manure or compost, which must be prepared in advance. As for the ash, it is better to feed the seedlings of potatoes with it before they begin to bloom, and the ash is best applied before the rain begins.

Manure and compost should be rotten and without lumps. To do this, they must defend under cover for at least two, and preferably three years. It is strictly forbidden to use soil application fresh manure as well as compost.

According to long-term observations and according to our calculations, for growing 100-120 kg of organic potatoes, it is necessary to add from 30 to 60 kg of pure humus along with tubers during the planting period.

In winter, villagers should accumulate ash and store it closed in a dry place, then in spring or early summer, potato shoots are fed with it (if there is no ash, you can do without it).

When preparing and applying organic fertilizers on household plots rural residents, where potatoes are grown on relatively large areas than summer residents, need a different approach. When performing this agronomic operation, it is necessary to use agricultural machinery, including small-scale mechanization, and human traction force as much as possible in order to minimize heavy manual labor. At the same time, it is desirable to apply organic fertilizers (manure or compost) in the fall and in as large volumes as possible so as not to perform this time-consuming agronomic operation more often than once every two to three years.

5. Technology for planting potatoes on an innovative basis

Planting potatoes according to the proposed technology is extremely important, as it is fundamentally different from traditional methods of planting tubers in small areas. Therefore, for the purpose of better perception, we will consider the process of planting tubers in more detail and show his on a specific example. Let us assume that the allotted area has rectangular shape with a width of 15 m, and a length of 20 m, that is, it is equal to 3 acres, or 300 m2.

The site has been prepared and leveled. The soil is warmed up more and more by the rays of the sun. Potato planting dates are approaching. For example, according to experts, the optimal time for planting potatoes in the Southern Federal District is the period from April 5 to 25, and in the Central Federal District - from May 7 to May 17. Despite these calendar dates recommended by experts, when planting potatoes, each representative of small forms of agricultural production - a rural resident or summer resident - should be clear about the main thing: before planting, the soil must be warm and warm, and the tubers are ready for planting.

The landing technology begins with the fact that in the area indicated by us along the long side (Fig. 1), the twine is pulled with the help of two pegs. Exactly along the twine, the tubers are stuck into the soil by hand in half or 3/4 parts. That is, we plant tubers on the surface of soft and cultivated soil in such a way that rows of planted potatoes are visible. We recommend keeping row spacings around 90 cm. However, there may be other options, such as smaller (70-75, 75-80 cm) or larger (90-95, 95-100 cm). Row spacing is most dependent on how fertile the soil in your area is or how much organic fertilizer will be applied to the soil.

Now we rake soft warm earth from the row spacing and close the planted row of potatoes with a layer of manure (compost) as much as possible. In other words, we put the entire layer of soft soil on a row on both sides and thus spud the planted potatoes (Fig. 3). As already noted, it is much easier to carry out this most important agronomic operation during the potato planting period. Thus, the entire technological cycle before harvesting potatoes is completed. Therefore, we call the cultivation of potatoes according to this technology: PLANTED-DIGGED.

6. Monitoring (tracking) the process of growing potatoes on an innovative basis.

So, you have planted potatoes in your area according to the recommended technology, after which it remains only to wait. After about 7-8 days, if it rained on the territory of your site and a soil “crust” formed over the planted potatoes along the ridge, it should be destroyed - loosened with a rake. So, for example, on 2 beds of a summer cottage, where for many years I have been growing potatoes for myself in the amount of 100-120 kg, this operation takes me no more than 5-7 minutes.

The technology for performing this operation is as follows: the soil crust is removed with a rake and the upper, harder layer of soil is loosened along the ridge. Soil cultivation should be carried out from the bottom up (Fig. 4), which, in addition to the main functions (moisture retention in the soil, improved air exchange, activation of seedling growth), restores the level of the ridge, that is, that part of the fertile soil that was washed down by rains returns to its original place. row spacing.

Thus, at this stage, the main part ends. technological process growing potatoes according to the scheme: PLANTED-DIGGED. Now it remains to wait for the emergence of seedlings and rejoice at how they will grow and develop from day to day.

Another important aspect of the practice of growing potatoes according to the recommended technology. So, I plant sprouted tubers in a summer cottage (Moscow region, Stupinsky district) almost at the same time as the neighbors. But, as a rule, my seedlings appear earlier and the potatoes also begin to bloom earlier by about 7-8 days. By this time, the Colorado potato beetle appears - the main pest of the nightshade group of crops, and, first of all, potatoes. From long-term observations, it was revealed that the Colorado potato beetle rushes to neighboring areas, where seedlings appeared later and where the leaves are younger and juicier. The owners of these sites are forced to fight by all available means against this pest, while using chemical means of protection. As for me, with the use of this technology of growing potatoes in last years I did not notice the Colorado potato beetle on my site. So I don't have to fight him.

7. Harvesting - digging potatoes.

Harvesting on your site is the final and most important agronomic operation. Any rural worker, from his own experience, has repeatedly been convinced that digging potatoes is much easier and easier when his bush is highlighted on the ridge, and the potato itself is closer to the soil surface. With our technology, the tubers are at the top, therefore, harvesting is much easier. Moreover, if the tops are still strong, and the early potatoes are already ready for use, then you can dig them without a shovel and pitchfork by pulling out the tops.

Another important segment of potato production, on which we have not yet focused our attention. From many years of experience in the production of potatoes using this technology, it has been revealed that we grow a product of a higher quality both in content and in shape - appearance, that is, tuberization is carried out in a mild favorable environment, so the tubers are even and without deep eyes, which is extremely important when peeling potatoes. As a rule, even potato tubers are easier to peel, and most importantly, the yield of pure product increases by 10-15% compared to potatoes with deeper holes and eyes on the tubers.

Conclusion.

Thus, you got acquainted with a new potato growing technology for yourself and now you are faced with a dilemma: to take into account the innovation or not; plant potatoes on the site either using a new or traditional technology. Rural residents of our country, as well as summer residents, are hard workers. However, when people have a long work history and certain experience, it is usually more difficult for them to perceive any innovations. Therefore, for persuasiveness, we recommend planting potato tubers in parallel - 2-3 rows according to the new method, and the rest - according to the accepted traditional technology.

After planting, it is recommended to observe the process of growth and development of seedlings, fix for yourself the labor costs for the agronomic operations of the same name. Then you should compare the yield of products - potatoes per unit area or from 1 row, compare the appearance of the tubers and the depth of their eyes when different ways cultivation. It would not be superfluous to check which potatoes are peeled faster, easier and which tubers have the highest yield of the net mass of the finished product. And after that, it will become clear to everyone what technology should be taken as the basis for growing potatoes.

State Scientific Institution All-Russian Research Institute for the Organization of Production, Labor and Management in Agriculture of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GNU VNIOPTUSH)

Professor Kibirov Alikhan Yakovlevich

e- mail: *****@***en

Cultivation technology as an art is a set of techniques aimed at creating the most favorable conditions for the growth and development of plants. The technological complex includes techniques performed from the moment the field is vacated by the predecessor until harvesting, inclusive. These include basic and pre-sowing tillage, fertilization, seed preparation for sowing, sowing, crop care associated with maintaining the optimal agrophysical state of the soil (row crops) and protecting plants from weeds, pests and diseases, harvesting.

The starting point in the development of crop cultivation technology is the agro-ecological requirements of the crop and variety to growing conditions. Consistently overcoming the factors that reduce crop yields and product quality, allows you to form the most optimal technology cultivation for specific farming conditions.

The creation of the most favorable conditions for the growth of plants is based on the material and technical resources of the economy, its economic efficiency and production experience.

All technological methods for cultivating crops should be closely linked with other parts of the farming system: tillage, fertilization, plant protection, etc., which are developed taking into account the requirements of culture and the reproduction of soil fertility.

For different provision of the economy with production resources (agricultural machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, etc.), various options technologies.

Intensive technologies are fundamentally different from traditional ones in terms of the set of technical, agrochemical, and biological means. These technologies involve not only ensuring the optimal level of mineral nutrition of plants and appropriate protection against weeds, diseases and pests, but also qualitatively different methods of pre-sowing tillage with the help of special machines, sowing to the same depth with precision seeders, caring for crops using sprayers, harvesting harvest with high-performance technical means.

A diversified economy requires a differentiated approach to crop cultivation technologies, depending on various forms of labor organization. The features of these technologies are the selection of varieties with the terms of sowing and harvesting, which reduce the intensity of field work, the combination of technological methods for tillage, fertilization, pesticides, sowing, etc.

traditional technology

The traditional (dump) technology of cultivation of crops involves annual or periodic plowing of the soil with the turnover of the layer, multiple passes of agricultural machinery across the field.

This causes soil compaction, destruction of its mechanical structure, reduction of the fertile layer as a result of water and air erosion, an increase in the negative balance of humus, phosphorus and potassium in the soil, inefficient use mineral fertilizers, pesticides and biological preparations, but most importantly - violates natural ecosystems and pollutes the human habitat, flora and fauna.

Along with the growth of gross output, it is also important to stabilize the quality of products that meet the requirements of the market in terms of parameters specifications processing enterprises and compliance with consumer quality certificates.

Despite the emergence of new tillage technologies (minimum, zero, etc.), dump plowing is still a relevant and important operation, as it provides high-quality soil preparation for sowing and planting crops on a wide variety of backgrounds and soil types. In recent years, in order to protect the environment from chemical pollution, there has been a trend to reduce the use of chemicals to control pests and weeds. Moldboard plows are indispensable tools capable of deeply embedding crop residues, which contributes to the destruction of weeds, pest larvae and diseases of agricultural crops without the use of herbicides, so the transition to a herbicide-free technology for cultivating crops is impossible without the use of moldboard-share tools.

Methods of moldboard plowing are constantly being improved (smooth, shallow, with soil deepening), only the principle of operation of the plow body remains unchanged - falling off and turning the layer into an open neighboring furrow. From an agronomic point of view, the movement of the upper, more fertile, but “unstructured” layer to the place of the lower layer creates favorable conditions for the growth and development of agricultural plants.

At the same time, moldboard-share plows are not without a number of serious technological and design shortcomings: high energy consumption (up to 50–80 kW/m) and low productivity, compacted bottom of the furrow, insufficient crumbling of the soil, unsatisfactory unity and evenness of the arable land surface. The "clean" surface of arable land, devoid of stubble and plant residues, is subject to washout and blowing. Due to the angular arrangement of the bodies, the plows have large dimensions and increased metal consumption (up to 1500 kg/m).

The improvement of modern moldboard-share plows is largely aimed at eliminating the above disadvantages.

Technological map of traditional technology:

1. Tillage:

• plowing
• harrowing
• continuous cultivation
• "disking"
• rolling
• sowing and planting
• sowing crops in areas with soils prone to wind erosion
• sowing of cereals and legumes with combined aggregates
• sowing of wheat, rye, oats, rice, peas, lentils, flax, chinka, lupine, wiki, chickpeas
• sowing corn, sunflower
• planting potatoes
• sowing sugar beet

2. Care of crops:

• harrowing of crops to germination
• seedling harrowing
• rolling crops
• inter-row cultivation of wide-row crops of grain and leguminous crops
• inter-row processing of corn and sunflower
• harrowing of sugar beet crops
• thinning of sugar beet shoots along the rows
• inter-row processing of sugar beet
• spraying

• harvesting grain crops
• mowing grain crops into swaths
• selection of rolls of grain crops
• direct "combining" of grain crops
• pea harvest
• swathing of peas
• selection of swaths of peas
• sunflower harvesting
• harvesting corn for grain
• harvesting grass seeds
• selection and threshing of clover seeds
• selection and threshing of seed plants of legumes
• selection and threshing of seeds of cereal grasses
• sugar beet harvesting
• haulm harvesting
• harvesting root crops

Minimum Technology

In recent years, all developed countries of the world have been intensively searching for new technological methods of tillage aimed at protecting it from erosion processes, preserving and increasing soil fertility, as well as reducing labor, monetary and energy costs. Various methods of minimal tillage and partial replacement of mouldboard plowing with non-moldboard loosening and no-ploughing have been tested and are being widely introduced.

In modern domestic and world practice, the most promising soil-protective, resource-saving technologies include the minimum (non-moldboard) and zero tillage technology.

Minimal tillage makes it possible to ensure a decrease in the mechanical impact of tillage machines on the soil and the compacting effect of their running systems, and a reduction in the number of passes of the units across the field. In recent years, minimum tillage has become widespread in many regions of the country. The technological and economic advantages of minimal tillage are confirmed by the experience of agricultural enterprises in different regions of the country. In the context of a shortage of fertilizers and plant protection products, ameliorants, and other means of increasing soil fertility, special attention should be paid to improving the structure of sown areas, mastering science-based crop rotations, sowing and plowing green manure. To reduce soil overconsolidation by energy-saturated machinery during the cultivation of agricultural crops, industry has developed a new family of combined units. Based on the accumulated research and production experience in various agro-climatic zones of Ukraine, it has been shown that minimal tillage under appropriate conditions provides an almost equal grain yield compared to traditional plowing by 20–22 cm, is 2 times less energy intensive and reduces consumption by 10–15 kg. fuel per 1 hectare of cultivated area. According to the estimates of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agriculture and Soil Protection from Erosion, the energy costs for moldboard tillage for winter crops are 1813 MJ/ha, and surface tillage with a two-track disc harrow followed by harrowing is only 673 MJ/ha.

A characteristic feature of the application of the minimum technology for winter crops is a steady increase in yields in dry years within 1.3 - 5.4 centners / ra, and on average in the country - by 1.5 centners / ha compared to plowing by 20-22 cm , and vice versa, a decrease in years of sufficient moisture. The time-limited use of minimum treatments for spring grain and annual grasses also does not reduce their productivity, although, as a rule, it does not increase. Their main disadvantage is a significant increase in the weediness of crops, which increases with the growth of the period of use. According to the average estimates of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agriculture and Soil Protection from Erosion, with the systematic use of minimal tillage, weed infestation of the first crop increases by 30-150%, the second and third crops - two or more times, and in general for crop rotation - 4-8 or more once. Moreover, a very undesirable aspect is that the number of wintering cereals and monocotyledonous perennials sharply increases in the species composition of weeds.

The noted negative aspects of minimal treatments are resolved with strict observance of the necessary conditions for their application on the basis of the recommendations of zonal scientific institutions.

Zero technology

Zero (No Till) technology - provides for direct sowing of seeds in the soil, previously treated with herbicides.

With regard to zero tillage, it should be noted that the decisive factor determining the success of its application is the need to take into account the main features and properties of soils (resistance to compaction, drainage, humus content and mobile forms of nutrients). Without a scientifically sound assessment of the suitability of soils for no-till, its application may present certain risks and lead to negative agronomic, economic and environmental results.

Advantages of technology without tillage (No Till):

• exclusion of water and wind erosion
• accumulation of nutrient medium for soil biota
• reduction in the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides
• reduced soil compaction
• more complete absorption into the soil and economical use of moisture
• natural snow retention
• combination of strip sowing, fertilization and rolling in one pass
• yield increase
• up to 60% reduction in fuel costs
• minimum labor costs
• up to 50% reduction in the cost of purchasing equipment
• reduction of costs for forestry and hydromelioration

Based on the existing domestic and world experience in the application of zero tillage, it is necessary to take into account the following main features:

• higher costs for plant protection chemicals against weeds, pests and diseases
• additional costs for special equipment while maintaining the traditional one, since usually not all areas of arable land are suitable for zero-tillage, and it should be repeated every 3-4 years
• the fact that not all crops produce high yields with zero tillage
• the need to comply with more stringent requirements, especially with regard to the use of chemical plant protection products, mineral fertilizers, soil ameliorants
• difficulties with the use of organic fertilizers, the effectiveness of which is low without incorporation into the soil

Another important factor determining the development of soil-cultivating and sowing equipment is the growth in the power supply of agriculture, including by increasing the unit power of tractors.

Rational implementation of increased power of energy-saturated tractors on present stage is carried out by creating wide-cut tillage machines and sowing units.

Are there any negative points in the transition to energy-saving technologies?

Excessive compaction. Excessive compaction, deterioration of the water permeability of heavy structureless and low-humus soils, when the equilibrium density of the soil is much higher than the density optimal for plant growth. Therefore, the transition to conservation technologies with plowless tillage should be started in crop rotations without tilled crops on structural, non-flooding soils with a humus content of more than 3-3.5%. The need for deep periodic non-moldboard loosening (chiselling), their frequency, depth require further study.

plant remains. At in large numbers plant residues, insufficient straw chopping and uneven distribution on the soil surface can cause problems with planting seeds at the optimal depth. Seeders with disc coulters are more suitable here. The disc coulters cut through the ground more easily and are less likely to become clogged with straw.

Plant protection system. Among the most acute problems associated with the introduction of resource-saving technologies for the cultivation of agricultural crops, a special place is occupied by the organization of a plant protection system. Long-term studies of domestic and foreign scientists have made it possible to identify characteristic stages in the dynamics of the phytosanitary situation during the introduction of technologies for non-moldboard basic tillage:

• Stage I - deterioration of the phytosanitary situation, due to the growth of infestation (especially with perennial weeds), an increase in the harmfulness of pests and diseases (duration 4-5 years)
• Stage II - stabilization of the phytosanitary situation (duration 3-4 years)
• Stage III - due to the activation of natural mechanisms of soil regulation, the number of harmful organisms is significantly reduced in comparison with the level at the time of the start of the introduction of such technologies.

Pesticide costs. Among the arguments of opponents of the widespread use of resource-saving tillage technologies, the thesis of the high costs associated with the use of pesticides in such systems, which completely cover the cost of saved fuel and other resources, is most often used. Indeed, most domestic and foreign experts consider the use of continuous herbicides based on glyphosate (Roundup, Tornado, Glisol, Glifos, etc.) against perennial weeds to be one of the indispensable conditions for the use of minimum and no tillage. The costs associated with their use reach 200-300 UAH/ha. In addition, at the first stage of the deterioration of the phytosanitary situation, the infestation of spring grain crops with wild oats may increase, which involves the use of special anti-oat herbicides, the cost of which reaches 200 UAH/ha. At the same time, these calculations do not take into account the fact that the growth of costs for plant protection in conservation agriculture is observed only at the first stage of the introduction of such systems, and in the future the need for pesticides is significantly reduced. Only knowledge of the real situation in each field allows you to effectively deal with pests, diseases and weeds, thereby reducing the level of costs for plant protection.

What are the advantages of energy-saving technologies over traditional plow-based technologies?

• Improved economic performance:
• reducing the cost of fuel and lubricants by 35-40% - from 60 to 35-40 liters per 1 ha, and all costs for the entire technological cycle of cultivation of grain crops by 9-15%; when saving diesel fuel by 20 liters per 1 ha, the costs will decrease by 100 - 200 hryvnias
• high labor productivity, reduction of the need for machine operators by 2 times and timely completion of field work
• reducing the cost of purchasing and operating agricultural machinery; the traditional set of machines for the cultivation of grain crops on an area of ​​2500 hectares includes 64 machines of 21 names with a total metal consumption of 240 tons. With the transition to saving technologies, the number of machines is reduced to 11-13 units with a metal consumption of 125-135 tons.
• cost savings in preventing water and wind erosion of the soil
• improvement of the financial and economic situation of agricultural producers

Increase in soil fertility. The use of traditional dump technology leads to a decrease in soil fertility due to intensive decomposition of organic matter, excessive soil spraying, destruction of the structure, formation of a soil crust and increased water and wind erosion.

Saving mineral fertilizers. When using chopped straw and green mass - siderates as a fertilizer (plants that are grown to increase soil fertility; siderates enrich the soil with organic matter and nitrogen), these positive changes will be much greater. With the accumulation of plant residues and humus in the upper soil layer, the need for mineral fertilizers to form a unit of yield is significantly reduced.

Moisture saving. With resource-saving technologies with non-moldboard and surface tillage, due to the reduction or prevention of surface water runoff, better snow accumulation, spring reserves of productive moisture are no less than traditional autumn moldboard plowing. The more plant residues on the soil surface, the stronger the infiltration. And, as you know, every 10 mm of productive moisture before sowing is 1 quintal of additional grain yield per hectare. Mulch from plant residues of the soil saves soil moisture from intense evaporation and retains it for the entire growing season of spring cereals and by the time of sowing winter crops. The acuteness of the issue of providing plants with moisture is decreasing.

Return of soil biota. When plowing with a layer turnover, when the aerobic soil biota (a set of plant, animal and microorganism species united by a common area of ​​distribution), united by a common area of ​​distribution), living in a layer of 0-15 cm, is plowed into anaerobic conditions to a depth of 16-30 cm, where she dies without oxygen. There comes a "shock" state of the soil, which disappears only after 4-5 years of non-moldboard tillage with the return of microorganisms and earthworms. And soil biota is necessary for the conversion of plant residues into nutrients available to plants and for the passage of other vital processes for plants and soil.

Reducing environmental pollution. Decrease Intensity water erosion leads to a decrease in nutrient losses through runoff into rivers and reservoirs. With the intensification of biological life in the soil with minimal tillage, the decay of residues occurs faster chemicals plant protection. Due to the increase in the rate of formation of humus with energy-saving technologies, the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere decreases: 1 ton of newly formed humus binds 2 tons of CO2.

conclusions

Energy-saving agriculture is an objective necessity associated with economic and environmental prerequisites.

Energy-saving technologies are a more advanced system of crop cultivation that requires special tools and machines, special plant protection measures.

Energy-saving technologies are one of the most important life support strategies in terms of guaranteeing resources and food throughout the world.

The system of energy-saving agriculture has been called the agro-ecological revolution of the 21st century and will hold a key position in the next 50-100 years.

At the request of many of my friends, I will tell you how I grow vegetables. In this way, many gardeners are already planting. I'll try to explain to you. I work, so I can only go to the summer cottage on weekends. At the same time, you need to relax after a working week, eat barbecue, take a steam bath, and, well, work a little on the ground.

Currently, there are several problems in horticulture: soil fertility is declining; the earth becomes dense, depleted and has grey colour. At the same time, a drop in fertility entails a decrease in harvested crops. The use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides leads to contamination of soil, water, air and food, which leads to human diseases. Traditional agricultural practices used by most gardeners are very labor intensive. And this reduces the interest in gardening among young people.

However, all these problems are quite easily solved if "natural" farming is used instead of traditional farming. Such agricultural technology not only preserves, it also restores soil fertility. The result is an increase in the yield of horticultural crops. Mineral fertilizers are not used, which preserves the purity of nature and human health. A number of horticultural operations in natural agricultural technology are used less frequently than in traditional ones. And some are completely missing. All this reduces the labor intensity of cultivating the land and caring for plants.

In my opinion, it is more important to return to nature and forget the postulate that the soil must be stuffed with fertilizers, torn with shovels and sprinkled with pesticides. Natural farming is, first of all, gentle tillage, protecting it from temperature changes, returning nutrients that the earth has generously given to plants.

Every year, in the spring, when we come to our summer cottage, we sow or plant vegetables in our beds. The size of the beds is from 1.4 meters to 2 meters wide, the paths between them are from 20 to 40 cm maximum. This is called the traditional way of planting vegetables in the garden. The plant in such beds, especially in the middle, often get sick, rot, and because of this they develop poorly, vegetables are small, and are not stored for a long time. But the pests get a weakened plant and good nutrition, near which offspring can be postponed. Weeding and processing such beds is one torment. But on such a bed I saw one positive side. The outermost plants, relative to those located in the middle, looked more worthy. The larger ones are not prone to disease and are easy to weed, thin out, etc.

I also thought about another factor. A single tree along the alleys within the city, no one feeds it, the foliage that it throws off, and then they try to remove it for appearance and beauty. Although this foliage could serve as top dressing for the tree. So why does this tree exist, and where does it get its food? In recent years, scientists have found that about 60% of plants take food from the air. This, of course, is interesting.

The unpredictability of our Far Eastern climate, high temperature fluctuations, night and day, dry or rainy summers, excessive precipitation by the end of August and the beginning of September confirmed my choice for long years trial and error methods of growing vegetables.

I came to the conclusion that we need to look for another way that is less time consuming, but at the same time with the possibility of obtaining higher yields. I combined two technologies:

• "Reds" - a unique vegetable growing technology for small areas.
• "Agrotechnics of natural farming".

I became convinced that it is organic matter that can reveal all the possibilities of plants, saving time and energy. Only on good compost can one see and appreciate the quality of Western and domestic varieties: most of them are created for organic soil. I am sure that we can’t get away from organic matter. Just something to do: learn how to compost and also arrange stationary beds - once for many years.

Vegetable growing on narrow ridges was developed by J. Mittlider in the 70s of the last century and brought by the author to Russia in 1989. But blindly copying techniques and advice, even the best, will not lead to anything. There must be a creative approach to understanding the biological laws of the culture itself and the processes that occur during its cultivation. Mittlider has one drawback (this is my opinion): when using mineral fertilizers, the taste of the fruit is unnatural. To fix this, instead of mineral supplements, I use humus, ash, manure, herbal infusion, etc. (I am a supporter of organic fertilizers). I am for a clean ecological product.

But do not take mineral fertilizer as a poison. The only thing is to keep the dose. It is better to underfeed a plant than to overfeed it. What I am especially grateful to J. Mittlider for is the development narrow beds. Although Mittlider does not recommend putting the box on narrow beds, I still knocked together the boxes. Nature itself told me this. In the spring, many suburban areas are flooded, the water does not have time to drain, there is water in the aisles. We have the same problem in late August and early September - it rains day and night. Yes, and in the middle of summer it can rain for 2-3 days, or it can flood the entire garden in half an hour. Therefore, raising the beds 15-25 cm above the path solves this problem. The width of the ridge is 80-100 cm, the length is arbitrary. The gap between the beds is 60-80 cm. It just seems that the earth in the aisles walks uselessly. It is the passages that work, and how!

A vegetable container is a high bed, the walls of which are made of bricks, logs, timber, boards, stone, slate ... The beds stretch from north to south. The passages between them can be mulched with sand, sawdust, roofing felt, etc. I preferred the lawn, which I cut with a trimmer once a month. Some passages I covered with sawdust. The beauty of the garden leaves no one indifferent. There are no weeds, the site is clean and beautiful. The box-box is filled with organic matter. Plant residues (grass, straw, leaves) are put down, then compost or manure, or we pour infusions of herbs and the like, and earth from the passages is put in the top layer. Thus the box is filled.

Each bed is 2 rows of vegetables, planted along the edges in a checkerboard pattern between vegetables. There is a huge reserve of productivity hidden in this geometry. It has long been noticed: the outermost plant develops almost twice as well as those in the middle - they have much more light and space for growth. And here - all the plants are extreme. A wide aisle is also needed in order to give them light and space. A small area of ​​organic matter yields more than a large area of ​​soil. Anyone who has worked on narrow ridges for at least one season is convinced of the enormous possibilities of this method and simply cannot return to traditional technology. Working on the ridges, a person experiences joy not only from a good harvest, but also from the very process of growing vegetables. The beauty of the garden, which looks more like a park, leaves no one indifferent. There are no weeds, the site is clean and beautiful.

In two rows in a checkerboard pattern, I plant cabbage, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, etc. In four or three rows, I plant onions, garlic, beets, lettuces, radishes, carrots, etc. This approach requires material costs in the first year for the construction of the beds. This tiny flaw makes the container inaccessible to most summer residents. But such a bed has been working for several years, you can say forever (you just need to replenish it with waste, plant remains, foliage, etc.). After digging, sow green manure. When planting, do not add compost or rotted manure into the hole. This bed itself is compost. The humus is not washed out, as the bed is fenced.

According to many agronomists, 60-80% of plants get their nutrition from the air, so large passages play a significant role in the biological process of the plant. The culture receives good light and sufficient air flow. About 30% of the plant receives food from the ground. Naturally, the consumption of organic and mineral fertilizers on a narrow bed is 2 times less compared to a standard bed. At the same time, you will get a much higher yield from a narrow bed. I have tested this for several years.

And so, the main advantages of such beds:

• They contain a large amount of nutrients, a supply of moisture.
• Convenient watering.
• No stagnant water.
• Do not require hilling.
• They do not require weeding if the beds are mulched.
• They do not require digging, only loosening by 7-10 cm.
• You can plant early, as the beds in the spring warm up faster than usual.
• Narrow beds are easy to rotate. Where onions were planted last year, this year you can plant carrots or cabbage. The beds are all the same width.
• Yields are increased by 100% or more.
• Tubers and roots are clean and without visible signs of disease.
• Beautiful and easy to work with.
• Occupy a minimum of space, do not create dirt and mess.

It is very convenient to make shelter with plastic arcs, which are sold in seed stores. We put 2 pegs on both sides of the beds and put an arc on them. The distance between the arcs is about a meter. Depending on the length of the beds, you set the desired number of arcs. Covering material or foil can be used over the arches until the danger of frost has passed.

This system of narrow beds allows me to get constantly high yields, independent of the vagaries of the weather and the conditions of the site itself. By your votes, I will know if you are interested in this topic.