THE DISINFECTANS EFFECTIVENESS APPLIED FOR MAIZE PROTECTION AGAINST FUNGI DISEASES

The oversaturation of crop rotation with maize has a negative effect on the phytosanitary condition of its bally crops and leads to losses of 25–30 % of grain yield due to the phytopathogenic organisms and pests’ growth. Seed treatment enables the young maize sprouts to be protected from pathogens existing inside and on the surface of the seeds, in the soil as well as on plant residues, on the early stages of organogenesis. Our research, conducted during 2018–2019 under conditions of the Zhytomyr National Agro-ecological University research field, was aimed at studying the effectiveness of seed treatment fungicide used for protection of maize crops against the most common pathogens of fungal diseases: Ustilago zeae (Beckm.) Unger, Sorosporium relianum Mc. Alp., Fusarium moniliforme Scheld. The article presents the results of the study concerning the estimation of effectiveness of such seed treatment fungicide as TMTD, suspension concentration, (3,0 l/t), Vitavaks 200 FF, water suspension concentration (2,5 l/t) and Skarlet (0,4 l/t) against pathogens of the main fungal diseases when applied to the maize hybrid DKS 2960. The application of TMTD, suspension concentration (3,0 l/t), Vitavaks 200 FF, water suspension concentration (2,5 l/t) and Skarlet (0,4 l/t) promotes to the reduction in the extent of maize affection with Ustilago zeae (Beckm.) Unger by 1.4–2,5 %, Sorosporium relianum Mc. Alp. by 0,9–1,9 %, Fusarium moniliforme Scheld by 3,7–4,8 %. The use of Skarlet agent enabled to restrain the development of Sorosporium relianum Mc. Alp. completely. The seed treatment fungicide applied had a positive effect on the yield of maize grain and allowed to obtain an increase of 1,1–2.0 t/ha as compared to the untreated variant. The highest yield increase of 2,0 t/ha, compared to the control variant, was obtained during the pre-sowing treatment of maize seeds with Skarlet (0,4 l/t). Further research will focus on developing elements of the maize protection system against major diseases, including the use of biological product.