METHODS FOR INCREASING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WHITE SWEET CLOVER

Research on the methods of increasing the productivity of a new variety of the white sweet clover, called Almaz, was carried out in 2017-2020 at the experimental field of a separate subdivision of the Federal Center for Bast Fiber Crops in Penza. The application of micro- and biofertilizers (Megamix Profi, GUMI 20, AgroVerm) in pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar fertilizing was studied. The application of mineral fertilizers Р60К60 on formation of the white sweet clover agrocenosis in the year of sowing, nutritive value and productivity in the year of use were also studied. As a result of studies it was found that under the conditions of arid and hyperarid periods of the melilot vegetation in 2017-2020 the studied preparations had a positive effect on the formation of agrocenosis and indicators of plant development by the end of the growing season of the first year of plant life. Thus, the germination and safety of plants, as well as increased values of plant height, number of wintering buds, weight and root volume, respectively. The effect of seed treatment and foliar fertilizing with bio- and microfertilizers was evident in the year of use by an increase in dry matter yield by 4.7-11.1%; the use of mineral fertilizers provided an additional 10.5 % of dry matter yield. The seed treatment was more effective than foliar fertilization, with a 3.8 % higher dry matter yield. An improvement in the nutritive value of the green mass of the sweet clover was noted – the crude protein content increased by 0.3-0.8 %, the crude fiber content decreased by 0.3-0.7 %. The content of exchange energy, feed units in one kg of dry matter and digestible protein in one feed unit varied slightly in the options.