Scientific substantiation of agrotechnical methods of cultivation of onions on sandy soils

Relevance. In the “Strategy for Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Dagestan for the Period until 2030,” one of the main tasks of developing an effective agro-industrial complex and ensuring food security is the rational use of agricultural lands, conducting an inventory and bringing unused lands into circulation. The sandy lands of the republic used for transhumance livestock farming; farming is local in nature. The experience of a number of regions of Russia indicates that sandy lands, with proper development and the availability of water resources, can contribute to the development of irrigated agriculture and their involvement in agricultural use.The purpose of the research was to scientifically substantiating onion agricultural techniques on the sandy lands of flat Dagestan, ensuring a profitable harvest based on a drip irrigation system and the use of growth stimulants.Methods. In the conditions of the flat zone of the Republic of Dagestan, in the conditions of the Makhachkala Educational and Experimental Farm OJSC (Open Joint Stock Company), in 2020, a model experiment launched with the Terek-Kuma sands for growing onions at different crop densities, with different layouts of drip lines and droppers and with the use foliar fertilizing with organomineral fertilizer Biostim universal during the growing season. "Educational and Experimental Farm"Results. It has been established that on sandy lands, sparse sowing of onion seeds is most preferable – 425 thousand plants/ha with plants placed every 0.1 m in a row with a drip line placement pattern of 0.3×0.2 m and the use of a growth stimulator Biostim Universal. This combination of studied agro-technical techniques ensures the production of up to 30 t/ha of marketable products. The calculation of economic efficiency showed a profitability of 163%.