Influence of biological agents on yield and quality of vegetable peas under the conditions of Steppe zone

Abstract

The use of chemical herbicides is a critical problem in terms of sustainable land use requiring the alternative ways of treatment and protection of agricultural crops. The problem is manifested in the long-term chemization of agricultural lands which critically influenced the quality of soils. Along with this, the problem is exacerbated by the inappropriate environmental cleanliness of the crop harvested on chemically treated lands, as well as by the quantity and quality of these agricultural products. The use of non-chemical agents for the treatment of agricultural crops is indeed a crucial direction in agriculture which contributes to sustainable development as it helps preserve soil fertility, reduce the negative impact on the environment, and supports production without the use of synthetic pesticides. An analysis of available sources has shown that the practical study of the influence of reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and increasing the use of organic fertilizers for the treatment of main agricultural crops remain pertinent and inadequately researched. Therefore, the aim of this article was to show the results of the practical research on the influence of the pre-sowing seed treatment with boron (B), molybdenum (Mo) and Rhizohumin on the yield vegetable pea and its quality. The practical investigation was conducted on the experimental plots located in the Steppe zone of the southern Ukraine. Vegetable peas is a valuable source of dietary protein, the plant is often used for sideration that is why this particular plant was chosen for research. The research was based on treatment of vegetable pea’s seeds with different combination of mineral fertilizers containing boron, molybdenum and with Rhizohumin – agent based on active strains of nodular bacteria, and comparison of the obtained results with control – fertilizing the soils using ammonium sulfate and superphosphate (N30P40). It was established the positive impact of seed treatment with B, Mo, and Rhizohumin on the number of flowers and pods during flowering and pod formation stages compared with control. It was studied the positive influence of mineral fertilizers on the yield of vegetable peas as well as on its quality. Conducted research may be considered by agricultural producers during farming activities.