Assessment of the impact of micro fertilizers on winter wheat and winter barley crops under the Sevan basin conditions

Abstract

Background: Microelements are crucial for numerous physiological and biochemical processes in plant life. They constitute parts of various vitamins and enzymes, stimulate respiration, and accelerate oxidation and regeneration reactions, positively impacting protein metabolism in plant organisms.  Objective: Considering the significant role of microelements in living organisms, our aim is to investigate the effectiveness of applying microfertilizers and biohumus on the growth, development, and quality of winter wheat and winter barley. We conducted field experiments and laboratory research to analyze the impact of trace element content in the soil at our experimental sites. This research holds particular significance amidst the ongoing global climate changes, emphasizing the urgency and relevance of our study․ Methods: Field experiments, both in winter wheat and winter barley, were set up with three replications, with the same fertilization scheme. The size of each plot was 30 m2, and the size of the experimental field in each crop area was 630 m2 consisting of the following types: 1. Control (non-fertilized); 2. Background: biohummus t/ha; 3. Background+Mn (MnSO4 4H2O); 4. Background +Cu (CuSO4. 5H2O); 5. Background+B (Na2 B407.10 H2O); 6. Background + Mo (HH4)2MoO4; 7. Background +Zn (ZnSO45H2O): Microfertilizers were used for pre-sowing seed treatment. Results: The three-year results of the studies revealed that the amount of harvest and the quality indicators of these crops increased from the application of molybdenum, manganese, and copper in the sowing of autumn wheat and autumn barley on the background of biohumus. The increase of the autumn wheat crop under the influence of these elements was 3.3-6.4 c/ha (6.9-13.3%), and the increase of the autumn barley grain crop compared to the biohumus background was 2.6-5.4 c/ha. ha, or 6.5-13.4%. A certain increase in the nitrogen content of wheat and barley grains can be seen as an indicator of a protein problem necessary for life. According to research, it was found that the nitrogen content in the grains of spikelets is high in the versions that received molybdenum, manganese, and copper. Specifically, for wheat, the nitrogen content ranges from 2.64-2.68% for Mo, 2.53-2.57% for Cu, and for barley grains, it ranges from 2.16-2.24% for Mo, 2.08-2.10% for Cu, and 2.02-2.07% for Mn. Simultaneously with the studies, it was proved that the crop yield and quality indicators did not undergo significant changes from the application of Zn and B, which is explained by the higher content of the total and mobile forms of these elements in the soil. Conclusion: In the practice of fertilizing grain crops such as wheat and barley, it's essential to judiciously use specific micro fertilizers like molybdenum ammonium (NH4MoO4), manganese sulfate (MnSO4 · 4H2O), or copper sulfate (CuSO4 · 5H2O). These should be applied alongside organic fertilizers to ensure that the crops receive a comprehensive supply of both microelements and macroelements. This approach not only guarantees the production of high-quality crops but also plays a pivotal role in managing the protein content within them, which is crucial for nutritional value and overall crop health. Keywords:  microelements, winter wheat, winter barley, growth and development, yield quantity and quality