ECOLOGICAL TESTING OF MID-SEASON VARIETIES OF SOYBEAN IN CONTRASTING CONDITIONS OF ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to study the dynamics of the formation of the yield of mid-season cultavars of soybeans in different climatic zones of Ukraine depending on weather conditions and assess their adaptive capacity. During 2023–2024, 14 new soybean varieties of the mid-season group of Ukrainian selection – Titan st, Inguz, Turizas – Austria; Dara, Tersia, Neptune – Canada; ES VISITOR, ES KOLEKTOR, ES KOMPOZITOR – France; Vitalina, Zeus Carmelita – Poland) were studied in field conditions in the Odessa (Steppe), Cherkasy (Forest-Steppe) and Zhytomyr (Polissya) regions, recommended for the Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Polissya of Ukraine, the Titan cultavar was taken as the standard as the most tested. Statistical data processing was carried out using generally accepted methods of field and genetic-statistical research using the Statistica 12 program. As a result of the research, the adaptive capacity of varieties was determined by the “yield” indicator and the strength of the correlation between the yield level and the climatic conditions of the growing zones was established. As a result, the most adapted, stable and high-yielding varieties were identified for different climatic zones of Ukraine. The yield of soybeans varied greatly depending on the growing zone – 1.53 t ha-1 – Steppe, 2.31 t ha-1 – Forest-steppe, 2.4 t ha-1 – Polissya. The most favorable conditions for the formation of a stable and high yield were determined as Forest-Steppe (CVG/CVE = 0.89) and Steppe (CVG/CVE = 0.86), and the generalized ratio of the coefficients of genetic (CVG) and ecological (CVE) variation (0.98) confirmed that the conditions of Ukraine are favorable for the realization of the biological potential of mid-season soybean varieties. The most adapted soybean varieties of the mid-season group are recommended for cultivation in different climatic zones of Ukraine: stably high-yielding ES VIZITOR (2.46 t ha-1) and ES KOLEKTOR (2.41 t ha-1) and the unstable high-yielding variety Alicia (2.41 t ha-1). Also, stably low-yielding soybean varieties Vitalina, Inguz, Turizas and Dara were determined – 1.77–1.86 t ha-1. The conducted research contributed to the identification of the most productive soybean varieties suitable for cultivation in different climatic zones of Ukraine. The calculated statistical models will contribute to the prediction of yield and optimization of crop cultivation.