The influence of soil cultivation methods and agrochemicals on the productivity and quality of winter wheat grain in the Saratov Trans-Volga region

The article describes the effect of mineral fertilizers, a growth regulator, a growth stimulant and primary tillage methods on the yield and quality of winter wheat grain. A comparative analysis of the prevailing weather conditions by the amount of precipitation during the years of research with a long-term climatic norm and optimal values  during the growing season of winter wheat to obtain maximum yield in the Saratov Trans-Volga region was carried out. As a result of research, it was found out that minimizing the main tillage in pure fallow crops for winter wheat reduces its yield by 10.5%. The maximum yield of winter wheat is provided by the combined processing (2.26 t/ha), which exceeds ploughing (control) by 3.2%. Deep subsurface processing did not provide a reliable increase in winter wheat productivity (+0.02 t/ha). The main tillage methods did not affect the protein content in the grain of winter wheat, and the amount of dry gluten decreased by 0.6% after  minimal processing and 0.7% after  subsoil tillage compared to the control. Spraying winter wheat crops with mineral fertilizers increased productivity by 3.7–8.8%, growth stimulator by 4.2%. The growth regulator (Giberelon) did not affect the productivity of winter wheat in the arid conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region. The maximum increase in protein and gluten was provided by mineral fertilizers Megamix No. 10 - 0.4; 1.7% and Mikrovit - 0.5; 1.6% and growth promoter GSN - 2004 - 0.5; 1.7%.