RESPONSE OF MAIZE HYBRIDS TO TILLAGE SYSTEMS IN WESTERN UKRAINE

Summary The purpose of research: Evaluation of the impact of soil tillage systems on grain productivity and efficiency of growing new corn hybrids in the soil and climatic conditions of western Ukraine. Research methods: Field trials were conducted in Western Ukraine on fields with sod-podzolic carbonate-gley soils. The total experimental field area of 6 ha was divided into 15 experimental plots with three tillage systems (conventional, conservation, mulching) and five maize hybrids of different indices and maturity groups («Ajax» (FAO 210), «Amaros» (FAO 230), «Danubio» (FAO 260),» DSK 3730» (FAO 280) and «Artenio» (FAO 340)). The indicators were determined in three replications at each experimental site. Research results: The research has established that the highest yields of corn grain were obtained in plots with hybrids «Amaros» (FAO 230) and «DCS 3730» (FAO 280), which amounted to 11.59 and 11.37 t/ha, respectively. It should be noted that the «Amaros» hybrid responds well to shelf loosening of the soil, with a grain yield of 12.34 t/ha on the background of ploughing, and the «DCS 3730» hybrid formed the highest grain yield (12.18 t/ha) in the variant with mulching tillage. The grain productivity of hybrids «Ajax» (FAO 210) and «Danubio» (FAO 260) is approximately the same and was at the level of 10.24 and 10.65 t/ha, respectively. The lowest average grain yield (9.72 t/ha) for all tillage options was obtained in the mid-season hybrid «Artenio» (FAO 340). Grain yields of the studied hybrids in plots with conventional tillage ranged from 10.34 to 12.34 t/ha, with conservation tillage - from 9.03 to 11.42 t/ha, and with mulching tillage - from 9.57 to 12.18 t/ha. On average, all plots with conventional tillage had a profit of 43518 UAH/ha, which is 10.0% and 6.9% higher than in the variants with conservation tillage and mulching systems. Conclusions. It was found that medium-early maize hybrids Ajax, Amaros, Danubio respond positively to the depth of cultivation and intensity of soil crumbling (traditional and conservation systems). The hybrid DKS 3730 produced the highest grain yield in the area with mulch tillage. The highest economic efficiency of growing corn for grain was obtained in variants with traditional tillage, with the exception of the DSK 3730 hybrid, for which mulch tillage was the most effective. In terms of economic effect, the conservation tillage system was the worst. Key words: corn, tillage systems, corn hybrids, yield, efficiency.