Nadiia Maidanovych

The aim of the research is to conduct a systematic statistical analysis of the long-term dynamics of crop biomass formation in Ukraine based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and to establish quantitative patterns of the infl uence of key meteorological factors on the state of vegetation over twenty years (2001–2020). The relevance of the work is driven by the need to adapt agricultural technologies to global climate change and to develop accurate predictive models of crop productivity based on remote sensing data. Research Methodology. The study is based on data from the Global Agriculture Monitoring (GLAM) system, derived from 8-day NDVI composites of MODIS satellites (Terra and Aqua). A retrospective database covering 24 administrative regions of Ukraine was created, containing approximately 23,000 records. Trend analysis using linear regression models was applied to assess long-term tendencies. The complex impact of meteorological conditions was evaluated by calculating correlation coeffi cients and constructing multiple regression dependencies between NDVI values and indicators of average monthly air temperature, precipitation, and cumulative climatic water balance (CWB). Results. It was established that within the annual cycle, maximum NDVI values (0.61–0.67) are achieved from May to July, with the most intensive biomass growth (42%) occurring in April–May. Long-term analysis revealed a stable positive trend of index growth during the cold period of the year (0.42–0.55% per year), while growth rates are minimal in the summer months. A signifi cant decrease in NDVI was recorded in September–October (by 13.9–15.6% over 20 years), which is explained by the shift in winter crop sowing dates and accelerated crop maturation due to warming. Spatial analysis confi rmed profound zonal differentiation: the steppe zone is characterized by the lowest biomass potential (0.47–0.66) and critically high interannual variability (32–50%), which is 4-5 times higher than in Polissya. An inertial character of the temperature regime’s infl uence was identifi ed: the temperature of the current month correlates most signifi cantly with the state of vegetation in the subsequent period (r reaches 0.80 in March–April). Conclusions. Remote monitoring using the NDVI indicator objectively refl ects the transformation of Ukraine’s agrocenoses under the infl uence of climate change. It has been proven that comprehensive consideration of the temperature regime and cumulative water balance allows for predicting crop status with high accuracy (multiple correlation coeffi cient R = 0.85). The results obtained provide a scientifi c basis for optimizing irrigation systems and implementing climate-smart agriculture methods in the most vulnerable southern regions of Ukraine.

Climate change, accompanied by anomalously high temperatures and a decrease in precipitation during the warm season, can have serious consequences for the ecosystems and sustainability of the Ukrainian Polissia. In particular, there are increased risks of forest and peat fires, as well as an overall deterioration of the region’s ecological condition. Between 1990 and 2021, the Ukrainian Polissia region recorded an average temperature increase of 0.60 °C per decade, along with a 3–5% decrease in annual precipitation. An analysis of the spatial distribution of wildfire incident density based on satellite data (FIRMS) in the regions of the Ukrainian Polissia from 2001 to 2023 highlighted several periods of sharp increases in fires: 2002, 2007–2009, 2014–2015, and 2019–2020. The Spring Fire Season and the Late Summer–Autumn Fire Season coincide with periods of reduced precipitation, which in some years reached 40–60% below the climatic norm. Although the climatic conditions of spring 2022 were not as warm and dry as those in 2020, significant parts of Kyiv Polissia and Chernihiv Polissia suffered from large-scale wildfires due to ongoing military actions. The spatial distribution of fire frequency in 2020 and 2022 highlights different contributing factors: in 2020, weather anomalies were the primary cause, while in 2022, armed hostilities played a key role. Military conflicts not only increase the risk of fires but also complicate firefighting efforts, making the region even more vulnerable to large-scale forest fires, and thereby threatening its sustainability. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated fire management strategies that take into account climate change, land-use policies, and geopolitical factors to mitigate the escalating wildfire threat in the region and ensure long-term sustainability.

This study aims to analyze the level of emissions and pesticide drift during the use of treated seeds, assess the factors influencing their intensity, and develop recommendations for reducing environmental risks. Methods and Materials. The study employs modern methods of analytical chemistry, mathematical modeling, and field experiments. A new methodological approach was used to measure emissions of drifting seed protection agents into the environment. This method is based on photo colorimetric analysis and compares the intensity of color solutions of different concentrations (optical density). A KFK-3 photoelectric photometer was used to measure optical density. The technical characteristics of the seeder fan’s exhaust system were tested per DSTU ISO 17962 during the operation of pneumatic seeders Horsch Maestro 24 SW AHL and Horsch Maestro 24 SX Liquid. Results. Field and stationary experiments established that the total dust emissions from seed treatment agents can reach 3-5% of the total applied material. Pesticide dust drift, carried by wind currents beyond the immediate working zone of the seeder, averaged between 0.9% and 1.3%, with maximum recorded values of 1.26% for the Horsch Maestro 24 SW AHL and 0.92% for the Horsch Maestro 24 SX Liquid. The average particle diameter of the dust ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 µm at an optical density of 0.3-0.5. These values do not exceed the DSTU ISO 17962 requirements (1.5%) and comply with the German recommendations on pesticide drift limitation (not more than 2.77% at a distance of 1 m from the working path). It was found that the Horsch Maestro 24 SX Liquid, which operates on the principle of overpressure, reduces dust drift by 25% compared to the vacuum-based Horsch Maestro 24 SW AHL due to the design features of the metering system and the increased number of exhaust outlets. The air velocity of the Horsch Maestro 24 SW AHL and Horsch Maestro 24 SX Liquid seeders does not exceed 4 m/s at a distance of 2 m from the exhaust outlets. In the new model, the minimization of airflow impact is further ensured by the uniform distribution of air across 24 outlets and the dissipation of a significant portion of excess pressure directly into the soil. Conclusions. The proposed methodology for determining pesticide seed treatment material emissions and dust drift during the operation of pneumatic seeders Horsch Maestro 24 SW AHL and Horsch Maestro 24 SX Liquid has demonstrated sufficient suitability for achieving the research objectives. The study analyzed the impact of design features of pneumatic seeders and environmental factors on the volume and distribution of seed treatment dust within and beyond the seeding zone. Recommendations have been provided to mitigate the negative impact of treated seed dust on the environment and human health. Keywords: pesticide dust, seed treatment, pneumatic seeder, dust drift.

The article presents the results of studies of the strip tillage system and crop sowing in the three-field crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean”, the principles of the technological process have been formed, the initial requirements for the parameters of the strips, the quality of sowing crops in the crop rotation (corn and soybeans) have been prepared, technical and technological methods have been improved the solution of sowing in strips with a significant content of plant residues and the technical and economic advantages of strip tillage are substantiated. The purpose of the research is to substantiate the expediency, to improve the technical and technological solutions and methods of implementation of the strip tillage technology in short-rotation grain crop rotation, and to determine their effectiveness. Methods and materials. The study of the effectiveness of strip tillage was carried out on the short-rotational crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean”, with a total area of 21 hectares at the scientific research ground of L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT. Agricultural machinery is generally accepted for the zone of the right-bank forest-steppe, except for the studied factors: A - tillage; B – mineral fertilizers; C is a predecessor culture. Field experiments, observations, and records were carried out according to the methods of B. Dospehov and V. Yeshchenko. The «Belarus MTZ 1025» tractor and the 4-row «STA-4» unit were used to form the strips, which allows for the arrangement of sections, their movement along the beam of the frame for cutting strips with a row spacing of 70 cm and 90 cm and applying fertilizers to each strip. Corn was sown with a row spacing of 70 cm along the path, and soybeans (with a row spacing of 45 cm) were sown on the sides of the deep loosener pass line with a step of 90 cm. Results. The short-rotation 3-field crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean” provides an increase in productivity with a narrow set of crops with a wide-row sowing method, which are combined in the crop rotation as good predecessors and belong to different taxonomic groups. The effectiveness of the proposed technical-technological solutions of strip tillage and sowing compared to traditional technology is determined by the reduction of used resources due to the smaller number of technological operations, fuel consumption, and increased productivity. Indicators of the structure of the biological yield of corn proved the advantage of strip cultivation over plowing: grain yield is higher by 17-21% (depending on the year). It is substantiated that the design parameters of the unit for forming strips should ensure the straightness of their cutting at a sufficient working speed and the preservation of unloosened strips for moving (without slipping) the wheels of the traction tractor; the seeder must ensure high-quality sowing of seeds on backgrounds with a large content of plant residues, the technological ability of conversion to the required width of rows, which is the basis for improving the progressive direction of growing corn and soybeans in short-rotation crop rotation. Conclusions. Grounded prospects for the implementation of strip tillage technology in short-rotation crop rotation and the feasibility of its implementation in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine using the example of corn and soybeans. Emphasis is placed on the sources of efficiency and the main recommendations for machine complexes for resource-saving technologies for growing grain crops in small and medium-sized farms are outlined. Keywords: crop short-rotation, strip tillage, technical and technological solutions, agricultural machines, soybean, corn, productivity, crop yield.

Summary The purpose of the work is to highlight the results of forecasting the yield and production of the main agricultural crops in 2023 based on the operational data of remote agromonitoring and the assessment of indirect losses of the gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine under martial law. Methods and materials. Predictive estimates of the yield of agricultural crops are calculated on the basis of statistical data on their productivity for the period 2000-2022 and remote agricultural monitoring data (NDVI indices) on the state of crops in Ukraine in the spring of 2023. Standard methods of correlation-regression analysis were used to establish relationships between NDVI indicators and regional average yield values of the main field crops. Potential indirect production losses of the group of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine in 2023 were calculated based on the dynamics of the reduction of sowing and harvesting areas in the conditions of martial law and, accordingly, from the losses for the country’s agrarian sector due to the lack of potential profit from the sale of grain, estimated at domestic purchase prices. Results. According to estimates based on actual winter sowing volumes and spring sowing rates, the harvested area of grain and leguminous crops in 2023 is expected to be about 10.4 million hectares. The average yield of grain and leguminous crops in Ukraine as a whole is predicted with a probability of 80-85% at the level of 47-49 t/ha, which according to preliminary estimates is close to last year’s value and the average indicators of the pre-war level. At the same time, the gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops is expected at the level of 48.4-50.5 million tons, compared to the average pre-war level of 75 million tons. That is, the losses from military aggression only for the loss of production of this group of crops currently reach about 25-24 million tons or more than UAH 150 billion. Conclusions. Military aggression against Ukraine will have negative consequences for the cultivation of agricultural crops in 2023, mainly due to the shortage of mineral fertilizers, pesticides and other means of production, the general reduction of sown areas and a number of other negative economic consequences, however, the projected production volumes of grain crops are currently sufficient to ensure needs of the Ukrainian population.

Summary The purpose of this work is to highlight the range of scientific and industrial projects implemented in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT during the last years, and promising directions of the institution’s activities. Methods and materials: a comprehensive analysis of the available results of project solutions implemented in UkrNDIPVT and scientific publications in the direction of this research. Results. In recent years, in the experimental fields of UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pogorily implemented a number of projects related to the implementation of promising technical and technological solutions for the implementation of various tillage systems and their impact on the efficiency of growing the main agricultural crops, the implementation of new methods of forecasting the yield of agricultural crops, optimization of technologies for growing perennial energy crops, etc. In particular, the following projects were implemented: “AgroOlymp” - the latest technical and technological solutions for a differentiated system of soil cultivation and sowing when growing grain crops; “Agroperspective” is a complex multivariate test of the productivity of new varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops typical for the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine in real production conditions of a demonstration crop rotation; “MARS” – monitoring of agro-resource systems and forecasting of the productivity of the main agricultural crops using the data of remote sensing of the Earth; “Biotechnology” - greening of technologies, extended reproduction of soil fertility, increase in the economic efficiency of growing agricultural crops; “Strip-till” - development of technical and technological solutions for strip tillage and sowing for small and medium-sized farms; “Bioenergy Conveyor” - development and optimization of technologies for growing perennial energy crops, which ensure obtaining the maximum amount of raw materials for the production of thermal energy from a unit of area. In addition to active scientific work, UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pohoriloy also works in the field of testing and ranking of technical means for the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine and helps manufacturers of agricultural machinery overcome the path of promotion to European markets Conclusions. Analysis of the implemented in UkrNDIPVT named after L. Pogorily of project solutions certifies that the institution’s active research and testing activities have quite fruitful results and broad prospects for the implementation of scientific and industrial ideas in the agricultural direction.

The aim of the work is to estimate the frequency of droughts during 1961-2020 in the conditions of southern Ukraine using the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and to compare the obtained results with the frequency of droughts according to Selyaninov’s hydrothermal coefficient (HTС).

The aim of this work is to highlight the algorithm and results of modeling the average regional levels of cereals and legumes yields in some regions of Ukraine (Odessa region for example) using remote data, which used the vegetation index VHI. Methods. Model calculations were performed according to the productivity of cereals and legumes in Odessa region for 2011-2020 and the vegetation index VHI for the same period. VHI products received from NOAA STAR - Global Vegetation Health Products system (4 km resolution, 7-day composite). The relationship between VHI and cereals and legumes yields was assessed by correlation-regression analysis. Results. Statistically significant relationships between VHI and cereals and legumes yields levels in Odessa region with a correlation coefficient of 0.8- 0.9 in the period from April to July were establish. Regression dependences for early forecast of сereals and legumes yields (as of the end of April and May) were established using VHI for 16 and 20 weeks (from the beginning of the year). The correlation coefficient between the actual yield Ufact and the model values is 0.93 for Ufor(16) and 0.89 for Ufor(20). The forecast error did not exceed 10 % for Ufor(16) in 70 % of cases, and for Ufor(20) – in 80 % of cases. Conclusions. The authors established regression dependences for the early forecast (as of the end of April and May) of cereals and legumes yields in Odesa region using the region-averaged vegetation indices VHI for 16 and 20 weeks from the beginning of the year. This algorithm can be used to build model ratios for calculating crop yields for different regions of Ukraine and separately for different crops.

The aim of this research was to study of efficiency of iron oxide nanoparticle application (nano Fe+) in the cultivation of spring barley and soybeans by different systems of basic tillage in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The effectiveness of nano Fe+ applying was determined by determining the biological yield of the studied crops and its structure and comparison with the control version of the experiment (without the use of nanopreparation). The studied crops were spring barley and soybeans. The number of variants of the experiment were 16 (8 variants for each culture). Number of repetitions – three. The research was carried out according to the following scheme: factor A – tillage system (A1 – traditional, A2 – conservation, A3 – mulching, A4 – mini-till); factor B – iron oxide nano Fe+ (B1 – control (without the use of nano Fe+), B2 – the use of nano Fe+ for seed treatment at a rate of 5 mg/t). Used nanopreparation of black iron oxide magnetite is a polyvalent iron oxide (FeO - Fe2O3 - Fe3O4). Results of field research showed a tendency to increase the yield of barley and soybeans with the use of iron oxide nanoparticles in the treatment of seed material. The increase in the yield of spring barley was different depending on the system of basic tillage and ranged from 5 % (conservation system) to 25 % (traditional system). The most favorable conditions for the formation of spring barley yield within the experiment were formed by the mulching system of tillage, which together with the use of nano Fe+ allowed to form the biological yield of the crop at the level of 61,2 c/ha. The effect of direct exposure to nano Fe+ in the case of the mulching system was a 12 % increase in yield compared to control. The use of nano Fe+ on soybean crops helped to increase plant survival. Biological yield during soybean seed treatment nano Fe+ was higher in almost all tillage options. The greatest effect from the use of nano Fe+ was observed for the traditional tillage system (+ 55 % compared to the control). Conclusions. The results of the field experiment revealed a positive effect from the use of nano Fe+ in seed treatment in the technology of growing spring barley and soybeans. It is noted that nano Fe+ influenced the growth and development of the studied crops and the formation of their yields. The average level of biological yield of spring barley (for all applied tillage systems) without nano Fe+ treatment was 50 c/ha, and with the use of nanopreparation – 58 c/ha. For soybeans, the average level of biological yield for all studied systems without nano Fe+ was 17 c/ha, and with the use of nanopreparation – 21,6 c/ha.