Determination of soil humidity dynamics under grain wheat crops

Abstract

One of the most important factors for the development of modern agricultural entrepreneurship is the stable and productive conduct of agricultural production. The main purpose of the article is to study the rate of moisture release after harvesting winter crops and to find the optimal sowing time after harvest. All studies were conducted in real production conditions in accordance with the developed research methodology. Modern devices of different types were used to obtain the most reliable values. An important factor for obtaining high yields is the full disclosure of the potential of available moisture and air in the upper fertile layer of the soil. Gradual movement of climatic zones to the north of Ukraine requires the study of the rate of moisture release from the soil and the determination of the most optimal terms for sowing. In a fairly dry period, the beginning of sowing of winter cereals is necessary immediately after harvest at soil moisture – 17-22 %. All necessary agricultural measures to prepare the soil in summer for winter crops (background and main tillage) should be carried out taking into account the basic principles of the theory of "differentiated humidity", according to which the main amount of soil moisture in the range of GWP (marginal field moisture content) is lost due to the upward movement of water through macro- and micro-wells. One of the methods to reduce moisture loss is to create a loose layer on the soil surface, which prevents capillary leakage of moisture and acts as mulch. The loose layer itself significantly slows down the heating of the surface and interrupts the flow of moisture to the evaporation horizon, so it is recommended immediately after harvest to remove straw from the field for loosening the top layer of soil. Significantly reduce the drying of the soil gives some compaction of the soil in its upper layer, which reduces the loss of steam, by moving balers and bales of straw on the surface of the field.