Shutenko T. Singe-stage method of sugar beet harvesting upon chemical pre-drying of seed bearing plants

This dissertation is dedicated to the studying of effectiveness of use of the single-phase method of seed harvesting with chemical pre-drying of seed bearing plants with the use of preparations like Reglon, Basta and Roundup. Upon the same application rate, namely, 2,0 l/ha of preparations Basta and Roundup, the moisture of stalks was 23%, the moisture of leaves – from 10 to 15%, these characteristics were the same as upon desiccation of seed bearing planrs with Reglon upon triple application rate (6,0 l/ha). Within the short term the moisture of seeds was substantially decreased: from 45–41% to 17–19 %, meanwhile, in control conditions the moisture was decreased from 43 to 21% . It was firstly proved that the new preparation Roundup is not worst than desiccants Reglon and Basta in terms of effectiveness. It has been found that the optimal term of processing of seed bearing plants with desiccant Roundup with the application rate 3 l/ha is a phase of maturity of 30–40% of roots that provides the highest yield capacity - 1,49 t/ha in seeds, with the smallest losses - 0,15 t/ha. Upon desiccation of seed bearing plants in maturity phases from 20–30 to 40–50%, the yield capacity of seeds was almost as said. The negative influence of chemical pre-drying of seed bearing plants to the germination energy and germination itself has not been noted. It has been established that upon single-stage and two-stage harvesting methods with the use of desiccation the yield capacity of seeds was increased by 0,08–0,16 t/ha, in comparison with two-stage method without desiccation.