Masliiov S. Agroecological substantiation of food corn growing technologies in conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine

Object of study – technological measures of cultivation (precursors, sowing time, seeding rules), the processes of growth, development and formation of yields of popcorn grains and sweet corn cobs and their quality. Aim – develop and justify: technologies of growing popcorn grains and sweet corn cobs for obtaining grain yield at 3.0-3.5 t / ha and cobs - 9,5-14,0 t / ha; basic methods of farming cultivation of new varieties and hybrids considering patterns of growth, development, resource saving elements and minimization of tillage. Methods - general and specific agronomic research methods. Field experiments complemented by laboratory tests have been main agronomic methods. Results - energy-saving, environmentally friendly technologies of growing sweet corn and popcorn after various precursors have been developed and recommended for the production; best norms of sowing seeds of different varieties and hybrids of food corn subspecies in relation to terms and methods of sowing, which provide to get 9,5-14,0 t / ha of sweet corn cobs in summer and autumn and 3.0-3.5 t / ha of popcorn grain at high profitability, have been established; effective measures of improving the quality of grain have been proposed. Novelty - for the first time for the Steppe of Ukraine agroecological bases of formation of stable high yields of high quality popcorn grain and sweet corn cobs in environmentally friendly resource-saving technologies have been theoretically and experimentally substantiated; patterns of growth, development, structure of agrophytocenoses have been established; the criteria for selection of varieties and hybrids of food corn has been improved. The scientific value are the experimental findings of the influence on growth, development, yield formation of varieties and hybrids of sweet corn and popcorn depending on precursors, tillage, fertilizers, care measures for the crops in conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. Sector – agriculture.