Wheat Yields Boosted by Optimal Sowing Dates and Crop Rotation in Ukraine
This research looked at how different crops and sowing times affect the yield and quality of winter wheat seeds in Ukraine's forest-steppe region. They tested different wheat varieties after growing either green manure or soybeans before planting. The best results came from planting a variety called Trudivnytsia myronivska on September 15 after green manure, yielding 7.41 tons per hectare. Sowing later reduced yields, with MIP Kniazhna after soybeans on October 15 producing 4.03 tons per hectare. Weather conditions had the biggest impact on wheat yield (63%), followed by the type of crop planted before (11%). Generally, green manure before planting led to heavier seeds, while early sowing after green manure resulted in better seed quality. This study suggests that using green manure as a preceding crop and sowing in September can help increase wheat yield and improve seed quality in the forest-steppe region of Ukraine.