BIOMETRIC INDICATORS AND POTATO YIELD FOR GROWING IN SHORT-ROTATION CROP ROTATIONS AND MONOCULTURE

Objective. Establishing the growth, development, and yield formation characteristics of potatoes in short-rotation crop rotations and continuous monoculture, as well as developing measures to reduce the negative impact of crop saturation in crop rotations. Methods – general scientific and specialized: field stationary experiment; measurement weight method; laboratory field; statistical mathematical. Results. The article presents the results of research on the peculiarities of crop growth, development and formation in crop rotations and monocultures, depending on their saturation with culture, fertilizer and the use of planting material of various categories. The research established that potato plants formed the largest vegetative mass during the flowering phase. The fertilization system significantly affected the growth of the tops. It was noted that the maximum leaf area was achieved during the flowering phase, ranging from 19,600 to 36,100 m²/ha, influenced by weather conditions. No significant impact of crop rotation saturation with potatoes on the formation of the photosynthetic apparatus was found. It was determined that the photosynthesis net productivity (PNP) of potatoes increased with plant growth, reaching a peak during the budding – flowering period at 3.7–5.0 g/m² per day, affected by weather conditions. As the degree of crop rotation saturation with potatoes increased, yield decreased. On average, over the years of research, the yield was 22.8 t/ha with 20% potato saturation in crop rotation, 20.8 t/ha with 50% saturation, and the lowest yield of 18.4 t/ha with 100% saturation. Yield in monoculture was significantly affected by the combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers and annual replacement of seed material. Conclusions. The highest photosynthesis net productivity (3.7–5.0 g/m² per day) was observed during the budding and flowering stages, but later, as natural leaf dieback began, it decreased to 1.4–1.7 g/m² per day. The research also shows that with increasing potato saturation in crop rotation, yield gradually decreased: at 20% saturation, the yield was 22.8 t/ha, at 50% saturation – 20.8 t/ha, and at 100% saturation – 18.4 t/ha. The application of organic fertilizers in two-field crop rotations did not lead to significant yield changes (16.9–20.8 t/ha). However, the highest yield (23.6 t/ha) was achieved in monoculture with the application of 40 t/ha of manure and mineral fertilizers (N90P60K90), as well as the annual replacement of seed material. These results are important for optimizing agrotechnical practices and improving potato yield.