Testing of preparations for protection of grain crops from pests in the Steppe of Ukraine

Goal. To determine the agroeconomic efficiency of the system of maize and sorghum protection against major phytophages by preparations of different spectrum of action in the northern Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field — records of pests and crop yields in accordance with generally accepted methods; calculation — determination of technical (biological) and economic efficiency of preparations and their mixtures; mathematical and statistical — assessment of the reliability of research results. Results. An increase in the harmfulness of the larvae of the May bug was recorded with the extension of the «sowing-germination» period from 10—12 (2019) to 20—23 days (2020) and the relative mortality rates of corn and sorghum seedlings were given. The indirect restraining effect of growth regulators on the aggressiveness of Swedish fly caterpillars was established. The best tank mixture of products for pre-sowing seed treatment (insecticide Cruiser 350 FS (thiamethoxam — 350 g/l) + fungicide Maxim XL 035 FS (fludioxonil — 25 g/l + metalaxyl — 10 g/l) + growth regulator Vermystym D, a.s.), as well as a preparation for vegetative spraying of crops (insecticide Karate Zeon 050 CS (lambda-cyhalothrin — 50 g/l)) were identified. The technical and agroeconomic efficiency of different formulations in the system of combined plant protection against soil and terrestrial phytophages was determined. Conclusions. Regardless of the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season, in the line of products for seed toxicity, the tank mixture of preparations of different functional directions — Cruiser 350 FS, Maxim XL 035 FS, Vermystym D — had an advantage in terms of technical efficiency, yield and profitability of grain production. For the treatment of the stem, from the point of view of the profitability of growing corn and sorghum, it was more expedient to apply Karate Zeon 050 CS (0.2 l/ha) autonomously. The best results were obtained with a combined plant protection system that combines seed dressing and vegetative spraying of crops with these products.