Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus: on new developments by scientists and prospects for their implementation in the agricultural sector
It is much more difficult to achieve significant yields in the Vitebsk region than in other regions, and without scientific support, one cannot count on an efficient crop production economy. The Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, located in the agro-town of Tulovo, is working on the implementation of advanced agricultural technologies. Here, "Sel'skaya Gazeta" learned about new developments by scientists and the prospects for their implementation in the agricultural sector.
Four departments operate at the institute: cereals, legumes and groats; cruciferous crops; fodder production; and potato growing. Scientific research is carried out within the framework of several state programs, under agreements with the Academy of Sciences, and the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee. Currently, scientists are developing about 30 crops and 110 varieties. Variety testing is conducted jointly with scientific and practical centers. Based on completed research, recommendations are developed for the introduction of varieties that have successfully passed testing into production.
The institute has over 926 hectares of arable land (about 1000 hectares of agricultural land) and all the necessary agricultural machinery for its cultivation. Today, the harvesting of grain crops is on the agenda, with yields contributing to the Vitebsk district. Scientists and farmers are proving that profitable grain of good quality can be obtained even in a risk-prone farming zone. The institute's director, Andrey Balysh, provides figures to confirm this:
— Yields on experimental plots are higher than in production, however, on our own fields, for winter crops, for example, we get no less than 50 centners per hectare of rye, wheat, triticale, and about 45 centners per round for spring crops. Winter rapeseed usually yields 27–30 centners per hectare, and spring rapeseed yields from 20 to 25. Weather and soil composition, of course, affect yields, but the main conditions are sowing dates and technology. Most often, it is these that are not met in the farms of the region. There are cases when managers call us, having purchased seeds from us, and complain that on some fields the germination is good, while on others there are bare patches. We start to investigate and analyze. The seeds are the same, only on one field they were sown into the ground atoptimal time, and on another — with a delay, which is why the result is what it is.
I will give an example of one of the farms we worked with in the Rossony district. We recommended not to scatter a meager amount of fertilizer over all the fields, but to try to work technologically at least on one plot: to sow on time and fertilize in the required volume. As a result, they harvested 45 centners of winter wheat from it. In Rossony, as in many other districts of the region, unfortunately, the results of farming are affected by a deficit of fertilizers, weak technical equipment, and also a shortage of personnel motivated to work in the fields.
Grasses for salvation
— Undoubtedly, given our unpredictable weather, the crop production sector must work for animal husbandry. We are currently conducting research on crops such as silphium, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, foxtail, and sweet sorghum hybrid.
The Deputy Director, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Oksana Borisenok, spoke about the prospects of research:
— We tried to find the most acceptable and rational option for mixed sowing of fodder grasses and corn for the region. Scientists have long paid attention to this combination. I studied the experiments of colleagues in the archives and found out that earlier in the Vitebsk region they tried to practice sowing corn and lupine, but did not get the expected result. Apparently, they chose the wrong corn hybrid. Then they preferred the Ukrainian hybrid of medium andlate maturity group. Corn dominated in mixed crops, making up 60 percent. To obtain a good yield in this variant, it needs to be properly fertilized. We, taking these nuances into account, focus on ultra-early maturing corn varieties with a short growing season and combine them with late-maturing varieties of lupine and fodder peas. They will mature towards the harvest season together. When selecting mixed crops, we considered recent climate changes and also experimented with new varieties. The trials are designed for 2 years and will be completed in 2020, after which we will apply for the inclusion of research results in the applied program for implementation in production. Lupine is a valuable and inexpensive crop for animal husbandry. Its use will help farmers save on mineral fertilizers. And at the same time, we will obtain high-quality silage. We are also experimenting with combining sweet sorghum with corn. The first crop provides sugar, the second – starch. The introduction of such crops into production will allow farms to reduce costs for purchasing preservatives and obtain high-quality nutritious feed even without them. The main thing is to adhere to the timing and sowing technology, as well as the correct ratio of components. Next year, the trial results will be presented to the Academy of Sciences.
Potatoes from a test tube
The Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture is the only enterprise in the region that conducts accelerated microclonal propagation of potatoes based on biotechnological methods. In simpler terms, in the institute's special laboratories, the "second bread" is propagated by cuttings on a virus-free basis. The resulting plants continue their vegetation at the institute's greenhouse complex. The test-tube material is purchased from the Scientific and Practical Center for Potato Growing.
The focus is on high-yielding varieties of Belarusian selection. Andrey Balysh explains this preference:
— We have tested many varieties. Not all of them yielded the expected results for cultivation under production conditions. Successfullyзарекомендовали себя «манифест», «бриз», «лилея», «скарб», «вектар», «уладар», «палац», «нара» и другие. Определяющие факторы для семенного материала — урожайность, устойчивость растения к заболеваниям и вредителям, а также вкусовые качества.
Семенной материал картофеля пользуется большим спросом не только в области и стране, но и в России. В прошлом году в институте обрела прописку хорошая традиция: после сбора урожая проводить дегустацию разных сортов картофеля. На нее пригласили представителей сельисполкома, местных организаций, сельчан. Гостям предлагали попробовать блюда из разных сортов картофеля, а затем отдать свой голос за понравившийся. В этом году планируют пригласить руководителей и агрономов хозяйств, которые занимаются возделыванием второго хлеба, и коллег из Научно-практического центра НАН Беларуси по картофелеводству и плодоовощеводству.
Любопытный факт: за последние два года именно Витебщина занимает лидирующие позиции в стране по валовому сбору и урожаю картофеля. Возделыванием второго хлеба в основном занимаются в Толочинском, Полоцком и Витебском районах. Хороший урожай картофеля, как заверил Андрей Балыш, далеко не на всех землях можно получить. Например, на тяжелых почвах Шарковщины его возделывание будет более затратным, а вот на Оршанщине, в Дубровенском и Бешенковичском районах можно найти подходящие поля. Картофель отзывчив на применение технологий, нужны квалифицированные кадры и специальная техника, поэтому позиция руководства области сконцентрировать его посевы в хозяйствах, которые набили на этом руку, оправданна.
Potato seed material is in high demand not only within the region and the country, but also in Russia. Last year, a good tradition was established at the institute: after harvesting, to hold a tasting of different potato varieties. Representatives of the village executive committee, local organizations, and villagers were invited. Guests were offered to try dishes made from different potato varieties, and then cast their vote for their favorite. This year, they plan to invite the heads and agronomists of farms that are engaged in the cultivation of the "second bread" (potatoes), and colleagues from the Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Potato and Vegetable Growing.
An interesting fact: over the past two years, it is precisely the Vitebsk region that has been holding leading positions in the country in terms of gross harvest and yield of potatoes. The cultivation of the "second bread" is mainly carried out in the Tolochinsky, Polotsky, and Vitebsky districts. A good potato harvest, as Andrey Balysh assured, cannot be obtained on all lands. For example, on heavy soils of Sharkovshchina, its cultivation will be more costly, but in Orshanshchina, in Dubrovensky and Beshenkovichsky districts, suitable fields can be found. Potatoes respond well to the application of technologies, require qualified personnel and special equipment, therefore the position of the regional leadership to concentrate its sowings in farms that have gained experience in this is justified.