Performance of grain and leguminous crops under resource saving cultivation technology in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

The study aimed to investigate the impact of conventional and no-till cultivation on crop productivity, particularly the efficiency of water and nutrient use, and to assess the impact on plant resistance to extreme weather conditions. The study presented the results of the impact of no-till technology on corn and soybean yields in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, including a comparison of efficiency with the traditional method of tillage. The study included an analysis of agronomic indicators such as yield, plant height, plant density, survival rate and other physiological characteristics of crops. Two soybean varieties (Bettina and Fortress) and two corn hybrids (DCS 4795 and DCS 3730) were used to assess the impact of no-till technology and compare the results for the three years of the study, 2022-2024. The study determined that the use of no-till technology contributed to an increase in both corn and soybean yields. For corn, the yield increase in no-till plots was 13.9-15.1%, and for soybeans – 15.2-17.5% compared to conventional cultivation. These results indicate that the use of minimal tillage helped to retain moisture, improved structure and reduced the risk of erosion, which contributed to better plant growth and increased the ability to withstand stressful weather conditions such as drought. The analysis of the results demonstrated that the height of corn and soybean plants in the no-till plots was higher than in the control plots with conventional technology. However, this demonstrates the long-term benefits of no-till in maintaining soil sustainability and increasing productivity. The study established that no-till technology is an effective method for increasing yields and preserving soil fertility, which is important for the sustainable development of agricultural production in the southern regions of Ukraine