Application of Adept Agro.Bio fertilizer for cucumbers and tobacco
Experiment 53
The experiment was conducted in Novomoskovsk district of Dnipropetrovsk region with cucumbers. The predecessor was blue eggplant. In spring 2019, 1.5 c/ha of superphosphate mixed with ammonium nitrate (background) was added for cultivation. Cucumbers were sown with the simultaneous application of Adept (2 l/ha) and mineral fertilizers (NP, 1.2 c/ha). During the growing season, 2 furrow irrigations and 2 sprinkling irrigations were carried out.
The effectiveness of Adept for cucumbers is presented in Table 46.
Table 46: Comparative efficiency of Adept and mineral fertilizers for cucumbers
| Experimental scheme | Yield, c/ha | Yield increase, c/ha | Control gain, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control (background) | 273.7 | — | — |
| Background + Adept 2 l/ha | 361.3 | 87.6 | 32.0 |
| Background + NP 1.2 c/ha | 318.7 | 45.0 | 16.4 |
The data in the table show that the application of Adept (2 l/ha) to cucumbers turned out to be an effective method, providing a significant increase in yield (32%) and a high conditional net income.
Tobacco
Experiment 54
The experiment was conducted in the Kirovograd region with Virginia tobacco. The soil was clayey. The seedlings were planted on May 4 with the simultaneous application of Adept humic fertilizer (2 l/ha). On the 7th day after planting, a noticeable difference in the growth and color intensity of the plants was observed. In the plot with Adept, the plants developed more intensively and had a darker color compared to the control.
The first leaf breaking was carried out on June 28. A total of 6 leaf breakings were carried out during the season. The results of the harvest accounting are presented in Table 47.
Table 47: Efficiency of humic fertilizers for Virginia tobacco
| Experimental scheme | Raw leaf yield, t/ha | Yield increase, t/ha | Control gain, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| P20K40 in rows (background) | 7.510 | — | — |
| Background + Adept 2 l/ha | 10.530 | 3.020 | 40.2 |
The introduction of Adept (2 l/ha) did not require additional labor costs, as it was introduced together with mineral fertilizers. A significant increase in yield (40.2%) confirms the feasibility of further testing of humic fertilizers in the Kirovograd region.
Conclusion
Analysis of production tests of humic fertilizers in various soil and climate zones of Ukraine confirms their effectiveness in increasing the yield of cucumbers and tobacco. Efficiency and optimal doses vary by zone, as shown in Table 48.
Table 48: Efficiency of humic fertilizers and recommended doses for cucumbers and tobacco in Ukraine
| Zone | Culture | Yield increase at optimal dose, c/ha | Increase, % | Recommended Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polesie | Cucumbers | 30–70 | 32 | 2 l/ha |
| Polesie | Tobacco | 30–45 | 40 | 2 l/ha |
| Forest-steppe | Cucumbers | 30–70 | 32 | 2 l/ha |
| Forest-steppe | Tobacco | 30–40 | 40 | 2 l/ha |
| Steppe | Cucumbers | 30–70 | 32 | 2 l/ha |
| Steppe | Tobacco | 30–45 | 40 | 2 l/ha |
Comparison with mineral fertilizers and organic standards showed that humic fertilizers provide higher yield increases. From an economic point of view, they reduce the cost of production compared to composts and humus. All farms received additional income, depending on the crop and sales conditions. Acceleration of ripening and improvement of product quality contribute to economic efficiency.
These issues require further study taking into account zonal soil conditions.