Cultivation of sugar beet seed by the direct method

Aim. To study the feasibility of cultivating sugar beet seed by the direct method under non‑irrigated conditions of the Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Laboratory, measurement‑weight, and mathematical‑statistical methods. Results. Since seed bearing crops were sown under non‑irrigated conditions, sowing dates were adjusted according to rainfall: either before precipitation or immediately after. The phytosanitary condition of the crops before overwintering was satisfactory: no disease infection or pest damage was observed, and weed infestation was moderate. The efficiency of the direct method of seed cultivation depends mainly on plant survival during overwintering, which is determined both by weather conditions and by the plant health. The formation of plant parameters characteristic of cold‑resistant crops before overwintering ensured high survival rates until spring. On average over the years of study, survival of non‑transplanted seed plants of the first and second sowing dates was as following: CMS component – 78.8% and 74.6%, respectively; multi‑seed pollinator – 74.0% and 72.3%, which is sufficient for seed production. High survival of seed plants until spring and appropriate care provided, on average, high‑quality seed with germination of 82% and seed quality above 93.2%, depending on the year of vegetation. In 2022, germination of the hybrid ‘Konstanta’ was 85% and seed quality 99.6%. In 2023, germination was higher – 87%, while seed quality was lower – 96.0%. This allows seed to be prepared for sowing with germination of no less than 93–96%. Conclusions. Under global warming, in the Right‑Bank Forest Steppe, within the zone of unstable moisture, there is potential to cultivate sugar beet seed by the direct method without irrigation. However, there is a risk of uneven emergence under moisture deficit during sowing. To prevent this, sowing should be carried out with consideration of possible rainfall.