Fruit growing
and viticulture of South Russia
The results of studies of the productivity of different graft-rootstock combinations of the Stenley plum variety in the submontane zone of the Krasnodar Region on floodplain soils are presented. The stability of various plum rootstocks to unfavorable soil parameters was studied. The characteristics of the soil cover of the site and prospective domestic rootstocks for large-stone fruit crops are given. It was revealed that the main negative parameters of alluvial-meadow heavy-loamy soils, leading to a decrease in productivity and oppression of plants, are the periodic rise in the groundwater level and low fertility (very low availability of organic matter and mobile phosphorus). The variation exhibitions in the condition and yield of trees on these soils, depending on the rootstock, is established. In the leveled areas with periodic rise of the ground water level and stagnation of excess moisture at a depth of at least 120 cm from the soil surface, plum trees on all the studied rootstocks were in satisfactory condition. However, plum trees planted in 2015 on the rootstocks of PK SK-1, PK SK-2, 934 and 935 were more productive (5.7-6.6 t/ha). In low relief elements (gullies, swales, closed depressions), where stagnation of excess moisture in the soil profile at a depth of 80 cm or less is observed, depression and death of plum trees take place. The greatest resistance of plants to these conditions was noted on the rootstocks of PK SK2 and 935. In these edaphoclimatic conditions, the most resistant to periodic long-term overwatering of the root layer of the soil are graft-rootstock combinations of Stenley/PC SK2 and Stenley/935. These trees have the highest yield and the lowest percentage of plant death.
In the article are provided experimental data confirming the regularities of changes in the productivity of the table grape variety Victor due to change in the load of bushes with shoots and clusters. Field studies were carried out in the Central Agroecological zone of viticulture of the Krasnodar Region, the scheme of bushes planting is 3.8 × 2.0 m, the formation of bushes is a high-standard two-armed cordon, rootstock is Berlandieri × Riparia SO4. The average annual air temperature is 12.5-13.0 ºC, the sum of active temperatures is 3900-4100 ºC, the maximum temperature during the growing season is plus 40 ºC, the temperature in winter drops to minus 30 ºC. The annual amount of atmospheric precipitation is 700-800 mm. The soils are low-humus, powerful leached chernozems. The variety showed a high responsiveness to changes in the load of bushes with shoots and clusters under this agroecological conditions. The correlation dependence of the total mass of clusters from one bush on the number of fruitful shoots and the number of clusters is medium and high, respectively, r = 0.63 and r = 0.75. The dependence of productivity on the load of bushes with shoots and clusters is high. The correlation coefficient is 0.88-0.93 and 0.86-0.99, respectively. The largest mass of a cluster, 0.757 kg, is formed when the bushes are loaded with shoots of 26 pcs. per bush and clusters in the amount of 10 pcs. per bush. Clusters are close in size to this mass when the bushes are loaded with 21 shoots and 13 clusters per bush, as well as when the bushes are loaded with 16 shoots and 12 clusters per bush, respectively, 0.714 and 0.756 kg. The highest yield of grapes, 14.83 and 14.50 t per ha, is formed with the greatest load of bushes with shoots of 26 and 21 pcs. per bush in combination with a load of clusters in the amount of 17 pcs. per bush.
The search for special agricultural methods for preserving biodiversity and increasing the effective fertility of chernozem soils in the conditions of monoculture of the orchard is relevant. The development of problem solving biotechnological methods is based on the study of the dynamics of the pattern of changes in soil fertility factors when using show-release biomineral fertilizers. The article presents the results of agrochemical monitoring of leached chernozem in the orchard in connection with the application of biomodified organomineral fertilizer. The main aim of the research was to study the aftereffect f biomineral fertilizer on the soil and the generative function of the apple trees varieties Prikubanskoe and Renet Kubanskiy (Scientific Institution "North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Wine-making" breeding) on the rootstock SK4. It was found that the use of fertilizers did not contribute to an increase in the actual soil acidity. There were also no significant differences between the variants "control, without fertilizers" and "application of organomineral fertilizer" in terms of total soil acidity. Against the background of the application of organomineral fertilizer, the content of exchangeable calcium increased to values of 26.8-30.1 mmol/100 g, which, presumably, created favorable conditions for the development of aerobic microorganisms and the absorption of the element by the apple tree roots. A higher activity of the biological process of nitrogen mineralization was revealed against the background of the introduction of organomineral fertilizer enriched in the culture of rhizosphere bacteria. The new conditions formed in the soil contributed to the strengthening of the nitrification activity of the soil. Under conditions of intensive monoculture, the content of mobile phosphorus in the soil decreased six years after the experiment establishment. Higher limits of the phosphorus content are defined in the variant with the application of fertilizers. For leached chernozem under monoculture conditions without fertilization, a tendency to the destruction of humic substances was revealed mainly in the soil layer of 0-20 cm. Against the background of the use of organomineral fertilizer, the humus level in the soil layer of 0-20 cm in a year and six after the experiment establishment is higher than in the control variant by 12.6 and 38.7%, respectively, which is probably related to the content of humic compounds in the fertilizer. The changes in the dynamics of soil and agrochemical indicators against the background of the introduction of show-release biomodified organomineral fertilizer correlated with a higher level of apple trees yield of the Prikubanskoe and Renet Kubanskiy varieties in comparison with the control variant.
In the industrial plantings of intensive orchards in the south of Russia, a wide range of apple clones of the Gala variety is cultivated. The variety of colors, high taste qualities, dense, juicy flesh makes the fruit attractive to consumers, so the variety is in great demand among the population around the world. Nowadays it is one of the most widely cultivated varieties of apple trees of the autumn ripening period. In connection with the appearance of new clones of the Gala variety grown in horticultural farms, the issues of determining the optimal harvest time, reasoned by the criteria of biochemical indicators of fruit quality, are relevant. In this regard, the aim of the research was to study the criteria of biochemical indicators of the fruits quality of different clones of the Gala variety, which characterize the degree of maturity of apples growing in the south of Russia. As a result of the research carried out, a conveyor was installed for the maturation period, which allows to correctly plan the harvest. Among the varieties of clones of the Gala variety in the conditions of the south of Russia, the varieties Gala Mast, Gala Schniko red, Obra Galla, which differ in a larger fruit weight (160-170 g), are distinguished by high, competitive commercial qualities. The varieties Gala Schniko, Gala Schniko red, Gala Mast are distinguished by the high content of vitamin C and P-active substances. The most harmonious combination of sugar and acid, reflecting the taste qualities of the fruit, is characteristically for the varieties Obro Gala, Gala Mema, Gala Schniko. The high quality of the fruits sold in winter is largely ensured by the storage technology. To preserve the crop, post-harvest treatment of fruit with an ethylene inhibitor is recommended. Post-harvest treatment of apples with SmartFresh ensures maximum preservation of the initial hardness of the flesh, reduces the intensity of nutrient consumption during storage, and helps to extend the shelf life of apples.
Aphids (Aphidoidea), the representatives of the order Hemiptera, are among the main sugescent pests of orchard agrobiocenoses in Russia. The species composition and aphid population dynamics was studied in the educational and experimental fruit orchard of the St. Petersburg State Agrarian University (SPbSAU) (Pushkinsky district of St. Petersburg) and at the State Variety Testing Station "Skreblovo" (Luga district of the Leningrad region) in 2019-2020, using Malaise traps. In the 2019-2020 growing seasons, 19 species of aphids were caught in the orchard of SPbSAU. Of these, 6 species are specialized pests of fruit and berry crops (Brachycaudus helichrysi, Cryptomyzus ribis, Hyperomyzus rinanthi, Rhopalosiphum insertum, Ovatus crataegarius, Macrosiphum rosae), 7 species are pests of other agricultural crops, and 5 species feed on various tree species. In total, 44 individuals (17 species) were caught in 2019, and 58 individuals (6 species) in 2020. In 2020, 3 species with a total number of 89 individuals were registered at the State Variety Testing Station "Skreblovo". The greater number of recorded insects in the Luga district is explained by the warmer climate of this region. A significant influence of weather conditions on the aphid population dynamics was revealed, especially in late May June and in August September. It is noted that the Malaise trap has its advantage over the electric suction trap in that it can be quickly installed in any agrocenosis, while the suction trap is stationary. Therefore, the Malaise trap can be recommended as one of the methods for monitoring aphids.