Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation

Microbiological activity of soil and its impact on maize productivity when applying biologics

Yuliia Borko, Vladyslav Bolokhovskyi, Andrii Datsko, Arkadii Lungul, Mykhailo Zhurba
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the state of microbial coenosis and the activity of microbiological processes in the soil, their impact on the agrochemical parameters of typical chernozem, the assimilation surface of maize leaves and its seed productivity when applying biologics. In the study, a field method was used to investigate the interaction of research objects with natural factors, a laboratory method for determining microbiological and agrochemical indicators and photosynthetic activity, and a mathematical and statistical method for processing experimental data. It was established that with the introduction of biologics Groundfix and Azotohelp in favourable weather conditions in 2023 and arid 2024, the number of microorganisms of the vast majority of agronomically valuable groups increased compared to the control, the intensity of transformation of organic matter in the soil, and the intensity of mineralisation processes and potential denitrification activity decreased, and there was a decrease in the deficit of nutrients that were easily accessible to the microbiota. A high inverse relationship was established between the content of mineral nitrogen in the soil and the intensity of mineralisation processes in it (r = -0.78) and denitrification activity (r = -0.77). However, there was a direct effect of leaf assimilation surface and leaf dry matter on yield (r = 0.71 and 0.65, respectively). The efficiency of maize cultivation increased with the introduction of biologics Groundfix and Azotohelp by 6% and 5%, respectively. It was determined that the use of biologics Groundfix and Azotohelp in a row during sowing contributed to increasing the biogenicity of the soil and optimising microbiological processes in it, increasing the availability of nutrients and their digestibility, while contributing to plant growth and intensification of photosynthetic activity. Due to positive changes from the use of biologics Groundfix and Azotohelp, the yield of maize to the control version increases by 0.50 and 0.45 t/ha, respectively. These results can be used to optimise intensive maize cultivation technology, which will help to improve the state of microbial coenosis of the soil, plant nutrition, and increase maize yield

Keywords

microbial preparations; typical chernozem; physiological and taxonomic groups of microorganisms; denitrification activity; agrochemical indicators; yield

Suggested citation
Borko, Y., Bolokhovskyi, V., Datsko, A., Lungul, A., & Zhurba, M. (2025). Microbiological activity of soil and its impact on maize productivity when applying biologics. Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation, 16(1), 58-71. https://doi.org/10.31548/biologiya/1.2025.62
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