Group of long-term experiments

Long-term field fertilizer experiments of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agrochemistry named after D. N. Pryanishnikov

Long-term field fertilizer experiments are the most essential method of research in agrochemistry. In 2021, the Geographical network of field fertilizer experiments, which is coordinated by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution ‘D.N. Pryanishnikov All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Chemistry’, will celebrate its 80th Anniversary. This network was founded by Academician D. N. Pryanishnikov as a system of field research conducted according to a single program and methodology in all soil and climatic zones of the country. The modern geographical network of fertilizer experiments in Russia is unique on a global scale. Based on the results of the Geographical network's experiments, the scientists of the Research Institute of Agrochemistry develop a concept for the targeted management of agrochemical indicators of soil fertility and the stability of agroecosystems.

Results:

Long-term stationary experiments conducted at the Experimental Station "VNII Agrochemistry" in Barybino (Domodedovo district of the Moscow region), show conclusively that the scientifically based use of mineral, organic fertilizers and ameliorants, together with chemical plant protection products, contributes to the targeted regulation of soil fertility and increase the productivity of agricultural crops. Thus, in most experiments in the best variants, over 50 years of fertilizer application, the soil acidity (pHKCl) decreased from 4.2 to 5.9, the content of mobile phosphorus increased by 9-10 times - from very low to high, and potassium – from medium to high, while the humus content was stabilized at 1.75-2.00%.

The increase in soil fertility contributed to a consistent increase in the yield of winter wheat from 2.5 to 7.2 t /ha, and in favorable years to 8-9 t/ha, an increase in the return of mineral fertilizers from 9.0 to 16.6 kg / kg of active substance of mineral fertilizers.

In the 60s and 70s, several stationary field experiments were laid, three of which are still being conducted. Today, the duration of long-term field experiments with fertilizers is more than 55 years. The scientific supervisors of these unique field experiments are currently Doctors of Agricultural Sciences A. M. Aliev, N. A. Kirpichnikov and Doctor of Agricultural Sciences A. A. Kovalenko.

In the 80s, under the leadership of Academician VASKhNIL V. G. Mineev, a stationary field experiment was conducted at the experimental station to study the optimal parameters of agrochemical indicators for realizing the potential productivity of crops in crop rotation on highly cultivated sod-podzolic soil.