THE INFLUENCE OF CROP ROTATION ON RYE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY

Abstract

The studies were conducted in 2023–2024 at the Experimental Station of the Vytautas Magnus University Academy of Agriculture, in the crop rotation collection of the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, in winter rye crops, in various crop rotations (intensive, field, field with cover crops, green manure, three-field system) following different preceding crops, and in a 58-year-old monoculture field. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of various crop rotations, following different preceding crops, on rye productivity and grain quality indicators. Soil pH 6.6–7.0, P₂O₅ – 131–206.7 mg kg⁻¹, K₂O – 72.0–126.9 mg kg⁻¹. The results of the experiment show that the highest winter rye yield was achieved when it was grown after black fallow, and the selection of perennial grasses as a preceding crop positively influences the protein content of winter rye grains, grain hectoliter weight, and most plant productivity parameters. Rye yields were highest after black fallow, but quality indicators were poorer compared to those grown after perennial grasses. It can be assumed that excessive fertilization increases the productivity of winter rye but reduces the quality indicators of the grain. Growing rye in a monoculture reduced its yield and the protein content in the grain, but had no effect on the hectoliter weight.