NPK in ordinary chernozem and the role of mineral fertilizers in enhancing winter wheat yield and grain quality

A.Yu. Ozheredova, V.N. Sitnikov, A.N. Esaulko, V.A. Borodin, M.Yu. Azarova

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Abstract. Agricultural intensification makes mineral fertilizers indispensable, but their uncontrolled use causes nutrient imbalances, reduces soil fertility, and poses environmental risks. Hence, monitoring the dynamics of essential macronutrients regulating crop yield and quality attributes becomes imperative. Consequently, this study offers a novel approach by evaluating macronutrient dynamics in ordinary chernozem under different fertilizer regimes and assessing their subsequent impact on winter wheat yield and quality.
Aim. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of mineral fertilizer rates on NPK dynamics in ordinary chernozem, as well as on the yield and grain quality of winter wheat.
Materials and methods. The study was arranged as a two-factor experiment: Factor A – fertilization rate (control without fertilizer; recommended (N215P65); calculated for a planned yield of 10.5 t/ha (N257P135K75); Factor B – winter wheat variety (‘Shkola’, ‘Tsatsa’). Factor B comprised the winter wheat cultivars ‘Shkola’ and ‘Tsatsa’. The field trials were carried out between 2023 and 2025 at the Kuban Experimental Breeding Farm, located in the Kochubeevsky District, Stavropol Territory. All analyses were performed using standardized methodologies.
Results. The results showed that fertilizer application significantly increased soil nutrient content, with (NO3) reaching up to 13.4 mg/kg and (P2O5) up to 14.1 mg/kg. The calculated rate (N257P135K75) provided the greatest increment in K2O concentration (+20 mg/kg). Mobile phosphorus and potassium levels decreased from germination to full maturity. The highest yield (9.87 t/ha) and grain quality (24.0 % gluten, 18.4 % protein) were recorded in the ‘Tsatsa’ variety fertilized with N257P135K75.
Conclusion. Soil monitoring is indispensable, as it enables an accurate assessment of the current plant nutritional status. The calculated fertilizer rate ensures maximum crop yields and superior grain quality. The ‘Tsatsa’ variety proved to be the most responsive to fertilizer application. Consequently, it is recommended for agricultural production in unstable moisture zones on leached chernozem against the background of the N257P135K75 fertilization rate.

Keywords: winter wheat, mineral fertilizer rates, variety, nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, potassium, yield, grain quality

For citation. Ozheredova A.Yu., Sitnikov V.N., Esaulko A.N., Borodin V.A., Azarova M.Yu. NPK in ordinary chernozem and the role of mineral fertilizers in enhancing winter wheat yield and grain quality. News of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 3. Pp. 153–164. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-3-153-164

©   Ozheredova A.Yu., Sitnikov V.N., Esaulko A.N., Borodin V.A., Azarova M.Yu., 2026

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Information about the authors

Alena Yu. Ozheredova, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Physiology, Stavropol State Agrarian University;
12, Zootechnicheskiy lane, Stavropol, 355017, Russia;
alena.gurueva@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6038-6409, SPIN-code: 3968-8440
Vladimir N. Sitnikov, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor, Rector of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education, Stavropol State Agrarian University;
12, Zootechnicheskiy lane, Stavropol, 355017, Russia;
rector@stgau.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7557-555X, SPIN-code: 6029-8733
Aleksandr N. Esaulko, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Physiology, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Institute of Agrobiology and Natural Resources), Stavropol State Agrarian University;
12, Zootechnicheskiy lane, Stavropol, 355017, Russia;
aesaulko@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0441-9055, SPIN-code: 5497-6339
Vadim A. Borodin, Master’s Student, Institute of Agrobiology and Natural Resources, Stavropol State Agrarian University;
12, Zootechnicheskiy lane, Stavropol, 355017, Russia;
borodinvadja126@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6279-3711
Margarita Yu. Azarova, Senior Lecturer, Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Physiology, Stavropol State Agrarian University;
12, Zootechnicheskiy lane, Stavropol, 355017, Russia;
azarova778@gmail.com, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7109-1227, SPIN-code: 6737-8380

Funding

The study was performed without external funding.