Land Reclamation and Water Management

CALCULATION AND VISUALIZATION OF WATER CONSUMPTION RATES OF CROPS WHEN USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

2026-01-05T17:49:46+03:00

The article analyzes existing approaches to determining water consumption rates of crops for irrigation in Ukraine. They were estimated at the level of weather stations and regions, in view of climate change and the need for their constant updating using the developed automated system and information technologies. It was found that water need for growing crops has increased significantly, especially in the southern regions of Ukraine. This work is a continuation of the study of evapotranspiration, its components and dynamics based on remote sensing data and calculations when using the Penman-Monteith-Leuning method. The obtained results are presented in an interactive database and as visualized cartographic information. The rate calculation was carried out based on the potential evapotranspiration for the period 2005–2024, when using the biophysical Shtoiko method, which allows determining water consumption rates taking into account a natural moisture deficit. Meteorological data from regional weather stations operating in automatic mod as well as the information systems developed at the Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation were used for calculations. Water consumption was estimated based on water balance equations and multi-year series of agricultural and meteorological observations.

The average annual sowing dates and development phases of the main crops in the regions of Ukraine were also specified, with reference to weather stations, and the maps of water consumption spatial distribution were built. A database of crop water consumption rates was created with integrating geospatial parameters. Python software was developed using the Folium, Shapely, and Django libraries for data analysis and visualization. For geospatial presentation of the results, the zones of weather stations influence were calculated using the Thyssen-Voronyi polygon method. The study revealed a significant increase in water consumption rates for crops in Ukraine over the past two decades compared to the control climatic period of 1960-2000. In the Steppe zone, water consumption increased by 40%, in the Forest-Steppe and Polissya zones - by 15%. Data analysis for 2005-2024.

Analysis of data for 2005-2024 confirmed a further increase in water consumption in all climatic zones by an average of 18-25%. Combining these data with web tools increases the availability of information and promotes its practical use in agriculture. Maps of water consumption deficits for the warm period of the year, water consumption rates for corn and wheat for the years of 50%, 75% and 95% water supply deficit, which reflect regional variability in their distribution, were built. The study confirmed the need for constant updating of water consumption rates and their consideration in planning agricultural policy and water management.

STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL USAGE OF ANOLYTES ANK TO REMOVE BIOLOGICAL FOULING FROM DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

2026-01-05T17:49:47+03:00

Abstract. The prospects for using neutral anolytes ANK of Ukrainian producers for cleaning emitters and pipelines of drip irrigation systems from contaminants of biological origin have been studied. The relaxation characteristics of the neutral anolytes ANK were determined, changes in their main characteristics (TDS, ppm, pH; ORP, mV) were established depending on the degree of dilution with water, and an assessment of the market and production capacities of anolytes ANK in Ukraine was performed. The laboratory, laboratory-analytical, field, and mathematical-statistical comparative research methods were applied to determine the effectiveness of flushing the emitters and drip irrigation pipelines with environmentally safe neutral anolytes ANK of Ukrainian manufacturers ("AQUA SALIS", "Krystal", and "Secobren") and environmentally hazardous 15% sodium hypochlorite produced in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The presence of a biological component of contaminants was determined using the Biuret reaction. It has been found that obtaining effective solutions for flushing emitters and pipelines of drip irrigation systems from contamination of biological origin, with an ORP of not less than +750 mV, is possible by diluting the anolytes ANK produced by "Aquasalis", "Krystal", and "Secobren" with irrigation water in a 1:40 ratio; produced by "Sterilox", "Vitalmix" and "Allsteril" - in a 1:20 ratio.

Visual and quantitative indicators of the quality of flushing the emitters and drip irrigation pipelines from contaminants of biological origin were obtained. In laboratory, it was determined that the flow rate of drip pipelines with 20 emitters clogged with biological contaminants after washing with hypochlorite "AquaDoctor", depending on the pressure, increased by 17,6...52,3%, with anolyte "Krystal" - by 23,7...92,0%. Field flushing of 136 m long drip irrigation pipelines with 340 emitters with anolytes ANK resulted in an increase in the flow rate of one pipeline by 8 l/h, and the other - by 13 l/h.

It has been found that neutral anolytes ANK produced in Ukraine are an effective and environmentally safe alternative to chemicals (chlorine, 15% sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide), which are currently used to flush emitters and drip irrigation pipelines from contaminants of biological origin. It was determined that Ukrainian production capacities for anolytes ANK are capable of meeting the needs of Ukrainian farmers for flushing emitters and drip irrigation pipelines.

SOIL WATER REGIME AND POTATO YIELD UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION METHODS IN THE POLISSYA REGION OF UKRAINE

2026-01-05T17:49:47+03:00

In this scientific study, the parameters of irrigation regimes, evapotranspiration (ETc) values, and potato yields were experimentally determined depending on irrigation methods and water supply regimes. To conduct the study, a short-term (2023-2025) field experiment, analytical and statistical methods of experimental data processing were used. It has been proven that the method of laying irrigation pipelines for drip irrigation systems, the method of irrigation, and the water supply regime have a significant impact on evapotranspiration, soil water regime, and potato tuber yield in the Polissya region of Ukraine. Thus, the amount of evapotranspiration of plantings varied depending on the water regime: 2,20–2,51thousand m³/ha in non-irrigated conditions; 4,47–5,31 thousand m^³/ha in the case of underground placement of irrigation pipelines (at a depth of 0,30 m), 4,72–5,61 thousand m³/ha for drip irrigation with periodic water supply, and 4,30–5,17 thousand m³/ha for drip irrigation with pulsed water supply. Under sprinkler irrigation, evapotranspiration was highest, ranging from 5,80 to 6,24 thousand m^³/ha over the years of the study. It is natural that without irrigation, the lowest yield of marketable tubers was obtained – 43,4 t/ha, and the factor of "irrigation" in combination with fertigation increased this indicator by an average of 1,5 times – to 65,15 t/ha. The increase in tuber yield with drip irrigation with periodic and pulsed water supply was statistically significant: up to 66,4 t/ha and 70,4 t/ha, respectively. Under conditions of sprinkler and subsurface drip irrigation, 60,8 t/ha and 62,7 t/ha were obtained, respectively. The minimum specific irrigation water consumption was obtained with drip irrigation with a pulsed water supply mode – 67,6 m³/t, respectively. The highest water consumption coefficient was for sprinkler irrigation – 100,4 m³/t. Thus, when growing potatoes in the Polissya region of Ukraine, it is more expedient to use drip irrigation, preferably with a pulsed water supply mode, and in conditions of acute water shortage for irrigation, drip irrigation with underground installation of irrigation pipelines.

MODELING OF THE OPERATING MODES OF THE EJECTOR-CAVITATOR TO DETERMINE ITS OPTIMAL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

2026-01-05T17:49:48+03:00

The article presents the results of the development and scientific substantiation of the technology of cavitation activation of natural zeolites of the Sokyrnytske deposit (Transcarpathian region) and the Nyzhnohrabovetske deposit (Slovakia) to significantly increase their sorption capacity for heavy metal ions (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, etc.), radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr) and nitrogen compounds (nitrates, ammonium). The use of hydrodynamic cavitation in a Venturi tube and a modified ejector-cavitator is proposed as an environmentally safe, energy-efficient and reagent-free method of modifying sorbents, which fully complies with the principles of green chemistry and the objectives of the Water Strategy of Ukraine until 2030.

A comprehensive CFD modeling (Ansys Fluent 2023 R2) with a multiphase VOF+URANS approach, a Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model, and a discrete-phase model for estimating trajectories and collapse of cavitation cavities was performed. The independence of the solution from the computational grid was verified with more than 100 thousand elements. Single-phase and multiphase modelingswere compared. The multiphase approach provides physically realistic values of pressure (up to 215 atm) and temperature (~800 K) of cavity collapse, while the single-phase approach significantly overestimates these parameters, but is suitable for quick qualitative assessment and preliminary optimization of geometry and operating modes.

The optimal inlet pressure of 7 bar was established, having which the maximum intensity of the cavitation effect is achieved with minimal energy costs. A hybrid optimization strategy was developed, which consists of the initial rapid screening of promising designs by single-phase modeling with subsequent detailed multi-phase analysis of the best options.

Based on the results of modeling the operating modes of the ejector-cavitator, its optimal design and technological parameters were obtained. Using the obtained data, a laboratory recirculation unit (volume 20 l, pump 1,1 kW, pressure regulation up to 10 bar) and an ejector-cavitator design for manufacturing by 3D printing from cavitation-resistant Spectrum PP polypropylene will be created. The obtained results are a scientific and technical basis for making highly efficient sorption materials and water purification technologies with high potential for industrial scaling.

PROBLEMS AND DIRECTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE RISKS ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF MELIORATIVE AGRICULTURE

2026-01-05T17:49:48+03:00

Global climate change drives aridization and instability of soil-moisture conditions, which threatens sustainable development in agriculture and creates preconditions for accounting for these changes in the design of irrigation and drainage (land reclamation) systems and their operating regimes. Existing methods for designing irrigation and drainage often do not account for current climate trends (seasonal shifts, increased duration of rainless periods, changes in temperature regime), which creates a need for their systematic improvement. The article presents an approach to assessing the impact of climate risks on irrigated agriculture that integrates up-to-date indicators (moisture-supply deficit, reference evapotranspiration, crop coefficients, soil water-holding capacity and field capacity, the frequency and intensity of droughts, heat waves and precipitation intensity) with scenario analysis to forecast different moisture regimes under expected climate conditions. The concept of a methodology adapted to the regional diversity of Ukraine is outlined. For testing, pilot regions with contrasting climate-soil characteristics are proposed: the arid South, the moderately arid Center (periodic temperature stress, high inter-annual variability of precipitation), and the West, which is excessively humid in spring and slightly arid in summer (risks of waterlogging, the need for effective drainage at the beginning of the growing season and additional moisture supply during the rest of the period). A monitoring and validation program is proposed, including regular collection of meteorological data (daily temperatures, precipitation, radiation, wind, humidity), biometric indicators of plant growth and development (development stages, leaf-area indices, actual yield), soil characteristics (moisture, structure, nutrient content), as well as performance indicators of irrigation and drainage networks. Based on these data, crop coefficients and modelling parameters are refined, which makes it possible to perform hourly–daily calculations of water deficit, to develop adaptive irrigation and moisture-supply schedules, and to test SSP-based climate scenarios. The use of modern digital and automated tools (local weather stations, soil-moisture sensors, etc.) forms the basis for the digitalization of irrigation and water-regulation management in line with impact indicators. The improved methodology will make it possible to increase water-use efficiency in existing reclamation systems, incorporate updated climate parameters into new designs, reduce the vulnerability of agro-systems to droughts and other extreme weather events, minimize yield losses, and ensure production stability under climate change. An additional advantage is the possibility of ranking investment options according to economic efficiency indicators.

DYNAMICS OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF HUMUS CONTENT IN SOIL WHEN LONG-TERM CULTIVATING WINTER RYE IN CONSTANT CROPS

2026-01-05T17:49:49+03:00

The main source of nutrients and energy for all living things in the soil is organic matter, thanks to which the continuous cycle of nutrients in nature is maintained. Long-term functioning of the soil in agrosystems leads to a state of equilibrium of organic matter with an appropriate level of its stability. As a result of reducing the application of fertilizers, especially organic ones, fundamental changes have occurred in the small (biotic) cycle of substances. Every year, the negative balance of humus reaches 370–400 kg/ha, and the annual decrease in its reserves exceeds 20 million tons. According to soil survey materials, in the most fertile typical black soils of the Karlivska community of the Poltava region, the humus content currently does not exceed 6,0–6,5%, or 2,0–2,5% less than at the time of their survey by the expedition of V.V. Dokuchaev in 1890. The problem of humus is undoubtedly one of the key ones in solving the problems of stabilizing and restoring soil fertility.

Long-term studies with winter rye in constant crops, which are conducted at the Poltava Agricultural Research Station, make it possible to determine and generalize its influence on the dynamics of winter rye productivity. At the same time, changes in agrochemical soil indicators are also observed. As a result of the experiment on the cultivation of winter rye in constant crops, it was found that humus content in the soil is not a statistical indicator and changes in absolute values, both in the spring and summer-autumn periods, and over the years of observation. Statistical analysis of the data obtained during the studies showed a direct and inverse correlation between the humus content indicators and the hydrothermal conditions during the research. It is proposed to widely use the results of the studies in solving fundamental issues of agriculture, in deep complex studies, and for the demonstration of the role of the main factors and conditions of plant life.

APPROACHES TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF CROPS GROWING ON A SOD-PODZOLIC SOIL

2026-01-05T17:49:49+03:00

The article presents the results of field studies on the impact of mineral fertilizer, liming, application of sulfur-containing fertilizer and microelements on the yield and economic efficiency of growing crops on a sod-podzolic soil. The study was conducted in a stationary experiment of the Institute of Agriculture of Western Polissya in the following crop rotation: winter wheat, corn, spring barley, winter rapeseed. Limestone materials (dolomite and limestone flour) were applied in doses determined by the magnitude of hydrolytic acidity (Hh, mmol/100 g of soil) before the experiment was started, recommended doses of mineral fertilizers were applied to the crops annually, and foliar feeding with the micronutrient "Nutrivan Plus" was carried out. It has been established that the productivity of crops on this type of soil largely depends on the degree of its agrochemical conditions. The use of mineral fertilizer (NPK) alone provided limited yield increase, while the combination of fertilizers with liming with dolomite flour contributed to a significant increase in crop productivity. The highest yield (4,00 t/ha) and economic return (9,2 thousand UAH/ha) in winter wheat crop was ensured by the integrated use of NPK, dolomite flour (1.0 Hh), sulfur (S₄₀), and micronutrient fertilizers. For corn and winter rapeseed, the highest yield (9.04 and 2,94 t/ha) and profit (29,2 and 33,5 thousand UAH/ha), respectively, were obtained with the application of 1,5 Hh CaMg(CO₃)₂. It has been proven that growing crops without fertilizer or only with NPK is economically unprofitable. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of using an integrated system of fertilization and land reclamation on acidic soils to ensure sustainable agricultural production.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCURACY OF METEOROLOGICAL DATA OBTAINED FROM A VIRTUAL WEATHER STATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING ETO FOR THE CONDITIONS OF THE SOUTH UKRAINE

2026-01-05T19:59:36+03:00

The article presents an assessment of the accuracy of meteorological data obtained from the Visual Crossing Weather Data (VWS VCWD) virtual meteorological station and the calculated reference evapotranspiration (ETo) based on these data for the conditions of southern Ukraine. It has been established that the data on air temperature and relative humidity are obtained with high accuracy, with MAPE and RMSE errors of 4,5% and 0,94°C and 9,1% and 7,53%, respectively. Good accuracy is characteristic of dew point temperature and solar radiation, with MAPE and RMSE errors of 20,9% and 1,44 °C and 17,4% and 3,41 MJ/m²·day, respectively. Dew point temperature data can also be obtained with satisfactory accuracy depending on the observation period. The MAPE and RMSE errors for water vapor pressure deficit are 46,2% and 0,21 kPa, respectively, which corresponds to satisfactory accuracy. Depending on the observation period, water vapor pressure deficit data can also be obtained with unsatisfactory accuracy. Wind speed data at a height of 2 m, obtained with unsatisfactory accuracy, have MAPE and RMSE errors of 104,3% and 1,20 m/s, respectively. To improve the accuracy of the meteorological data obtained, correction factors were calculated, and when applied, the accuracy of all meteorological data obtained is improved. The possibility of calculating ET using data from the Visual Crossing Weather Data virtual meteorological station for the period April-September with good accuracy has been confirmed. The MAPE error was 13,7%, and the RMSE was 0.62 mm. To improve the accuracy of ET calculations in southern Ukraine, a correction factor of 0.95 must be used. Taking this into account, the accuracy of ET calculations for the period May-August increases to 89%, and the RMSE is 0,63 mm. The use of refined meteorological data reduces the accuracy of ET calculations by 4,8% and increases the RMSE by 0,15 mm. Based on the results of the research, a web application will be developed to calculate ET and ETc using the FAO56-RM methodology with data from VWS Visual Crossing Weather Data.

THE IMPACT OF CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE YIELD OF FIELD CROPS IN THE LEFT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE

2026-01-05T17:49:50+03:00

Different weather conditions affect plant growth rates, nutrient mobility in the soil, photosynthesis intensity, and soil biota activity. Optimization of soil water-air and nutrient regimes through land reclamation makes it possible to significantly offset the negative effects of adverse weather conditions and increase the sustainability of agrophytocenosis productivity. However, in the conditions of "organic" farming in regions with a moisture deficit without sufficient water resources and mineral fertilizers, effective agricultural production is problematic. Establishing the patterns of the influence of moisture and heat conditions at certain stages of organogenesis is the theoretical basis for increasing the sustainability of agriculture, in particular when using only natural soil fertility and secondary biomass. The aim of the work was to establish the patterns of changes in the yield of field crops in different crop rotations depending on the dynamics of agrometeorological factors in conditions of insufficient moisture in the eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and to assess the productivity potential of crops, taking into account the annually changing hydrothermal conditions in the system "organic" farming system without the use of mineral fertilizers. The assessment of changes in agrometeorological resources was carried out using mathematical and statistical analysis of ten-day indicators of heat supply (air temperature and precipitation) and field crop yields. Data from a 20-year stationary experiment were processed using correlation and computational-comparative analysis methods with systematic generalization. The most reliable key periods before vegetation and during organogenesis were established, when the relationship between weather conditions and crop yields manifests itself with a sufficient level of reliability. The proposed approach is based on the formation of statistical series of yield data (15–20 years) and corresponding decadal indicators of temperature and precipitation in the local area. It is recommended to first construct graphs of the dynamics of hydrothermal conditions in years with different yields to identify periods of the most obvious deviations, and then conduct a detailed search for mathematical dependencies of productivity on weather conditions.

SOME FEATURES OF ASSESSING THE STABILITY OF HYDROTECHNICAL STRUCTURES GIVEN THE ANISOTROPY OF THE STRESS-DEFORMED STATE OF THEIR SOIL BASES

2026-01-05T17:49:50+03:00

The processes that cause degradation of soil properties, decrease in their strength and increase in deformability was analized. Solving the problem of determining phase velocities and vectors of elastic displacements made it possible to establish the differential coefficient of elastic anisotropy of soils that form the basis of hydraulic structures. Experimental studies of soils, which are the basis of hydraulic structures, when using ultrasonic methods made it possible to determine the factors that cause the anisotropy of elastic waves. The most informative parameter of the anisotropy of soils, which are the basis of hydraulic structures,was established. The main indicators of the manifestation of azimuthal anisotropy of bulk elastic waves were determined. The study of samples of soil bases of hydraulic structures when using the invariant-polarization method made it possible to experimentally establish the type of anisotropy and determine the value of the coefficient of elastic anisotropy of the studied samples. The angle of deviation of the elastic displacement vector from the direction of the wave normal, exceeding 90°, is a sign of possible destruction of the soil base of a hydraulic structure and enables us to localize zones of limit equilibrium.

A study of sandstone samples was carried out when using atomic force microscopy to investigate the degree of change in the microstructure of the soil bases of hydraulic structures. The use of the acoustic emission method allowed us to obtain an image of the acoustic response during laser irradiation, which made it possible to evaluate the diffraction pattern of the studied sandstone samples. It was established that a characteristic feature of the acoustic emission spectrum of the studied samples of soil bases of hydraulic structures is the presence of numerous secondary maxima. Their occurrence indicates the complexity of the material composition and structure of soil bases, in particular, a specific combination of allotigenic and authigenic minerals, cementing substances and textural features. In the case of irreversible deformations, the influence of fluid saturation manifests itself through differential-elastic effects, caused by both the crystal structure and the nature of interphase bonds, as well as the temperature, pressure and other parameters of the soil base environment of hydraulic structures.

INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION ON APHID INFESTATION IN MAIZE

2026-01-05T17:49:50+03:00

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crucial crop for both Ukraine and the global agricultural sector, serving as a key staple and export commodity. Ukraine ranks among the top ten maize producers worldwide, with annual production reaching 27-35 million tons and exports of 20-25 million tons. Irrigation significantly enhances maize yield, potentially increasing productivity from 6,8-7,0 tons per hectare to 12-15 tons per hectare. Given the importance of maize for food security, economic stability, and international trade, understanding factors that influence its productivity is essential. One of the major challenges in the Steppe, Forest-Steppe, and Polissia regions of Ukraine is the irregular water regime, which limits the full utilization of soil potential. Effective irrigation management not only improves water use efficiency and soil health but also promotes the proliferation of beneficial organisms, contributing to increased crop resilience.

This study, conducted from 2020 to 2023 in the Kyiv region, investigated the development and population dynamics of aphids (Aphididae spp.) on irrigated and non-irrigated maize, alongside the role of natural predators in regulating aphid abundance. Experimental plots of 50 m² were established using a randomized design with four replications. The maize hybrid P9074 (FAO 330) was grown under controlled irrigation with water-jet sprinklers, while control plots relied on natural precipitation. Meteorological data, including air temperature, precipitation, and the Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient (SHC), were recorded to assess their impact on aphid population density.

Results indicated that aphid infestation was higher on irrigated plots, particularly during the tassel emergence and flowering stages. Average infestation in irrigated areas reached 47,8 % during maize ripening, compared to 42,8 % in non-irrigated fields. A moderate negative correlation was found between precipitation and aphid infestation (r = -0,34), while a weak positive correlation existed with air temperature (r = 0,19). Irrigation was found to modify the microclimate significantly, reducing air temperature by 2,4-6,1 °C and increasing humidity to 78-100 %, depending on timing and water volume, with nocturnal irrigation producing the most gradual changes.

In addition, irrigation enhanced the abundance of natural aphid predators. Populations of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae were 2,2 and 1,7 times higher, respectively, in irrigated fields compared to non-irrigated plots. Key predator species, including Chrysopa carnea Steph., played a critical role in controlling aphid populations, demonstrating that irrigation can indirectly support biocontrol mechanisms.

Overall, the study highlights that irrigation not only increases maize productivity but also influences aphid population dynamics and predator activity. These findings emphasise the importance of integrated water and pest management strategies to optimise crop yields and strengthen the ecological resilience of maize agroecosystems in Ukraine.