Valeria V. Vakazheva, a student of МАЕ-50 group

Scientific adviser:  Svitlana M. Svyderska, PhD (Geography), Associate Professor
Odessa State Environmental University

Презентация

 

‘Impact of Agrometeorological Conditions on the Development of Colorado Potato Beetle Population and Potato Productivity Formation in the Chernihiv Province’

І. Brief Project Description

The paper is based on the model for potato yield formation, which is elaborated by the author and includes description of the impact of agrometeorological conditions on the development of Colorado potato beetle population and its harmful effect on potato crops and yield formation on the whole. Experimental research into the impact of external environment factors on the photosynthetic productivity of potato plants are carried out, and the influence of external environment factors on formation of the photosynthetic productivity of plants and development of the Colorado potato beetle population in their complex interconnection is quantitatively assessed.

 ІІ. Topicality

Potato is one of the key crops in Ukraine. Numerous researches established that potato of the cultivated species as a plant of temperate climate is distinguished by its significant flexibility, and its most sustainable yields are obtained in the areas of middle latitudes with relatively low temperature in the vegetation period.

Various ways for potato use are predefined by its valuable properties. Tubers contain starch of high quality (11 – 16%), 1 – 2% of protein, vitamins and other substances which make it exceptionally significant foodstuff. Potato, as well as root crops, is a good cattle feed. It is in the first place among all vegetable forage for its assimilability of organic substance (83-97%). Potato tubers are good-quality feedstock for industrial production of valuable products. It is possible to get 112 l of alcohol, 55 kg of liquid carbonic acid, 0.39 l of fusel oil and 1500 l of distillery slop, or 170 kg of starch and 1000 kg of fiber, or 80 kg of glucose and 65 kg of hydrolate and other products out of just 1 t of potato with the starch content of 17.6%. Processing of potato into foodstuff and semifinished goods offers new great opportunities for its use.

Considerable fluctuations in potato productivity are due to both the impact of weather conditions on the photosynthetic productivity of plants and the influence of the same conditions on the extent of vermin population development and propagation of various infections which condition their harmfulness. The most widespread potato pest is the Colorado beetle population, the extent of development of which depends on the agrometeorological conditions which have taken shape. The largest decline in the yield is caused by phytophthora. The loss of yield due to the detrimental influence of pests and diseases can make up 20-30% and more. Thus, during assessment of the conditions for yield formation it is essential to examine the complex of interrelated and interdependent processes and phenomena in the ‘environment-vermin-plant’ system. This governs topicality for elaboration of a mathematical model for ecological interactions which are observed in this system.

 ІІІ. Methods and Research Methodology

A research method is the ‘environment-vermin-plant’ system, considered as a complex dynamic system which develops under the impact of endogenous and exogenous factors. Research methodology is ecological interactions in the ‘environment-vermin-plant’ system, their analysis and modelling (in relation to the potato crop) for the soil-climate conditions in Ukraine. In the course of implementation of the thesis the experimental method for research into the photosynthetic productivity of plants and the method for mathematical modelling of plants’ production process were used.

IV. Novelty

The scientific novelty consists in the following results obtained for the soil-climatic conditions in Ukraine:

           – The dynamic model for ecological interactions in the ‘environment-infection-vermin-plant’ system, which simulates the influence of external environment factors on formation of the potato crop productivity, development of the Colorado potato beetle population in their complex interconnection, is under study;

           – Identification of the model parameters, which characterize the process of yield formation (productivity of photosynthesis, mass increase, increase of assimilatory apparatus, growing functions in the periods of vegetative and reproductive growth), development of the Colorado potato beetle population and its harmfulness, is carried out;

           – The patterns of the impact of photic and water regimes on the potato photosynthetic productivity are established;

           – The quantitative indices of external environment factors to influence  Colorado beetle population development are determined and the quantitative criteria for decline in potato yield in connection with the harmful influence of the beetle are suggested.

V. Practical significance

The received results make it possible to establish the patterns for potato yield formation and the Colorado beetle development under the impact of external environment factors. This enables finding solutions to the problems of the agrometeorological provision of potato growing.