Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world. Increased potato yields are often the result of the unnecessary use of large amountsof chemical fertilizers, which leads to environmental pollution. Microbiological fertilizers are a safe alternative to mineral fertilizers. In this regard, a study of the biological efficacy of the microbiological fertilizer “Ecorik” (Bacillus subtilis subsp.Subtilis, strain BR-1256 - 1-109 CFU/cm3) was carried out on potato plants of the Kolombavariety in 2019-20 in FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection” under the conditions of the central agro-climatic zone of Krasnodar Krai with the application rate of 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 L/ha. The areaof the experimental plots was 100 m2, thearea of the registration plots was 50 m2. The experiment was repeated four times. Potato planting rate - 2 T/ha. Potato planting scheme: 0.3 × 0.7 m. Application of the microbiological fertilizer “Ecorik” increased theheightof plants up to 21.5%, the massof tops - up to 24.3%. In the seed and food fractions, thelargest number and weight of tubers were recorded in the “Ecorik” variant,3.0 and 4.0 L/ha. The largestmass ofmarketable tubers was recorded inthe “Ecorik” variant, 4.0 L/ha - 133.7% higher than thecontrol values, 24.3 and 2.3% higher than the experimental ones. The content of nitratenitrogen, starch and vitamin C waswithin thenormal range in all variants ofthe experiment. Thus, from an economic point of view, the best option was the use of the microbiological fertilizer “Ecorik”with an application rate of 4.0 L/ha. The use of microbiological fertilizers can minimizethe harmfuleffects of chemical fertilizers, as well as promote plant growtand increase their yield andquality.