The Influence of the Gray Forest Soil Moisture Level on the Accumulation of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu in Spring Barley Grain

Among a number of climate-related factors, moisture has the greatest impact on crop productivity. In recent years, certain changes have been observed under conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine with regard to precipitation – from low to in some cases – abnormally high, which requires the study of their impact on the yield and safety of cereal grain for its forecasted production. The article examined the effect of a high level of soil moisture (256.2–272.5 mm) and a low level (47.4–52.3 mm) during the growing season (germination→earing) of spring barley grain on the accumulation of heavy metals in it and its productivity under the conditions of gray forest soils of the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Spring barley varieties Helios and Caesar were selected for the research. A decrease in the accumulation coefficient at a high level of soil moisture (256.6–272.5 mm) in spring barley grain Pb from 8.3% to 11.3%, Cd – from 35.0% to 35.5%, Zn was established – by 15% and Cu – from 11.2% to 16.6% compared to the low level of soil moisture (47.1 mm – 53.3 mm). At the same time, it was found that with a high level of soil moisture, there is a decrease in the yield of Helios and Caesar spring barley by 18.0% and 14.1%, respectively.