Economic and energy evaluation of sainfoin growing technology elements for green feed
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Demydas G. I. , Lyhosherst E. S. ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Svystunova I. V. ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
Published: January 2022

One of the main directions of fodder production intensification is the cultivation of fodder crops and fodder harvesting from them at the lowest cost of energy and labor resources, the maximum yield of fodder products per unit area, and 1 UAH of production costs. To successfully perform this task, it is necessary, first of all, to increase the productivity of forage crops, the use of cost-effective and energy-saving technologies and increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. One of the most valuable perennial legumes is sainfoin, which is characterized by high fodder value, unpretentiousness to growing conditions and has great agronomic value. At the same time, the existing technologies for growing sainfoin for fodder purposes remain energy- and resource intensive. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of mineral fertilizers and seed inoculation on the economic and energy efficiency of the sainfoin growing technology on green fodder. Experimental studies were conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station" on typical low-humus chernozem. Experimental research was conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station". The scheme of the experiment included the following factors: factor A - varieties of sainfoin: Amethyst Donetskyi, Adam, Smaragd; factor B - fertilizer, inoculation: 1) without fertilizers, 2) N45R60K90 + seeds inoculation, 3) P60K90 + seeds inoculation. As nitrogen fertilizer was used ammonium nitrate 34%, phosphorus - simple superphosphate 19%, potassium - potassium salt 56%. Method of sowing - row, spring, coverless. Inoculation was performed by Rhizotorphin. Economic evaluation of the results of field experiments was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods developed by the Institute of Cereals NAAS, the Institute of Feed and Agriculture of Podillya NAAS, NSC "Institute of Agrarian Economics" and other research institutions. Calculations of energy efficiency of growing sainfoin for green fodder were calculated according to the "Methodology of bioenergy assessment of technologies for the production of livestock products and feed." According to the economic assessment, the calculations of monetary and material costs are performed taking into account the full mechanization of works. The costs for them are calculated according to the technological maps developed in the process of research. The cost of seeds, fertilizers and fuel was taken at wholesale prices as of January 1. 2019, 1 ton of fodder units of sainfoin was equated to the cost of 1 ton of feed grain. According to the results of research, it was found that when setting up an experiment with different varieties of sainfoin, both with the introduction of mineral fertilizers and without them, the costs were the same. Economic indicators differed significantly at the end of the growing season, as the productivity of different varieties of sainfoin differed significantly not only due to the biological characteristics of varieties, but also as a result of their different reactions to mineral fertilizers. According to the obtained results of the calculation, among the studied varieties of sainfoin the highest conditionally net profit (13354-16504 UAH/ha) and the level of profitability (129-176%), as well as the lowest cost of 1 ton of feed units (1431-1627 UAH per 1 ton) and crude protein (UAH 8393–7291 per 1 ton) were observed on crops of sainfoin Amethyst Donetskyi. In general, the most economically feasible in terms of profitability (176%) was the cultivation of this variety in the absence of fertilizer. The highest indicators of EEC (energy efficiency coefficient) (4.6-6.3) were observed for the cultivation of sainfoin variety Amethyst Donetskyi in the absence of mineral fertilizer or application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers only.