Economic and energy efficiency of growing different varieties of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) for fodder

Abstract

The cultivation of red clover for fodder purposes on typical low-humus chernozems of the northern part of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine is profitable. Regardless of the technology components, it provides a net profit of UAH 14,962-23,743 per hectare with a profitability of 88-259% and a cost of 1 ton of feed units of UAH 1,415-2,662 and raw protein of UAH 5,363-10,265, a payback of energy costs in terms of gross energy (EER) yield per hectare of 6.2-9.0 and metabolisable energy (BER) yield per hectare of 3.2-4.6, with energy costs per 1 ton of feed units of 2.86-4.20 GJ. The purpose of the study was to determine changes in the economic and energy efficiency of growing different varieties of red clover for fodder purposes depending on the methods of sowing, seed inoculation with nodule bacteria and fertilisation. During the research, the following methods were used: field and laboratory – for conducting research in the field and laboratory conditions, analytical – to determine the chemical composition of dry biomass of red clover, calculation - to determine the indicators of economic and energy efficiency. The best rates of economic and energy efficiency of red clover cultivation are provided by the variety Typhoon when seeds are inoculated with nodule bacteria on fertiliser-free soil. The additional application of P60K90 or N60R60K90 against the background of inoculation, which is necessary to preserve soil fertility, worsens them, reducing net profit by 3,486-5,943 UAH/ha