ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF RED PEPPER FIELD CROP UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZATION METHODS

Abstract

The efficientization of red pepper field crop represents an objective for farmer, so that the profit level would allow him to restart the annual cycle of production process and the satisfaction of its own and family financial needs. The objective of our research was to make evident the influence of the interactions between the varieties cultivated (c1-Cornel and c2-Granat) and some modernized technological steps of the crop technology (irrigation methods applied: a1 – not irrigated control variant; a2 – furrow irrigation; a3 – sprinkling irrigation; a4 – drip irrigation; a5 – mixed irrigation – drip + sprinkling) and the types of fertilizers used: b1 – classical fertilizers: NH4NO3, (NH4)SO4, K2SO4, CaCO3 and b2 – modern Kemira-type fertilizers: Cropcare and Ferticare). The economic efficiency analysis of red pepper crop under the singular influence and of the interaction between the experimental factors (variety, irrigation methods and types of fertilizers used) leads to the conclusion that the biggest profit is achieved from the variety Cornel (c1) in all four irrigation methods (excluding the control variant not irrigated), under the influence exerted by the Kemira-type fertilizers (b2), but also the influence exerted by the classical fertilizers (b1), in comparison with the variety Granat (c2). A decisive influence upon profit is provided by the Kemira-type fertilizers (b2), as a consequence of the achievement of high yields, in terms of quantity and quality as well. The biggest profit achieved is in a2b2 – 27111 lei/ha (126.9% compared to a5b1), then by a3b2 – 23761 lei/ha (123.85 compared to a3b1). In terms of percentages, the following profits are evident: a4b2 – 153.7% (10997 lei/ha) compared to a4b1 (100%) and a2b2 – 151.1% (4206 lei/ha) compared to a2b1 (100%). As final conclusion, in terms of profit and profit rate, the irrigation methods a3 (sprinkling irrigation) and a5 (mixed irrigation: drip + sprinkling) were efficient, and the Kemira-type fertilizers (b2) were efficient, too, in correlation with the utilization in crop of the variety Cornel.