Bioenergetic and economic parameters of pea cultivation evaluation under different schemes of pre-sowing treatment of seeds and precursors

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the bioenergetic and economic parameters of cultivating field pea cv. Madonna under differ- ent combinations of inoculants and seed-applied fungicides, conditional on previous crop (winter wheat or sunflower) in the Steppe zone of Ukraine, and to identify technologies with the highest energy return and profitability. Methods. In 2023–2025, a two-factor field experiment was conducted on common Chernozem: factor A – previous crop (winter wheat; sunflower); factor B –seed pre-sowing treatment untreated control; fungicides Vibrance RFC, Redigo, Spherico, Avido; inoculants Rizolain + Rizosave, Atuva + Premax; and their inoculant + fungicide combinations. The bioenergetic assess- ment included total energy inputs, gross energy output of the yield, energy intensity per tonne, and the energy efficiency coefficient. Economic indicators comprised gross output value, conditional net profit, and profitability per hectare. Results. After winter wheat, at yields of 2.53–2.90 t · ha−1 and total energy inputs of 16,40–16,83 GJ · ha−1, the high- est values were recorded for inoculant + fungicide combinations; Rizolain + Rizosave + Vibrance RFC achieved an EEC of 2.59 and the lowest energy intensity – 5.80 GJ · t−1. Inoculation without fungicide Rizolain + Rizosave provided an EEC of 2.54. Fungicides without inoculation were inferior, with EEC = 2.40–2.44. After sunflower, absolute values were lower, yet schemes with inoculation retained superi- ority; the best inoculant + fungicide combinations reached EEC = 2.41. Economic outcomes mirrored the energy results: after winter wheat, maximum conditional net profit was 12.1–12.2 thousand UAH · ha−1 with profitability up to 62 %, whereas after sunflower it was 9.67–9.76 thousand UAH·ha−1 with 49–50 % profitability. Conclusions. The previous crop is a decisive systemic factor: following winter wheat yields were higher, energy intensity per tonne lower, and the energy efficiency coefficient greater than after sunflower. Inoculation should be considered the baseline technological practice; adding a compatible fungicide stabilizes performance and delivers maximal energy and economic efficiency. Under resource constraints, inoculation alone is an economically justified option, particularly after sunflower.