Pre-sowing seed treatment with a biostimulant as an element of improving the development of sugar beet plants under conditions of global climate change

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to scientifically justify the agroecological and economic efficiency of using different dosages of the innovative biostimulant Epivio Energy to stabilize the productivity potential of the hybrid SIOUX under conditions of increasing hydrothermal stress and implementing the “Green Digital Transition" strategy”. The research methods were based on conducting field experiments in the Rivne branch of the UIESR during 2025 with using of visual-morphological observations and measurement-weight analyses. A systematic approach to calculating the emission profile of the technology was carried out using the product life cycle assessment methodology. The results of scientific research have shown that in conditions of precipitation deficit in the period "sowing – full emergence" the seed treatment allows beet seedligs to use soil moisture much more efficiently and activate vital energy in the initial stages of vegetation. Experiments have shown that in variant with the usage of the maximum rate of biostimulant 15 ml/s.u. all seedlings appear 3 days earlier than in the control variant, and the duration of the active period of vegetative mass accumulation increases by 3 days. It has been experimentally confirmed that the intensification of initial organogenesis leads to a significant increase in economic indicators: the yield of roots in the variant with the maximum dosage was 110,5 t/ha, which provided an increase of 17,6% compared to the control. Of particular note is the overcoming of the traditional physiological barrier "yield-sugar content", since at the highest productivity the sugar content also increased to 20,4%, which is 0,5% higher than the basic indicators. This allowed to obtain a sugar yield of 22,5 t/ha. The calculation of the carbon footprint showed that with total emissions of 414,9 kg СО2e/ha, where a significant share is occupied by fuel (61,8%), the intensification of the technology allows to reduce the specific emission per ton of sugar by 16,9% (from 22,19 to 18,44 kg СО2e/t). Also a positive effect on the architectonics of beet roots was recorded: a decrease in the percentage of roots completely buried in the soil to 24,3% versus 29,8% in the control, which minimizes soil resistance during harvesting and reduces diesel fuel consumption. Research conclusions confirm that the usage of the studied biostimulant at a dose of 15 ml/p.o. is an agroecologically justified and cost-effective measure that allows optimizing the emission profile of the crop and ensures the competitiveness of agricultural production in the context of decarbonization of the economy and the requirements of the European Union's "Green Deal" to reduce the carbon footprint of food products.