An optimization model for evaluating the economic effect of foliar treatment with biostimulants on spring rape
¹Institute of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Academy, Department ‘Economics and Management of Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Policy’, Str., ‘Tsarigradsko shose’ No 125, block 1, BG1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
²New Bulgarian University, Department ‘Economics’, Ovcha Kupel 2, 21 Montevideo Blvd, BG1618 Sofia, Bulgaria
³New Bulgarian University, Department ‘Administration and Management’, Ovcha Kupel 2, 21 Montevideo Blvd, BG1618 Sofia, Bulgaria
*Correspondence: angel.sarov@gmail.com
Abstract:
The aim of the study is to evaluate the economic effect of foliar treatment with biostimulants: chitosan, vermicompost and vermicompost + nature-identical growth regulator on organic production of spring rape on organic production of spring rape. Two-years field trials were conducted using a block method with foliar treatment in 2 phenological phases (in rosette and flowering phase). The biological response of the culture at different doses of the biostimulators was investigated. The obtained primary results were used as input data for the construction of an economic-mathematical model for economic evaluation The treatment of spring rape with biostimulators has a positive effect on the yield of the crop. After that, a specific agricultural holding in the region is selected, which will serve as a model on which to construct the optimization model for evaluating the economic efficiency. In this farm, along with the intended crops in the production structure, spring canola is added – controls and treated with BS. The results are optimal after using chitosan in a dose of 500 mL daa-1. The results of this research show the economic benefits of using biostimulants, which are extremely important for farmers. They are an alternative to the requirements of the European Union’s Green Deal At the heart of the Green Deal is the Farm to Fork (F2F) and the ‘Biodiversity Strategy’ (BS) strategy, which was launched by the European Commission in May 2020 to achieve a fair, healthy and sustainable food system by 2030. Under the F2F strategy, there is a need to reduce reliance on pesticides and antimicrobials, reducing excess fertilization, increasing areas for organic farming, improving animal welfare and reducing biodiversity loss. With the announcement of the goals and intentions of the Green Deal and its manifestations in agriculture, preparations also began for preliminary assessments of the consequences and impact that it will have on the entire food chain and for its transposition into the Common Agricultural Policy. At the same time, science research on alternatives to traditional conventional technologies is increasing. The results of the studies also took into account a set of assumptions for simulations of farm incomes, production and product prices.
Key words:
biostimulants, economic effect, optimization model, spring rape