11THE INFLUENCE OF CALCIFICATION AND NPK FERTILIZERS ON THE ECONOMICS OF TRITICALE PRODUCTION
Violeta Babic1, Vera Rajicic2, Dragan Terzic3, Marijana Dugalic4, Nenad Duric5, Marija Vucic ' Corresponding author E-mail: babic.violeta@ni.ac.rs
A R T I C L E I N F O Original Article Received: 13 December 2022 Accepted: 25 February 2023 doi:10.59267/ekoPolj2301201B UDC 633.11:631.82.033 Keywords:
fertilization; economy; yield; productivity; profitability; triticale
JEL: Q180
A B S T R A C T
The tests were performed on the property of the Agricultural and Chemical School "Doctor Djordje Radic" in Kraljevo, on pseudogley soil, during a two-year period (2015/16 and 2016/17). Based on the analysis of production value and total variable costs, a production calculation was made. Elements of economic efficiency (productivity, economy and profitability) were calculated for all four variants of fertilization. The tests showed a significant variation in grain yield in the tested fertilization variants. During the two-year research, the T2 variant fertilized with mineral nutrients with increased phosphorus dose (NP2K) had the most favorable values of economic efficiency indicators. Variant T2 can be considered the most profitable and most cost-effective, regardless of the fact that the yield and production value were the highest in variant T4, which is fertilized with a combination of mineral nutrients with increased doses of phosphorus, lime and organic fertilizers.
1 Violeta Babic, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, University of Nis, Faculty of Agriculture, Kosanciceva 4, 37000 Krusevac, Serbia. Phone: +381 60 645 45 45, E-mail: babic.violeta@ ni.ac.rs, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9536-973X)
2 Vera Rajicic, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Principal Research Fellow, University of Nis, Faculty of Agriculture, Kosanciceva 4, 37000 Krusevac, Serbia. Phone: +381 65 229 32 55, E-mail: verarajicic74@gmail.com, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-7073)
3 Dragan Terzic, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Senior Research Associate, University of Nis, Faculty of Agriculture, Kosanciceva 4, 37000 Krusevac, Serbia. Phone: +381 63 309 854, E-mail: dragan.terzic.agro@gmail.com, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0109-7460)
4 Marijana Dugalic, Teaching, Assistant, University of Nis, Faculty ofAgriculture, Kosanciceva 4, 37000 Krusevac, Serbia. Phone: +381 69 604 307, E-mail: marijanadugalic80@gmail. com, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1170-0292)
5 Nenad Duric, Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor, Institute for vegetable crops, Karadordeva 71, 11420 Smederevska Palanka, Serbia. Phone: +381 62 803 53 60, E-mail: nenad.djuric@outlook.com, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5048-454X)
6 Marija Vucic, English teacher, University „Union - Nikola Tesla", Beglrade, Faculty of Business Studies and Law, Jurija Gagarina 149a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Phone:+381 631822 922, E-mail: marija.kezic@fpsp.edu.rs, ORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2854-2648)
Introduction
Triticale is a hybrid plant species that was developed by humans that tends to combine the advantageous traits of both wheat and rye. Triticale's capacity to absorb nutrients during the growth season is influenced by the height of the yield and the size of the vegetative organs. The most typical nitrogen applications in Serbia vary from 80 to 120 kg ha-1, depending on the agrochemical characteristics of the soil (Bekic et al., 2014; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2020a). Large volumes of fertilizers can reduce yields and be detrimental to the environment and the economy, which is a major cause of agroecosystem pollution (BekiC et al., 2016; Rajicic et al., 2019; Madic et al., 2020; Tmusic et al., 2021). Weather and particular site conditions have a big impact on how well fertilizers are used and how much produce is produced (BekiC et al., 2014; Buric et al., 2016; Madic et al., 2018; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2021). Effective nitrogen fertilization is essential for producing grains profitably, as well as safeguarding groundwater and surface waters from contamination brought on by nitrate leaching as a result of excessive and insufficient nitrogen application (Todorovic and Filipovic, 2009; Biberdzic et al., 2012; Babic et al., 2021). Triticale has fewer agro-technical investment requirements than other small grains and is more suited to unfavorable soil and environmental circumstances, which has led to an increase in its use in organic and sustainable agricultural production (Buric et al., 2015; Rajicic et al., 2020a; Babic et al., 2021). When mineral fertilizers are applied to acidic soils in conjunction with lime and manure, the acidity of the soil is reduced, increasing the yield of farmed crops (Buric et al., 2015; Rajicic et al., 2020b; Babic et al., 2021). Due to the higher cost of mineral, lime, and organic fertilizers as well as the higher cost of producing cereals on acidic soils, it is debatable if such practices are profitable. The examination of variable production costs can serve as a foundation for economic analysis in order to produce grains more efficiently and with the highest quality at the lowest possible cost (Vukoje et al., 2011; Biberdzic et al., 2012). Examining the triticale yield and the financial justification for using various fertilizer types and doses during the two growing seasons in the production of triticale on acidic soil were the main objectives of this study.
Material and methods
Experimental design
The tests were conducted over a two-year period (2015/16 and 2016/17) on the premises of the Agricultural-Chemical School "Dr Djordje Radic" in Kraljevo on pseudogley soil. Micro tests were performed on the winter triticale variety Trijumf, which was created at the Center for Small Grains in Kragujevac. The trials were set up using a randomized block system with five repetitions and a plot size of 5 x 10 m2. The experiment included control (C) and four treatments of fertilizers and their combinations (T1-120 kg ha-1 N, 80 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O; T2-120 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O, T3-120 kg ha-1 N, 80 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O and 5 t ha-1 lime and 20 t ha-1 manure and T4-120 kg ha-1 N, 100 leg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O and 5 t ha-1 lime and 20 t ha-1 manure). According to the predetermined timetable, fertilization is carried
out on a regular basis each year using the specified amounts of nutrients. Half of the nitrogen fertilizer, together with the total amount of phosphorus, potassium, lime, and manure fertilizers, is applied before sowing, and the remaining half is added all at once during the full-rooting phase, either at the end of winter or the start of spring. The second decade of October saw the completion of sowing. Standard maintenance practices were used throughout the vegetative season. After the triticale reached full maturity, it was harvested. During this time, the yield was assessed and the moisture content was corrected to 14%.
Soil analysis
The soil on which the experiment was placed belongs to the type of pseudogley soil, heavy mechanical composition and rough unstable structure. Soil fertility is moderate, low pH values (pH in H2O = 5.24 in KCl<4.48), with a humus content of about 2.18% and a total nitrogen content of 0.10 to 0.14%. The easily accessible phosphorus content was low (7-8 mg 100 g-1 of P2O5 soil), while the easily accessible potassium content was moderate (13.8 mg of 100 g-1 K2O soil).
Statistical analysis
Based on the achieved research results, the parameters of descriptive statistics were calculated: average values and standard deviation. Statistical data processing was performed in the Analyst module of the SAS/STAT program (SAS Institut, 2000).
Indicators of economic efficiency of triticale production
Based on the analysis of the value of triticale production and total variable costs, the calculation of production and elements of economic efficiency (productivity, economy and profitability) for all four variants of fertilization was done. Coverage of variable costs of triticale production per hectare was calculated based on the following formula:
CVC = Q - VC, when Q = (q • c)
CVC - coverage of variable costs
Q- value of production
VC- variable costs
q- quantity of product
c- price of the product per unit of measure
A calculation of triticale production was made on the basis of variable costs for all four variants of fertilization. Based on the obtained data, a comparison of triticale production was made between different fertilization variants.
Meteorological conditions
The research was conducted during two consecutive seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17) in the Raska district, Central Serbia, on the type of pseudogley soil, in the secondary agricultural school "Doctor Djordje Radic", in Kraljevo (43° 43'00"N, 20° 40'60"E). The study area is Kraljevo, located at an altitude of about 192-217 m in the zone of temperate continental climate, with an average annual temperature of 11.5°C and the amount of precipitation of about 580-790 mm.
Table 1. Mean monthly air temperatures and precipitation in Kraljevo, Serbia (2015-2017), in relation to many years average (1980-2010)
Interval X XI XII I II III IV V VI Average
Mean monthly air temperature (oC)
2015/16 11.6 7.3 2.3 -0.1 8.8 7.8 14.1 15.5 21.3 9.84
2016/17 10.6 6.8 0.0 -5.0 4.5 10.3 11.3 16.2 24.2 8.77
Average 11.8 6.0 1.9 0.3 2.3 6.8 11.8 16.7 19.8 8.60
The amount of precipitation (mm)
2015/16 56.8 64.0 9.0 86.2 52.7 157.9 39.9 135.9 48.6 651.0
2016/17 84.1 77.6 9.4 27.1 35.3 57.7 82.1 99.9 56.2 529.4
Average 57.3 56.6 56.1 45.1 45.4 52.9 62.6 71.2 92.2 539.4
Source: https://www.hidmet.gov.rs/ciril/meteorologija/agrometeorologija.php
The data shown in Table 1 for the studied vegetation period (2015-2017) clearly indicate that the years in which the tests were performed at average temperatures differed from the multi-year average, which is characteristic for the Kraljevo area. The average air temperature was higher for 1.24°C in 2015/16 and 0.17°C in 2016/17 than the multi-year average temperature.
Average amount of precipitation was 10.0 mm lower in 2016/17 and 111.6 mm higher in 2015/16. Starting from the fact that sufficient amounts of precipitation in March and May are very important for the successful production of small grains, it can be concluded that the first year of research (2015/16) had a better or more even distribution of precipitation by months, which increased yields.
It was found that newly created high-yielding varieties of triticale are less responsive to temperature deviations (except extremes) than is the case with precipitation (Djekic et al., 2011; Milovanovic et al., 2011; Kendal et al., 2014; Buric et al., 2016; Terzic et al., 2018). Namely, the total amount of precipitation is reflected in the multi-year average, but the schedule, especially in the critical phases of development, is significantly disturbed. It has been determined that winter precipitation significantly affects the realization of the production potential of wheat (Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2021). In addition to the necessary reserves for the spring part of the vegetation, winter precipitation greatly affects the distribution of easily accessible nitrogen in the soil (Kondic et al., 2012; Lalevic et al., 2012; Jelic et al., 2013; Bekic et al., 2018; Djuric et al., 2018; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2019).
Results and Discussion Grain yield
The average values of grain yield with different variants of fertilization in winter triticale grown in the Agricultural and Chemical School "Doctor Djordje Radic" in Kraljevo, during the two growing seasons, are shown in Table 2. In the first year of research (2015/16), the Trijumf variety achieved the highest grain yield of 5.876 t ha-1 in the T4 treatment fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P2O5, 60 kg ha-1 Kp, with 5 t ha-1 CaCO3 and 20 t ha-1 manure, and the lowest yield was achieved by the control (0.970 t ha-1). In the second year of research (2016/17), the highest yield of5.203 t ha-1 was in the T4 variant where a combination of NPK was applied with increased content of phosphorus, lime and organic fertilizers.
Table 2. Grain yield of winter triticale in Kraljevo, Serbia
Fertilization Years Average
2015-2016 2016-2017
x Sd x Sd x Sd
C 0.970 0,198 0.810 0.219 0.890 0.214
T1 5.036 0.491 4.500 0.244 4.768 0.462
T2 5.304 0.395 4.761 0.387 5.032 0.467
T3 5.704 0.268 4.999 0.376 5.351 0.482
T4 5.876 0.315 5.203 0.276 5.540 0.452
Source: Authors
In the treatments T2 and T4 in which mineral nutrients with a higher dose of phosphorus were applied, good results in increasing the yield were showed, which is the result of lower content of available phosphorus and high acidity on the examined soil. Agronomic efficiency of phosphorus had a tendency to increase yields with increasing applied doses (Bekic et al., 2014; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2020a). In studies conducted by Jelic et al. (2015), it is found that the largest increase in yield with one kilogram of nutrient used was in nitrogen, followed by phosphorus, and the least in potassium. Bekic et al. (2014) and Terzic et al. (2018), state that the yield and grain yield components of triticale vary significantly depending on the applied doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their mutual combinations and conditions of the growing season, as well as on their complex interactions. In addition to the genotype, the grain yield of winter triticale is greatly influenced by the fertilization system, which is one of the key factors influencing the aount of the formed yield and its quality, but it should be harmonized with climatic and soil conditions and variety requirements (Milovanovic et al., 2014; Kondic et al., 2012; Buric et al., 2015; Bekic et al., 2016; Biberdzic et al., 2017; Madic et al., 2018; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2020a; Babic et al., 2021). High influence on grain yield by application of mineral, lime and organic fertilizers on acid soils was established by Jelic et al. (2013) and Rajicic et al. (2020b), which is in accordance with our research.
Table 3. The analysis of variance for grain yieldin Kraljevo, Serbia
Effect df Mean sqr Effect Mean sqr Error F p-level
Year, (Y) 1, 48 3.425 3.230 1.060 0.308
Fertilization, (F) 4, 45 37.564 0.183 205.383** 0.000
Year x Fertilization, (YxF) 4, 40 0.117 0.108 1.083 0.378
nsnon significant; *significant at 0.05; **significant at 0.01; Source: Authors
During the two-year study, the yield of triticale was higher in all variants of fertilization compared to the control variant, which was confirmed by the analysis of variance where fertilization showed a very significant effect on grain yield (Table 3). Dekic et al. (2014), Jelic et al. (2015), Terzic et al. (2018), Rajicic et al. (2020b) and Tmusic et al. (2021) found that the application of mineral fertilizers had a significant impact on grain yield, ie the yield was significantly higher on variants that were fertilized more intensively. The highest average yield of triticale for all analyzed variants of fertilization was achieved in the production year 2015/16, which is significantly higher than the yield recorded in 2016/17. This is understandable, since in the vegetation year 2016, 121.6 mm more water sediment fell compared to the vegetation year 2017 (Table 1).
Economic efficiency of triticale production
Based on the value of triticale production per hectare, calculations based on variable costs were made. The value of production is determined by multiplying the quantity of products and their market price. The financial result or profit is obtained by subtracting variable costs from the value of production.
Table 4. Calculation of triticale production in T1 variant of fertilization (NPjK)
Elements of calculation 2016 2017
Measure unit Quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. cost % Quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. cost %
a) Value of production 85612 81000
Mercantile grain kg 5036 17 85612 4500 18 81000
b) Raw material (1+2+3) 26660 58.39 27260 58.93
1. Seeds kg 300 45 13500 29.57 300 47 14100 30.48
2. Mineral fertilizers
N^K kg 260 41 10660 23.35 260 41 10660 23.04
3. Means of protection l 2.5 1000 2500 5.47 2.5 1000 2500 5.41
c) Propulsion and labor services (4+5+6) 19000 41.61 19000 41.07
4. Tractors 9000 19.71 9000 19.45
Elements of calculation 2016 2017
Measure unit Quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. cost % Quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. cost %
5. Combine harvester 6000 13.14 6000 12.97
6. Workforce h 20 200 4000 8.76 20 200 4000 8.65
d) Total variable costs (b+c) 45660 46260
e) The corresponding part of the general costs 2500 2700
f) Total costs (d+e) 48160 48960
g) Profit (a-f) 37452 32040
Source: Authors
Variable costs during the production of triticale are: costs of materials (seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides), costs of propulsion machines (tractors, combine harvesters) and labor. Since we examined four different variants of fertilization (without control), we made a separate calculation for each of them (Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7).
Table 5. Calculation of triticale production in T2 variant of fertilization (NP2K)
Elements of calculation 2016 2017
Measure unit quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct costs % quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. costs %
a) Value of production 90168 85698
Mercantile grain kg 5304 17 90168 4761 18 85698
b) Raw materials (1+2+3) 27480 59.12 28080 59.14
1. Seeds kg 300 45 13500 29.04 300 47 14100 29.69
2. Mineral fertilizers
np2k kg 280 41 11480 24.70 280 41 11480 24.18
3. Means of protection l 2,5 1000 2500 5.38 2.5 1000 2500 5.27
c) Propulsion and labor services (4+5+6) 19400 40.88 19400 40.86
4. Tractors 9000 18.97 9000 18.95
5. Combine harvester 6000 12.64 6000 12.64
6. Workforce h 22 200 4400 9.27 22 200 4400 9.27
d) Total variable costs (b+c) 46880 47480
e) The corresponding part of the general costs 2500 2700
f) Total costs (d+e) 49380 50180
g) Profit (a-f) 40788 35518
Source: Authors
Based on the obtained data from the calculations of triticale production, in four different fertilization variants (Tables 4-7), we found that, during the research, the value of triticale production and grain yield was increased by applying larger quantities and types of fertilizers (from T1 to T4). The total profit for different fertilization variants during 2016 and 2017 increased from T1 to T2 variant, and then it decreased at T3 and T4 variant, where the profit was the lowest. The decrease in profits in fertilizer variants T3 and T4, in relation to variants T1 and T2, is a consequence of increased costs of mineral fertilizers for lime and organic fertilizers.
Table 6. Calculation of triticale production in T3 variant of fertilization (NP1K+CaCO3+manure)
Elements of calculation 2016 2017
Measure unit quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct costs % quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct costs %
a) Value of production 96968 89982
Mercantile grain kg 5704 17 96968 4999 18 89982
b) Raw materials (1+2+3) 59160 72.89 62260 73.89
1. Seeds kg 300 45 13500 16.63 300 47 14100 16.73
2. Mineral fertilizers
NP^ kg 260 41 10660 13.13 260 41 10660 12.65
CaCO3 kg 5000 3 15000 18.48 5000 3 15000 17.80
Manure kg 20000 1 20000 24.64 20000 1 20000 23.74
3. Means of protection l 2.5 1000 2500 3.08 2.5 1000 2500 2.97
c) Propulsion and labor services (4+5+6) 22000 27.11 22000 26.11
4. Tractors 10000 12.33 10000 11.87
5. Combine harvester 6000 7.39 6000 7.12
6. Workforce h 30 200 6000 7.39 30 200 6000 7.12
d) Total variable costs (b+c) 81160 84260
e) The corresponding part of the general costs 3000 3300
f) Total costs (d+e) 84160 87560
g) Profit (a-f) 12808 2422
Source: Authors
The established values of variable costs for different fertilizer variants, where the largest share falls on the cost of raw materials (seeds, mineral fertilizers, lime, manure and crop protection products), during 2016 varied from 58.39% for variant T1, which is fertilized with mineral nutrients with a lower dose of phosphorus, up to 73.44% in variant T4 which is fertilized with mineral nutrients with a higher dose of phosphorus, lime and manure. Also, the values of variable costs during 2017 varied and ranged from 58.93% for variant T1 to 73.89% for variant T3, which is fertilized with mineral nutrients with a lower dose of phosphorus, lime and manure.
Table 7. Calculation of triticale production in T4 variant of fertilization (NP2K+CaCO3+manure)
Elements of calculation 2016 2017
Measure unit quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct costs % quantity Price in RSD Amount Struct. costs %
a) Value of production 99892 89982
Mercantile grain kg 5876 17 99892 4999 18 89982
b) Raw materials (1+2+3) 62480 73.44 63080 73.63
1. Seeds kg 300 45 13500 15.87 300 47 14100 16.46
2. Mineral fertilizers
NP^ kg 280 41 11480 13.49 280 41 11480 13.40
CaCO3 kg 5000 3 15000 17.63 5000 3 15000 17.51
Manure kg 20000 1 20000 23.51 20000 1 20000 23.34
3. Means of protection 1 2.5 1000 2500 2.94 2.5 1000 2500 2.92
c) Propulsion and labor services (4+5+6) 22600 26.56 22600 26.37
4. Tractors 10000 11.31 10000 11.67
5. Combine harvester 6000 7.05 6000 7.00
6. Workforce h 33 200 6600 7.76 33 200 6600 7.70
d) Total variable costs (b+c) 85080 85680
e) The corresponding part of the general costs 3000 3300
f) Total costs (d+e) 88080 88980
g) Profit (a-f) 11812 1002
Source: Authors
The costs of seeds and fertilizers had the highest costs for raw materials.Fertilizer costs varied depending on the type and quantity, so that in 2016 they were the lowest in the T1 variant (23.35%), and the highest in the T4 variant of fertilization (54.63%). In the second year of the research (2017), the costs of fertilizers were the lowest in the T1 variant (23.04%), and the highest in the T4 variant of fertilization (54.25%). With the increase of grain yield, with the increased quantities of applied fertilizers, the variable production costs are increased significantly.
A significant increase in fertilizer costs in wheat production, of 35.75%, was found by Todorovic and Filipovic (2009), and in triticale production of 57.53%, Biberdzic et al. (2012). In the production of triticale with different variants of fertilization, Biberdzic et al. (2012), point out that the lowest costs of fertilizers were in variant I, which was fertilized with mineral nutrients (28.61%), and the highest in variant III, which was fertilized with a combination of NPK, lime and organic nutrients (57.53%).
Other variable costs, during 2016, were the costs of propulsion machines (tractors and combines) and labor, and they ranged from 26.12% in the T4 variant to 41.61% in the T1 fertilization variant. During 2017, other variable costs ranged from 26.11% for the T3 variant to 41.07% for the T1 fertilization variant. The obtained results of variable costs are similar to the results obtained by Biberdzic et al. (2012), in triticale production and Ivanovic et al. (2010) in wheat production in Serbia.
The total variable costs per hectare, in both years of research, were the lowest in the T1 variant of fertilization, and the highest in the T4 variant, which is understandable considering the quantities and prices of applied fertilizers. Increased amounts of applied fertilizers significantly affect the increase in yield (Biberdzic et al., 2017; Dekic et al., 2018; Madic et al., 2018; Terzic et al., 2018; Rajicic et al., 2020b). With the increase in the amount of applied fertilizers, the variable production costs increase, that is, the profitability of production increases (Todorovic and Filipovic, 2009; Ivanovic et al., 2010; Biberdzic et al., 2012).
In order to get a more complete picture of the profitability of triticale production with different variants of fertilization, it is necessary to consider other indicators of success, that is, basic indicators of the degree of economic efficiency (productivity, economy and profitability).
Based on the obtained results in the calculations, a comparison of the obtained triticale yields for all four fertilization variants was performed.
Labor productivity was determined based on the amount of products obtained (grain yield) for all four variants of fertilization per unit time (Table 8).
In the variant T1 which was fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 N, 80 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O during 2016, the highest labor productivity of 251.8 was achieved, and the lowest in the variant T4 (178.1) which was fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P2O5; 60 kg ha-1 K2O, 5 t ha-1 lime and 20 t ha-1 manure. This is expected, given that on the T4 variant were spent more hours of working (33 hours) than on the other variants.
During the second year of research, production conditions are worse (uneven amount of precipitation), which is reflected in the decline in yield, so with the same labor costs, in each of the observed variants of fertilization there is a decline in productivity.
Table 8. Production productivity in 2016 and 2017
Elements Variants of fertilization
2016 2017
T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4
Quantity of obtained products 5036 5304 5704 5876 4500 4761 4999 5203
Total hours of work per hour 20 22 30 33 20 22 30 33
Labor productivity (kg/h) 1/2 251.8 241.1 190.1 178.1 225.0 216.4 166.6 157.7
Source: Authors
The economy of production, which is shown in Table 9, was obtained by comparing the realized value of production and the costs incurred during the production of triticale.
Table 9. Economy of production in 2016 and 2017
Elements Variants of fertilization
2016 2017
T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4
The value of production (din/h) 85612 90168 96968 99892 81000 85698 89982 89982
Production costs (din/h) 48160 49380 84160 88080 48960 50180 87560 88980
Coefficient of economy 1/2 1.78 1.83 1.15 1.13 1.65 1.71 1.03 1.01
Source: Authors
Based on the obtained coefficients of economy from Table 9, we can conclude that for 1 dinar of invested funds, from 1.13 to 1.83 dinars was obtained of the production value, depending on the variant of fertilization. Triticale production in 2016 was economical, and the highest rate of economy was found in the T2 variant, which is fertilization with an increased dose of phosphorus (NP2K). In the second year of research, the economy decreases in all variants of fertilization due to bad weather conditions, especially uneven amount of precipitation in critical phases of triticale growth, as well as due to a slight increase in the market price of triticale seeds. This causes a slight decline in the value of production, which is why the coefficient of economy tends to decline slightly. During 2017, as in 2016, the T2 variant (NP2K) had the highest coefficient of economy (1.71). Biberdzic et al. (2012), found the highest production efficiency in the NP2K variant fertilized with mineral nutrients with increased phosphorus dose (1.69). Slightly lower coefficients of economy of 1.32 for spelt and 1.20 for wheat, in the conditions of organic farming, were established by Vukoje et al. (2013). The ratio of the
achieved financial result and the value of production represents the rate of profitability shown in Table 10.
In all tested fertilizer variants, the production of triticale in 2016 was profitable, which is shown by the rate of profitability, which ranged from 11.82% to 45.24%. The highest rate of profitability was found in the T2 variant, which is fertilization with increased phosphorus dose (NP2K), and the lowest in the T4 variant, where a combination of NP2K, lime and organic fertilizers was used. The low rate of profitability on the T4 variant is the result of a low financial result, that is, realized profit. During 2017, the T2 variant of fertilization also shows the highest rate of profitability.
When it comes to acid soils, their pedo-ameliorative repair measures and high yields, one should not always be guided by the highest yield, because it is often not the most profitable, as our research has shown. High prices of fertilizers significantly increase the price of production, so in order to achieve a satisfactory yield and the most profitable production, it is necessary to choose rational quantities of fertilizers.
Table 10. Profitability rate of production in 2016 and 2017
Elements Variants of fertilization
2016 2017
T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4
Financial results (din/h) 37452 40788 12808 11812 32040 35518 2422 1002
The value of production 85612 90168 96968 99892 81000 85698 89982 89982
Profitability rate 1/2 x100 43.75 45.24 13.21 11.82 39.56 41.45 2.69 1.11
Source: Authors
In the production of winter triticale, the costs of mineral fertilizers form the largest part of direct costs (Bielski and Falkovski, 2017; Kadakoglu et al., 2021), so it is often not possible to compensate for such high costs with yields. In the conditions of manure application, there is an increase in costs, but also in an increase in yield and better financial results. It is an environmentally justified method that affects product quality (Jelic et al., 2015; Rajicic et al., 2020a).
Conclusions
Sustainable development of agriculture is not possible without the simultaneous achievement of environmental, economic and social goals. The profitability of agricultural production depends on the ratio of prices and production costs, so the reduction of inputs is a condition for achieving profitability in agriculture. More intensive technologies require high costs.
Based on the study of the effects of fertilization on yield, productivity, economy and profitability of triticale production on acidic soils, we have come to the following conclusions:
The value production and grain yield of triticale, during the two-year research (2016 and 2017), increased with the application of larger quantities and types of fertilizers. The total profit, in different variants of fertilization, increased from T1 to T2 variant, and then decreased in T3 and T4 variant, which is a consequence of increased costs of mineral fertilizers, lime and organic fertilizers. The value of variable costs is different, with different variants of fertilization, and the largest part falls on the cost of raw materials. The costs of seeds and fertilizers have the largest share in the costs of raw materials. With the increase of grain yield, and with the increased quantities of applied fertilizers, the variable production costs increase significantly. The total variable costs per hectare, in both years of research, were the lowest in the T1 variant of fertilization, and the highest in the variant T4, which is understandable considering the quantities and prices of applied fertilizers.Increased amounts of applied fertilizers significantly affect the increase in yield.
In the T1 variant which was fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 N, 80 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 60 kg ha-1 K2O, the highest productivity was achieved, and the lowest in variant T4, which was fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P2O5; 60 kg ha-1 K2O, 5 t ha-1 lime and 20 t ha-1 manure. This is expected, as more hours of working were spent on the T4 variant than on the other variants.
The highest rates of economy and profitability were found in the T2 variant of fertilization, with increased dose of phosphorus (NP2K), and the lowest in the T4 variant, where a combination of NP2K, lime and organic fertilizers was used. Variant T2 can be considered the most profitable and most cost-effective, regardless of the fact that the yield and production value were the highest in variant T4, which was fertilized with a combination of mineral nutrients with increased doses of phosphorus, lime and organic fertilizers.
Our research points to the fact that on acidic soils, the highest yield is often not the most profitable, which is why a rational amount of fertilizer should be chosen.The combination of NPK, lime and organic fertilizers, as well as the application of NPK fertilizers with an increased dose of phosphorus, is necessary in order to increase the fertility of acid soils, and thus the yield of cultivated crops.
Acknowledgement
This paper is part of the project, Grant number 451-03-09/2021-14/200383, financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of Republic of Serbia.
Conflict of interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
1. Babic V., Rajicic V. & Buric N. (2021): Economic significance, nutritional value and application of triticale. Economic of Agriculture, 68(4): 1089-1107. doi:10.5937/ekoPolj2104089B
2. Biberdzic, M., Maksimovic, G., Barac, S. & Jovovic, Z. (2012): Economic effects of triticale production on acid soils. Economic of Agriculture, 59(4): 579-587.
3. Biberdzic, M., Barac S., Prodanovic D., Bikic A., Bekic V. & Lalevic D. (2017): Impacts of liming and fertilization on yield of two triticale varieties. Proceedings of VIII International Scientific Agriculture Symposium "Agrosym 2017", Jahorina, October 05-08, 577-582.
4. Bielski, S., & Falkowski, J. (2017): Effect of the nitrogen and magnesium fertilization on yield and economic efficiency of winter triticale production. In Proceedings of the 8th International Scientific Conference Rural Development, Akademija, Lithuania, 23-24 November 2017, 17-23.
5. Vukoje, V., Bodroza-Solarov, M., Vuckovic, J., Kosutic, M. & Zivkovic, J. (2011): Economic effects of spelled production in organic farming system. Economics of Agriculture, 1: 80-87.
6. Vukoje, V., Psodorov, B. & Zivkovic, J. (2013): Profitability of production of pasta from spelt flour. Economic of Agriculture, 60(2): 265-275.
7. Bekic, V., Milovanovic, M., Popovic, V., Milivojevic, J., Staletic, M., Jelic, M. & Perisic, V. (2014): Effects of fertilization on yield and grain quality in winter triticale. Romanian Agricultural Research, 31: 175-183. https://www.mcda-fundulea.ro/rar/nr31/rar31.22.pdf
8. Bekic, V., Milivojevic, J., Perisic, V., Lukovic, K., Jelic, M., Janjic & S.,Terzic, D. (2016): Maximum profitability of triticale to optimizing nutrition. Correlations between the triticale yield of mineral nutrition. Proceedings, XX International Eco-Conference® 2016, 9th Eco-Conference® on Safe Food, 28-30. September 2016, Novi Sad, 251-260.
9. Djekic, V., Mitrovic S., Milovanovic M., Djuric N., Kresovic, B., Tapanarova, A., Djermanovic V. & Mitrovic M. (2011): Implementation of triticale in nutrition of non-ruminant animals. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(30): 5697-5704, DOI: 10.5897/AJB10.986.
10. Bekic, V., Milivojevic, J. & Brankovic, S. (2018): The interaction of genotype and environment on yield and quality components in triticale. Biologica Nyssana, 9(1): September 2018, 45-53, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1470850.
11. Djuric, N., Prodanovic, S., Brankovic G., Djekic V., Cvijanovic G., Zilic S., Dragicevic V., Zecevic V. & Dozet G. (2018): Correlation-Regression Analysis of Morphological-Production Traits of Wheat Varieties. Romanian Biotechnological Letters, 23(2): 13457-13465.
12. Buric, N., Cvijanovic, G., Matkovic, M., Dozet, G., Bekic, V. & Trkulja, V. (2016): Influence of year conditions on grain yield of some winter triticale varieties. Collection of scientific papers of the Institute PKB Agroekonomik, Belgrade, 2425. February 2016, 22 (1-2): 37-42.
13. Buric, N., Cvijanovic, G., Dozet, G., Matkovic, M., Bekic, V. & Trkulja, V. (2015): New winter triticale species developed at Institute PKB Agroekonomik. Selekcija i Semenarstvo, 21(1): 9-16. DOI: 10.5937/SelSem1501009D
14. Ivanovic L., Subic L. & Jelocnik M. (2010): Analysis of variable costscoverage in wheat production. XV Biotechnology consulting, 15(17): 665-670. Cacak.
15. Jelic M., Dugalic G., Milivojevic J. & Bekic V. (2013): Effect of liming and fertilization on yield and quality of oat (Avena sativa L.) on an acid luvisol soil. Romanian Agricultural Research, 30: 249-258. http://incda-fundulea.ro/rar/nr30/ rar30.32.pdf
16. Jelic, M., Jelena Milivojevic, Olivera Nikolic,Vera Bekic & Stamenkovic, S. (2015): Effect of long-term fertilization and soil amendments on yield, grain quality and nutrition optimization in winter wheat on an acidic pseudogley. Romanian Agricultural Research, 32: 165-174.
17. Kadakoglu, B., Karli, B., Gul, M. & Ozuygur, A. (2021): Economic analysis of triticale production: a case study of Corum province, Turkey. Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture & Rural Development, 21(3), 483-490.
18. Kendal, E., Tekdal, S. Aktas, H. & Karaman, M. (2014): Determination Compliance Abilities of Some Triticale Varieties and Comparison with Wheat in Southeastern Anatolia Conditions of Turkey. Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Science, 79(4): 192-200.
19. Kondic, D., Knezevic, D. & Paunovic, A. (2012): Grain weight of genotypes of triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) in agroekological conditions of Banja Luka. Genetics, 44(2): 419-428.
20. Lalevic D., Biberdzic M., Jelic M. & Barac S. (2012): The characteristics of triticale cultivated in rural areas. Agriculture & Forestry, 58(2): 27-34.
21. Madic, M., Paunovic, A., Burovic, D., Markovic, G., Knezevic, D., Jelic, M. & Stupar, V. (2018): Grain yield and its components in triticale grown on a pseudogley soil. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 18(5): 184-193.
22. Madic M., Biberdzic M., Burovic D., Paunovic A., Knezevic D., Stevovic V., Tomc D. & Rajicic V. (2020): Grain yield of triticale varieties depending on mineral nutrition. Collection of works XXV Consultations on biotechnology with international participation, 13-14 Mart, Cacak, Serbia, 413-419.
23. Milovanovic, M., Staletic, M., Bekic, V., Nikolic, O. & Lukovic, K. (2011): Seed production and contribution of KG varieties to biodiversity of small grains in the period 2006-2010. 01.-02. decembar 2011, Beograd, Economics of Agriculture, 2(58): 103-111.
24. Milovanovic M., Perishic V., StaleticM., Dekic V., Nikolic O., Prodanovic S. & Lukovic K. (2014): Diallel Analysis of Grain Number per Spike in Triticale. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 20(5): 1109-1115. https://www. agrojournal.org/20/05-14.pdf
25. Rajicic V., Milivojevic J., Popovic V., Brankovic S., Duric N., Perisic V. & Terzic D. (2019): Winter wheat yield and quality depending on the level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization. Agriculture and Forestry, 65(2): 79-88. DOI: 10.17707/AgricultForest.65.2.06
26. Rajicic, V., Popovic, V., Perisic, V., Biberdzic, M., Jovovic, Z., Gudzic, N., Mihailovic, V., Colic, V., Duric, N. &Terzic, D. (2020a): Impact of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Grain Yield in Winter Triticale Grown on Degraded Vertisol. Agronomy, 10(6): 757.
27. Rajicic V., Popovic V., Terzic D., Grcak D., Dugalic M., Mihailovic A., Grcak M. & Ugrenovic V. (2020b): Impact of Lime and NPK Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Oats on Pseudogley Soil and their valorisation. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 48(4): 2134-2152. DOI:10.15835/48412106
28. Rajicic V., Terzic D., Babic V., Perisic V., Dugalic M., Dokic D. & Brankovic S. (2021): Yield components and genetic potential of winter wheat on pseudogley soil of Western Serbia. Biologica Nyssana, 12(2): 141-150. DOI: 10.5281/ zenodo.5759859
29. Terzic, D., Dekic, V., Jevtic, S., Popovic, V., Jevtic, A., Mijajlovic, J. & Jevtic, A. (2018): Effect of long term fertilization on grain yield and yield components in winter triticale. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 28(3): 830-836.
30. Terzic, D., Dekic, V., Milivojevic, J., Brankovic, S., Perisic, V., Perisic, V. & Dokic, D. (2018): Yield components and yield of winter wheat in different years of research. Biologica Nyssana, 9(2): 119-131.
31. Tmusic, N., Ciric, S., Nikolic, K., Knezevic, J. & Rajicic, V. (2021): Effects of different fertilization treatments on the yield performance, yield parameters and grain quality of winter wheat grown on vertisol soil type. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 19(6): 4611-4627. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15666/ aeer/1906_46114627
32. Todorovic S., Filipovic N. (2009): Economic analysis of wheat production on family farms. Proceedings of the IV Symposium „Innovations in Crop and Vegetable Production ". Faculty of Agriculture Belgrade, Serbia, pp. 64-65.
33. SAS/STAT (2000): User's Guide, Version 9.1.3. SAS Institute Inc.
