Akademik Məlumat İdarəetmə Sistemi
SCIENTIFIC HORIZONS, vol.28, no.7, pp.48-61, 2025 (Scopus)
The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of replacing chemical plant protection products, fertilisers, and growth stimulants with biological alternatives in terms of productivity, costs, profitability, and the agro-ecological state of soils. The research, conducted in 2020-2024, covered winter wheat varieties “Podolyanka”, “Duma Odeska”, “Favorytka”, “Bohuslavka”, “MIP Lada”, and “Stolychna”, barley varieties “Vakula”, “Helios”, and “Concerto”, as well as maize hybrids “DKC 5143”, “DKC 4014”, “Pioneer 9892”, “Khortytsia”, and “Dniprovskyi 185 SV”. The empirical base included statistical data, soil analysis results, case observations from farms in different regions, and economic modelling. It was established that the yield increase from applying biopreparations averaged 4.3-7.1 centners/ha for wheat and maize, and up to 4.8 centners/ha for barley, while costs decreased by up to 16%. The humus content in soils increased to 3.3%, and the number of microorganisms – to 3.8×106 colony-forming units per gram. An increase in the root system length of the “Stolychna” wheat variety up to 48 cm was observed, as well as a 40% reduction in barley fungal infections. Price analysis revealed that organic wheat was 48% more expensive than conventional wheat on the external market. The model forecast demonstrated the potential for cost savings for the agricultural sector of up to 15 billion UAH if 30% of farms transitioned to the biological model. The results obtained could be used to adapt agricultural technologies, develop support programmes for ecological farming, and enhance the export of organic products Keywords: agriculture; profitability; biofungicides; biofertilisers; sustainable agriculture