Effect of tillage system and soil conditioner application on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) and its crop management economic indicators. Agriculture (Poľnohospodárstvo), vol. 60, 2014, no. 2, pp. 60-69. Ing. Ladislav Kováč, PhD. (*Corresponding author), National Agricultural and Food Centre, Research Institute of Agroecology, 071 01 Michalovce, Špitálska 1273, Slovak Republic. E-mail: kovac@minet.sk Key words: soybean, fertilisation, soil tillage, costs, economic effectiveness 60 Agriculture (Poľnohospodárstvo), 60, 2014 (2): 60−69 DOI: 10.2478DOI: 10. /agri-2014 Experiments with soybean on heavy soils of East Slovak Lowlands were established in the years 2010-2012. The effect of mineral fertilisers and soil conditioner application on soybean's yield using three tillage systems (minimum tillage (MT), conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT)) was studied. Production costs and economic efficiency of crop management practices were evaluated. The influence of production year on soybean crop was significant in the order of 2011, 2010 and 2012. Statistical evaluation confirmed that the effects of CT and MT systems were more significant compared with NT system. No significant differences were found between the variants of the mineral fertiliser and conditioner application. Differences in the total cost of soybean cultivation, as measured between years, were not significant. Fertilisation variants with application of HUMAC agro and NPK generated the highest costs. On the other hand, the lowest costs were achieved at fertilisation variants with application of NPK alone. Comparing tillage variants, the CT system had the highest costs each year. Significant savings were achieved on MT and NT variants. During the experimental period, a profit was reached on all variants. Applying NPK alone, the highest profit was achieved in 2010 and 2012 using MT system and in 2011 with CT tillage. The variant b 2 with PRP sol in the years 2010 and 2011 was the most profitable using NT system and in 2012 using MT. Variant with HUMAC agro was the most profitable in each year using MT. The lowest income threshold for zero profitability was calculated in 2012. Using CT farming techniques at NPK fertilisation variant b 1 in 2012, the income threshold was 1.85 t/ha, at variant b 2 PRP sol it was 2.10 t/ha and at variant b 3 HUMAC agro it was 2.42 t/ha. At MT and NT systems, the income threshold values for zero profitability were lower.Soybean cultivation requires suitable growing conditions. Yield and quality parameters of soybean are affected by many factors, but the appropriate interaction of soil and climatic factors that already exist at the regional level (Anthony et al. 2012), is essential.Soybean, as reported by Šariková and Fecák (2007), is sensitive to incorrect and inconsistent essential tillage. Neglected and poorly made essential tillage makes stand establishment harder and increases the risk of its cultivation. Quality essential tillage is also an arrangement that can substantially eliminate the negative impact of suc...

Between years 2013 and 2015, field treatments with millet variety Biserka was carried out in locality Milhostov, where experimental place of Agroecology Research Institute is situated. Two soil tillage technologies (conventional and reduce tillage) and two fertilization variants (control and soil conditioner PRP SOL) were examined. The economic effectiveness of individual variant of millet growing was evaluated. In experimental years 2013 -2015 the highest costs (more than 560 € ha -1 ) were determined for conventional tillage at variant with soil conditioner PRP SOL. The lowest costs, on level 330 € ha -1 , was on control variant under reduce tillage. In year 2015 the weather was very severe, which was the cause of the lowest millet yields and so the lowest gains were achieved, too. The highest profitability was determined for control variants under reduce tillage. Lower gains from variants with application of PRP SOL soil conditioner will be compensate in next years, when impact of this conditioner on soil environment will be more significant and will be effected of consecutive crops.

The Cost and The Economic Effectiveness Analysis of the Winter Rape Production Technologies (Brassica Napus L. SSP. Oleifera) on Heavy Soils Winter rape farming practices were carried out between 2007 and 2009 on heavy soils under the conditions of the East Slovak Lowland. The influence of two levels of nitrogen fertilizers and three soil tillage technologies on winter rape seed yields was monitored. The costs of growing and the growing technology cost effectiveness were evaluated. The influence of production year 2009 on winter rape seed yield was statistically significant. The effect of conventional tillage variant on rape seed yields was more significant compared with the variant with minimum tillage. The lowest yield of oilseed rape was obtained in a non-tillage variant. Higher dose of nitrogen fertilizers had higher statistically significant effect on winter rape yield compared with lower dose of nitrogen fertilizers.The total cost of one ton of winter rape seed varied within the monitored years, different soil tillage technologies and levels of fertilization. In average of monitored years, the lowest costs of winter rape seed production were at minimum tillage (258.37 € t-1 for variant N150; 259.81 € t-1 for variant N200). At direct sowing, the costs were 400.14 € (variant N150), and 372.41 € (variant N200), however, the yields were very low.Economic effectiveness evaluation showed that the winter rape produced by direct sowing was unprofitable, either with or without subsidy. The highest economic effectiveness was achieved at the minimum tillage variant. This variant was profitable even without subsidies, using both fertilization levels, but it was more profitable at the lower level of nitrogen fertilization. The profitability of conventional tillage variant was smaller.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Between 2006 and 2015 years the effect of different tillage of heavy clay loamy soils on their physical properties were studied. Field treatments were carried on Experimental workplace in Milhostov, in central part of the East Slovak Lowland. Conventional tillage, reduce tillage and no-tillage practises were examined. Soil samples were taken from topsoil in natural conditions without irrigation in spring time by Kopecky's rollers. From basic physical soil properties, the bulk density, total porosity and maximum capillary water capacity were analysed by known methods. The linear trend analysis was used for testing of long-term application of different soil tillage in relation to soil properties. Bulk density was in range 1,331-1,623 kg m-3 , the lowest average values (in aver. 1,466 kg m-3) was found for reduce tillage. Total porosity answered to bulk density and its values was from 38.12% to 49.26%, higher values were at conventional and reduce tillage and lower at no-tillage practise. Maximum capillary water capacity values in range 31.65-42.03% reached level of values typical for heavy soils of the East Slovak Lowland. The trend analysis of 10-years-time series indicate decreasing of bulk density at conventional and reduce tillage variants, but its increasing for no-tillage variant. The time course of the total porosity had the opposite course than bulk density. Mainly for no-tillage variant, trend of decreasing of total porosity influence the possibility of air and water regimes changes for clay-loamy soil, which may result in a reduction of the transport function of soil. During observed period the changes of maximum capillary water capacity wasn't significant. Application of soil protective technologies for heavy soils as integrated system, in long-time horizon doesn't have to mean deterioration of basic soil physical parameters.

Grain sorghum was examined in experiments in Milhostov. From the climate point of view, it is a thermophile plant (type C4), and in terms of its use, it can be used in the energy sector as well. According to Jureková and Marišová (2008), only type C4 plants, such as sorghum, are more resistant to heat and drought, have a good economy of water regime and low photorespiration. In addition to biomass production, sorghum is used to produce grain, useful in the food sector, as well as in animal production. According to Berényi (2002), in very dry regions of Serbia it is preferable to grow grain sorghum rather than maize. From this perspective, the verification of the suitability of growing grain sorghum began in warm and dry regions of Slovakia, too. The aim of this article was to compare the phenological and growth characteristics and final product of sorghum with other field crops. Calculation of economy parameters of grain maize and silage sorghum for biogas stations was performed, too. In 2011, the experimental base PPRC-Agroecology Research Institute in Milhostov carried out experiments focused on the comparison of phenology and growth characteristics, dynamics of accretion and production of biomass and production of the main product in sorghum and other field crops: maize, sunflower, spring barley, and soybean. The experiments were based upon conventional soil preparation. There were used Yami variety for sorghum, DK 315for maize, hybrid PR64H42for sunflower, variety Levan for spring barley, and Cardiff variety for soybean. During the vegetation period, phenological observations and measurements in the stand were made, and the plant material was removed in order to determine the accretion of biomass. For sorghum and maize, during the waxy stage