Energy Aspects of Alfalfa Seed Production in Southern Ukraine

This paper presents the findings of study on determining energy efficiency alfalfa seed production in first year life south Ukraine using various technologies, which is relevant for their adequate assessment conditions conservation non-renewable resources. The purpose was to determine most energy-efficient technology growing varieties seeds. Methods observation, comparison, and field experiment were used. investigated Nadezhda, Veselka, Unitro cultivation conventional (without manual chemical weeding), included weeding without herbicides a method reduce crop contamination. It established that seeds requires significant expenditure energy-intensive resources reliable protection crops from weeds. found intensity with increased by 32.1-32.4% compared control weed destruction). Energy consumption reached 13,706 MJ/ha (Nadezhda grade, yield 1.46 centner/ha) against 10374 (yield 0.43 control. At same time, due introduction herbicides, 2.6 times less consumed per 1 centner (9,388 MJ) (24,126 MJ). coefficient (Kee) increases 1.28 2.99 variety) 1.35 3.13 (Unitro variety). Labour costs are reduced 2.9 or more crops. Thus, areas, 25.3 – 23.3 person-hours variety), this indicator decreases 8.8, 8.4 person-hours, respectively. practical significance lies proposal an energy-saving