Economic effectiveness of the use of biological means of apple tree protection against diseases

Abstract

Goal. To determine the economic efficiency of the use of biological preparations based on fungi and bacteria against scab (Venturia inaequalis (Sooke) Wint.) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. et Ev.) Salm.) of apple (Malus domestica). Methods. Field — to study the effect of biological preparations under study on the spread and development of the main diseases of apple trees and their technical effectiveness; regulatory and comparative calculation — for economic evaluation of the use of biological preparations. Results. Five-time application of biological drugs Ampelomycin, Gliocladin, and Fluorescin in the apple tree protection scheme against di­seases ensured a reduction in the spread and development of scab by 1.6–2.9 and 3.4–6.5, powdery mildew — by 2–2.7 and 2.6–4.4 times compared to the control variant. The use of bio­logical preparations contributed to an increase in the specific weight of first-grade fruits from 36.3% (Gliocladin) to 44.3% (Ampelomycin) and a decrease in the share of apples for processing from 9.4% (Gliocladin) to 6.5% (Ampelomycin). It was established that in these options, production costs per 1 ha compared to the control increased by 9.1–9.7%, in particular for plant protection — by 5.1–5.3%. However, due to the increase in the value of the additional crop by 69.2–83.4%, the additional profit was 2.9–3.6 times higher. Conclusions. The presented results indicate that the use of biological preparations Ampelomycin, Gliocladin, and Fluorescin in the protection of apple trees from diseases reduces the spread and development of scab and powdery mildew, improves the quality of products, and increases the economic efficiency of crop cultivation. Over the years of research, a higher profit, payback of additional costs, and a level of profitability were achieved in the variant with the biological drug Ampelomycin, which makes it possible to recommend it as an element of protection of apple plantations from major diseases in the conditions of the Forest Steppe of Ukraine.