Leveraging Precision Agriculture Principles for Eco-Efficiency: Performance of Common Bean Production Across Irrigation Levels and Sowing Periods

Optimizing irrigation and sowing schedules is critical for enhancing crop performance and resource efficiency, especially in water-limited environments. However, the balancing the trade-offs between crop yield, energy use, and environmental impacts remains a complex challenge. This study investigates the eco-efficiency of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation in Vojvodina region (Serbia) under three irrigation regimes (100%, 80%, and 60% of crop evapotranspiration—ETc) and three sowing periods (mid-April, late May/early June, and late June/early July). A combined energy analysis and cradle-to-farm gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was employed to assess sustainability trade-offs. Results show that early sowing with full irrigation achieved the highest crop yields, energy use efficiency, and net energy gain while minimizing specific energy input. However, this strategy also incurred the greatest environmental burden due to elevated water and fertilizer inputs. In contrast, late sowing and deficit irrigation reduced environmental impacts at the expense of productivity and energy performance. The most balanced outcome—combining acceptable yield with lower environmental pressure—was observed under early sowing (mid-April) and moderate deficit irrigation (60% of ETc). Importantly, the study reveals discrepancies between energy and environmental assessments; energy analysis favors high-yield, high-input systems, whereas LCA emphasizes environmental burdens per unit area, often favoring low-input strategies. These findings underscore the need for integrated, site-specific management approaches that optimize both agronomic performance and environmental sustainability, particularly under growing climate and resource constraints.