Efficiency of strip-till technology for sugar beet production in the western forest-steppe

Modern sugar beet cultivation requires technologies that ensure stable yields while reducing energy consumption and maintaining soil fertility. In the western forest-steppe of Ukraine, where periods of excessive moisture alternate with summer droughts, adapting primary tillage systems to climate variability is a critical challenge. The strip-tillage (strip-till) system represents one of the most promising practices of conservation agriculture, combining the efficiency of conventional tillage with environmental sustainability. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the strip-till technology on the yield, quality, and economic efficiency of sugar beet cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of the western forest-steppe of Ukraine. In the comparative field experiment, two tillage systems were evaluated: Conventional non-inversion combined tillage (Horsch Tiger AS) and strip-tillage (strip-till). Indicators of yield, root quality, energy efficiency, and economic performance were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) methods. Actual root yield under the strip-till system reached 96.03 t ha-1, which was 11.6 % higher than under conventional non-inversion tillage (84.39 t ha-1). The strip-till technology resulted in an 11.6 % increase in root yield, a 6.6% increase in total biomass, and an 8.0% rise in technological sugar yield compared with the conventional system. Additionally, juice purity increased by 0.09%, confirming an improvement in processing quality. The use of the strip-till system under the conditions of the western forest-steppe of Ukraine proved to be an effective tool for enhancing productivity, energy efficiency, and ecological stability in sugar beet production, meeting the principles of modern conservation agriculture.