Investigation of factors affecting the fuel consumption of soybean production in the Golestan province

In order to examine some of the factors affecting fuel consumption in the various agricultural operations in soybean production in Golestan province were selected 140 fields from 10 cities in the manner of systematic- random sampling. Growing season, the previous crop, the city, the power of the tractor, grain yield and the field area were considered as the factors affecting fuel consumption. Based on the results, summer soybean production had less fuel consumption than spring soybean production. Also, soybean production after potato cultivation had the least fuel consumption. One of the reasons were the lack of traditional tillage and reducing the number of disking times than other crops. Using of the tractors with more power by reducing the time for agricultural operations such as land preparation and also by decreasing in number passing of equipment can reduce the fuel consumption. Also, Kordkouy and Bandar-e-gas cities used 39 percent fossil fuel consumption lower than Gorgan, Galikesh and Minoodasht cities. The soybean grain yield had a positive significant relationship with fuel consumption for soybean harvesting and total fuel consumption. Also it had negative significant relationship with land preparation and crop protection in soybean production. By increasing the soybean field areas, fuel consumption in land preparation and crop protection were decreased and it increased in harvesting and total cultural operations.