Agriculture, Environment & Society

Agriculture, Environment & Society

The study of energy indices and greenhouse gas emissions in some crops production in the east of Golestan Province, A case study: Minoodasht township

Document Type : Original research article

Authors
1 M.Sc graduated in Agroecology, Plant Production Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
2 Plant Production Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
3 PhD graduated in Agronomy, Plant Production Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gorgan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Increasing the CO2, N2O, and CH4 concentrations cause global warming. Therefore, the fuel consumption, energy and greenhouse gas emissions in wheat, canola and sunflower productions in Minoodasht township were investigated. Data were collected from 60 wheat, 25 canola and 10 sunflower fields in 2021-2022 growing season. Energy input and greenhouse gas emissions per hectare was analyzed based on the fuel and input consumptions per each agricultural operation by related coefficients. Findings revealed that 140.46, 100.00 and 158.00 l/ha fuel diesel were needed to wheat, canola and sunflower production. Land preparation in wheat and canola production and harvesting the sunflower had the highest energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. The output to input energy ratio was calculated as 4.84, 4.94 and 3.69 in wheat, canola and sunflower productions, respectively. Also, in the wheat, canola and sunflower production, net energy was 62,743, 39,885 and 31,177 MJ, respectively, energy efficiency was 0.21, 0.19 and 0.13 respectively, and specific energy was 4.76, 5.26, 7.69 MJ/kg, respectively. According to the results, 1238, 904 and 1070 kg eqCO2/ha were emitted from wheat, canola and sunflower fields, respectively. On average, 76, 89, and 92 g greenhouse gases were emitted for one MJ/ha energy consumed in wheat, canola, and sunflower productions, which is equivalent to 16, 18, and 25 g energy output, respectively. Finally, according to the obtained results, the chemical fertilizers consumption, especially nitrogen fertilizers, as well as the fossil fuels consumption account for an important part of energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions.     

Highlights

  • Wheat uses 140.46 L/ha fuel, canola 100 L/ha, sunflower 158 L/ha in Minoodasht, 2021-2022.
  • Energy efficiency: wheat 4.84, canola 4.94, sunflower 3.69; net energy highest in wheat.
  • GWP: wheat 1238, canola 904, sunflower 1070 kg eqCO2/ha; N-fertilizers, fuel key emitters.
  • Land prep in wheat/canola, harvest in sunflower lead energy use and GHG emissions.
  • Wheat emits 76 g GHG/MJ input, canola 89 g, sunflower 92 g; optimizing inputs cuts emissions.

 

Keywords

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  • Receive Date 07 December 2024
  • Revise Date 18 February 2025
  • Accept Date 21 February 2025