Energy flow analysis and environmental impacts of quinoa production systems in the Baluchestan region

Seyedabadi, Esmaeel

doi:10.22034/aes.2025.548764.1114

Energy flow analysis and environmental impacts of quinoa production systems in the Baluchestan region

Document Type : Original research article

Author

Esmaeel Seyedabadi

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

10.22034/aes.2025.548764.1114

Abstract

Energy flow and environmental impacts are two critical metrics for evaluating the sustainability of agricultural production systems. This study investigates the energy consumption of quinoa production in the Baluchestan region by analyzing various inputs and energy sources. Furthermore, it assesses the environmental impacts of quinoa cultivation using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Data were collected from local farmers and agricultural professionals in the region, supplemented by information from the Ecoinvent® 3.0 databaseThe LCA was conducted using the cradle-to-farm-gate approach, as outlined in the ISO 14044 standard. This involved four main phases: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation of results. Energy indices, including net energy gain, energy use efficiency, specific energy, and energy productivity, were calculated for both the main product and by-product (straw) of the quinoa production system. The environmental impact categories evaluated were global warming potential, Abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, acidification, and eutrophication. The energy analysis, which revealed a positive net energy and a high energy use efficiency, demonstrated that quinoa cultivation is an efficient process. The results indicate that a significant portion of the total energy input is expended on the production of the by-product (straw). Additionally, machinery, fuel, and chemical fertilizers were identified as the primary contributors to environmental degradation. Based on these findings, it is recommended to adopt modern machinery and implement conservation agriculture practices, such as residue management and reduced tillage, to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels.

Highlights

· Quinoa production in Baluchestan is energy-efficient with a high net energy gain.

· The by-product (straw) accounts for a significant portion of the total energy input.

· Machinery, fuel, and fertilizers are the main contributors to the environmental impact (LCA).

· Modern machinery and conservation agriculture are recommended to mitigate emissions.

Keywords

Energy flow

Environmental impacts

Global warming

Life cycle assessment

Quinoa

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