Energy use and efficiency in two Canadian organic and conventional crop production systems

AbstractA goal in sustainable agriculture is to use fossil fuel energy more efficiently in crop production. This 12-year study investigated effects of two crop rotations and two crop production systems (organic versus conventional management) on energy use, energy output and energy-use efficiency. The grain-based rotation included wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)–pea (Pisum sativumL.)–wheat–flax (Linum usitatissimumL.), while the integrated rotation included wheat–alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.)–alfalfa–flax. Energy use was 50% lower with organic than with conventional management, and approximately 40% lower with integrated than with the grain-based rotation. Energy use across all treatments averaged 3420 MJ ha−1yr−1. Energy output (grain and alfalfa herbage only) across treatments averaged 49,947 MJ ha−1yr−1and was affected independently by production system and crop rotation. Energy output in the integrated rotation was three times that of the grain-based rotation; however, this difference was largely due to differences in crop type (whole plant alfalfa compared with grain seed). Energy output was 30% lower with organic than with conventional management. Energy efficiency (output energy/input energy) averaged to 17.4 and was highest in the organic and integrated rotations. A significant rotation by production system interaction (P<0.05) indicated that energy efficiency increases due to crop input reduction (i.e., shift from conventional to organic management) were greater in the integrated than in the grain-based rotation. Greater energy efficiency in the integrated rotation under organic management was attributed to the fact that the forage component was less sensitive to chemical input removal than grain crops.

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Energy efficiency of organic pear production in greenhouses in China

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170510000037 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 196-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Yuexian Liu ◽

Henning Høgh-Jensen ◽

Henrik Egelyng ◽

Vibeke Langer

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Open Field ◽

Production System ◽

Production Systems ◽

Energy Output ◽

Land Area ◽

Energy Productivity ◽

Greenhouse Production ◽

Solar Greenhouse ◽

Area Unit

AbstractThe development of organic protected cultivation taking place in densely populated areas has raised the question whether it is an environmentally friendly production system. The present study investigated energy consumption of organic pear production in two production systems, namely in traditional Chinese solar greenhouses and in the open field. In both production systems, energy output/input ratio and energy productivity were used as indicators to determine the energy efficiency; yield, cost of production, net economic return per land area unit and benefit/cost ratio were used to evaluate economic productivity. The analysis results indicated that energy input and energy output per land area unit in the solar greenhouse were higher than in the open field; whereas energy efficiency in terms of output/input ratio and energy productivity were lower in the solar greenhouse than those in the open field. However, if energy input sequestered in the protected structure was excluded in the solar greenhouse production system, energy efficiency was higher in the greenhouse system than in the open-field system. Our analysis further showed that the economic costs, the yield, cost of production, gross product value and net income per land area unit in the greenhouse were more than twice as high as those in the open field due to a higher tree density and a premium price. However, the production taking place in the open field used a great share of renewable energy and higher energy efficiency, which may comply more with the principles of organic farming than the greenhouse production system.

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Evaluation of Tomato Production Systems in Terms of Energy Use Efficiency and Economical Analysis in Iran

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb346279 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 58-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Parviz REZVANI MOGHADDAM ◽

Hassan FEIZI ◽

Farzad MONDANI

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Total Energy ◽

Open Field ◽

Production System ◽

Energy Use ◽

Production Systems ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Energy Use Efficiency ◽

Greenhouse Tomato ◽

Use Efficiency

Efficient use of energy helps to achieve improved production and productivity, and contributes to economy, profitability and competitiveness of agricultural sustainability. The aim of the present study was to compare open field and greenhouse tomato production systems in terms of energy efficiency, energy intensiveness, energy productivity, benefit to cost ratio and amount of renewable and non-renewable energy uses. Data were collected from 128 and 16 open field and greenhouse tomato growers, respectively, by using a face-to-face questionnaire in 2010. The results showed that the total energy requirement under open field and greenhouse systems were 47647.12 and 2102678.73 MJ ha-1, respectively. The share of direct, indirect, renewable and non-renewable energies from total energy input which average in open field and greenhouse production systems were 74%, 26%, 17% and 83%, respectively. Energy use efficiency was achieved 1.42 and 0.18 in open field and greenhouse, respectively. The benefit to cost ratios of 2.33 in open field and 3.06 in greenhouse was recorded. Based on the present results, open field tomato production system had higher energy efficiency in comparison with greenhouse tomato production system while greenhouse system had a higher economical benefit.

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Surface lime and silicate application and crop production system effects on physical characteristics of a Brazilian Oxisol

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr16247 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 778

Author(s):

G. S. A. Castro ◽

C. A. C. Crusciol ◽

C. A. Rosolem ◽

J. C. Calonego ◽

K. R. Brye

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Production System ◽

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Production Systems ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Forage Crop

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of crop rotations and soil acidity amelioration on soil physical properties of an Oxisol (Rhodic Ferralsol or Red Ferrosol in the Australian Soil Classification) from October 2006 to September 2011 in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four soybean (Glycine max)–maize (Zea mays)–rice (Oryza sativa) rotations that differed in their off-season crop, either a signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) forage crop, a second crop, a cover crop, or fallow. Two acid-neutralising materials, dolomitic lime (effective calcium carbonate equivalent (ECCE) = 90%) and calcium-magnesium silicate (ECCE = 80%), were surface applied to raise the soil’s base saturation to 70%. Selected soil physical characteristics were evaluated at three depths (0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m). In the top 0.1 m, soil bulk density was lowest (P < 0.05) and macroporosity and aggregate stability index were greatest (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. Also, bulk density was lower (P < 0.05) and macroporosity was greater (P < 0.05) in the acid-neutralising-amended than the unamended control soil. In the 0.1–0.2-m interval, mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter were greater (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. All soil properties evaluated in this study in the 0.2–0.4-m interval were unaffected by production system or soil amendment after five complete cropping cycles. Results of this study demonstrated that certain soil physical properties can be improved in a no-tillage soybean–maize–rice rotation using a forage crop in the off-season and with the addition of acid-neutralising soil amendments. Any soil and crop management practices that improve soil physical properties will likely contribute to sustaining long-term soil and crop productivity in areas with highly weathered, organic matter-depleted, acidic Oxisols.

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Comparison of energy inputs and energy efficiency for maize in a long-term tillage experiment under Pannonian climate conditions

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/67/2021-pse ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (No. 5) ◽

pp. 45-52

Author(s):

Gerhard Moitzi ◽

Reinhard W. Neugschwandtner ◽

Hans-Peter Kaul ◽

Helmut Wagentristl

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Total Energy ◽

Fuel Consumption ◽

Crop Production ◽

Energy Input ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Energy Output ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Total Energy Input

Sustainable crop production requires an efficient usage of fossil energy. This six-year study on a silt loam soil (chernozem) analysed the energy efficiency of four tillage systems (mouldboard plough 25–30 cm, deep conservation tillage 35 cm, shallow conservation tillage 8–10 cm, no-tillage). Fuel consumption, total energy input (made up of both direct and indirect input), grain of maize yield, energy output, net-energy output, energy intensity and energy use efficiency were considered. The input rates of fertiliser, herbicides and seeds were set constant; measured values of fuel consumption were used for all tillage operations. Total fuel consumption for maize (Zea mays L.) production was 81.6, 81.5, 69.5 and 53.2 L/ha for the four tillage systems. Between 60% and 64% of the total energy input (17.0–17.4 GJ/ha) was indirect energy (seeds, fertiliser, herbicides, machinery). The share of fertiliser energy of the total energy input was 36% on average across all tillage treatments. Grain drying was the second highest energy consumer with about 22%. Grain yield and energy output were mainly determined by the year. The tillage effect on yield and energy efficiency was smaller than the growing year effect. Over all six years, maize produced in the no-tillage system reached the highest energy efficiency.

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Soil-Biodegradable Plastic Mulches Undergo Minimal in-Soil Degradation in a Perennial Raspberry System after 18 Months

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae6030047 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Huan Zhang ◽

Markus Flury ◽

Carol Miles ◽

Hang Liu ◽

Lisa DeVetter

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Biodegradable Plastic ◽

Perennial Crop ◽

Soil Burial Test ◽

Soil Burial ◽

Soil Exposure

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are made from biodegradable materials that can be bio-based, synthetic, or a blend of these two types of polymers, which are designed to degrade in soil through microbial activities. The purpose of BDMs is to reduce agricultural plastic waste by replacing polyethylene (PE) mulch, which is not biodegradable. Most studies have evaluated the breakdown of BDMs within annual production systems, but knowledge of BDM breakdown in perennial systems is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the deterioration and degradation of BDMs in a commercial red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) production system. Deterioration was low (≤11% percent soil exposure; PSE) for all mulches until October 2017 (five months after transplanting, MAT). By March 2018 (10 MAT), deterioration reached 91% for BDMs but remained low for PE mulch (4%). Mechanical strength also was lower for BDMs than PE mulch. In a soil burial test in the raspberry field, 91% of the BDM area remained after 18 months. In-soil BDM degradation was minimal, although the PSE was high. Since mulch is only applied once in a perennial crop production system, and the lifespan of the planting may be three or more years, it is worth exploring the long-term degradation of BDMs in perennial cropping systems across diverse environments.

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An analysis of month-wise variation of energy use in crop production-A case study in Golaghat district of Assam

Indian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.18805/ijare.v0iof.7640 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Hemchandra Saikia ◽

B. C. Bhowmick ◽

R. A. Halim

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Sampling Method ◽

Energy Use ◽

Energy Output ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Cropping Intensity ◽

Benefit Cost Ratio ◽

Energy Consuming ◽

Benefit Cost

Energy is a very key component in every sphere of our life, be it a crop production or any other field. Again seasonality is a very common phenomenon in crop production and due to this there exist slacks and peak season of various sources of energy use and production. Present study was conducted in Golaghat district of Assam to highlight the month-wise energy use and also to know the energy output-input and benefit-cost ratio. Sampling method used for the study was Three Stage Sampling method. Result from the study revealed that the cropping intensity of the study area was 119.57 per cent. The most dominant energy consuming months were July, August, November, and December using 30.64, 18.90, 13.12 and 7.65 per cent of the total energy used in crop production in per hectare of gross cropped area. The energy output-input and benefit –cost ratio of the study area were 10.84 and 1.64 respectively. From the study it was found that there is vast scope to boost the production, productivity and profitability of crop production in study area by providing all the necessary infrastructures in due space and time in adequate amount and proper quality.

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Comparison of conventional and organic apple production systems during three years of conversion to organic management in coastal California

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300007876 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 162-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Sean L. Swezey ◽

Matthew R. Werner ◽

Marc Buchanan ◽

Jan Allison

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Production Systems ◽

Codling Moth ◽

Organic Production ◽

Leaf Damage ◽

Organic Management ◽

Organic C ◽

Apple Production ◽

Wood Bark ◽

Certified Organic

AbstractConventional and organic semidwarf Granny Smith apple production systems were compared during three years of conversion to certified organic management. Because of differences in fruit load with hand thinning compared with chemical thinning, apple tonnage was higher in the organic production system (OPS) in 1989 and 1991. The organic system was higher than the conventional system in number and weight of fruit per tree, but smaller in average fruit size. Using grower-receivedfarmgate premiums of 38% (1990) and 33% (1991) for unsorted, certified organic apples, comparative cost accounting showed greater net return per hectare for the OPS. The OPS required higher material and labor inputs in all years.Greater terminal growth in the conventional production system (CPS) in 1991 was the only significant difference in growth indicators between systems. N was generally higher in leaf and new wood bark tissues in the CPS. P was generally higher in the leaf and new wood bark tissues in the OPS. No decline in yield was associated with increased weed biomass in the OPS. There was no difference in fruit damage caused by codling moth between production system treatments (codling moth granulosis virus and pheromone-based mating disruption vs. synthetic insecticide). In 1991, secondary lepidopterous pests (apple leafroller and orange tortrix) caused greater fruit scarring in the CPS. In all years, tentiform leafminers caused greater leaf damage in the CPS. Apple leafhopper density and leaf damage were greater in the OPS in 1990 and 1991.Soil nutrient levels showed few significant changes during conversion to organic management. Soil bulk density and water holding capacity were useful indicators of changes in soil physical characteristics. Potentially mineralizable nitrogen andmicrobial biomass-C were more sensitive indicators of system change than total N or organic C. Two soil biological ratios, the respiratory ratio and biomass-C/total organic-C, were similar in the two production systems. Earthworm biomass and abundance increased in the OPS in the third year. The introduction ofLumbricus terrestrisinto the OPS greatly increased litter incorporation rates.

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Energetic efficiency of a deep bed swine production system

Engenharia Agrícola ◽

10.1590/s0100-69162012000600008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1068-1079 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alessandro V. Veloso ◽

Alessandro T. Campos ◽

Vanderson R. de Paula ◽

David C. Dourado ◽

Tadayuki Yanagi Júnior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Production Process ◽

Production System ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Great Part ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Energy Output ◽

Energetic Efficiency ◽

Energy Flows ◽

Animal Feeding

The aim of this work was to evaluate the energy flows of a commercial production system of swine deep bed in its finishing phase, located in Juiz de Fora, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Thus, an energy efficiency study was carried out by monitoring a lot of animals, during a 94-day period. The energy rate of each compound involved in the production process was quantified and the matrixes of energy consumption were determined in the form of animal feeding, electrical energy, piglets, material used as deep bed, human labor, equipment, swine buildings, production of alive swine for slaughter, organic fertilizer production (swine deep bed or swine deep litter). From the direct input energy, 80.57% correspond to animal feeding, 11.90% to pigs for slaughter and 6.76% to piglets, while from the energy output 53.45% correspond to the terminating swine and 46.55% to organic fertilizer (swine deep bed). By the results obtained, we can conclude that such production system has corresponded to an industrial and highly specialized agro ecosystem, importing a great part of the energy consumed in the production process, with 41% of energy efficiency.

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Effect of tillage systems on energy input and energy efficiency for sugar beet and soybean under Pannonian climate conditions

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/615/2020-pse ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 137-146

Author(s):

Gerhard Moitzi ◽

Reinhard W. Neugschwandtner ◽

Hans-Peter Kaul ◽

Helmut Wagentristl

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Sugar Beet ◽

Fuel Consumption ◽

Energy Input ◽

Energy Use ◽

Energy Intensity ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Energy Output ◽

Net Energy ◽

Use Efficiency

Sustainable cropping systems require efficient usage of fossil energy. This study performed on a long-term field experiment in the Pannonian Basis investigated the energy efficiency of four tillage systems (mouldboard plough (MP), deep conservation tillage (CTd), shallow conservation tillage (CTs) and no-tillage (NT)) for sugar beet and soybean production, taking fuel consumption, total energy input (made up of both direct and indirect inputs), crop yield, energy output, net-energy output, energy intensity and energy use efficiency into account. The input rates of fertiliser, chemical plant protection, and seeds were set constant across years; whereas measured values of fuel consumption were used for all tillage treatments. NT required a considerably lower energy input than MP and CTd as no fuel is needed for tillage and just slightly more fuel for additional spraying of glyphosate. Anyhow, the energy efficiency parameters did not differ between tillage treatments, as theses parameters were mainly determined by energy output, which was considerably higher than the energy input. However, year effects on the energy efficiency were observed for both crops. Nitrogen fertilisation and diesel fuel consumption were identified as the most energy-intensive inputs. Consequently, the energy input for sugar beet was higher than that for soybean, which was identified as a low-input crop. But sugar beet attained a more than 4 times higher net-energy output, a 2.5 times higher energy use efficiency, and an energy intensity for yield production of less than 3 times those of soybean.

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Crop sequence effects on energy efficiency and land demand in a long-term fertilisation trial

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/440/2021-pse ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 739-746

Author(s):

Gerhard Moitzi ◽

Reinhard Neugschwandtner ◽

Hans-Peter Kaul ◽

Helmut Wagentristl

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Energy Use ◽

Energy Output ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Energy Use Efficiency ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Bare Fallow

The effect of crop sequences (CR – continuous winter rye; CropR – three-field crop rotation of winter rye-spring barley-bare fallow) and fertilisation systems (unfertilised control, mineral fertiliser (NPK), farmyard manure (FYM)) on crop yield, energy efficiency indicators and land demand were analysed in a long-term experiment under Pannonian climate conditions. Due to lower fuel consumption in the bare fallow, the total fuel consumption for CropR was 27% lower than in CR. It was for NPK and FYM fertilisation by 29% and 42% higher than in the control. Although the energy output was lower in CropR than CR, the energy use efficiency for grain production increased by 35% and for above-ground biomass production by 20%. Overall crop sequences, the NPK treatment had higher crop yields, energy outputs and net-energy output with a lower energy use efficiency than the unfertilised control. CropR increased the land demand just by 20% in comparison to CR, although one-third of the land was not used for crop production. The land demand could be decreased with fertilisation by 50% (NPK) or 48% (FYM). A bare fallow year in the crop rotation decreased the crop yield, energy input and increased the energy use efficiency and land demand.

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