Determination of energy balance, greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential for sugar beet production
Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES), Vol. 6 (No. 1):
p. 132-142 (January 2015)Abstract
This study aims to estimate and evaluate the energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions in sugar beet production in Naghadeh a northwestern city of Iran. For this reason data was collected by using questionnaires and face to face interviews with 125 farmers. Results showed that total energy inputs and output were 69113.46 and 260429 MJ ha-1, respectively. Efficiency Energy Ratio (ER) was 3.77 and Energy Productivity (EP) was 0.97MJha-1. Maximum CO2 emission due to N-fertilizer inputs was 938.05 kgha-1, respectively. In sugar beet farms total CO2 production was 2777.10 kgha-1.The results also showed that the indirect and non-renewable energy sources were 76.28% and 82.36%, respectively. The high rate of non-renewable and indirect energy inputs indicate an intensive use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, tractor and machinery and irrigation system consumption in these agro-ecosystems. Finally, giving a proper education to farmers about extension services in case of machinery combination, fertilizing, spraying and soil test, in a proper time, can have a great effect in sustainability of the sugar beet production.