Evaluation the energy, economic and greenhouse gas emission indicators of corn silage (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the cities of Alborz province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agriculture and Plant Breeding, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Management Research Department, Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Maragheh, Iran

Abstract

Nowadays sustainable production of agricultural products to ensure food security is among the goals and macro policies, Therefore, attention to energy flows, economic indicators and environmental issues is inevitable. Therefore, the present research was carried out in the years 2021 and 2022 with the aim of investigating energy indicators, greenhouse gas emissions and economic indicators on two plants, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and corn silage (Zea mays L.), which play an important role in providing fodder for livestock in Alborz province cities. The desired data was obtained from interviews with farmers and completing questionnaires for each plant. Results showed that the highest energy input, output and net energy in alfalfa were 61964.1, 271760 and 209795.9 Mj.ha-1, respectively, Also, for corn, the highest input, output and net energy were 35330, 240120 and 204790 Mj.ha-1 respectively. The highest efficiency of energy consumption in alfalfa and corn was obtained 4.38 and 6.8 respectively. Among the different inputs, diesel, nitrogen chemical fertilizer and irrigation water had the largest share in the energy input. The comparison between alfalfa and corn in terms of global warming showed that alfalfa plants with the production of 3097.6 kg of CO2 per hectare had a greater role in global warming than corn plants with the production of 1879.7 kg of CO2 per hectare that three factors, diesel, chemical fertilizer and electricity have played the most important role on this.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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Volume 55, Issue 4
December 2024
Pages 17-34
  • Receive Date: 04 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 16 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 17 April 2024
  • Publish Date: 21 December 2024