On-farm energy flow in grape orchards

Abstract

Efficient use of energy is an important step toward enhancing the sustainability of agricultural systems. In this study, we evaluated the energy balance of grape orchards in Shahriar, Iran. We collected information of energy input and energy output in 120 grape orchards through face to face questionnaires. This information was further used to evaluate net energy, energy use efficiency, energy intensity, and energy productivity in these orchards. The total energy used in grape orchards was 31777 MJ ha−1. Nitrogen fertilizer, manure, and irrigation water were the major energy-demanding inputs in grape production by a share of 36, 17, and 11% of the total energy inputs, respectively. The energy output was estimated as 202871 MJ ha−1. Net energy, specific energy, energy efficiency, and energy productivity in orchard grape were calculated as 171095 MJ ha−1, 1.85 MJ kg−1, 6.38, 0.54 kg MJ−1, respectively. This information can be very useful in evaluating the sustainability of grape production in this region and can also provide a useful guide in order to prioritize the steps toward enhancing energy efficiency in these orchards. Keywords: Energy balance, Energy input, Efficiency, Sustainability