Enhancing the efficiency of energy use and reducing the environmental effects of alfalfa and silage barley production

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the energy consumption and environmental impact of growing alfalfa and silage barley using different irrigation systems in Qazvin province, Iran, with the aim of improving energy use efficiency and reducing production environmental footprint. The study utilized Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the assessment and involved a cross-sectional survey of 100 farmers to examine their attitudes and awareness of input usage and crop production. The results indicated that when subsurface irrigation was used, the total energy consumption for inputs amounted to 95667.71 MJ ha−1. Surface irrigation for alfalfa production resulted in a positive outcome, with 902683.07 MJ ha−1. Similarly, for barley cultivation, the flooding irrigation method had the highest input energy of 110973.39 MJ ha−1 and the lowest output energy of 523644.31 MJ ha−1 compared to the other two irrigation methods. The study also revealed that diesel fuel and chemical fertilizers were the main contributors to On-Farm emissions. However, subsurface irrigation systems exhibited lower levels of diesel fuel pollutants due to reduced usage, while flooding irrigation systems had higher levels of contaminants associated with diesel fuel. The DEA analysis demonstrated energy savings of 14763.10, 18670.85, and 11109.45 MJ ha−1 for alfalfa production in flooding, under pressure, and subsurface irrigation, respectively. Likewise, energy savings of 18209.75, 12336.33, and 7638.29 MJ ha−1 were achieved for silage barley production in flooding, under pressure, and subsurface irrigation, respectively. Based on these calculations, the study concluded that growing silage barley is a more favorable choice in terms of energy consumption and environmental pollutants compared to alfalfa cultivation. Therefore, barley cultivation is preferred over alfalfa cultivation.

Keywords

• Alfalfa
• Barley
• Data envelopment analysis
• Energy
• Life cycle assessment