Assessment of energy use efficiency for melon (Cucumis melo L.) production in Razavi and Southern Khorasan provinces, Iran

Subject Areas : Journal of Plant Ecophysiology

seyed mohammad seyedi ¹ , parviz rezvani moghaddam ² , roushanak shariyari ³

1 - گروه زراعت و اصلاح نباتات، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران
2 - گروه زراعت و اصلاح نباتات، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران
3 - گروه زراعت و اصلاح نباتات، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران

Received: 2015-05-18 Accepted : 2015-05-18 Published : 2015-05-01

Keywords: Energy productivity, input energy, net energy,

Abstract :

Evaluation of energy efficiency is one of the key indicators for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. The purpose of this study was to determine input and output energy consumption for melon production, and evaluation of energy use efficiency in Razavi and Southern Khorasan provinces, Iran. For this purpose data were collected from farms of mentioned provinces. Inquiries were conducted by interview during spring and summer 2012. The results indicated that total energy inputs in Razavi and Southern Khorasan provinces were 68118 and 59815.5 MJ.ha-1, respectively. In both provinces, electricity (with 43%), nitrogen chemical fertilizer (with 27%) and water for irrigation (with 13%) were the highest energy inputs for melon production. About 15% of the total energy inputs used in melon production was renewable and 85% was non-renewable. In addition, in Razavi and Southern Khorasan provinces, the energy productivity was estimated at 0.18 and 0.11 kg MJ-1, respectively. It seems the higher energy consumption and developing the mechanical operation can be related to higher melon yield and energy use efficiency in farms of Razavi province.