In recent decades, the need for increased food production has resulted in the expansion of intensified agriculture practices characterized by high consumption of inputs, thereby reducing agricultural sustainability. The agricultural sector's contribution to the world's energy consumption, ecological footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions has grown substantially. Emissions of greenhouse gases have negative ecological effects, including climate change, global warming, and diminished sustainable development. In this sector, energy analysis and greenhouse gas emissions in ecosystems are the most common methods for assessing sustainability. This study was conducted to evaluate the sustainability of canola agroecosystems by analyzing energy consumption, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Nitrogen (N) is one of the main limiting factors in agroecosystems all around the world. However, high application rates of N fertilizers would lead to negative environmental consequences. Reduction of N fertilizers consumption decreases production costs and environmental pollution. Therefore, N efficiency to be enhanced due to the high N fertilizer cost and required measures to prevent the waste of N. Cultivation of diverse crop cultivars with higher resources absorption and utilization efficiency is one of the major approaches in sustainable agriculture that would result in the effective use of natural and chemical inputs and reduce significantly the environmental risks. Quchan City is one of the potato production poles in Khorasan Razavi province. In this region, large amounts of N fertilizers annually are consumed in the potato agroecosystem. Therefore, the potato of the present study was evaluating N uptake and utilization efficiency, and finally, N uses efficiency in the potato agroecosystem of Quchan.
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is a leading cause of environmental pollution in the agriculture sector. Therefore, optimizing fertilizer application is a crucial approach to boost production while minimizing environmental harm. On the other hand, application of chemical fertilizers along with manure can be considered as the proper management system that led to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and adverse effects on environment and also improve nutrition for plants. Response-surface methodology is a powerful tool to optimize production resources which decreases cost and time of the experiments by reducing number of them. Therefore, the aim of the study was optimization of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus along with manure application in fodder maize production.
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is a leading cause of environmental pollution in the agriculture sector. Therefore, optimizing fertilizer application is a crucial approach to boost production while minimizing environmental harm. On the other hand, application of chemical fertilizers along with manure can be considered as the proper management system that led to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and adverse effects on environment and also improve nutrition for plants. Response-surface methodology is a powerful tool to optimize production resources which decreases cost and time of the experiments by reducing number of them. Therefore, the aim of the study was optimization of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus along with manure application in fodder maize production.
There is an urgent need to increase per capita food production to compete with high population growth while maintaining environmental sustainability. Because nitrogen plays a vital role in food production for humans and livestock, nitrogen management is essential in food production. In most cropping systems, nitrogen management seems to be a major challenge due to its high mobility and natural tendency for losses from the soil-plant system to the environment. Soil organic carbon plays a key role in improving soil ecological conditions. Adding organic matter to the soil is an excellent tool for improving physical, chemical and biological conditions and is almost always desirable. Soil organic carbon stock of crop ecosystems may be increased by improving farming practices. The application of green manure, fertilizer and the return of crop straw into the soil are known as management operations to increase soil organic carbon. Fertilizers, especially nitrogen, increase crop yield, and organic carbon is returned to the soil through roots and debris, which in most cases leads to increased soil organic carbon.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the green revolution led to a dramatic increase in global food and fodder production to eliminate hunger and boost food security. This production enhancement was accompanied by an intensified agricultural and chemical input consumption and increased cultivated area and mechanization. Although yield per unit area has improved in most crops, concerns about food security for the world's rising population are still significant. Guaranteeing food security in the future will necessitate a shift in management approaches to boost output, agroecosystem sustainability, and stability and reduce the environmental harm caused by agriculture. The first step to achieving sustainability and ecological intensification in agricultural systems is to have a comprehensive agroecological analysis of agricultural systems in each region. Hence, the complete evaluation and analysis of agroecological features according to their type in each region is necessary for establishing an optimal management technique. After analyzing the present state of each region's shared ecosystems, the optimal strategy for boosting production stability must be devised and implemented.
In the pursuit of a resilient and progressive agricultural system, the incorporation of diverse fertilizers is deemed essential. This practice not only enhances product quality but also aids in cost reduction. However, over-reliance on a specific type of input can inadvertently lead to unintended repercussions. The unrestricted utilization of chemical fertilizers, for instance, can precipitate adverse outcomes such as imbalanced pH levels, the accumulation of heavy elements, soil structure deterioration, and environmental contamination. Conversely, organic fertilizers, while environmentally friendly, often release nutrients at a slower rate, potentially disrupting optimal plant growth. To attain a balanced and sustainable agricultural approach, the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers is advocated. Moreover, harnessing the biological potential inherent in soil ecosystems, including beneficial microbial communities encompassing bacteria and fungi, emerges as a promising avenue in cultivating sustainable agriculture. Acknowledging the adverse impact of late-season heat stress on wheat production in Khuzestan and recognizing the significance of reducing chemical fertilizer usage while augmenting organic and biological fertilizers to foster ecological health, this experiment undertakes the exploration of the effects of a synergistic approach. Specifically, it delves into the combined utilization of nitrogen and compost fertilizers, complemented by the incorporation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. This endeavor aims to shed light on how this combined strategy operates within the context of terminal heat stress, assessing its influence on the physiological attributes and yield of the wheat cultivar Chamran 2.
The most important problem that threatens food security of any country and the world is the lack of adequate water resources, so one of the ways to deal with this crisis is to use plants with low water requirements and high water use efficiency. Among the plants, we can name Quinoa, which is one of the plants that has been less studied and exploited in Iran. Since the planting date has the greatest impact on the physiological characteristics of the crop compared to other cropping treatments, so choosing the appropriate planting date can also create the greatest correlation between plant growth trends and climatic conditions. Undoubtedly, the use of biological fertilizers, in addition to the positive effects it has on all soil properties, is also economically, environmentally and socially fruitful and can be a suitable and desirable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the response to deficit irrigation, planting date and application of different biofertilizers in quinoa.
Evaluation and Optimization of Energy and Environmental Indicators Using Life...J. Agricultural Machinery
Introduction: Environmental crises and resource depletion have adversely affected environmental resources and food security in the world. Therefore, with the global population growth in the coming years and the rising need to produce more food, attention must be given to environmental issues, energy consumption, and sustainable production. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pattern of energy consumption, environmental impacts, and optimization of the studied energy indicators in dairy cattle breeding industrial units in Khuzestan province, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in Khuzestan province, located in the southwest of Iran. Energy indicators including energy ratio, energy efficiency, specific energy, and net energy were used to determine and analyze the relationships between the output and input energy. Additionally, the life cycle assessment methodology was used to assess the environmental impact. Life cycle assessment includes a goal statement, identification of inputs and outputs, and a system for assessing and interpreting environmental impacts, and can be a good indicator for assessing environmental issues related to production. The life cycle assessment method used in this study was CML-IA baseline V3.05, which includes the four steps of (1) selecting and classifying impact categories, (2) characterizing effects, (3) normalizing, and (4) weighting. Overall, 11 impact groups were studied. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method with the Anderson-Peterson model was used for optimization. This method identifies the most efficient production unit and makes it possible to rank all of the farms in the region. In this study, each production unit (farm) was considered a decision-making unit (DMU), and its production efficiency was determined based on two models. Namely, the Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) model also known as Constant Return to Scale (CRS), and the Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model also known as Variable Return to Scale (VRS).
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the input and output energies per cow per day were 173.34 and 166 MJ, respectively. Livestock feed and electricity accounted for 65.47% and 27.2% of the input energy, respectively, while the oil used for tiller-scraper lubrication of fertilizer collection accounted for only 0.01%, making it the lowest input energy. Energy efficiency, specific energy, and net energy were calculated as 0.95, 0.13 kg MJ-1, 7.51 MJ kg-1, and -7.20 MJ per cow, respectively. In the abiotic depletion impact group, animal feed, machinery, and livestock equipment had the highest environmental impacts. The results showed that animal feed had the highest environmental emissions in all impact groups except for abiotic depletion of fossil fuels where electricity had the greatest effect. CRS model determined that 7 units were efficient; with an average efficiency of 0.78. In the BCC model, 20 production units were calculated as highly efficient,
Nitrogen (N) is one of the main limiting factors in agroecosystems all around the world. However, high application rates of N fertilizers would lead to negative environmental consequences. Reduction of N fertilizers consumption decreases production costs and environmental pollution. Therefore, N efficiency to be enhanced due to the high N fertilizer cost and required measures to prevent the waste of N. Cultivation of diverse crop cultivars with higher resources absorption and utilization efficiency is one of the major approaches in sustainable agriculture that would result in the effective use of natural and chemical inputs and reduce significantly the environmental risks. Quchan City is one of the potato production poles in Khorasan Razavi province. In this region, large amounts of N fertilizers annually are consumed in the potato agroecosystem. Therefore, the potato of the present study was evaluating N uptake and utilization efficiency, and finally, N uses efficiency in the potato agroecosystem of Quchan.
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is a leading cause of environmental pollution in the agriculture sector. Therefore, optimizing fertilizer application is a crucial approach to boost production while minimizing environmental harm. On the other hand, application of chemical fertilizers along with manure can be considered as the proper management system that led to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and adverse effects on environment and also improve nutrition for plants. Response-surface methodology is a powerful tool to optimize production resources which decreases cost and time of the experiments by reducing number of them. Therefore, the aim of the study was optimization of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus along with manure application in fodder maize production.
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is a leading cause of environmental pollution in the agriculture sector. Therefore, optimizing fertilizer application is a crucial approach to boost production while minimizing environmental harm. On the other hand, application of chemical fertilizers along with manure can be considered as the proper management system that led to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and adverse effects on environment and also improve nutrition for plants. Response-surface methodology is a powerful tool to optimize production resources which decreases cost and time of the experiments by reducing number of them. Therefore, the aim of the study was optimization of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus along with manure application in fodder maize production.
There is an urgent need to increase per capita food production to compete with high population growth while maintaining environmental sustainability. Because nitrogen plays a vital role in food production for humans and livestock, nitrogen management is essential in food production. In most cropping systems, nitrogen management seems to be a major challenge due to its high mobility and natural tendency for losses from the soil-plant system to the environment. Soil organic carbon plays a key role in improving soil ecological conditions. Adding organic matter to the soil is an excellent tool for improving physical, chemical and biological conditions and is almost always desirable. Soil organic carbon stock of crop ecosystems may be increased by improving farming practices. The application of green manure, fertilizer and the return of crop straw into the soil are known as management operations to increase soil organic carbon. Fertilizers, especially nitrogen, increase crop yield, and organic carbon is returned to the soil through roots and debris, which in most cases leads to increased soil organic carbon.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the green revolution led to a dramatic increase in global food and fodder production to eliminate hunger and boost food security. This production enhancement was accompanied by an intensified agricultural and chemical input consumption and increased cultivated area and mechanization. Although yield per unit area has improved in most crops, concerns about food security for the world's rising population are still significant. Guaranteeing food security in the future will necessitate a shift in management approaches to boost output, agroecosystem sustainability, and stability and reduce the environmental harm caused by agriculture. The first step to achieving sustainability and ecological intensification in agricultural systems is to have a comprehensive agroecological analysis of agricultural systems in each region. Hence, the complete evaluation and analysis of agroecological features according to their type in each region is necessary for establishing an optimal management technique. After analyzing the present state of each region's shared ecosystems, the optimal strategy for boosting production stability must be devised and implemented.
In the pursuit of a resilient and progressive agricultural system, the incorporation of diverse fertilizers is deemed essential. This practice not only enhances product quality but also aids in cost reduction. However, over-reliance on a specific type of input can inadvertently lead to unintended repercussions. The unrestricted utilization of chemical fertilizers, for instance, can precipitate adverse outcomes such as imbalanced pH levels, the accumulation of heavy elements, soil structure deterioration, and environmental contamination. Conversely, organic fertilizers, while environmentally friendly, often release nutrients at a slower rate, potentially disrupting optimal plant growth. To attain a balanced and sustainable agricultural approach, the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers is advocated. Moreover, harnessing the biological potential inherent in soil ecosystems, including beneficial microbial communities encompassing bacteria and fungi, emerges as a promising avenue in cultivating sustainable agriculture. Acknowledging the adverse impact of late-season heat stress on wheat production in Khuzestan and recognizing the significance of reducing chemical fertilizer usage while augmenting organic and biological fertilizers to foster ecological health, this experiment undertakes the exploration of the effects of a synergistic approach. Specifically, it delves into the combined utilization of nitrogen and compost fertilizers, complemented by the incorporation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. This endeavor aims to shed light on how this combined strategy operates within the context of terminal heat stress, assessing its influence on the physiological attributes and yield of the wheat cultivar Chamran 2.
The most important problem that threatens food security of any country and the world is the lack of adequate water resources, so one of the ways to deal with this crisis is to use plants with low water requirements and high water use efficiency. Among the plants, we can name Quinoa, which is one of the plants that has been less studied and exploited in Iran. Since the planting date has the greatest impact on the physiological characteristics of the crop compared to other cropping treatments, so choosing the appropriate planting date can also create the greatest correlation between plant growth trends and climatic conditions. Undoubtedly, the use of biological fertilizers, in addition to the positive effects it has on all soil properties, is also economically, environmentally and socially fruitful and can be a suitable and desirable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the response to deficit irrigation, planting date and application of different biofertilizers in quinoa.
Evaluation and Optimization of Energy and Environmental Indicators Using Life...J. Agricultural Machinery
Introduction: Environmental crises and resource depletion have adversely affected environmental resources and food security in the world. Therefore, with the global population growth in the coming years and the rising need to produce more food, attention must be given to environmental issues, energy consumption, and sustainable production. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pattern of energy consumption, environmental impacts, and optimization of the studied energy indicators in dairy cattle breeding industrial units in Khuzestan province, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in Khuzestan province, located in the southwest of Iran. Energy indicators including energy ratio, energy efficiency, specific energy, and net energy were used to determine and analyze the relationships between the output and input energy. Additionally, the life cycle assessment methodology was used to assess the environmental impact. Life cycle assessment includes a goal statement, identification of inputs and outputs, and a system for assessing and interpreting environmental impacts, and can be a good indicator for assessing environmental issues related to production. The life cycle assessment method used in this study was CML-IA baseline V3.05, which includes the four steps of (1) selecting and classifying impact categories, (2) characterizing effects, (3) normalizing, and (4) weighting. Overall, 11 impact groups were studied. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method with the Anderson-Peterson model was used for optimization. This method identifies the most efficient production unit and makes it possible to rank all of the farms in the region. In this study, each production unit (farm) was considered a decision-making unit (DMU), and its production efficiency was determined based on two models. Namely, the Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) model also known as Constant Return to Scale (CRS), and the Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) model also known as Variable Return to Scale (VRS).
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the input and output energies per cow per day were 173.34 and 166 MJ, respectively. Livestock feed and electricity accounted for 65.47% and 27.2% of the input energy, respectively, while the oil used for tiller-scraper lubrication of fertilizer collection accounted for only 0.01%, making it the lowest input energy. Energy efficiency, specific energy, and net energy were calculated as 0.95, 0.13 kg MJ-1, 7.51 MJ kg-1, and -7.20 MJ per cow, respectively. In the abiotic depletion impact group, animal feed, machinery, and livestock equipment had the highest environmental impacts. The results showed that animal feed had the highest environmental emissions in all impact groups except for abiotic depletion of fossil fuels where electricity had the greatest effect. CRS model determined that 7 units were efficient; with an average efficiency of 0.78. In the BCC model, 20 production units were calculated as highly efficient,
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals after wheat and rice in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Also, its mean production is 8 ton ha-1. Moreover, the total area of under cultivation is 132572 hectares in Iran. Crop simulation models can play an important role in improving agricultural production systems in many developing countries. Crop models can simulate plant growth processes and grain yield instead of conducting several years of field experiments. On the other hands, crop simulation models should be calibrated and evaluated with independent data sets under different climatic conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this research was evaluation of the APSIM model for simulation of growth, development and yield of maize hybrids in Kerman province under different amounts of nitrogen.
The growing importance of energy resources in the formation and growth of economic processes, as well as the need to exploit these resources based on environmental considerations and sustainable economic development, the issue of energy saving as an important issue in all economic infrastructures, including industry. Global warming, declining crop yields, climate change and acid rain are the result of fossil fuel consumption. Hence, in recent years, there has been a growing global emphasis on renewable energy across both developed and developing nations. The primary objective is to decrease reliance on conventional energy sources, mitigate environmental pollution, and attain sustainable energy practices.
Introduction
Nowadays, the cultivation of plants adapted to adverse conditions, such as drought and salinity, in the country has been considered. Meanwhile, Kochia scoparia, one of the forgotten plants, due to its classification in the group of halophytes, has specific characteristics suitable for cultivation in low-water and saline areas (Salehi, Kafi, & Kiani, 2012). This plant is known as an important annual forage crop, and its grains also have high nutritional value and oil, which can be considered for future industrial applications (Salehi et al., 2012). Studies on the salinity tolerance of the Kochia plant have shown that it is suitable for cultivation in saline areas, and in terms of quantity and quality, can compete with conventional forage plants. The use of natural organic materials, such as humic acid, has received more attention. These materials, as part of soil organic matter, are influenced by physical, chemical, and microbiological changes in biological molecules (Sabzevari & Khazaei, 2009; Dong, Córdova-Kreylos, Yang, Yuan, & Scow, 2009). Additionally, nitrogen is the most important element needed for plant growth and development. It is also a key component in many biological compounds, including proteins, nucleic acids, some hormones, and chlorophyll. Nitrogen plays an essential role in photosynthetic processes and the final function of plants (Kaur, Gupta, & Kaur, 2002; Taiz, Zeiger, Møller, & Murphy, 2015). As a result of this research, a combination of nitrogen and humic acid can be used as nutritional resources in salt stress conditions.
Materials and Methods
This experiment was conducted in the form of split plots based on the randomized complete block design with three replications in the Saline Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the 2015 growth season. The main plot included drought stress with a four-week interruption of irrigation at three levels of control (irrigation until the end of the growing season), after establishment (50 days after planting), the beginning of flowering (71 days after planting) and late flowering (82 days after planting) The subplot was included nitrogen application at three levels of zero, 100 and 200 kg.ha-1 from urea fertilizer source. The optimum level of humic acid (2 per thousand) was done as seed at the time of planting for all treatments.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the drought stress during vegetative and reproductive growth stages had a negative effect on the Kochia plant. However, its effect in the early stages of vegetative growth (after establishment) was greater than the stress at the end of the season (late flowering). Drought stress has a negative effect on Kochia grain yield by reducing the concentration of chlorophyll a, altering the chlorophyll a to b ratio, decreasing carotenoid concentration, and affecting relative leaf water content. However, seed treatments of humic acid and its combination with 100 kg.ha-1 nitrogen level by increasing th
Global warming directly affects agricultural production and food security (Ainsworth & Ort, 2010). Temperature controls the rate of plant metabolic processes that ultimately affect biomass production and grain yield (Hay & Walker, 1981). Although farmers are not able to control the climatic conditions, management and changes in factors such as irrigation, soil, crop varieties, activities, and technologies used in the cultivation of crops can reduce the harmful effects of climate change (Moradi et al., 2014). One of the reliable approaches to studying the effects of climate change on agricultural production is using crop growth models. The present study was conducted to simulate the effects of climate change on phonological stages and yield of maize and to investigate the possibility of mitigating the negative effects of climate change on maize by changing the sowing date and selecting suitable cultivars as management strategies for adaptation to climate change in Kermanshah region.
Since the development of crop cultivation and their yield depend on irrigation and since drought is one of the features of our country, one of the solutions to deal with these problems is the implementation of applied research in the field of stress-resistant plants cultivation such as quinoa. Also, considering the important role of potassium and zinc elements in the plant, providing a sufficient amount of these elements under drought stress can be effective in increasing the plant's resistance to this type of stress. Considering the genetic differences of plants and their different reactions in the face of environmental stress such as drought stress, and different fertilization of genotypes, it seems necessary to carry out this research to investigate the application of potassium and zinc chelates on the morpho-physiological and yield indicators of three quinoa genotypes under drought stress conditions in Razavi Khorasan climate.
Long-term use of chemical fertilizers can cause many adverse effects. In addition, excessive consumption of chemical fertilizers can lead to decreased food safety and low quality of vegetables, such as the accumulation of nitrates in plants. Today, using organic fertilizers is an efficient way to achieve sustainable agricultural development. The release rate of nutrients from organic fertilizers is slow and hardly exceeds the absorption capacity of plants compared to chemical fertilizers.
Food security is one of the basic needs of any society. Studies have been conducted on the foliar application of elements, especially silicon, calcium, and potassium, to reduce the adverse environmental effects on the physico-mechanical properties of cereals and improve their growth and development in order to maintain food security. Lodging, which is caused by a decrease in the mechanical properties of the plant stem's flexural strength, is characterized by bending or fracture that changes the angle of the grain stem from the vertical position. Due to the important factors involved, an important aspect of performance is directly and indirectly related to the occurrence of fungal diseases and nutrient-related issues affecting the physico-mechanical properties of the plant, such as flexural strength. The efficacy of silicon, calcium, and potassium in addressing these concerns is notable.
Evaluation of the Effects of Artificial Light on Some Plant Characteristics i...J. Agricultural Machinery
It is predicted that the world population will grow to 9.3 billion by 2050 and the urban population will increase by 73%, growing from 3.6 billion to 6.3 billion. This huge population requires abundant food production. A plant factory with artificial light (PFAL) is a closed growing system that is insulated against heat and air. The plants grow on shelves under horizontal artificial lighting. The main goal of PFAL is commercial plant production, but mini PFALs do not have commercial goals and are used to produce plants in small domestic sizes. Plants that are less than 30 cm tall, and grow well in relatively low light conditions and at high planting densities, are suitable for the plant factory. Therefore, plants such as rice, wheat, and potatoes are not suitable for cultivation in a plant factory.
The main purpose of this research is to study the proper light quality for growing radish plants. All light treatments had a significant effect on biomass, sugar, and photosynthetic pigments of radish. The results showed that the highest amount of chlorophyll a was 0.964 mg g-1 fresh leaf weight and the lowest amount was
0.318 mg g-1 fresh leaf weight. For chlorophyll b, the highest value was 0.666 mg g-1 wet weight and the lowest value was 0.229 mg g-1 wet weight. The highest and lowest carotenoid contents were 74.75 mg g-1 and 30.6
mg g-1 wet weight, respectively. The highest sugar content was 0.717 μg g-1 dry weight and the lowest was 0.02 μg g-1 dry weight. The highest fresh and dry weights of the plant were 0.27 g and 0.014 g, respectively, while the lowest values recorded were 0.155 g and 0.007 g, respectively. In this study, plant length was also examined, but no significant difference was observed between different light treatments. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the light composition (R2, G0, B1) was the most suitable light regime for use in the designed system.
The effect of salinity stress on the quantity and quality of crop production highlights the importance of managing and reducing the damage caused by this stress factor in agriculture. Increasing soil salinity and decreasing fertility of arable lands is one of the major problems in saline areas. Cultivation of salt-tolerant crops which can increase soil fertility could be effective in the sustainable production of these lands. Studying photosynthesis and its related factors could provide appropriate physiological views in understanding plant behavior against salinity stress. The present study was conducted to assess the salinity tolerance of chickpea genotypes for cultivation in saline areas.
Salinity is one of the major constraints to wheat growth, which hampers production, causing yield loss in arid and semi-arid regions. Reductions in growth resulting from high salinity are because of both osmotic stress, inducing a water deficit, and the effects of excess Na+ and Cl– ions on critical biochemical processes. Salt stress induces a significant reduction in photosynthesis through the reduction of leaf area and photosynthetic pigments. Several strategies have been developed to decrease the toxic effects caused by high salinity on plant growth. Among them, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Pseudomonas and Mycorrhiza play an important role in yield improvement. Many studies have been published on the beneficial effects of bacterial inoculation on plant physiology and growth under salt stress. One of the common hypotheses employed in most of the studies conducted under salinity stress was the lowering of ethylene level by the ACC-deaminase activities of PGPR and improved plant growth and yield under salinity stress.
It was reported that the application of Pseudomonas spp. improved plant growth by decreasing the uptake of Na+ and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes under salinity stress. The selective uptake of K+ as opposed to Na+ is considered one of the important physiological mechanisms contributing to salt tolerance in many plant species. Inoculation with PGPR significantly decreased Na+ uptake and increased K+ content and enhanced levels of K+ that could be to mitigate oxidative stress imposed by higher salinity. Some researchers have reported that PGPR species like Azotobacter and Pseudomonas increased the growth and biomass of canola (Brassica napus L.) under salinity stress.
A Better understanding of wheat physiological responses under salinity may help in programs in which the objective is to improve the grain yield under salinity stress. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological, stomata conductance, along with root and shoot Na+/ K+ ratios) of wheat to cycocel and PGPR application under salinity stress.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Electricity Generation in Wind Power Plant...J. Agricultural Machinery
Introduction
The world’s growing population has led to an inevitable increase in energy demand, and this, in addition to the depletion of non-renewable energy sources, can lead to several environmental issues. Wind power has proven to be a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, particularly in light of the pressing need to mitigate environmental impact and promote the use of renewable energy. The purpose of this research is to investigate and compare the environmental effects of electricity production from two wind power plants, Aqkand and Kahak, using wind turbines with a capacity of 2.5 megawatts for a period of three different lifetimes (20, 25, and 30 years).
Materials and Methods
The present study investigates the environmental effects of electricity generation during the life cycle of wind farms (Kahak and Aqkand) during the construction and operation of these power plants and the cumulative exergy demand index. The specifications of the wind turbines used in the current research are: turbine capacity of 2.5 MW, rotor diameter of 103 meters, rotor weight of 56 tonnes, three blades, each blade is 50.3 meters long and weighs 34.8 tonnes. The turbines are manufactured by Mapna and used in dry conditions. A functional unit of one kilowatt of electricity was selected and the data were analyzed in SIMAPRO software using IMPACT2002+ method with 15 midpoint indicators and four final indicators.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the stage of raw materials and production has the highest impact on the creation of midpoint indicators, which is due to extraction, manufacturing, and production of parts such as steel casting using non-renewable energy and activities such as high-temperature welding. The total environmental index of Aqkand and Kahak wind power plants for 1 kWh of generated electricity was 5.84 and 4.45 μPt respectively, more than half of which belongs to the damage to human health category. The investigation of the ionizing radiation index showed that the use of diesel fuel in the installation phase resulted in the highest amount of emissions in both of the power plants, so the share of pollutant emissions in the raw materials and production phase is more than 40%, and in the installation phase due to diesel fuel consumption was more than 48%. The investigation of the eutrophication index showed that the raw materials and production stage accounted for more than 95% of the damage to the ecosystem quality category, and in the meantime, copper and electrical components had the highest amount of contribution to the raw materials and production stage. Additionally, diesel fuel accounted for the largest part of the result in the installation stage, and the transportation and maintenance stage included less than 1% of this result. The investigation of the renewable energy consumption index showed that the stage of raw materials and turbine production in the Aqkand power plant with a share of 68% and the Kahak power plant wi
Applying innovative nanotechnology in agriculture is considered as one of the promising approaches to obtain significant increases of crop yield. Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered potential agents for agriculture as fertilizers and growth enhancers and using of nano-fertilizers has led to an increasing in the efficiency of nutrients, the correct management of fertilizer consumption, and a reduction of the frequency of fertilizer application. Stimulants are compounds that initiate signals for cells to increase or decrease the production of secondary metabolites and plant defense response. Stimulants such as Putrescine play a role in regulating various plant physiological processes. In this regard, considering the importance of using new technologies, including nanotechnology, in sustainable agriculture to increase the quantitative and qualitative performance of agricultural products, especially oil-medicinal plants, and the lack of sufficient information about the use of iron nanoparticles and polyamine putricine in Camelina plant nutrition, The effect of foliar spraying of these stimulants on functional, morphological and physiological traits of Camelina plant (Soheil veriety) was evaluated.
Salinity stands as a significant environmental stressor that profoundly curtails the growth and yield of crop plants. This adversity also extends to the impairment of pigments and plastids, leading to diminished chlorophyll indices, rates, and grain-filling durations. To counteract the deleterious impact of such stressors on plant growth, a spectrum of strategies has been devised. Prominent among these strategies are plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, exemplified by azospirillum, and the utilization of nanoparticles like zinc and silicon. These factors play a pivotal role in elevating yield outcomes. Zinc's pivotal involvement spans protein metabolism, photosynthetic activities, and diverse physiological traits within plants. Particularly noteworthy is its contribution to rectifying zinc deficiency, a particularly critical concern in plants cultivated in high-pH soils. Notably, recent research has illuminated the potential of applying minute quantities of micronutrients, notably zinc via foliar spraying, in bolstering plant resilience against salt stress. Likewise, silicon emerges as a supplemental micronutrient that imparts heightened resistance to environmental stresses, fostering increased resilience within biological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles (zinc and silicon) on the yield, photosynthetic pigments, and filling components of triticale grain under salt stress.
For optimal production and maintaining its stability, environmental and weather conditions must be determined from the perspective of capabilities and limitations. For this purpose, it requires reliable regional data such as planting date, ripening time, plant density, soil, and meteorological information, which are generally not available for most regions. Obtaining this information is very time-consuming and expensive in many areas and is often simply not possible. Therefore, zoning can facilitate access to this information on a large scale. In other words, if the regions that are similar in terms of climate, soil, and management conditions are identified, the time and cost needed to collect information on a wide scale will be minimal.
Deficit irrigation offers a solution for optimizing crop production under water stress conditions, albeit with an initial reduction in yield per unit area. Employing deficit irrigation aids in farm management in scenarios where land availability isn’t constrained, enabling the determination of optimal cultivation patterns while conserving water consumption. However, deficit irrigation may influence plant growth and development by inducing drought stress. Due to several capabilities, quinoa shows resistance to solar radiation, temperature, water availability, and atmospheric CO2 concentration, which makes it possible to cultivate it in different agricultural areas. Quinoa also has a great capacity for cultivation in dry and low-water soils. Although growth analysis sometimes provides valuable clues, it does not provide any physicochemical information related to the environmental reactions of plants; in other words, the main benefit of many quantities involved in growth analysis is to provide an accurate estimate of the ability and efficiency of the plant in the community at certain time intervals. In general, growth analysis evaluates the system based on the results of physiological manifestations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the physiological growth analyses of three quinoa cultivars under different moisture levels in summer and spring planting dates in the South Khorasan region.
Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important agricultural products in the Mediterranean. Today, grapes are grown in a large area of the world's gardens. The world production of grapes was about 77.8 million tons in 2018, of which 1.3 million tons were converted into raisins. According to the latest data of FAO, Iran has an annual production of 24.45 million tons of grapes in an area of 213 thousand hectares, accounting for 3% of the world's grape production. The average yield per hectare of vineyard is reported to be 15.5 tons. The purpose of this study is to determine hot spots in terms of energy and cost in the production of Malayer grapes with the approach of material and energy flow costing (MEFCA). The primary focus of material and energy flow cost accounting is on waste (waste of energy, materials and potential human capacity).
The relationship between economic development and the environment is known as one of the most important issues facing societies. If in the context of sustainable development, economic and environmental activities are considered together, the environment and economic development are two complementary factors and, as a result, it will lead to ecological balance. In this case, economic activities will not disturb this balance. Presently, the imperative of safeguarding the environment and attaining sustainable development has ascended to a prominent position on the agendas of diverse societies, Iran included. This commitment is underscored by the execution of comprehensive economic, social, and cultural initiatives aimed at fostering long-term ecological resilience and balanced societal progress. Therefore, to preserve the environment and meet the goals of sustainable development, as well as to guide and rationally manage plans and projects, especially in the agricultural sector, serious measures should be taken. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the operational, environmental, and eco-efficiency of the major agricultural products of the irrigation and drainage networks of Gotvand.
The irrigation and drainage network of Gotvand is located in the southwest of Iran in Khuzestan province. This network is designed to irrigate lands located in three regions of Gotvand, Aghili, and Dimcheh, enclosed between two rivers, Karun and Lor. According to the official statistics of government organizations, the consumption of fertilizers and chemical poisons in the lands covered by this network is 3.6 times the average limit in Iran. The excess irrigation water in this network is returned to the rivers by the built-in drains and causes water pollution downstream of the network. Therefore, considering that environmental protection is one of the most important aspects of sustainable development, it is very important to investigate the effects of the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture and to introduce solutions to improve the efficiency of the environment in the study area.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of many developing economies, providing food, income, and employment for millions of people. It is also projected to play a vital role in feeding a global population of 9.1 billion people by 2050. However, there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran. Managing water and fertilizer usage in agriculture is crucial to ensuring food security and sustainability. However, conducting field experiments to assess the interaction of all factors involved is expensive and time-consuming. This research focuses on optimizing maize production in Kerman province, a region where maize is a major crop. The research is motivated by the need to improve resource management in Iran, where water and fertilizer resources are limited. The APSIM model is used to determine the best management scenario for maize production in Kerman province. APSIM is a crop growth simulation model that can be used to predict the impact of different management practices on crop yield, water use efficiency, and nutrient use efficiency. The use of APSIM in this research provides a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to conducting extensive field experiments. The results of this research will contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient agricultural practices in Kerman province and similar regions. These regions are characterized by resource constraints, such as limited water and fertilizer availability. The research aimed to simulate the effect of management parameters (planting date and irrigation) on Crop yield and subsequently achieve the optimal management scenario.
Introduction
Sugarcane is one of the strategic products of Khuzestan province, which is cultivated in 10 active agro-industrial sites and covers an area of about 110,000 hectares of irrigated farms in the province. Sugarcane harvesting, like most crops, is done by special sugarcane harvesters. Due to the life of machines and also the amount of heavy machine operations in each season of sugarcane harvest, the loss is inevitable. On the other hand, in Khuzestan province, due to lack of studies, there is little information in this area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the extent of losses during sugarcane harvesting operations, taking into account factors such as cultivars, age of sugarcane, and reaping speed of the Astaf 7000 model. The study will be conducted at the sugarcane agro-industrial site of Dehkhoda in 2021.
Drought stress and consequent lack of available water for plants is one of the main causes of accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in various organs of plants, which is effective in reducing the yield of cereals such as wheat. The antioxidant system, which contains various enzymes and genes, is responsible for removing and detoxifying plants from ROS. Unfortunately, genes responding to drought stress and their enzymatic activities associated with spike and flag leaf of wheat have received less attention. Therefore, in the present study, photosynthetic parameters, key enzymes of the antioxidant system, and expression analysis of some genes involved in this system under field capacity (FC) and drought stress (DS) conditions in spike and flag leaves of wheat were investigated.
Introduction
Prolonged droughts and lack of water resources, followed by the salinity of water and soil resources, have faced many limitations in the production of some conventional agricultural and garden plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. Therefore, the introduction of new plants with high yield potential, which have suitable growth in saline soils, the threshold of their seed yield reduction is high, and the production product is of high quality has been considered in Iran. Quinoa with the scientific name Chenopodium quinoa Willd. It is an annual plant originating from Latin America, which, despite its high nutritional value, tolerates a wide range of abiotic stresses and can grow in marginal lands. For this reason, this experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of quinoa plant genotypes against different levels of salinity in the research field of the Gorgan Agricultural Meteorological Research Department.
Materials and Methods
Cultivation of seeds of nine genotypes Titicaca (control number), Giza1, RedCarina, Q18, Q21, Q22, Q26, Q29, and Q31 obtained from Karaj Seedling and Seed Breeding Research Institute in a factorial experiment based on a complete random block design. Plastic pots were made with a bed of sand and clay in a ratio of two to one on March 5, 2019. The application of NaCl salt solution treatments at the levels of zero, 10, 20, and 30 decisiemens/m started after the establishment of the plant and reached the six-leaf stage and lasted for 45 days. After salinity treatment, morphological traits including plant height, stem diameter, number of sub-branches, inflorescence length, inflorescence width, biomass, 1000 seed weight, and seed weight per plant were measured.
Introduction
Sunflower, one of the primary oilseed crops worldwide, is cultivated extensively due to its suitability for agricultural needs, high oil yield, and nutritional and medicinal value. However, drought remains the most critical limiting factor affecting sunflower productivity. In arid and semi-arid regions, the intensity of drought stress is predicted to increase in the future. Unfortunately, severe drought stress leads to significant reductions in both seed and oil production. While sunflower is moderately drought-tolerant, understanding the physiological and agronomic aspects of drought stress is crucial for sustainable management. Given that water, scarcity poses a significant threat to crop productivity and environmental resources are diminishing, effective irrigation management under water scarcity is becoming increasingly important.
Materials and Methods
In order to study the effects of deficit irrigation on grain yield and physiological traits of six sunflower cultivars, a field experiment was carried out in a split-plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019-2020 growing season. The experimental site was located in the research farm of the Safiabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Main plots consisted of three irrigation regimes including; control, moderate, and severe deficit irrigation (50, 70, and 90% of available moisture, respectively), and sub plots consisted of six sunflower cultivars including; Oscar, Felix, Shakira, Savana, Labad and Monaliza.
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Similar to Evaluating the Sustainability of Canola Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis, Carbon Footprint, and Greenhouse Gases
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals after wheat and rice in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Also, its mean production is 8 ton ha-1. Moreover, the total area of under cultivation is 132572 hectares in Iran. Crop simulation models can play an important role in improving agricultural production systems in many developing countries. Crop models can simulate plant growth processes and grain yield instead of conducting several years of field experiments. On the other hands, crop simulation models should be calibrated and evaluated with independent data sets under different climatic conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this research was evaluation of the APSIM model for simulation of growth, development and yield of maize hybrids in Kerman province under different amounts of nitrogen.
The growing importance of energy resources in the formation and growth of economic processes, as well as the need to exploit these resources based on environmental considerations and sustainable economic development, the issue of energy saving as an important issue in all economic infrastructures, including industry. Global warming, declining crop yields, climate change and acid rain are the result of fossil fuel consumption. Hence, in recent years, there has been a growing global emphasis on renewable energy across both developed and developing nations. The primary objective is to decrease reliance on conventional energy sources, mitigate environmental pollution, and attain sustainable energy practices.
Introduction
Nowadays, the cultivation of plants adapted to adverse conditions, such as drought and salinity, in the country has been considered. Meanwhile, Kochia scoparia, one of the forgotten plants, due to its classification in the group of halophytes, has specific characteristics suitable for cultivation in low-water and saline areas (Salehi, Kafi, & Kiani, 2012). This plant is known as an important annual forage crop, and its grains also have high nutritional value and oil, which can be considered for future industrial applications (Salehi et al., 2012). Studies on the salinity tolerance of the Kochia plant have shown that it is suitable for cultivation in saline areas, and in terms of quantity and quality, can compete with conventional forage plants. The use of natural organic materials, such as humic acid, has received more attention. These materials, as part of soil organic matter, are influenced by physical, chemical, and microbiological changes in biological molecules (Sabzevari & Khazaei, 2009; Dong, Córdova-Kreylos, Yang, Yuan, & Scow, 2009). Additionally, nitrogen is the most important element needed for plant growth and development. It is also a key component in many biological compounds, including proteins, nucleic acids, some hormones, and chlorophyll. Nitrogen plays an essential role in photosynthetic processes and the final function of plants (Kaur, Gupta, & Kaur, 2002; Taiz, Zeiger, Møller, & Murphy, 2015). As a result of this research, a combination of nitrogen and humic acid can be used as nutritional resources in salt stress conditions.
Materials and Methods
This experiment was conducted in the form of split plots based on the randomized complete block design with three replications in the Saline Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the 2015 growth season. The main plot included drought stress with a four-week interruption of irrigation at three levels of control (irrigation until the end of the growing season), after establishment (50 days after planting), the beginning of flowering (71 days after planting) and late flowering (82 days after planting) The subplot was included nitrogen application at three levels of zero, 100 and 200 kg.ha-1 from urea fertilizer source. The optimum level of humic acid (2 per thousand) was done as seed at the time of planting for all treatments.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the drought stress during vegetative and reproductive growth stages had a negative effect on the Kochia plant. However, its effect in the early stages of vegetative growth (after establishment) was greater than the stress at the end of the season (late flowering). Drought stress has a negative effect on Kochia grain yield by reducing the concentration of chlorophyll a, altering the chlorophyll a to b ratio, decreasing carotenoid concentration, and affecting relative leaf water content. However, seed treatments of humic acid and its combination with 100 kg.ha-1 nitrogen level by increasing th
Global warming directly affects agricultural production and food security (Ainsworth & Ort, 2010). Temperature controls the rate of plant metabolic processes that ultimately affect biomass production and grain yield (Hay & Walker, 1981). Although farmers are not able to control the climatic conditions, management and changes in factors such as irrigation, soil, crop varieties, activities, and technologies used in the cultivation of crops can reduce the harmful effects of climate change (Moradi et al., 2014). One of the reliable approaches to studying the effects of climate change on agricultural production is using crop growth models. The present study was conducted to simulate the effects of climate change on phonological stages and yield of maize and to investigate the possibility of mitigating the negative effects of climate change on maize by changing the sowing date and selecting suitable cultivars as management strategies for adaptation to climate change in Kermanshah region.
Since the development of crop cultivation and their yield depend on irrigation and since drought is one of the features of our country, one of the solutions to deal with these problems is the implementation of applied research in the field of stress-resistant plants cultivation such as quinoa. Also, considering the important role of potassium and zinc elements in the plant, providing a sufficient amount of these elements under drought stress can be effective in increasing the plant's resistance to this type of stress. Considering the genetic differences of plants and their different reactions in the face of environmental stress such as drought stress, and different fertilization of genotypes, it seems necessary to carry out this research to investigate the application of potassium and zinc chelates on the morpho-physiological and yield indicators of three quinoa genotypes under drought stress conditions in Razavi Khorasan climate.
Long-term use of chemical fertilizers can cause many adverse effects. In addition, excessive consumption of chemical fertilizers can lead to decreased food safety and low quality of vegetables, such as the accumulation of nitrates in plants. Today, using organic fertilizers is an efficient way to achieve sustainable agricultural development. The release rate of nutrients from organic fertilizers is slow and hardly exceeds the absorption capacity of plants compared to chemical fertilizers.
Food security is one of the basic needs of any society. Studies have been conducted on the foliar application of elements, especially silicon, calcium, and potassium, to reduce the adverse environmental effects on the physico-mechanical properties of cereals and improve their growth and development in order to maintain food security. Lodging, which is caused by a decrease in the mechanical properties of the plant stem's flexural strength, is characterized by bending or fracture that changes the angle of the grain stem from the vertical position. Due to the important factors involved, an important aspect of performance is directly and indirectly related to the occurrence of fungal diseases and nutrient-related issues affecting the physico-mechanical properties of the plant, such as flexural strength. The efficacy of silicon, calcium, and potassium in addressing these concerns is notable.
Evaluation of the Effects of Artificial Light on Some Plant Characteristics i...J. Agricultural Machinery
It is predicted that the world population will grow to 9.3 billion by 2050 and the urban population will increase by 73%, growing from 3.6 billion to 6.3 billion. This huge population requires abundant food production. A plant factory with artificial light (PFAL) is a closed growing system that is insulated against heat and air. The plants grow on shelves under horizontal artificial lighting. The main goal of PFAL is commercial plant production, but mini PFALs do not have commercial goals and are used to produce plants in small domestic sizes. Plants that are less than 30 cm tall, and grow well in relatively low light conditions and at high planting densities, are suitable for the plant factory. Therefore, plants such as rice, wheat, and potatoes are not suitable for cultivation in a plant factory.
The main purpose of this research is to study the proper light quality for growing radish plants. All light treatments had a significant effect on biomass, sugar, and photosynthetic pigments of radish. The results showed that the highest amount of chlorophyll a was 0.964 mg g-1 fresh leaf weight and the lowest amount was
0.318 mg g-1 fresh leaf weight. For chlorophyll b, the highest value was 0.666 mg g-1 wet weight and the lowest value was 0.229 mg g-1 wet weight. The highest and lowest carotenoid contents were 74.75 mg g-1 and 30.6
mg g-1 wet weight, respectively. The highest sugar content was 0.717 μg g-1 dry weight and the lowest was 0.02 μg g-1 dry weight. The highest fresh and dry weights of the plant were 0.27 g and 0.014 g, respectively, while the lowest values recorded were 0.155 g and 0.007 g, respectively. In this study, plant length was also examined, but no significant difference was observed between different light treatments. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the light composition (R2, G0, B1) was the most suitable light regime for use in the designed system.
The effect of salinity stress on the quantity and quality of crop production highlights the importance of managing and reducing the damage caused by this stress factor in agriculture. Increasing soil salinity and decreasing fertility of arable lands is one of the major problems in saline areas. Cultivation of salt-tolerant crops which can increase soil fertility could be effective in the sustainable production of these lands. Studying photosynthesis and its related factors could provide appropriate physiological views in understanding plant behavior against salinity stress. The present study was conducted to assess the salinity tolerance of chickpea genotypes for cultivation in saline areas.
Salinity is one of the major constraints to wheat growth, which hampers production, causing yield loss in arid and semi-arid regions. Reductions in growth resulting from high salinity are because of both osmotic stress, inducing a water deficit, and the effects of excess Na+ and Cl– ions on critical biochemical processes. Salt stress induces a significant reduction in photosynthesis through the reduction of leaf area and photosynthetic pigments. Several strategies have been developed to decrease the toxic effects caused by high salinity on plant growth. Among them, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Pseudomonas and Mycorrhiza play an important role in yield improvement. Many studies have been published on the beneficial effects of bacterial inoculation on plant physiology and growth under salt stress. One of the common hypotheses employed in most of the studies conducted under salinity stress was the lowering of ethylene level by the ACC-deaminase activities of PGPR and improved plant growth and yield under salinity stress.
It was reported that the application of Pseudomonas spp. improved plant growth by decreasing the uptake of Na+ and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes under salinity stress. The selective uptake of K+ as opposed to Na+ is considered one of the important physiological mechanisms contributing to salt tolerance in many plant species. Inoculation with PGPR significantly decreased Na+ uptake and increased K+ content and enhanced levels of K+ that could be to mitigate oxidative stress imposed by higher salinity. Some researchers have reported that PGPR species like Azotobacter and Pseudomonas increased the growth and biomass of canola (Brassica napus L.) under salinity stress.
A Better understanding of wheat physiological responses under salinity may help in programs in which the objective is to improve the grain yield under salinity stress. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological, stomata conductance, along with root and shoot Na+/ K+ ratios) of wheat to cycocel and PGPR application under salinity stress.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Electricity Generation in Wind Power Plant...J. Agricultural Machinery
Introduction
The world’s growing population has led to an inevitable increase in energy demand, and this, in addition to the depletion of non-renewable energy sources, can lead to several environmental issues. Wind power has proven to be a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, particularly in light of the pressing need to mitigate environmental impact and promote the use of renewable energy. The purpose of this research is to investigate and compare the environmental effects of electricity production from two wind power plants, Aqkand and Kahak, using wind turbines with a capacity of 2.5 megawatts for a period of three different lifetimes (20, 25, and 30 years).
Materials and Methods
The present study investigates the environmental effects of electricity generation during the life cycle of wind farms (Kahak and Aqkand) during the construction and operation of these power plants and the cumulative exergy demand index. The specifications of the wind turbines used in the current research are: turbine capacity of 2.5 MW, rotor diameter of 103 meters, rotor weight of 56 tonnes, three blades, each blade is 50.3 meters long and weighs 34.8 tonnes. The turbines are manufactured by Mapna and used in dry conditions. A functional unit of one kilowatt of electricity was selected and the data were analyzed in SIMAPRO software using IMPACT2002+ method with 15 midpoint indicators and four final indicators.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the stage of raw materials and production has the highest impact on the creation of midpoint indicators, which is due to extraction, manufacturing, and production of parts such as steel casting using non-renewable energy and activities such as high-temperature welding. The total environmental index of Aqkand and Kahak wind power plants for 1 kWh of generated electricity was 5.84 and 4.45 μPt respectively, more than half of which belongs to the damage to human health category. The investigation of the ionizing radiation index showed that the use of diesel fuel in the installation phase resulted in the highest amount of emissions in both of the power plants, so the share of pollutant emissions in the raw materials and production phase is more than 40%, and in the installation phase due to diesel fuel consumption was more than 48%. The investigation of the eutrophication index showed that the raw materials and production stage accounted for more than 95% of the damage to the ecosystem quality category, and in the meantime, copper and electrical components had the highest amount of contribution to the raw materials and production stage. Additionally, diesel fuel accounted for the largest part of the result in the installation stage, and the transportation and maintenance stage included less than 1% of this result. The investigation of the renewable energy consumption index showed that the stage of raw materials and turbine production in the Aqkand power plant with a share of 68% and the Kahak power plant wi
Applying innovative nanotechnology in agriculture is considered as one of the promising approaches to obtain significant increases of crop yield. Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered potential agents for agriculture as fertilizers and growth enhancers and using of nano-fertilizers has led to an increasing in the efficiency of nutrients, the correct management of fertilizer consumption, and a reduction of the frequency of fertilizer application. Stimulants are compounds that initiate signals for cells to increase or decrease the production of secondary metabolites and plant defense response. Stimulants such as Putrescine play a role in regulating various plant physiological processes. In this regard, considering the importance of using new technologies, including nanotechnology, in sustainable agriculture to increase the quantitative and qualitative performance of agricultural products, especially oil-medicinal plants, and the lack of sufficient information about the use of iron nanoparticles and polyamine putricine in Camelina plant nutrition, The effect of foliar spraying of these stimulants on functional, morphological and physiological traits of Camelina plant (Soheil veriety) was evaluated.
Salinity stands as a significant environmental stressor that profoundly curtails the growth and yield of crop plants. This adversity also extends to the impairment of pigments and plastids, leading to diminished chlorophyll indices, rates, and grain-filling durations. To counteract the deleterious impact of such stressors on plant growth, a spectrum of strategies has been devised. Prominent among these strategies are plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, exemplified by azospirillum, and the utilization of nanoparticles like zinc and silicon. These factors play a pivotal role in elevating yield outcomes. Zinc's pivotal involvement spans protein metabolism, photosynthetic activities, and diverse physiological traits within plants. Particularly noteworthy is its contribution to rectifying zinc deficiency, a particularly critical concern in plants cultivated in high-pH soils. Notably, recent research has illuminated the potential of applying minute quantities of micronutrients, notably zinc via foliar spraying, in bolstering plant resilience against salt stress. Likewise, silicon emerges as a supplemental micronutrient that imparts heightened resistance to environmental stresses, fostering increased resilience within biological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles (zinc and silicon) on the yield, photosynthetic pigments, and filling components of triticale grain under salt stress.
For optimal production and maintaining its stability, environmental and weather conditions must be determined from the perspective of capabilities and limitations. For this purpose, it requires reliable regional data such as planting date, ripening time, plant density, soil, and meteorological information, which are generally not available for most regions. Obtaining this information is very time-consuming and expensive in many areas and is often simply not possible. Therefore, zoning can facilitate access to this information on a large scale. In other words, if the regions that are similar in terms of climate, soil, and management conditions are identified, the time and cost needed to collect information on a wide scale will be minimal.
Deficit irrigation offers a solution for optimizing crop production under water stress conditions, albeit with an initial reduction in yield per unit area. Employing deficit irrigation aids in farm management in scenarios where land availability isn’t constrained, enabling the determination of optimal cultivation patterns while conserving water consumption. However, deficit irrigation may influence plant growth and development by inducing drought stress. Due to several capabilities, quinoa shows resistance to solar radiation, temperature, water availability, and atmospheric CO2 concentration, which makes it possible to cultivate it in different agricultural areas. Quinoa also has a great capacity for cultivation in dry and low-water soils. Although growth analysis sometimes provides valuable clues, it does not provide any physicochemical information related to the environmental reactions of plants; in other words, the main benefit of many quantities involved in growth analysis is to provide an accurate estimate of the ability and efficiency of the plant in the community at certain time intervals. In general, growth analysis evaluates the system based on the results of physiological manifestations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the physiological growth analyses of three quinoa cultivars under different moisture levels in summer and spring planting dates in the South Khorasan region.
Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important agricultural products in the Mediterranean. Today, grapes are grown in a large area of the world's gardens. The world production of grapes was about 77.8 million tons in 2018, of which 1.3 million tons were converted into raisins. According to the latest data of FAO, Iran has an annual production of 24.45 million tons of grapes in an area of 213 thousand hectares, accounting for 3% of the world's grape production. The average yield per hectare of vineyard is reported to be 15.5 tons. The purpose of this study is to determine hot spots in terms of energy and cost in the production of Malayer grapes with the approach of material and energy flow costing (MEFCA). The primary focus of material and energy flow cost accounting is on waste (waste of energy, materials and potential human capacity).
The relationship between economic development and the environment is known as one of the most important issues facing societies. If in the context of sustainable development, economic and environmental activities are considered together, the environment and economic development are two complementary factors and, as a result, it will lead to ecological balance. In this case, economic activities will not disturb this balance. Presently, the imperative of safeguarding the environment and attaining sustainable development has ascended to a prominent position on the agendas of diverse societies, Iran included. This commitment is underscored by the execution of comprehensive economic, social, and cultural initiatives aimed at fostering long-term ecological resilience and balanced societal progress. Therefore, to preserve the environment and meet the goals of sustainable development, as well as to guide and rationally manage plans and projects, especially in the agricultural sector, serious measures should be taken. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the operational, environmental, and eco-efficiency of the major agricultural products of the irrigation and drainage networks of Gotvand.
The irrigation and drainage network of Gotvand is located in the southwest of Iran in Khuzestan province. This network is designed to irrigate lands located in three regions of Gotvand, Aghili, and Dimcheh, enclosed between two rivers, Karun and Lor. According to the official statistics of government organizations, the consumption of fertilizers and chemical poisons in the lands covered by this network is 3.6 times the average limit in Iran. The excess irrigation water in this network is returned to the rivers by the built-in drains and causes water pollution downstream of the network. Therefore, considering that environmental protection is one of the most important aspects of sustainable development, it is very important to investigate the effects of the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture and to introduce solutions to improve the efficiency of the environment in the study area.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of many developing economies, providing food, income, and employment for millions of people. It is also projected to play a vital role in feeding a global population of 9.1 billion people by 2050. However, there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran. Managing water and fertilizer usage in agriculture is crucial to ensuring food security and sustainability. However, conducting field experiments to assess the interaction of all factors involved is expensive and time-consuming. This research focuses on optimizing maize production in Kerman province, a region where maize is a major crop. The research is motivated by the need to improve resource management in Iran, where water and fertilizer resources are limited. The APSIM model is used to determine the best management scenario for maize production in Kerman province. APSIM is a crop growth simulation model that can be used to predict the impact of different management practices on crop yield, water use efficiency, and nutrient use efficiency. The use of APSIM in this research provides a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to conducting extensive field experiments. The results of this research will contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient agricultural practices in Kerman province and similar regions. These regions are characterized by resource constraints, such as limited water and fertilizer availability. The research aimed to simulate the effect of management parameters (planting date and irrigation) on Crop yield and subsequently achieve the optimal management scenario.
Introduction
Sugarcane is one of the strategic products of Khuzestan province, which is cultivated in 10 active agro-industrial sites and covers an area of about 110,000 hectares of irrigated farms in the province. Sugarcane harvesting, like most crops, is done by special sugarcane harvesters. Due to the life of machines and also the amount of heavy machine operations in each season of sugarcane harvest, the loss is inevitable. On the other hand, in Khuzestan province, due to lack of studies, there is little information in this area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the extent of losses during sugarcane harvesting operations, taking into account factors such as cultivars, age of sugarcane, and reaping speed of the Astaf 7000 model. The study will be conducted at the sugarcane agro-industrial site of Dehkhoda in 2021.
Drought stress and consequent lack of available water for plants is one of the main causes of accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in various organs of plants, which is effective in reducing the yield of cereals such as wheat. The antioxidant system, which contains various enzymes and genes, is responsible for removing and detoxifying plants from ROS. Unfortunately, genes responding to drought stress and their enzymatic activities associated with spike and flag leaf of wheat have received less attention. Therefore, in the present study, photosynthetic parameters, key enzymes of the antioxidant system, and expression analysis of some genes involved in this system under field capacity (FC) and drought stress (DS) conditions in spike and flag leaves of wheat were investigated.
Similar to Evaluating the Sustainability of Canola Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis, Carbon Footprint, and Greenhouse Gases (20)
Introduction
Prolonged droughts and lack of water resources, followed by the salinity of water and soil resources, have faced many limitations in the production of some conventional agricultural and garden plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. Therefore, the introduction of new plants with high yield potential, which have suitable growth in saline soils, the threshold of their seed yield reduction is high, and the production product is of high quality has been considered in Iran. Quinoa with the scientific name Chenopodium quinoa Willd. It is an annual plant originating from Latin America, which, despite its high nutritional value, tolerates a wide range of abiotic stresses and can grow in marginal lands. For this reason, this experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of quinoa plant genotypes against different levels of salinity in the research field of the Gorgan Agricultural Meteorological Research Department.
Materials and Methods
Cultivation of seeds of nine genotypes Titicaca (control number), Giza1, RedCarina, Q18, Q21, Q22, Q26, Q29, and Q31 obtained from Karaj Seedling and Seed Breeding Research Institute in a factorial experiment based on a complete random block design. Plastic pots were made with a bed of sand and clay in a ratio of two to one on March 5, 2019. The application of NaCl salt solution treatments at the levels of zero, 10, 20, and 30 decisiemens/m started after the establishment of the plant and reached the six-leaf stage and lasted for 45 days. After salinity treatment, morphological traits including plant height, stem diameter, number of sub-branches, inflorescence length, inflorescence width, biomass, 1000 seed weight, and seed weight per plant were measured.
Introduction
Sunflower, one of the primary oilseed crops worldwide, is cultivated extensively due to its suitability for agricultural needs, high oil yield, and nutritional and medicinal value. However, drought remains the most critical limiting factor affecting sunflower productivity. In arid and semi-arid regions, the intensity of drought stress is predicted to increase in the future. Unfortunately, severe drought stress leads to significant reductions in both seed and oil production. While sunflower is moderately drought-tolerant, understanding the physiological and agronomic aspects of drought stress is crucial for sustainable management. Given that water, scarcity poses a significant threat to crop productivity and environmental resources are diminishing, effective irrigation management under water scarcity is becoming increasingly important.
Materials and Methods
In order to study the effects of deficit irrigation on grain yield and physiological traits of six sunflower cultivars, a field experiment was carried out in a split-plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2019-2020 growing season. The experimental site was located in the research farm of the Safiabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Main plots consisted of three irrigation regimes including; control, moderate, and severe deficit irrigation (50, 70, and 90% of available moisture, respectively), and sub plots consisted of six sunflower cultivars including; Oscar, Felix, Shakira, Savana, Labad and Monaliza.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important crops in the human food basket worldwide. It is a highly nutritious pulse crop with low digestible carbohydrates, protein, essential fats, fiber, and a range of minerals and vitamins. As the human population grows, the demand for this protein source increases and various approaches to its sustainable products are being developed. Autumn cultivation of chickpea in cold regions requires the introduction of cultivars tolerant to freezing stress. The ability of plants to overwinter depends on the biochemical and physiological responses induced by their cold acclimation duration. Cold acclimation mechanisms in the plant are a fundamental reason for plant tolerance increase in autumn cultivation. Hence, investigating the mentioned traits can help identify cold-tolerant genotypes. Identifying attributes that provide a suitable description of the diversity between genotypes is critical through canonical correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and determining the genetic distance.
Crop cultivars are the most important factor in crop optimum quantity and quality products achievement and cotton is one of the most industrial crops. Objectives of new cotton cultivars introduction are yield increase, earliness, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite the improvement and introduction of numerous new cotton cultivars in Iran in recent years, new foreign cotton cultivars have also been registered, introduced, and commercialized for the first time in Iran. Therefore, the cultivation of new foreign cotton cultivars that show early maturity, high-yielding, and have good fiber quality is included in projects of the Ministry of Jihad of Agriculture for cotton cultivation development. This research was carried out to evaluate and compare the seed cotton yield and its components and some fiber qualitative characteristics of new cotton with thought VCU trial in South Khorasaد province in Birjand Mohammadieh agriculture research station to introduce and commercialize these cultivars.
Seed pretreatment is one of the simple techniques that can increase seed vigor and seedling establishment, and thus plant yield. Seed pretreatment can be done with water (hydropriming), inorganic salts such as potassium nitrate (halopriming), and growth regulators such as salicylic acid (hormone priming) and ascorbic acid (vitamin priming). Another effective factor in producing strong seeds is proper nutrition of the mother plants. Proper nutrition of the maternal plant in the form of foliar sprays with essential elements leads to the production of high-quality seeds, which affects germination and yield. Considering the positive role of seed pretreatment in improving germination rate and seedling establishment, and increasing seed yield of various plants as a result of foliar application of growth regulators and inorganic salts, this experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed pretreatment and foliar spraying with salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and potassium nitrate on improving physiological and biochemical characteristics, yield and yield components of borage.
South of Iran has been located in the dry belt and desert strip thus water stress has always been one of the serious problems in its agriculture (Buzarjomehri et al., 2020). Intercropping is the cultivation of two or more plant species in a specific land and growing season, which is important in agricultural systems with limited resources and low input (Brooker et al., 2015). Due to the differences in the rooting depth, lateral expansion, and root density of cereals and legumes, they have been the best candidates for intercropping traditionally for limited soil water and nutrient availability environments (Babalola, 1980; Haynes, 1980). Application of bio-fertilizers (PGPR bacteria) that have nitrogen (N) fixation and phosphorus (P) solubilizing activity (Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescence, respectively) is a promising approach for obtaining N, P, and water-restricted areas (Tien et al, 1979; Barea, 2015). Organic manures enhance soil water holding capacity and serve as excellent slow-release sources of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the soil (Risse et al., 2006). This study aimed to investigate the effect of different fertilizer systems (chemical, integrated, and bio-organic) on triticale grain yield and its components in sole and intercropped triticale in triticale/chickpea system under late season water stress in a hot and dry area of southern Iran (Fars province - Darab).
Intensive agriculture, despite high production, has adverse environmental effects, mainly due to the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Therefore, we need alternative agricultural systems that are more economically and environmentally sustainable to produce crops. One of the sustainable methods in the production of agricultural products is intercropping. Intercropping of two or more species in a plot of land can increase biodiversity and resource utilization as agricultural perspective, which in turn can lead to increased yield stability. Intercropping uses resources more efficiently than monoculture, preventing the growth and spread of weeds by shading and suffocating weeds, and in some cases with allelopathic. Intercropping of cereals and legumes is recommended for the development of sustainable food production systems, especially in planting systems based on reduced consumption of foreign inputs. The importance of these systems depends on the nitrogen stabilized by the legumes. The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of row intercropping of barley and vetch and different levels of ammonium nitrate fertilizer on weed biomass, yield components and yield of two species in Karaj climatic condition.
Water is now the main limiting factor for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Water-cut or irrigation interruption has been suggested as one of the main strategies agro-technique to get the most benefit from limited water resource available. In this regard, plant growth stage, time of stress induction and the genotype are the main key factors to determine the degree of success. Canola is one of the most important oil crop. It can survive some degree of water stress while there is a need for research to find the most appropriate genotypes for plantations in water-limited areas.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world as well as in Iran. It has experienced many improvements in terms of yield and quality traits during recent decades. Wheat, like energy, is known as a strategic commodity and is one of the important indicators of agriculture. This plant has the highest area under cultivation and production among other cereals in the world. Planting date is an important factor in crop production because meteorological parameters vary with changes in planting date. Delay in planting is one of the problems that is common in almost all wheat growing areas of Iran and is one of the main causes of reduced yields of wheat cultivars. Yield reduction rate varies depending on the delay in planting and cultivars, and the results of some experiments indicate that this amount sometimes reaches more than 35% of potential grain yield. Phenology and growth rate due to their effect on duration and the occurrence of different stages of development and the environmental conditions prevailing in each of these stages, are the key point of adaptation to various environmental conditions such as delayed planting date. This experiment was designed to identify the changes in yield and yield components and phenological stages of new bread wheat cultivars with different growth habits and to investigate the possibility of introducing cultivars compatible with delayed planting date in the region.
Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the world. It contains 12 to 20% protein. Silicon (Si) existing in the Earth’s crust is classified as the most abundant element after oxygen. Although silicon is not considered an essential element for plant growth, but a number of studies have reported that it as an important factor in plants that plays an important role in the resistance mechanisms of plants against environmental stress. Also, it plays a crucial physiological role in photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content. One of the most effective factors in increasing the Grasspea biomass is seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Some of the benefits provided by PGPR are the ability to produce gibberellic acid, cytokinins and ethylene, N2 fixation, solubilization of mineral phosphates and other nutrients. Numerous studies have shown a substantial increase in dry matter accumulation via inoculation with PGPR. Some researchers reported that seed inoculation with PGPR enhanced relative water content and photochemical efficiency of PSII lathyrus under water limitations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nano silicon and seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on biomass, nodulation and some physiological traits of Grasspea.
Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is the second most important sugar crop after sugarcane, which annually produces about 40% of total sugar production worldwide and is adapted to different climatic conditions (El-Hag et al., 2015). Due to global warming, autumn cultivation of sugar beet is predicted to become more priority in the future, but autumn cultivation is in danger of bolting and flowering in many areas. Excessive bolting reduces sugar content, root yield, and purity of raw syrup. In general, both early sowing and delayed sowing reduce root yield, sugar, and leaf area index and increase the percentage of impurities. Therefore, this experiment was designed and implemented with the aim of feasibility study of autumn cultivation of sugar beet and determination of the best planting date in North, Razavi, and South Khorasan provinces for three new varieties resistant to sugar beet.
The quantity and quality of forage plants are beneficial and useful due to their role in animal husbandry, reproduction and other livestock products. Due to the limitation of water resources, water-deficit as a significant biotic stress is the most severe threat to world food security and is responsible for many yield losses. Plants constantly modify their physiological processes in response to various biotic and abiotic stress to regulate the balance between plant growth and defense response. Many researchers have documented that plant nutrients are involved in biological processes of plants. It has been stated that the use of silicon by increasing the ability to absorb water can be useful to improve drought tolerance of sorghum, sorghum can with the help of silicon extract more water from dry soil and maintain more stomatal conductance.
Climate change is rapidly degrading the conditions of crop production. For instance, increasing salinization and aridity is forecasted to increase in most parts of the world. As a consequence, new stress-tolerant species and genotypes must be identified and used for future agriculture. Stress-tolerant species exist but are actually underutilized and neglected. Quinoa, scientifically known as Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Promoting the cultivation and nutrition of quinoa will diversify food products in the country, sustainable production, increase farmers' incomes and provide part of the community's food needs. Crop simulation models have been used for various studies such as selecting the appropriate cultivar, determining the best planting date, predicting the effect of diversity and climate change on growth. Field research requires a lot of time and money, while computer simulation models can save time and money by conducting extensive experimental simulations.
Quinoa is a dicotyledonous plant from the Amaranthaceae family, with favorable nutritional value and a high potential for growth and production in adverse environmental conditions. Despite being three carbon, it has high water consumption efficiency and as a new crop, due to its wide adaptation to different environment conditions such as salinity and drought, as well as being premature, it is suitable for planting in arid and desert areas and has many factors. Genetic and environmental factors such as genotype, density, arrangement and planting date, soil salinity, and drought stress affect yield. Among these, drought is one of the most important non-living stresses that cause great damage to crops and horticulture in the world every year. And especially Iran, which is considered an arid and semi-arid country. The effect of moisture stress on plants varies depending on which stage of plant growth occurs and plants can work through various mechanisms such as reducing growth parameters, closing pores, reducing photosynthesis, changing regulatory mechanisms of ion transport, and increasing activity. Antioxidant enzymes cope with drought stress to some extent, although such mechanisms are energy-intensive and cause a decline in performance.
The increasing demand for medicinal plants in traditional medicine as well as the pharmaceutical industry has created the need for some plants to be grown commercially, but the lack of soil moisture poses a serious threat to their production. Planting method can affect the emergence and growth rate of crop and lead to decrease water consumption and increase irrigation water efficiency as yield increases. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is one of the drought tolerant plants. Saving water consumption by cultivating drought tolerant plants has been proposed as a strategy to combat drought. It should be noted, however, that irrigation without proper planning can reduce the growth and production of crops. In this regard, determining time of deficit irrigation with minimum damage is an appropriate solution that achieves optimum yield while saving water consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes and planting method on some physiological traits, yield and water use efficiency of Roselle plant.
Cumin is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iran and is widely used in food, health and beauty industries due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Yield of some crops are higher in autumn planting compared to spring. However, low temperature and inappropriate distribution of precipitation are of factors affecting seedling emergence and establishment. So it seems that seeds with higher germination also have better emergence and establishment producing more vigorous seedlings in further growth stages. So, to success in autumn-planting of cumin, it is necessary to have ecotypes with appropriate and even emergence in low temperature and water restricted conditions. Since water is of high paramount importance in germination and lower water potentials lead to lower accessibility of water to seeds, the aim of this experiment was to study seed germination response of different cumin ecotypes to low water potentials.
Response of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Ecotypes to Drought Stress during Germ...
Evaluating the Sustainability of Canola Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis, Carbon Footprint, and Greenhouse Gases
1. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research
Homepage: https://jcesc.um.ac.ir
Research Article
Vol. 21, No. 2, Summer 2023, p. 159-171
Evaluating the Sustainability of Canola Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis,
Carbon Footprint, and Greenhouse Gases
H. R. Shahhoseini1
, S. Lotfi2
, H. Kazemi 3*
, B. Kamkar4
Received: 29-04-2022
Revised: 10-10-2022
Accepted: 19-11-2022
How to cite this article:
Shahhoseini, H. R., Lotfi, S., Kazemi, H., & Kamkar, B. (2023). Evaluating the
Sustainability of Canola Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis, Carbon Footprint, and
Greenhouse Gases. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 21(2), 159-171. (in Persian
with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/jcesc.2022.76465.1168
Introduction
In recent decades, the need for increased food production has resulted in the expansion of intensified
agriculture practices characterized by high consumption of inputs, thereby reducing agricultural sustainability.
The agricultural sector's contribution to the world's energy consumption, ecological footprint, and greenhouse
gas emissions has grown substantially. Emissions of greenhouse gases have negative ecological effects,
including climate change, global warming, and diminished sustainable development. In this sector, energy
analysis and greenhouse gas emissions in ecosystems are the most common methods for assessing sustainability.
This study was conducted to evaluate the sustainability of canola agroecosystems by analyzing energy
consumption, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Methods and Materials
The study was conducted using a questionnaire in Kalaleh County, in Golestan province, and gathering
information from Golestan Agricultural Jihad Organization, during 2018-2019. The number of samples was
determined by the Cochran formula. Accordingly, 50 farms were selected for canola cultivation. The
questionnaire's reliability was determined to be 0.81. To calculate the energy indices, carbon footprint, and
greenhouse gas emissions, after determining the most important inputs and output, first, their amounts were
determined in each of the 50 farms and then their average was calculated. The energy equivalent of each input
and output was calculated by multiplying its raw value by the corresponding energy conversion factor. The
carbon footprint of the canola system was calculated as the amount of land required to absorb the environmental
pollution caused by input and resource consumption. Carbon uptake in canola agroecosystems served as the
basis for evaluating the carbon footprint and consequently the sustainability of this study. Also, the amount of
greenhouse gases produced was determined by multiplying the raw values of the consumed inputs by their
emission coefficient.
Results and Discussion
In canola agroecosystems, the total energy input was calculated to be 13,200 MJ ha-1
, the total energy output
was 63,400 MJ ha-1
, the energy use efficiency was 4.8, and the energy productivity was 0.17 kg MJ-1
. In addition,
the ecological footprint and global warming potential were 0.99 gha and 779.03 CO2e ha−1
, respectively. In
canola production, fossil fuel and nitrogen fertilizer inputs contributed the most to ecological footprint and
global warming potential respectively. Reducing the number of machines entering the farm through the
application of conservation tillage methods and the modernization of machines can be effective in reducing the
1- PhD graduated of Agroecology, Department of Agronomy, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2- M.Sc. Graduated of Agrotechnology, Department of Agronomy, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
3- Associated Professor, Department of Agronomy, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources,
Gorgan, Iran
4- Professor, Department of Agroecothenology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
(*- Corresponding Author Email: hkazemi@gau.ac.ir)
https://doi.org/10.22067/jcesc.2022.76465.1168
2. 061
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consumption of this input. Due to the non-renewability of this input, reducing its consumption is effective in
reducing both economic costs and environmental pollution. Consuming as much livestock manure (cattle) as
possible and implementing crop rotations with legumes such as soybeans that can grow well in this area is
effective in supplying soil nitrogen and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Conclusion
Analysis of energy indices, such as energy efficiency and net energy, revealed that energy loss in the canola
farming ecosystem is low and that the system's sustainability is adequate. Evaluation of carbon footprint revealed
that the value of this index for canola production in the county of Kalaleh was less than the ecological capacity
of each hectare of land used for canola production, indicating the environmental sustainability of canola
production in the county of Kalaleh. In general, canola agroecosystems in the county of Kalaleh were sustainable
based on terms of all three indices: net energy, carbon footprint, and global warming potential. Due to the large
proportion of two inputs, fossil fuel, and nitrogen fertilizer, in these indices and their significant impact on
production sustainability, consumption management of these inputs and training and justification of farmers are
recommended to increase production sustainability.
Keywords: Carbon efficiency, Ecological capacity, Fossil fuel, Global warming potential, Nitrogen fertilizer
11. ،همکاران و حسینی شاه
کشت پایداری ارزیابی
بوم
کلزا های
...
061
جدول
6
-
شاخص
گلخانه اثر های
بوم )کربن (ردپای ای
کالله شهرستان در کلزا زراعی نظام
Table 6- Indices of greenhouse effect of canola farming ecosystem in Kalaleh county
مقدار
Value
واحد
Unit
شاخص
Index
1007.37
هکتار در کربن کیلوگرم
kg C ha-1
خروجی کربن
Carbon output
210.34
هکتار در کربن کیلوگرم
kg C ha-1
ورودی کربن
Carbon input
797.03
هکتار در کربن کیلوگرم
kg C ha-1
خاهص کربن
Net carbon
4.79
-
کربن کارایی
Carbon efficiency
3.79
-
پایداری شاخص
Sustainability index
نتیجه
گیری
در
این
،تحقیق
شاخص
گلخانا اثر ، کربن ردپای ،انرژی های
،ای
شهرساتا در کلزا توهید پایداری نتیج در و جهانی گرمای پتانسیل
شااخص تحلیال .شد ارزیابی بار نخستین برای کله
از انارژی هاای
در انرژی اتلف ،داد نشا خاهص انرژی و انرژی مصرف کارایی جمل
کلزا زراعی نظام
یابل پایداری از نظام این و کم
.اسات برخوردار یبوهی
در کلازا توهیاد برای شاخص این مقدار ،داد نشا کربن ردپای ارزیابی
بوم ظرفیت از کمتر کله شهرستا
ماورد زماین هکتاار هار شناختی
نشا ک بود کلزا توهید برای استفاده
این توهید محیطی پایداری دهنده
کل شهرستا در محصول
فسایلی سوخت سهم ،وجود این با .است ه
ورودی سایر از بیشتر بسیار کلزا توهید کربن ردپای از نیتروژ کود و
ها
خاک زیاد دفعا ب توج با .بود زراعی نظام این ب
و باال عمر و ورزی
اوده
افرس
این
اماش اود
اب
ارای
ااج ، ا
امطاهع اورد
ام ازارع
ام اب
ااغل در آال
روش
خااک های
نو و حفااظتی ورزی
ماشاین ساازی
کااه در آال
با نیتاروژ کاود مصارف همچنین .بود خواهد موثر سوخت مصرف
حد (تا آ جای ب دامی کود کاربرد و زما بهترین در و مناسب مقدار
در انارژی مصارف اهگوی بهبود و نیتروژ مصرف کاه در ،) امکا
گلخانا گازهاای انتشاار ارزیاابی .اسات ماوثر زراعای نظام این
و ای
از ساهم بیشاترین ،داد نشاا کلازا توهیاد جهاانی گرماای پتانسیل
ب نیز جهانی گرمای پتانسیل
فسیلی سوخت ورودی ب مربوط ترتیب
کااه بارای شاده توصای راهکارهاای اجارای .بود نیتروژ کود و
ورودی این مصرف
آ مصرف کاه در ،دییق مدیریت جمل از ها
ها
گ پتانسیل کاه نتیج در و
ماوثر زراعی نظام این در جهانی رمای
شااخص ارزیاابی اسااس بر ،وجود این با .است
اثار با مرباوط هاای
گلخان
پایادار ،محیطای هحااظ از کلها شهرساتا در کلزا توهید ،ای
ب .است
هر هحاظ از کله شهرستا در کلزا توهید ،نهایی نتیج عنوا
اثار و کربن ردپای ،انرژی تحلیل جنب س
گلخانا
.اسات پایادار ،ای
توصای مادیریتی راهکارهاای اجارای ،همچنین
اجارای مانناد ،شاده
روش
خاک های
مصرف کاه در ،دامی کود مصرف و حفاظتی ورزی
ورودی
ب ، نیتروژ کود و فسیلی سوخت های
ورودی عناوا
باا هاای
شااخص بهبود در ، شهرستا این در کلزا توهید بر تاثیر بیشترین
هاای
مورد
.است موثر پایداری افزای و ارزیابی
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