An integrated analysis of non‐renewable energy use, GHG emissions, carbon efficiency of groundnut sole cropping and groundnut‐bean intercropping agro‐ecosystems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the non‐renewable energy use efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and carbon efficiency of groundnut sole cropping and groundnut‐bean intercropping agro‐ecosystems. Data were collected from 136 farmers using face‐to‐face questionnaires in the Kiashahr region of northern Iran. The results analysis suggested that the non‐renewable energy ratio of groundnut‐bean intercrop agro‐ecosystem (6.03) was greater than that of groundnut sole cropping system (4.59). The highest share of non‐renewable energy belonged to diesel fuel, which was followed by the nitrogen fertilizer for both systems. This demonstrates the importance of fossil fuel and N fertilizer use management in both agro‐ecosystems. The total GHG emissions from groundnut and groundnut‐bean intercrop agro‐ecosystems were computed as 636.14 and 657.36 kgCO2eq ha−1, respectively. The highest impact of GHG emissions was from diesel fuel within both farming systems, confirming the prominent role of the fossil fuel input again. The carbon efficiency for groundnut‐bean intercrop agro‐ecosystem (14.78) was greater than that of the groundnut sole cropping system (11.14). Therefore, groundnut‐bean agro‐ecosystem can be observed to be more effective for carbon sequestration. The use of greater amounts of biological resources helps to improve the efficiency of energy use and mitigation of GHG emissions in both agro‐ecosystems. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1832–1839, 2017