Determining the Energy Usage Efficiency of Walnut (Juglans Regia L.) Cultivation in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the energy balance of walnut in Central Anatolian Region in Turkey. This study has been conducted at the walnut cultivating facilities during the 2014–2015 production season in Kirsehir, Konya, Nevsehir and Nigde provinces of Central Anatolian Region in Turkey, where walnut cultivation is intense. In the study, a total of 28 walnut cultivation facilities, yielding walnut, have been selected through Neyman method and surveys and observations have been performed in these facilities. The agricultural input energies and output energies used in walnut cultivation have been calculated to define the energy use efficiency. According to the study findings, the energy inputs in walnut cultivation are calculated respectively 17,851.33 MJ ha−1 (74.40%) chemical fertilizer energy, 2229.87 MJ ha−1 (9.29%) fuel energy, 1640.64 MJ ha−1 (6.83%) irrigation water energy, 1539 MJ ha−1 (6.41%) machine energy, 508.02 MJ ha−1 (%2.11) chemical energy, 180.35 MJ ha−1 (0.75%) human labour energy and 43.33 MJ ha−1 (0.18%) farm manure energy. Production outputs have been calculated as 14,679.52 MJ ha−1. Following the energy calculations, the output/input ratio, specific energy, energy efficiency and net energy calculations have been calculated respectively as 0.61, 30.20 MJ kg−1, 0.03 kg MJ−1 and −9313.02 MJ ha−1. Benefit-cost ratio was calculated as 1.88, by dividing the gross value of production by the total cost of production per hectare in walnut production.