Energy-economic and life cycle assessment of sugarcane production in different tillage systems

Abstract

Sugarcane cultivation areas in the world are mostly done in light and medium texture as well as wet conditions. This study investigated energy, environmental and economic indicators for conventional and conservation tillage methods in sugarcane cultivation in arid and heavy land. Assessing the emission of agricultural inputs, improving energy efficiency and controlling costs in sugarcane production are among the concerns of this research. Calculations in sugarcane production were done using four tillage methods: T1-first-time subsoiler (D8 bulldozer) + second-time subsoiler (D8 bulldozer) (conventional operation), T2- Alpego tillage tool, T3- Nardi tillage tool, T4-subsoiler for the first time (D8 bulldozer) + subsoiler five Sheng. Sugarcane energy and economic indices registered. Electricity has the highest amount of energy inputs in the sugarcane production of different tillage systems. This large amount also leads to the release of energy in renewable, biomass, and renewable, water forms. Energy and economic indicators were calculated. The results between the four systems due to low production costs showed that the T2 system is more suitable than the others. Economic analysis showed that the total value and cost of T2 were 2255.55 $ ha−1 and 689.60 $ ha−1, respectively. Results of environmental impacts showed the largest emissions were related to marine aquatic ecotoxicity (42830.62 kg 1,4-DB eq.), abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) (1715.13 MJ) and global warming potential (155.29 kg CO2eq.) in T1. The results of cumulative exergy demand showed that the amount of non-renewable, fossil is mainly due to sugarcane cutting plant for T1 (60.90%), T2 (59.30%), T3 (59.27%) and T4 (56.06%) systems.