GHG and NH3 Emissions vs. Energy Efficiency of Maize Production Technology: Evidence from Polish Farms; a Further Study

Anita Konieczna,Emilia Grzegorzewska,Kamil Roman,Kinga Borek

doi:10.3390/en14175574

Anita Konieczna, Emilia Grzegorzewska + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175574

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Abstract

The paper determines the effect of selected cultivation technologies, including production chain energy inputs (growing, harvest, heap forming) on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to the atmosphere. The data for the study was collected from 13 actually operating family farms ranging in size from 2 to 13 ha, located in the Podlaskie voivodship (Poland). GHG and ammonia (NH3) emissions from natural and mineral fertilisation as well as GHGs from energy carriers in a form of fuels (ON) were estimated. The average GHG emissions from the sources analysed were 1848.030 kg·CO2eq·ha−1 and 29.492 kg·CO2eq·t−1 of the green forage yield. The average NH3 emissions per hectare were 15,261.808 kg NH3 and 248.871 kg NH3·t−1 of yield. The strongest impact on the environment, due to the GHG emissions to the atmosphere, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect, is due nitrogen fertilisation, both mineral and natural. On average, in the technologies under study, 61% of the total GHG emissions came from fertilisation. The GHG emissions were correlated with the energy efficiency, calculated at the previous research stage, of the production technologies applied. There is a negative correlation (r = −0.80) between the features studied, which means that the higher the energy efficiency of the silage maize plantations, the lower the air pollution emissions in a form of the GHGs from the sources under study. It is so important to prevent environmental degradation to continue, conduct in-depth, interdisciplinary research on reducing the energy consumption of crop production technologies and striving to increase energy efficiency.

Highlights

Despite the different sites, as for the climate change, actions are being taken to decrease the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and to stabilize their concentration in the atmosphere
To prevent the consequences of these climate change-related phenomena, it is necessary to quickly reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, of which the world emits about 50 billion tons every year, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) [1]
The aim of the research was to identify the optimal technological variant in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, the amount of which is closely correlated with energy efficiency

Summary

Introduction

As for the climate change, actions are being taken to decrease the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and to stabilize their concentration in the atmosphere. To accomplish those goals, interdisciplinary research and the close cooperation of agronomists, soil scientists, ecologists and environmental authorities is indispensable. With the advancement of Poland’s socioeconomic development, the importance of the energy economy is increasings in agriculture. The march of civilisation, scientific and technological advancement as well as the resulting economic development have been responsible for an ongoing increase in the consumption of electricity and fuels transported globally. Increases in the pollution concentration degrade the environment (soil, air and water).

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