Greenhouse gas emission and energy analysis of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivation

Abstract

BackgroundAgricultural production accounts for a major share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However, the information on energy use and GHG emissions from various crops is contradictory. Climate change is expected to increase the GHG emission from different crops; therefore, selection of the crops with lower GHG emission could be helpful in reducing the emission and energy consumption. A major focus of energy policy should be on improving energy efficiency. Saving money and lowering GHG emissions are only two benefits of using energy efficiently. However, these are unknown for the vetch cultivation in Siirt province of Turkey. MethodsThis study investigated energy consumption efficiency and GHG emissions of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) production under dry circumstances in Siirt province, Turkey during 2021. Seed rate was kept 120 kg/ha in the current study. The amount of fertilizer applied was 92.0 kg/ha pure phosphorus and 36.0 kg/ha pure nitrogen. To calculate the energy efficiency of vetch production in Siirt, energy inputs and energy outputs were computed. ResultsThe energy intake and output were 8205.02 MJ/ha and 90388.56 MJ/ha, respectively. The energy inputs were: 37.1 % diesel fuel energy, 31.2 % fertilizer energy, 21.2 % seed energy, 9.6 % equipment energy, and 0.9 % labor energy. The results revealed that energy consumption efficiency was 11.02, specific energy was 0.34 MJ/kg, energy efficiency was 2.90 kg/MJ, and net energy was 82183.54 MJ/ha in vetch production. Total GHG emissions from vetch production was 205.19 kgCO2-eq ha−1, with diesel fuel accounting for the lion's share (72.88 %). Diesel fuel was followed by the consumption of nitrogen fertilizer (26.33 %), phosphorous (0.47 %) and machinery (0.42 %). Additionally, GHG ratio was 0.009 kg CO2-eq kg−1 in vetch production. ConclusionIt is concluded that encouraging the farmers to produce vetch as an alternative to the production of conventional forage crops and rotation in fodder production will be beneficial. It will reduce GHG emissions with lesser energy consumption.