Abstract

A large number of apple orchards are treated over 20 times during the vegetation period with high application rates (over 1000 L/hm2) or medium application rates (500-1000 L/hm2) of pesticides which require significant energy input. Experimental research was carried out in the Serbian region of Vojvodina with the aim to show the possibilities to reduce energy usage in apple production by reducing pesticide application rates (200-500 L/hm2) and smaller controlled number of treatments with pesticides while maintaining the biological efficiency of apple chemical protection. Research results showed that the cumulative life cycle energy demand of apple production in Vojvodina, assuming a typical 22 annual treatments and relatively high pesticide application rate (1150 L/hm2), was 48 GJ/hm2 and energy output was 94 GJ/hm2. Reduced number of treatments and lower pesticide application rates have a favorable impact on energy inputs associated with diesel fuel, machinery, chemicals, water and electricity consumption and usage, whereas other energy inputs remain unchanged. The energy input for 12 treatments with pesticide application rates of 381 L/hm2 was 36 GJ/hm2, which is a 25% reduction in comparison to 22 treatments with a pesticide application rate of 1150 L/hm2. Reduced number of treatments and pesticide application rate increased the energy use efficiency from 1.96 to 2.61, energy productivity from 0.82 kg/MJ to 1.09 kg/MJ, and net energy from 46 GJ/hm2 to 58 GJ/hm2. Results also suggest that applying the correct IPM approach can easily lead to a strong reduction in the number of treatments and a major energy saving. Keywords: apple production, energy flow, pesticide application rates, total energy input, energy balancing DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201304.5743 Citation: Sedlar A, Ponjičan O, Kiss F, Bugarin R, Višacki V, Radojčin M, et al. Improving energy efficiency of apple production by reduced application of pesticides. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(4): 93–102.

Highlights

  • Apple (Malus silvestris) is one of the main fruit crops in Europe and it is the 4th ranked fruit in the world after banana, citrus, and melons

  • Regardless of the high uncertainties the presented analysis clearly shows that a smaller number of treatments and reduced application rates reduce energy consumption in apple production

  • Bad pesticide application causes over 25% and even 35% of pesticide to fall on the ground

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Summary

Introduction

Apple (Malus silvestris) is one of the main fruit crops in Europe and it is the 4th ranked fruit in the world after banana, citrus, and melons. Apple fruit is very important from the economic aspect as well because it belongs to the category of fruits which require highly complex production technology, considerable labor input and financial resources, but it is highly accumulative and cost effective. Apple is the second most commonly grown fruit in Serbia (15% out of all fruit crops), preceded by the plum. Apple is the most frequently grown fruit in Vojvodina, which is in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia and the most important agricultural region. 77 000 t) of the total annual production of apples in Serbia After 2007, the size of the apple orchards increased both in Vojvodina and Serbia

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