Spring camelina: Effect of mineral fertilization on the energy efficiency of biomass production

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg ha−1) and sulfur (0, 15, 30 kg ha−1) fertilization on the energy efficiency ratio of spring camelina produced in north-eastern Poland. The energy inputs in the production of camelina ranged from 5.1 (without nitrogen and sulfur fertilization) to 17.7 GJ ha−1 (160 kg N ha−1 and 30 kg S ha−1). The energy output of camelina produced without nitrogen or sulfur fertilizers was determined at 28.38 (seeds) and 61.53 GJ ha−1 (seeds and straw). High rates of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization increased the energy output of camelina seeds and biomass by up to 186% and 155%, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer applied at 120 kg ha−1 decreased the energy efficiency ratio by 49% in seeds and by 55% in total biomass. The application of sulfur increased the energy efficiency ratio of seeds by 1–8%, and the energy efficiency ratio of total biomass by 1–5%. Sulfur enhanced the energy efficiency ratio of camelina in production technologies with high rates of nitrogen fertilization.