The Effect of Different Tillage Systems, Nitrogen Fertilizer and Mycorrhiza on Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Production and Energy Indices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Concerns about fossil fuel conservation and greenhouse gas emissions have oriented higher research on energy balance in crop production systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the yield and energy indices of mung bean crops cultivated in Darehshahr research fields in two years (2017 and 2018). The experiment was conducted in a split randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of tillage at three levels as conventional, conservation and no tillage system in the main plot, nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (control (without fertilizer), 33%, 66% and 100% of recommended fertilizer in sub plot, and mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosse) at two levels (control (no application) and application) in sub-sub-plot. During two years of study, energy consumption data for crop production and its operations were recorded. Our results indicated that the highest grain yield was observed from the conservation tillage treatment as 2842 kg ha−1. The highest input energy was recorded for conventional tillage system and application of 100% N fertilizer. However, the highest energy output was obtained from the conservation tillage treatment with 66% nitrogen. The calculation of energy indices showed that the no-tillage system outperformed the other systems in terms of energy efficiency (7%) and energy productivity (0.8 kg MJ−1). For the conventional tillage system, energy efficiency (4.2%) and energy productivity (0.42%) were the lowest energy indices. Increasing nitrogen levels from 0.0 to 100%, reduced energy efficiency and energy productivity by 18.3% and 8.2%, respectively.