Articles
Energy efficiency and carbon emissions in fruit orchards
Article number
1355_55
Pages
431 – 440
Language
English
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare an organic-biodynamic (OB) fruit production system versus a conventional (C) one, considering the inputs and outputs of energy and CO2. emissions in North Patagonia, Argentina.
The potential of the OB orchard as a CO2 sink was also evaluated.
The energy efficiency in the OB system was 2.85 and in the C 1.44; on the other hand, the specific energy was 0.94 and 1.86, respectively.
The carbon footprint of the OB orchard was 0.073 kg CO2 eq kg‑1 apple while that of C reached 0.136 kg CO2 eq kg‑1, this implies that OB fruit production system uses less energy inputs and emits less greenhouse gas (GHG) than the C one to produce one kilo of apples.
When analyzing the OB system, it was observed that of the total GHG emissions generated in the analyzed orchard, 41% corresponded to cultural practices carried out during the spring, 36% during the summer and the remaining 23% during the winter.
When the highest GHG emissions occurred, the capture of CO2 by the orchard increased.
In this sense, it is important to reassess the ecosystem functions provided by the orchards in the territory by capturing atmospheric CO2. This becomes more important if the total area planted in the different regions of the world is also considered.
The way these agroecosystems are assessed is questioned since not only the contamination generated by this agricultural activity should be considered, but also the capture of CO2 that they provide.
GHG emissions analysis expressed in kg CO2 made it possible to identify the cultural practices with the highest emissions, to link them with the energy subsidy requirements for each one and to lay the foundations for evaluating alternatives to improve energy efficiency and reduction of GHG emissions during the productive stage of apples.
The potential of the OB orchard as a CO2 sink was also evaluated.
The energy efficiency in the OB system was 2.85 and in the C 1.44; on the other hand, the specific energy was 0.94 and 1.86, respectively.
The carbon footprint of the OB orchard was 0.073 kg CO2 eq kg‑1 apple while that of C reached 0.136 kg CO2 eq kg‑1, this implies that OB fruit production system uses less energy inputs and emits less greenhouse gas (GHG) than the C one to produce one kilo of apples.
When analyzing the OB system, it was observed that of the total GHG emissions generated in the analyzed orchard, 41% corresponded to cultural practices carried out during the spring, 36% during the summer and the remaining 23% during the winter.
When the highest GHG emissions occurred, the capture of CO2 by the orchard increased.
In this sense, it is important to reassess the ecosystem functions provided by the orchards in the territory by capturing atmospheric CO2. This becomes more important if the total area planted in the different regions of the world is also considered.
The way these agroecosystems are assessed is questioned since not only the contamination generated by this agricultural activity should be considered, but also the capture of CO2 that they provide.
GHG emissions analysis expressed in kg CO2 made it possible to identify the cultural practices with the highest emissions, to link them with the energy subsidy requirements for each one and to lay the foundations for evaluating alternatives to improve energy efficiency and reduction of GHG emissions during the productive stage of apples.
Authors
M.C. Dussi, C. Fernández, L.B. Flores
Keywords
agroecology, climate change, organic agriculture, sustainability
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