Assessment of the energy, economic and environmental indices of rainfed and irrigated wheat production (case study: Lorestan province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M. Sc. of Agricultural Mechanization, University of Tehran.

2 Professor of Agricultural Machinery Department. University of Tehran

3 Ph.D. Agricultural Mechanization. University of Tehran

Abstract

The aim of this study is Life Cycle Assessment of wheat production from energy, economic and environmental perspectives. The study was conducted in Lorestan province in 2014/2015 production year. For this purpose, the production of wheat in the form of life cycle assessment of raw material extraction stage to delivery to the silo has been studied. The results indicated that nitrogen chemical fertilizer had the highest contribution (12.64 GJ ha-1) in total energy consumption and the portion of non-renewable energy was significantly higher than renewable energy share. Economic net return was estimated as 1815.45 $/ha annually. Also, benefit to cost ratio was 2.58, indicating economically appropriate condition of wheat production for the study area. Evaluation of environmental effects showed that the consumption of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen and phosphate, manure and electricity have greatest environmental loads, respectively.

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