Evaluating and Comparing the Sustainability of Autumn and Spring Potato Agroecosystems Using Energy Analysis (Case Study: Golestan Province)

Study was conducted to evaluate the sustainability of the two autumn and spring potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farming ecosystems.

The study was conducted by questionnaire in Golestan Province during the period of 2017-2018. 120 autumn farms and 60 spring farms were selected by stratified random sampling method. After determining inputs and output and their energy equivalent, the energy indices were determined.  

Fossil fuels and fertilizers were the largest energy inputs of the total in autumn and spring potato farming ecosystems with share of 30.26% and 29.04%, respectively. In autumn and spring potato farming ecosystems, energy use efficiency indices were 1.85 and 1.30; energy productivity indices were 0.51 and 0.36 kg MJ-1; specific energy indices were 1.95 and 2.76 MJ kg-1; net energy indices were 52135.16 and 16125.42 MJ ha-1; mechanization indices were 0.96 and 0.94; total energy inputs were 61384.83 and 53234.59 MJ ha-1 and total energy outputs were 113519.99 and 69360.01 MJ ha-1, respectively.  

The efficiency and the sustainability of the autumn farming ecosystem were higher than the spring in terms of potato production in Golestan Province. In autumn and spring farming ecosystems, the share of indirect, nonrenewable and commercial energy were greater than that of direct, renewable and noncommercial energy. It is useful to implement recommended guidelines for optimal management of inputs such as conservation tillage, modernization of machinery and consumption of manure, it reduces the share of nonrenewable and commercial energy and increases environmental health and energy efficiency.