Sustainability Assessment of Forage Production Systems in Sistan Region Using Emergy Analysis: A Comparison of Kochia, Millet, Sorghum, and Barley

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agriculture and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Zabol University, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol,Iran

3 Prof., Dept. of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

4 PhD Student, Unit of Agrotechnology-Physiology major,Dept. of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Iran.

10.22034/saps.2024.60613.3182

Abstract

Bacl ground & Objectives: Using emergy analysis, the environmental sustainability of four forage production systems, including koushia, millet, sorghum, and barley, was assessed in Sistan region during the 2021-2022. The aim of this study was to determine the most efficient production system in terms of emergy consumption, yield, and emergy load, as well as the emergy sustainability index.
 
Materials and Methods: the sistan region has a dry and subtropical climate and faces water scarcity and saline soils. The statistical population of the study included all forage production farms in the region. To convert energy and material flows to emergy units, appropriate conversion coefficients that reflect the path of energy transformations in the world were used. Then, by calculating emergy-related indicators, the environmental and economic sustainability of forage production systems were evaluated and compared.
 
Findings: The total emergy inputs for the four-forage production of koushia, millet, sorghum, and barley were 2.82E+16, 3.29E+16, 4.30E+16, and 3.65E+16 j/hec, respectively. Based on the findings of this study, the koushia production ranked first in terms of the EIR index. The reason for this is the higher consumption of nitrogen fertilizer compared to the other systems under study, which also leads to the instability of this system.
 
Conclusion: The analysis showed the sustainability of the millet and barley production systems in terms of economic and environmental benefits. By promoting eco-friendly patterns, such as increasing support for producers, encouraging large-scale cultivation development, establishing sustainability criteria, and providing targeted subsidies, it can be possible to improve forage production in the Sistan region.
 

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References

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 35, Issue 3
2025
Pages 317-332

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