TY - JOUR
T1 - Energy use in organic, green and conventional pear producing systems - cases from China
AU - Liu, Yuexian
AU - Langer, Vibeke
AU - Jensen, Henning Høgh
AU - Egelyng, Henrik
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in the energy consumption between the production of certified organic pear, green food certified pear, and conventional pear in two areas in China. Data were collected from interviews with farmers during 2007 and 2008. Energy inputs were significantly higher in organic systems compared with conventional and green systems. Fertilizer was the most important contributor to energy consumption in all three farming systems. Three calculation methods for energy value of manure have been found in the literature: substitution method, by-product method, and thermal method. The choice of various calculation methods for estimating the energy value of manure turns out to have great influence on the results in terms of energy inputs and energy efficiency. Additionally, energy inputs and energy efficiency were also influenced by other agricultural inputs, such as machinery and corresponding fossil fuels, human labor, etc. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed.
AB - The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in the energy consumption between the production of certified organic pear, green food certified pear, and conventional pear in two areas in China. Data were collected from interviews with farmers during 2007 and 2008. Energy inputs were significantly higher in organic systems compared with conventional and green systems. Fertilizer was the most important contributor to energy consumption in all three farming systems. Three calculation methods for energy value of manure have been found in the literature: substitution method, by-product method, and thermal method. The choice of various calculation methods for estimating the energy value of manure turns out to have great influence on the results in terms of energy inputs and energy efficiency. Additionally, energy inputs and energy efficiency were also influenced by other agricultural inputs, such as machinery and corresponding fossil fuels, human labor, etc. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed.
U2 - 10.1080/10440046.2010.493386
DO - 10.1080/10440046.2010.493386
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2168-3565
VL - 34
SP - 630
EP - 646
JO - Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
JF - Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
IS - 6
ER -
