Energy use in organic, green and conventional pear producing systems - cases from China

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 - 1044-0046

VL - 34

SP - 630

EP - 646

JO - Journal of Sustainable Agriculture

JF - Journal of Sustainable Agriculture

IS - 6

ER -