Energy Flow of Watermelon Production System for Optimizing Energy Efficiency

Abstract

This research, conducted in Gotvand, southwest Iran, evaluated the energy balance of a field system which watermelon produced in it. In the current research, energy inputs of watermelon planting were measured. To reach this goal, questionnaires were given to the farmers to record the amount of energy input to their watermelon planting field. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that nitrogen was the input with the highest consumption of energy (4175 MJ.ha-1) followed by diesel fuel. About 90% of the consumed energy of watermelon planting system was seen for energies which cannot be renewed. The results showed that the efficiency of energy consumption was positive, indicating that the amount of output energy was higher than that of input energy. With each unit of energy was consumed, 4.86 units of energy were produced, which indicates high energy efficiency. For improving the efficiency of energy usage in the watermelon planting system, nitrogen application to the system should be reduced and it can be reached by suitable rotation which diminish the nitrogen needs.