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

Liu, Yuexian; Langer, Vibeke; Høgh-Jensen, Henning and Egelyng, Henrik (2010) Energy use in organic, green and conventional pear producting systems - cases from China. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 34, pp. 630-646.

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Summary

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 choise 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 labour, etc. Possible explanations for the three differences are discussed.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Engery analysis, energy cost of manure
Subjects: Environmental aspects
Research affiliation: Denmark > DARCOF III (2005-2010) > GLOBALORG - Sustainability of organic farming in a global food chains perspective
China
Denmark > AU - Aarhus University > AU, NERI - National Environmental Research Institute
Denmark > KU - University of Copenhagen > KU-LIFE - Faculty of Life Sciences
ISSN:1540-7578
Deposited By: Jensen, Dr Henning Høgh
ID Code:18297
Deposited On:14 Feb 2011 07:53
Last Modified:23 Feb 2011 10:05
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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