Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology

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Azizpanah A, Azizi R, Fathi R. Comparison and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts of Silage Corn Production by Direct and Mechanized Cultivation Methods in Mehran Plain, Iran. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2024; 13 (3) :77-93
URL: http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1241-en.html

Environmental crises and resource degradation have adversely affected food security worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the energy and environmental indicators of silage corn production in two direct and mechanized cropping systems in the Mehran Plain. The system boundary in this study included the input to harvest. The results showed that the consumption of electricity (38.74%) and diesel fuel (23.35%) accounted for the highest energy consumption in the production of one hectare of silage corn using the direct seeding method, while in the mechanized seeding method the consumption was (45.95%) and (24.65%) respectively. The results also showed that the average technical efficiency, net technical efficiency, and scale efficiency for direct cultivation and  mechanized cultivation were 84.83% and 96.06%, 87.97% and  92.89%, 98.31%, and 94.36%, respectively. The results of the life cycle assessment showed that indirect emissions from the utilization of phosphorus and urea fertilizers had the greatest impact on ecosystem quality in direct and mechanized cultivation. In order to improve the efficiency of silage corn production and reduce its environmental impacts, it is recommended that the direct cultivation method be promoted due to its higher efficiency and lower energy consumption.