Does energy efficiency increase with orchard size? A case study from peach production

Gundogmus E.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY, vol.7, no.5, pp.833-839, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 7 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12053-014-9258-6
  • Journal Name: ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.833-839
  • Keywords: Economics, Energy use efficiency, Energy ratio, Peaches, South Marmara, Turkey, ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS, APRICOT PRODUCTION, APPLE PRODUCTION, GREENHOUSE
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explain the relationship between orchard size and energy efficiency in the case of peach production carried out by households. The data were obtained from 118 peach orchards that were classified into four groups, including orchards less than 0.5, 0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0 and larger than 2.0 ha, by using stratified random sampling method. The total energy requirement for peach production on average was 36,284.51 MJ ha(-1). Total energy input use decreases as orchard size increases; however, it is minimal in group III. Fertilizer energy was the largest energy input, followed by diesel oil and pesticides for all groups.