Analysis of Energy Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Lemon (Citrus lemon L.) Production in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of lemon production. It was performed during the 2019–2020 production period in Turkey. The agricultural inputs and outputs used in lemon production were calculated to determine the energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. According to study findings, the energy inputs in lemon production were calculated respectively as 16,046.98 MJ ha−1 (55.43%) chemical fertilizers energy, 4168.93 MJ ha−1 (14.40%) chemicals energy, 2815.20 MJ ha−1 (9.72%) electricity energy, 2740.42 MJ ha−1 (9.47%) diesel fuel energy, 1864.80 MJ ha−1 (6.44%) irrigation water energy, 705.67 MJ ha−1 (2.44%) machinery energy and 610.20 MJ ha−1 (2.11%) human labour energy. Total input energy and output energy were calculated as 28,952.20 MJ ha−1 and 60,165.40 MJ ha−1, respectively. Energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy productivity and net energy values were calculated respectively as 2.08, 0.91 MJ kg−1, 1.09 kg MJ−1 and 31,213.20 MJ ha−1. The consumed total energy inputs in lemon production can be categorized as 27.74% direct, 72.26% indirect, 8.55% renewable and 91.45% non-renewable. Total greenhouse gas emissions were calculated as 2650.96 kgCO2‑eqha−1 for lemon production, with the greatest share for nitrogen 950.62 kgCO2‑eqha−1 (35.86%). Based on the study findings, it was concluded that lemon production in 2019–2020 production season was profitable in terms of energy use efficiency (2.08). Greenhouse gas emission ratio (per kg) was calculated as 0.08. This study is important since there is no study on the energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions in lemon production in Muğla province, Turkey.