Work

White mustard: Energy balance at different nitrogen management strategies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The article presents the results of a three-year study (2020−2022) aimed at determining the effect of N fertilization (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha −1 ) on biomass yields (seeds alone or seeds and straw) and the energy balance of white mustard ( Sinapis alba L.) produced in a large-area farm in Poland. The demand for energy in the production technology without N fertilization ranged from 6.9 (seeds) to 7.4 GJ ha −1 (seeds and straw). Nitrogen increased energy inputs by 3.1−3.4 GJ ha −1 per every 40 kg N ha −1 . Seed and straw yields were 1.24−1.53 and 1.27−2.09 Mg ha −1 DM, respectively. Seed and straw yields peaked in response to the N rates of 160 and 120 kg ha −1 , respectively. The energy output of seeds and total biomass was lowest in the production technology without N fertilization (28.9 and 55.8 GJ ha –1 , respectively). Nitrogen application increased the energy output of seeds and total biomass by 37.4 % and 28.7 %, respectively. The energy gain from total biomass was 2.5 times higher than the energy gain from seeds (53.0 vs . 20.8 GJ ha –1 ). Nitrogen fertilization decreased the energy gain from seeds and increased the energy gain from total biomass. The energy efficiency ratio of the white mustard production technology was determined at 2.58–3.17 (seeds) and 3.70–7.55 (total biomass). The energy efficiency ratio of seeds and total biomass was highest in treatments without N fertilization. In treatments supplied with N, this parameter decreased by 18.3–26.0 % (40 kg N ha –1 ) and 35.9–51.6 % (80–160 kg N ha –1 ). • Energy inputs ranged from 6.9–7.4 (0 kg N ha –1 ) to 19.6–20.1 GJ ha –1 (160 kg N ha –1 ). • Seed and straw yields reached 1.24–1.53 and 1.27–2.09 Mg ha –1 DM, respectively. • N increased the energy output of seeds and total biomass by 37 % and 29 %, respectively. • N decreased the energy gain form seeds and increased the energy gain from total biomass. • N decreased the energy efficiency ratio by 18–52 %.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.120420

Author: Krzysztof Józef Jankowski

Institution: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Language: English

Topic: Energy, Environment, Agriculture Analysis

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,720