Energy Efficiency of Maize Production Technology: Evidence from Polish Farms

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to determine the impact of selected silage maize cultivation technologies, including energy inputs in the production chain (cultivation, harvesting, heap placing), on energy efficiency. The analysis of energy inputs, energy efficiency for the silage maize production technology were estimated. The research was performed for 13 farms producing silage maize. The data from the farms covered all the activities and the agrotechnical measures performed. The calculations of energy inputs made for the silage maize production for selected technologies were performed using the method developed by the Institute of Construction, Mechanization and Electrification for Agriculture (IBMER), once the method was verified and adapted to the needs and conditions of own research. Based on the accumulated energy production and the energy accumulated in the yield, energy efficiency index values for 13 silage maize cultivation technologies were calculated. The greatest impact on the results of energy efficiency calculations was shared by fertilizer and fuel inputs. In conclusion, it can be stated that, in terms of energy efficiency, maize cultivation is justified and it can generate energy benefits.

Environmental Benefits of Catch Crops Cultivation

“…This thesis is confirmed by the results obtained from the analysis of energy efficiency of spring wheat production which demonstrates that conventional tillage contributes to increased production costs (e.g. fuel inputs are about 30% higher than for conservation tillage) [21,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Therefore, conservation tillage combined with cultivation of white mustard as a catch crop can be tentatively recommended to be applied in agricultural practice.…”

Effects of Coal and Sewage Sludge Ashes on Macronutrient Content in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on Soil Contaminated with Eco-Diesel Oil

“…Maize is one of the target plant species with high yielding potential, particularly for production of high-quality biofuels [56,57]. It is distinguished by its high productivity of green mass per unit area [36,58], high efficiency of photosynthesis (1.5-2 times more efficient than that of C3 plants), moderate soil requirements and high adaptability to changing weather conditions [3,36]. The necessity to protect nature, limited resources of fossil fuel and increasing prices of petroleum require the development of alternative energy generation solutions [59].…”

“…Its biomass can serve for generation of energy through direct incineration or be processed to produce liquid and gas fuels [1,2]. The high yielding potential of this plant, up to 30-50 Mg (megagrams) per 1 hectare [3], has stimulated interest in using maize in biochemical processes, i.e., biogas production (fresh mass, silage) or bioethanol production (grain) [4], but also in direct incineration and thermo-chemical processes, such as pyrolysis or gasification employed to produce methanol, biogas and pyrolytic oils [1]. The high calorific value of the biomass, in the range of approximately 15.5 to 18.1 MJ kg −1 , is an additional argument for using maize for energy purposes [3,5,6].…”

“…In the current study, we hypothesized that the application of ashes (coal ash and sewage sludge ash) to the soil would limit the negative impact of Eco-Diesel oil on biomass and the content of macronutrients in maize (Zea mays L.). This led to detailed predictions that: (1) Eco-Diesel oil impact on the biomass of maize would be negative, with increased content of macronutrients in the aerial parts of maize, (2) the application of ashes to the soil would limit the effect of Eco-Diesel oil on plants, (3) sewage sludge ash would have a greater effect than coal ash on the content of macronutrients and biomass of maize.…”

Chemical Properties and Bacterial Community Reaction to Acidified Cattle Slurry Fertilization in Soil from Maize Cultivation

“…It is not only a food crop but also an industrial crop, with only 12-13% of its production used for direct human consumption. In Poland, maize acreage has increased since 2007 by over 146% and now makes up 8% of the total crop acreage in the European Union [16]. Maize, being an important and widely cultivated crop, is also one of the biggest recipients of organic and mineral fertilizers.…”