Energy Use and Cost Analysis of Olive Under Flat and Sloping Growing Conditions

Özet

Olive is an important crop that grows under different cultivation systems of the western Turkey. Efficient use of energy and cost is an important step in terms of increasing the sustainability of olive cultivation. Energy and cost of olive farms analysed under traditional-flat/sloping and intensive-flat systems established on hilly or flat areas in a semiarid environment. Data of inputs and outputs collected in 165 farms through face to face questionnaires. Total energy consumed was 31098.2, 14293.3 and 7380.5 MJ ha-1 for intensive-flat, traditional-flat and sloping systems. Energy inputs of fertilizer was the highest for traditional and intensive flat by 12.93 and 8.95% of the total energy inputs, respectively. Highest net energy gain, ratio, productivity and lowest specific energy were estimated as 14332.8 MJ ha-1, 1.46, 0.93 kg MJ-1 and 1.07 MJ kg-1, respectively, in intensive-flat system. Highest net return (5256.5 € ha-1), a benefit to cost ratio (1.99) and productivity (1.66 kg €-1) was calculated for the same system. Therefore, the results can be very useful in evaluating the sustainability of olive cultivation in this part of the country possessing the characteristic of semiarid, and can also provide a useful guide in order to prioritize the steps for increasing energy efficiency and decreasing cost without worsening environmental conditions.

Abstract

The physico-mechanical properties of lettuce seeds are essential for the design of equipment for harvesting, transporting, cleaning, separating, packing, seed coating, storing and processing. The aim of this study was to determine some physico-mechanical properties of lettuce seeds. The geometric, gravimetric, aerodynamic, and mechanical properties and friction characteristics of lettuce seeds were obtained. According to the results, the averages length, width and thickness of lettuce seeds with a moisture content of 8,09% d.b. were measured as 3,36 mm, 0,84 mm and 0,54 mm, respectively with a projected area of 2,79 mm2. The sphericity of lettuce seeds was calculated as 0,34. The thousand grain of mass, bulk density, true density, volume, and porosity of lettuce seeds were measured as 1,09 g, 0,463 g cm-3, 1,153 g cm-3, 0,871 cm3, and 59,84%, respectively. The terminal velocity was measured as 3,46 m s-1. The static coefficient of friction was measured on four different surfaces, namely, stainless steel, aluminium, plywood and rubber. The results were found to be 0,198, 0,278, 0,346 and 0,352, respectively. The dynamic angle of repose of lettuce seeds was specified as 20,33°, 18,99°, 20,34° and 21,05° on same surfaces. In addition, the static response angle was 22,55º and the shelling resistance was found as 1,29 kg.