Energy analysis for faba bean production: A case study in Golestan province, Iran

• Results indicated that surveyed fields are efficient in the use of energy.
• The greatest shares of input energy corresponded to the chemical fertilizer.
• The specific energy and net energy were 4.25 MJ kg−1 and 51,226.30 MJ ha−1, respectively.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is grown worldwide in cropping systems as a grain (pulse) and green-manure legume. The main aim of this study was to determine energy use pattern in faba bean production and input and output energy analysis in Golestan province, northeast of Iran. Data were collected from 30 farms by filling face to face questionnaires during 2013–2014. According to the data collected from all surveyed fields, energy input of nitrogen fertilizer had the highest percentage than other inputs. In this study, energy use efficiency (energy ratio) was calculated as 4.70. The value of this index for this region indicated that surveyed fields are efficient in the use of energy for faba bean production. The average values for energy productivity, net energy and specific energy were 0.23 kg MJ−1, 51,226.30 MJ ha−1 and 4.25 MJ kg−1 respectively. In addition, mechanization index (MI) is obtained 0.83 for faba bean fields in this province. Results clearly indicate that percent of indirect (81.23%) and non-renewable (74.72%) energy forms from total energy used was more than direct (18.77%), and renewable (25.28%) energy forms, respectively.