Evaluation of energy indicators in monoculture, intercropping and agroforestry systems of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) production in Khuzestan province

As one of the most important food producers, the agricultural industry consumes a lot of energy to produce various products. Also, agriculture is the largest supplier of energy in the form of biological energy. This study was conducted in Khuzestan province with the aim of investigating the energy indicators of okra and the contribution of different inputs to the total energy in monoculture, intercropping (okra+cucumber) and agroforestry (okra+date palm) systems. The simple random sampling method was used to determine the survey volume and calculated sample size in this study was found to be 139. The data used in the study were collected from okra farms using a face-to-face questionnaire. The inputs and outputs were calculated per hectare and then, these input and output data were multiplied by the coefficient of energy equivalent. Following the calculation of energy input and output values, the energy ratio, energy productivity and net energy were determined. The results indicated that averages of energy inputs in monoculture, intercropping and agroforestry systems of okra were 78763.77, 81269.27 and 52502.42 respectively, while the energy output in these systems was 17575, 37380 and 113715 MJ ha-1, respectively. The energy ratio in monoculture, intercropping and agroforestry systems were calculated as 0.223, 0.460 and 2.166 respectively. The energy productivity in intercropping system was calculated as 0.470 kg MJ-1, which was about 302% and 64% more than monoculture and agroforestry, respectively. This issue is due to the higher yield of this cultivation system compared to other investigated systems.