Potential of conservation agriculture modules for energy conservation and sustainability of rice-based production systems of Indo-Gangetic Plain region

Rice-based cropping systems are the most energy-intensive production systems in South Asia. Sustainability of the rice-based cropping systems is nowadays questioned with declining natural resource base, soil degradation, environmental pollution, and declining factor productivity. As a consequence, the search for energy and resource conservation agro-techniques is increasing for sustainable and cleaner production. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices have been recommended for resource conservation, soil health restoration and sustaining crop productivity. The present study aimed to assess the different CA modules in rice-based cropping systems for energy conservation, energy productivity, and to define energy-economic relations. A field experiment consisted of four different tillage-based crop establishment practices (puddled-transplanted rice followed by (fb) conventional-till maize/wheat (CTTPR-CT), non-puddled transplanted rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (NPTPR-ZT), zero-till transplanted rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (ZTTPR-ZT), zero-till direct-seeded rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (ZTDSR-ZT)), with two residue management treatments (residue removal, residue retention) in rice-wheat and rice-maize rotations were evaluated for energy budgeting and energy-economic relations. Conservation-tillage treatments (NPTPR-ZT, ZTTPR-ZT, and ZTDSR-ZT) reduced the energy requirements over conventional tillage treatments, with the greater reduction in ZTTPR-ZT and ZTDSR-ZT treatments. Savings of energy in conservation-tillage treatments were attributed to reduced energy use in land preparation (69-100%) and irrigation (23-27%), which consumed a large amount of fuel energy. Conservation-tillage treatments increased grain and straw/stover yields of crops, eventually increased the output energy (6-16%), net energy (14-26%), energy ratio (25-33%), and energy productivity (23-34%) as compared with CTTPR-CT. For these energy parameters, the treatment order was ZTDSR-ZT ≥ ZTTPR-ZT > NPTPR-ZT > CTTPR-CT (p < 0.05). Crop residue retention reduced net energy, energy ratio, and energy productivity when compared with residue removal. Our results of energy-economic relations favored the "conservative hypothesis," which envisages that energy and monetary investments are not essentially the determinants of crop productivity. Thus, zero tillage-based crop establishments (ZTTPR-ZT, ZTDSR-ZT) in rice-based production systems could be the sustainable alternative to conventional tillage-based agriculture (CTTPR-CT) as they conserved non-renewable energy sources, reduced water requirement, and increased crop productivity.

Effects of heteroatoms in π-conjugated linkers on the optical and electronic properties of modified triphenylamine based dyes: towards DSSCs' applications

Optoelectronic properties of triphenylamine dyes arising from the embedded five-membered π-linkers C₄H₄X (X = O, NH, S, Se, Te) and varying anchoring groups, cyanoacrylic acid and hydantoin, in D-π-π-A model are examined. The reported properties for both, isolated dyes and dye@TiO₂ complexes, are realized through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. The study reveals that chalcogen doping (X = S, Se, Te) enhances absorption and fluorescent emission spectra in the visible and NIR regions. The adsorption of the dyes on the TiO₂ cluster has been simulated. Alteration of the UV-Vis spectra and electron density redistribution for the complexes from individual dyes are examined and analyzed. The binding energies relate to the nature of the heteroatoms X; the complexes dye@TiO₂ with heavier heteroatoms Se and Te demonstrate stronger binding. Graphical abstract.

Case study on renewable energy in New York: bridging the gap between promise and reality

Purpose

The assessment of the achievement of the goal is data driven and uses analytical modeling of the forecasted demand and the projected electrical power generated capacities. The analysis is based on compiled granular observations and is compared to reported aggregated information. The model takes into account changes in demand patterns such as the increase in the use of electric cars, and decreased demand because of improving efficiencies and behind-the-meter generation.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study is designed to examine one of the major goals of New York State (NYS) Governor Andrew Cuomo’s energy plan, namely, that 50% of all electric generation will come from renewable energy resources by the year 2030. The aim is to compare the aspiration of the political policy with the reality of its implementation.

Findings

The analyses describe a measurable gap between the achievement of the stated goal and the projected reality. The paper includes discussions on the nature of this gap and factors that could potentially further increase this deficit.

Practical implications

In addition, the paper highlights the need to recognize the complexities of projecting the future and difficulty of developing aggressive contingencies given practical and political constraints.

Originality/value

This paper provides a data-driven independent assessment of the NYS’ current energy plan and highlights important issues for consideration if the political promise is ever to become a reality.

Climate change mitigation: the potential of agriculture as a renewable energy source in Nigeria

Energy is pivotal to the economic development of every nation. However, its production and utilization leads to undesirable carbon emissions that aggravate global warming which results in climate change. The agriculture sector is a significant user of energy. However, it has the potential to be a major contributor to Nigeria's energy supply mix in meeting its energy deficit. More so, in the light of current and impending adverse effects of climate change, there is a need to contain GHG's emissions. This paper focuses on bioenergy utilization as a climate change mitigation strategy and one that can, through effective waste management, enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The paper employed a critical discourse analysis to examine the potential of the agricultural sector to provide biofuels from energy crops and other biomass sources. We conclude that Nigeria can reduce its GHG emissions and greatly contribute to global climate change mitigation while also alleviating its energy supply deficit if the agricultural and municipal wastes readily available in its towns and cities are converted to bioenergy. Such engagements will not only promote a clean and healthy environment but also create jobs for economic empowerment and a better standard of living for the people.