Sustainability assessment of corn production in conventional and conservation tillage systems

To develop sustainable cropping systems, the coherence between economic, environmental, and energy aspects must be considered. We aimed to assess sustainability of corn (Zea mays) production using four tillage systems which varied in intensity soil disturbance (i.e., conventional till with moldboard plow (MP), chisel (CP), strip-tillage (ST), no-till (NT)) by performing life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA). It is common that material wastage not considered studies. When wastes are calculated monetary terms, hidden costs will revealed. Simultaneous application LCA MFCA methods assessments can provide such valuable information. Cradle-to-farm gate was as system boundary LCA-MFCA. The total annual input for MP, CP, ST, NT found 37472 MJ ha?1 (3092 t?1), 36384 (3290 33717 (3309 32889 (2764 respectively. As demand increased, yield per ha also increased all except increase concurrent improved efficiency. gross value 1470 $ (121 t?1) 1446 (131 1380 (128 1334 (112 system. economic indices each were computed. Our results showed eliminating those negative products farmers' net benefit 200 ha?1. Global warming potential, acidification eutrophication ozone depletion photochemical creation selected reflect environmental impact associated From an standpoint, MP performed much better than CP ST. In three important categories global acidification, potential) other two potential best among systems. concluded performance terms energy, indicators followed