Enhancing Water Use Efficiency and Carbon Profitability Through the Long-Term Impact of Sustainable Farming Systems

Amr A. Sabahy, Saber F. Hendawy, Kamal I. Wasfy (), M. A. M. Moursy and Ramy Mohamed
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Amr A. Sabahy: Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (AEnRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza 12619, Egypt
Saber F. Hendawy: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, National Research Center (NRC), Giza 12622, Egypt
Kamal I. Wasfy: Faculty of Organic Agriculture, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Al Salam City 11785, Egypt
M. A. M. Moursy: Water Management Research Institute, National Water Research Center, El-Qanater El-Khairiya 13621, Egypt
Ramy Mohamed: Center of Organic Agriculture (COAE), Al Salam City 11777, Egypt

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: This study aims to enhance water use efficiency, maximize productivity, and minimize environmental impact through the implementation of sustainable agricultural systems using drip irrigation systems. It investigates the effects of biodynamic farming compared to those of organic and conventional methods over a six-year period and focuses on soil properties, water use efficiency, crop yield, and environmental and economic perspectives. Using a biodynamic farming system resulted in an average increase in water use efficiency of 1.96 and 10.67% for maize and 3.62 and 10.68% for faba bean and an increase in maize yield of 1.68 and 0.99%, while the faba bean yield reached 3.25 and 1.57% compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The biodynamic system sequestered the highest average soil carbon of 6.16 tons/ha (which is equivalent to 22.45 tons/ha of CO 2 emissions), representing a 13% increase compared to the organic system. Additionally, the biodynamic system yielded an increase in total net profit of 5.70 and 21.66% for the maize crop and 6.72 and 22.19% for the faba bean crop compared to the organic and conventional farming systems, respectively. The farming system significantly influenced the soil carbon sequestration and organic carbon.

Keywords: organic farming system; biodynamic farming system; conventional farming system; soil carbon sequestration; water use efficiency; crop yield; cost analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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