Impact of the Cultivation Methods and Irrigation Systems on Wheat Productivity and Carbon Footprint in Two Different Agro Ecological zones of Egypt

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.113.11

Abstract:
Carbon footprint (CF) is one of the most important widely used indicators that quantify human use of natural resources and its emissions, where it can be used to guide policies to mitigate the stress of human activities on natural resources and the environment. Improving agricultural practices and systems may lead to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. In this study the carbon footprint of wheat grown in various farming methods was ascertained in two different agro-ecological zones (Eastern desert and Sinai and Western desert and Oasis) in Egypt during the two growing seasons (2023-2024 and 2024-2025). The carbon footprint of wheat production was quantified based on the traditional practices data of the production process. The CF was found to be significantly different between both zones due to various cultivation systems, irrigation systems, fertilization, and pest control. The average carbon footprint differed between the two agro-ecological zones, irrigation systems and cultivation methods, ranging from 3088.9 to 3528.3 kg CO2 eq./ha. The results also showed that there were significant differences in the impact of different farming methods and practices as well as irrigation systems on the carbon footprint rate, wheat yield and its components. The lowest carbon footprint values were recorded in the South Sinai region when using drip irrigation recorded 3088.9 kg CO2 eq./ha, along with the highest water use efficiency 1.36 kg/m3.

Keywords:
Carbon footprint, wheat, climate change.

Article Info:
Received: 23 Apr 2026; Received in revised form: 27 May 2026; Accepted: 30 May 2026; Available online: 08 Jun 2026

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