Energy conversion and balance of seven crop rotation systems for wheat were assessed from 1987 to 1995, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The following systems were evaluated: system I (wheat/soybean); system II (wheat/soybean, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system III (wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system IV (wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system V (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system VI (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); and VII (winter fallow/soybean, from 1990 to 1995). On the average from1987 to 1989, no significant differences among rotation systems were observed for energy conversion and energy balance rates. From 1990 to 1995, system II (8.58) showed greater energy conversion index than system I (5.61), and the remaining systems did not differ significantly among themselves. From 1990 to 1995, systems II (20,938Mcal/ha), III (19,239Mcal/ha), IV (18,618Mcal/ha), V (19.646Mcal/ha), and VI (18,702Mcal/ha) showed greater energy balance, as compared to system VII (10.279kg/Mcal).
energy; energy conversion; energy balance; calorie; yield
