The surging demand for strawberries necessitates sustainable cultivation practices that prioritize both yield and environmental stewardship. Soilless systems, offering an alternative to conventional in-soil methods, utilize inert or organic substrates (liquid or solid) to grow crops and deliver nutrients through dedicated solutions. However, concerns linger regarding their environmental sustainability due to potentially high energy demands and additional infrastructure requirements. Hence, this study proposes a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of two cultivation systems: in-soil tunnels and greenhouse soilless. Primary data were collected from a Sicilian strawberry farm, located in Maletto (Italy). Secondary data were retrieved from scientific literature and databases. The CML I-A baseline method was chosen to assess the environmental burden associated with producing 1 kg of strawberries from each system. By pinpointing environmental hotspots within each system, the study aims to identify potential areas for improvement. This knowledge can empower strawberry growers and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding environmentally responsible cultivation practices, considering the unique advantages and disadvantages of both in-soil and soilless production methods.
Environmental impacts of soilless and in-soil strawberry cultivation: a comparative Life Cycle Assessment
Licastro A.;Salomone R.;Mondello G.;Calabro' G.
2024-01-01
Abstract
The surging demand for strawberries necessitates sustainable cultivation practices that prioritize both yield and environmental stewardship. Soilless systems, offering an alternative to conventional in-soil methods, utilize inert or organic substrates (liquid or solid) to grow crops and deliver nutrients through dedicated solutions. However, concerns linger regarding their environmental sustainability due to potentially high energy demands and additional infrastructure requirements. Hence, this study proposes a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of two cultivation systems: in-soil tunnels and greenhouse soilless. Primary data were collected from a Sicilian strawberry farm, located in Maletto (Italy). Secondary data were retrieved from scientific literature and databases. The CML I-A baseline method was chosen to assess the environmental burden associated with producing 1 kg of strawberries from each system. By pinpointing environmental hotspots within each system, the study aims to identify potential areas for improvement. This knowledge can empower strawberry growers and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding environmentally responsible cultivation practices, considering the unique advantages and disadvantages of both in-soil and soilless production methods.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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