Potential Mitigation of Environmental Impacts of Intensive Plum Production in Southeast China With Maintenance of High Yields: Evaluation Using Life Cycle Assessment

Authors

Xiaojun Yan
Delian Ye
Yafu Tang
Muhammad Atif Muneer
Peter Christie
Congyue Tou
Weidong Xu
Bingrong Shen
Jinxian Xu
Jiangzhou Zhang

Publication Date

3-22-2023

Journal

Frontiers in Plant Science

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Intensive plum production usually involves high yields but also high environmental costs due to excessive fertilizer inputs. Quantitative analysis of the environmental effects of plum production is thereby required in the development of optimum strategies to promote sustainable fruit production.

METHODS: We collected survey questionnaires from 254 plum production farms in Zhao'an county, Fujian province, southeast China to assess the environmental impacts by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The farms were categorized into four groups based on yield and environmental impacts, i.e., LL (low yield and low environmental impact), LH (low yield but high environmental impact), HL (high yield but low environmental impact), and HH (high yield and high environmental impact).

RESULTS: The environmental impacts, i.e., average energy depletion, global warming, acidification, and eutrophication potential in plum production were 18.17 GJ ha

DISCUSSION: Excessive fertilizer N application was the main source of the environmental impacts, the potential to reduce fertilizer N rate can be achieved without compromising plum yield by studying the HH group. The results provide an important foundation for enhancing the management of plum production, in order to promote 'green' agricultural development by reducing environmental impacts.

Keywords

Prunus salicina Lindl., environmental impacts, nutrient efficiency, life cycle assessment (LCA), nitrogen management

Comments

PMID: 37035064