University of Tehran Press Iranian Journal of Biosystem Engineering 2008-4803 56 2 2025 08 23 Environmental Assessment of Olive Production in Traditional and Semi-Mechanized Scenarios Using Life Cycle Assessment Environmental Assessment of Olive Production in Traditional and Semi-Mechanized Scenarios Using Life Cycle Assessment 31 50 103769 10.22059/ijbse.2025.395620.665596 FA Behnam Mohammadi Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. 0009-0003-0052-1578 Majid Namdari Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. 0000-0002-5456-7411 Alireza Yousefi Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. 0000-0003-1877-4760 Journal Article 2025 05 19 In recent years, Iran's olive sector has experienced significant changes in agricultural practices. The cultivation of olive orchards is transitioning from traditional systems towards semi-mechanized approaches. This research aimed to evaluate the environmental impacts of olive production in both traditional and semi-mechanized systems in the Tarom region of Zanjan Province, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The necessary data were collected through questionnaires completed by 50 olive growers and interviews with agricultural managers. The system boundary was defined from cradle-to-farm-gate, and the functional unit was considered as one tonne of olives. The results indicated that the semi-mechanized system demonstrated better environmental performance compared to the traditional system, with a 31% reduction in global warming potential (from 1286.11 to 888.66 kg CO2 eq.), a 23% reduction in energy consumption (from 14399.73 to 11094.61 MJ), and a 38% reduction in human toxicity (from 553.40 to 344.54 kg 1,4-DB eq.). Input contribution analysis revealed that electricity (58 to 74 percent) and chemical fertilizers (15 to 20 percent) had the most significant impact on the environmental burden. However, diesel fuel consumption in the semi-mechanized system, due to partial mechanization, led to a 20% increase in ozone layer depletion. This study suggests that improving irrigation efficiency and managing fertilizer consumption can enhance the environmental sustainability of olive production in both systems. In recent years, Iran's olive sector has experienced significant changes in agricultural practices. The cultivation of olive orchards is transitioning from traditional systems towards semi-mechanized approaches. This research aimed to evaluate the environmental impacts of olive production in both traditional and semi-mechanized systems in the Tarom region of Zanjan Province, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The necessary data were collected through questionnaires completed by 50 olive growers and interviews with agricultural managers. The system boundary was defined from cradle-to-farm-gate, and the functional unit was considered as one tonne of olives. The results indicated that the semi-mechanized system demonstrated better environmental performance compared to the traditional system, with a 31% reduction in global warming potential (from 1286.11 to 888.66 kg CO2 eq.), a 23% reduction in energy consumption (from 14399.73 to 11094.61 MJ), and a 38% reduction in human toxicity (from 553.40 to 344.54 kg 1,4-DB eq.). Input contribution analysis revealed that electricity (58 to 74 percent) and chemical fertilizers (15 to 20 percent) had the most significant impact on the environmental burden. However, diesel fuel consumption in the semi-mechanized system, due to partial mechanization, led to a 20% increase in ozone layer depletion. This study suggests that improving irrigation efficiency and managing fertilizer consumption can enhance the environmental sustainability of olive production in both systems. https://ijbse.ut.ac.ir/article_103769_558d78bc0dc5d3f69c494080fc5f936c.pdf