نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زنجان. زنجان، ایران،
2 گروه تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زنجان. زنجان، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
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.
کلیدواژهها [English]
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of traditional and semi-mechanized olive production systems in the Tarom region of Zanjan Province, Iran, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. With Iran’s olive sector transitioning from traditional to semi-mechanized practices, this research aimed to quantify the environmental consequences of these systems, focusing on key impact categories such as global warming potential, energy consumption, and human toxicity. By identifying critical sources of environmental burden, the study sought to provide actionable recommendations to enhance the sustainability of olive production, supporting Iran’s agricultural sector in aligning with global environmental standards and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The study was conducted in 2022 in Tarom, Zanjan Province, a key olive-producing region characterized by a hot, semi-arid Mediterranean climate. Data were collected from 50 olive growers through structured questionnaires and supplemented by interviews with local agricultural managers. A simple random sampling method was employed, with the sample size determined using Cochran’s formula at a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. The LCA was performed following ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, with the system boundary defined as cradle-to-farm-gate and the functional unit set as one ton of olive fruit. Two production scenarios were analyzed: traditional, small-scale farming reliant on manual labor, and semi-mechanized, larger-scale farming incorporating mechanized tools such as tractor-mounted sprayers and drip irrigation systems. The Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) included inputs (e.g., water, electricity, diesel, fertilizers) and outputs (e.g., emissions to air, water, and soil). Environmental impacts were assessed using the SimaPro 9.3.0.3 software with the CML-IA Baseline method, covering 11 impact categories, including global warming potential (GWP), energy use, human toxicity, and ozone layer depletion. Emission calculations followed IPCC (2006) guidelines, and data were sourced from databases such as ecoinvent 3.5 and Agri-footprint 4.0. The contribution of inputs and processes to environmental impacts was analyzed to identify key drivers of environmental burden.
The results revealed that the semi-mechanized system outperformed the traditional system across most environmental impact categories. Specifically, the semi-mechanized system reduced global warming potential by 31% (from 1286.11 to 888.66 kg CO2 equivalent per ton of olives), energy consumption by 23% (from 14399.73 to 11094.61 MJ), and human toxicity by 38% (from 553.40 to 344.54 kg 1,4-DB equivalent). These improvements were attributed to higher efficiency in water and energy use, as well as increased yields (4268.69 kg/ha in semi-mechanized vs. 2548.51 kg/ha in traditional systems). However, the semi-mechanized system showed a 20% increase in ozone layer depletion due to higher diesel fuel consumption associated with partial mechanization. Electricity consumption, primarily for water pumping, contributed 58–74% to the overall environmental burden, while chemical fertilizers accounted for 15–20%. In the traditional system, higher water and electricity use stemmed from less efficient flood irrigation, whereas the semi-mechanized system’s drip irrigation reduced resource consumption. In-field emissions, particularly from fertilizer use, were significant in both systems, with a higher contribution in the semi-mechanized system due to increased fertilizer application. The single-score analysis confirmed the semi-mechanized system’s lower environmental footprint (2.3 nPt vs. 3.9 nPt for the traditional system), driven by reduced impacts in aquatic and human toxicity. Comparative studies in regions like Spain, Portugal, and Turkey corroborated these findings, though Iran’s olive production exhibited higher environmental impacts, likely due to less efficient machinery and irrigation practices.
This study underscores the environmental advantages of semi-mechanized olive production over traditional methods in Tarom, Iran. Despite increased diesel use, the semi-mechanized system’s higher efficiency and yield led to significant reductions in key environmental impacts. Critical areas for improvement include optimizing electricity use for irrigation and managing fertilizer application to minimize emissions. Recommendations include adopting high-efficiency drip irrigation, integrating renewable energy sources like solar-powered pumps, and implementing soil testing for precise fertilizer use. These measures could further enhance the sustainability of olive production. Future research should incorporate economic and social dimensions to provide a holistic view of sustainable olive farming in Iran, supporting policymakers and farmers in developing environmentally sound agricultural practices.
Conceptualization, M.N. and A.Y.; methodology, M.N. and B.M.; software, M.N.; validation, M.N., B.M. and A.Y.; formal analysis, M.N. and B.M.; investigation, M.N. and B.M.; resources, M.N.; data curation, M.N. and B.M.; writing-original draft preparation, M.N.; writing-review and editing, M.N.; visualization, M.N.; supervision, M.N. and A.Y; project administration, M.N. and A.Y.; funding acquisition, M.N., A.Y. and B. M.
All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Data available on request from the authors.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the University of Zanjan, which contributed significantly to the completion of this study.
The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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