Does optimized agrochemicals management help to reduce the environmental impact in tomato production? A comparative analysis between greenhouse and open field systems

In Colombia, tomato production systems are characterized by high use of fertilizers and pesticides, which results in important environmental impact.
The objective of the present study was to estimate the potential environmental savings under the current greenhouse production systems management and an optimized scenario, using in both cases the open field production system as reference.
As a first step, potential yields for each system were estimated by using a tailor-made crop growth model.
The next step consisted in determining the environmental impact of the current and optimized agrochemical management through a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach.
Primary data for current practices was collected through detailed follow-ups on commercial plots from the major greenhouse (n=38) and open field (n=22) production regions.
The alternative optimized scenarios for the same commercial plots were constructed by simulating the local potential yields using the crop model under the local climate conditions.
These scenarios take into account optimized N-fertilization and restricted use of chemical pesticides, resulting in potential production.
For the LCA, all resource consumption and emissions referred to a functional unit (FU) of one ton of fresh tomatoes.
The assessment considered the manufacturing and application of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides as well as their emissions to air, water, and soil compartments.
Tomato average yields recorded for greenhouse and open field plots were 83.3 and 53.5 t ha^‑1, respectively.
For the greenhouse plots, the average simulated yield was 154.81 t ha^‑1 while for the open field plots were 76.93 t ha^‑1. Under the current production models, the open field system yielded the highest environmental burden as compared to the greenhouse, especially caused by the high use of fungicides.
Although the results of the optimized scenarios are based on several assumptions; the important point is that it showed an opportunity to increase the yield and at the same time reduce the environmental impact.

International Symposium on Advanced Technologies and Management for Innovative Greenhouses: GreenSys2019

R. Gil, C.R. Bojacá, E. Schrevens

life cycle assessment, smallholder farmers, tomato production in Colombia, agrochemical on-field emissions

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1296.145