Articles
Sustainability of Portuguese citrus production through environmentally friendly cultural practices and ecosystem services
Article number
1448_3
Pages
23 – 30
Language
English
Abstract
As the world’s population grows, food demand rises, which forces an increase in cultivated area and/or agricultural intensification.
In citrus production, both harvested area and yield have risen, reflecting the intensification of citrus production.
Agricultural intensification consists of an increase in the amount of resources used ha‑1 of land and is often seen as related to a decrease in sustainability.
However, this is not always true.
In European citriculture, regulations have become tightened regarding environmental protection.
Furthermore, consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases.
This has led citrus growers to adopt more environmentally friendly practices over the last few decades.
In Portuguese citriculture, the change has been significant.
Most orchards now use drip irrigation with carefully determined reduced doses.
Spontaneous vegetation, once classified as weed flora, is now valued for its contribution to pest control.
It is primarily managed through mowing and brush cutting, which significantly reduces herbicide use.
Additionally, the number of permitted fungicides and insecticides, as well as treatment frequency, has been restricted.
While significant progress has been made, much work remains to be done to improve agricultural practices.
For instance, optimizing irrigation doses and increasing the use of treated wastewater are viable strategies in citrus orchards.
Furthermore, it is crucial to demonstrate to society that citrus trees not only produce highly nutritious fruits but also provide important ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration.
Addressing these issues requires reflection from the scientific community.
In citrus production, both harvested area and yield have risen, reflecting the intensification of citrus production.
Agricultural intensification consists of an increase in the amount of resources used ha‑1 of land and is often seen as related to a decrease in sustainability.
However, this is not always true.
In European citriculture, regulations have become tightened regarding environmental protection.
Furthermore, consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases.
This has led citrus growers to adopt more environmentally friendly practices over the last few decades.
In Portuguese citriculture, the change has been significant.
Most orchards now use drip irrigation with carefully determined reduced doses.
Spontaneous vegetation, once classified as weed flora, is now valued for its contribution to pest control.
It is primarily managed through mowing and brush cutting, which significantly reduces herbicide use.
Additionally, the number of permitted fungicides and insecticides, as well as treatment frequency, has been restricted.
While significant progress has been made, much work remains to be done to improve agricultural practices.
For instance, optimizing irrigation doses and increasing the use of treated wastewater are viable strategies in citrus orchards.
Furthermore, it is crucial to demonstrate to society that citrus trees not only produce highly nutritious fruits but also provide important ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration.
Addressing these issues requires reflection from the scientific community.
Publication
Authors
A. Duarte, P. Matias, T. Magalhães, L. Coelho, B. Duarte, A. Reis, A.R. Trindade, S. Oliveira, D. Trindade, V. Sustelo, M. Moreira da Silva
Keywords
citriculture, carbon sequestration, irrigation, integrated production
Groups involved
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