Life cycle analysis reveals higher agroecological benefits of organic and low-input apple production

• Published in: Agronomy for sustainable development 2013-07, Vol.33 (3), p.581-592
• Main Authors: Alaphilippe, Aude, Simon, Sylvaine, Brun, Laurent, Hayer, Frank, Gaillard, Gérard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and farming systems; Agricultural sciences; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Aquatic organisms; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecology, environment; Environment and sustainable development; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Life Sciences; Malus; Research Article; Soil Science & Conservation; Sustainable Development
• ISSN: 1774-0746; 1773-0155
• DOI: 10.1007/s13593-012-0124-7

Conventional agricultural systems depend on high inputs of fertilizers and toxic pesticides that are a threat for human health and the environment. Such issues are rapidly changing agriculture in Europe. As a consequence sustainable production systems are currently developed as safer alternatives, for instance organic and low-input systems use of mechanical and biological methods versus toxic substances. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the overall impact of these alternative systems on toxicity, energy use, and global warming, notably for perennial crops such as apple orchards, which require the control of many pests. Here we present the first analysis of the environmental impacts of nine apple orchard systems using life cycle analysis. We used data from a survey of apple orchard systems located in Southern France, covering 2006–2009. Conventional, low-input, and organic orchards were planted with three apple cultivars differing in their disease susceptibility, hence designing nine apple systems, with the Golden Delicious conventional system being considered as the reference. Our results show that low-input systems planted with low disease susceptibility Melrose cultivar decreased environmental impacts by 6–99 %. Organic systems had one of the highest impacts per mass unit due to low yields, but showed low impacts per area unit planted with low-susceptibility cultivars generally. Potential toxicity was decreased by 2–40 % for human, 71–82 % for aquatic life, and 97–99 % for terrestrial life using mechanical control versus toxic pesticides to control weeds and diseases.