Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint of carrot production in two cropping systems

ABSTRACT Carrot is among the main vegetables produced in Brazil, and evaluating the impact of its production systems is essential for decision making aimed at the sustainable development of agriculture and combating global warming. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint of carrot production in conventional system, in two seasons, and in an organic system. The life cycle analysis methodology was employed, and two functional units were defined: 1 ha of cultivation and 1 kg of carrot produced. The limits of the systems contemplated the agricultural phase of production and the manufacture of inputs, materials and fuels used. In the conventional system, the emissions were 3,850.1 and 5,412.5 kg CO2eq.ha-1 in summer and winter, respectively. The lowest emissions occured in the organic production system, 2287.6 kg CO2eq.ha-1. The use of fertilizers and diesel were the largest contributors in both systems. Although the emissions associated with the use of fertilizer in the organic system represented more than 40% of the total emitted, the origin of these fertilizers was organic. Carbon footprint for carrot production in an organic system was 1 to 8% lower than that of the conventional system, mainly due to the difference in yield between the two systems, indicating the need to combine the more sustainable practices of the organic system with higher yields.