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An Environmental and Economic Analysis of Strawberry Production in Southern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Pergola

    (Degree Course of Agriculture, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Angela Maffia

    (PhD School, Mediterranea University, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Carlucci

    (Agreenment s.r.l., 75100 Matera, Italy)

  • Alessandro Persiani

    (Ages s.r.l. s., 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Assunta Maria Palese

    (Ages s.r.l. s., 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Massimo Zaccardelli

    (Centro di Ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo (CREA), Via Cavalleggeri, 25, 84098 Pontecagnano, Italy)

  • Gessica Altieri

    (PhD School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via Nazario Sauro 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Celano

    (Degree Course of Agriculture, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an evaluation of the environmental and economic aspects of strawberry cultivation in the Campania and Basilicata regions of Southern Italy, and to consider the effects on strawberry productivity following compost tea (CT) application. Eight strawberry-growing systems were tested. To this end, compost tea production and characterization were described; a quantitative analysis of the strawberries’ yield was performed, and environmental impact per ha and per kg of strawberries was estimated using the life cycle assessment methodology. To compare the profitability of the systems analyzed, the gross profit of the farmers was calculated, also considering the social cost of pollution. One of the two organic systems analyzed, using solarization for soil disinfestation, biological fight for pest control, and corrugated boxes as packaging recycled at the end-of-life, was the most sustainable system with carbon credits. At the same time, organic crops are not always the most sustainable and profitable systems if significant irrigation and fertigation interventions are carried out, as in another organic system analyzed. Plastic materials and zinc structures were the most impacting items in almost all analyzed systems. The use of a CT with an elevated number of beneficial microorganisms with a high suppressive action allowed to obtain a good increase of the yield, in both systems that used it, and to have a higher gross profit. On the other hand, the validity of this technique was strongly linked to the finding of high-quality green compost.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Pergola & Angela Maffia & Giuseppe Carlucci & Alessandro Persiani & Assunta Maria Palese & Massimo Zaccardelli & Gessica Altieri & Giuseppe Celano, 2023. "An Environmental and Economic Analysis of Strawberry Production in Southern Italy," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:9:p:1705-:d:1227748
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sean Clark & Seyed Hashem Mousavi-Avval, 2022. "Global Warming Potential of Organic Strawberry Production under Unheated High Tunnels in Kentucky, USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Alessio Ilari & Giuseppe Toscano & Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom & Daniele Duca & Ester Foppa Pedretti, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Protected Strawberry Productions in Central Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.
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