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Life Cycle Assessment of Winter Wheat Production Using Precision and Conventional Seeding Technologies

Author

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  • Marius Kazlauskas

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Indrė Bručienė

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Dainius Savickas

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Vilma Naujokienė

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Sidona Buragienė

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Dainius Steponavičius

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Kęstutis Romaneckas

    (Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 11, LT-53361 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

  • Egidijus Šarauskis

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu Str. 15A, LT-53362 Akademija, Kaunas Distr., Lithuania)

Abstract

Sustainable and responsible agricultural production is one of the keys to keeping people, animals, soil, and the environment healthy. Precision seeding technologies for winter wheat, exploiting the variability of soil properties and adapting the technological processes of variable rate seeding and variable seeding depths, are essential not only to improving plant productivity and economic benefits but also to cleaner agricultural production. This work aimed to carry out a life cycle assessment (LCA) of winter wheat production and determine the environmental impact of different precision seeding technologies in terms of individual impact categories compared to conventional seeding technology. Experimental studies were carried out between 2020 and 2022 using conventional uniform seeding rate (URS) and several precision seeding technologies: in the first year—VRS for variable seeding rate and VRS + VRF for variable seeding rate and fertilizer rate, and in the second year—VRS and VRSD for variable seeding rate and variable depth, and VRSD + VRF for variable seeding rate, variable depth, and variable fertilizer rate. The results obtained for winter wheat grain yield showed that the effect of precision seeding technology on the increase of grain yield was not significant compared to the URS. A greater influence on grain yield was found in individual soil management zones, especially in the zone with the worst soil fertility. The LCA did not show any significant differences between precision seeding technology and conventional technology in any of the environmental impact categories. The GWP values (0.200–0.236 kg CO 2eq kg −1 ) were most dependent on grain yield, as precision seeding technology had small changes in the amount of inputs (seeds and fertilizers), while all other technological operations were the same as under the URS technology. The amounts of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers decreased by 1.4 and 7.9%, respectively, and the amounts of winter wheat seeds and nitrogen fertilizers increased by 4.1 and 5.4%, respectively, compared to the URS.

Suggested Citation

  • Marius Kazlauskas & Indrė Bručienė & Dainius Savickas & Vilma Naujokienė & Sidona Buragienė & Dainius Steponavičius & Kęstutis Romaneckas & Egidijus Šarauskis, 2023. "Life Cycle Assessment of Winter Wheat Production Using Precision and Conventional Seeding Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14376-:d:1250972
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bernardo Romão & Maximiliano Sommo & Renata Puppin Zandonadi & Maria Eduarda Machado de Holanda & Vinicius Ruela Pereira Borges & Ariana Saraiva & António Raposo, 2025. "Sustainability of Key Proteins in Plant-Based Meat Analogs Production: A Worldwide Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-14, January.
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    4. Haoyang Chen & Xue Dong & Jie Lei & Ning Zhang & Qianrui Wang & Zhiang Shi & Jinxing Yang, 2024. "Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture by an Intelligent Vertical Plant Factory within an Industrial Park," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-26, January.

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