LCA methodology application in flower protected cultivation

This paper presents the results of a Life Cycle Assessment study processed to determine the environmental burdens associated with cut flowers and pot plants under greenhouse cultivation. The goal of this research is to provide an objective comparison of the environmental compatibility of ornamental production carried out in different cultivation systems. Research has been carried out funded by EU project “Ecoflower Terlizzi” (LIFE04 ENV/IT/000480) with ISO standardization guidelines, with the participation of Italian flower growers, in order to gather information regarding the floricultural production process. Fifteen farms of the greenhouse districts of Terlizzi, near Bari in the southern Italian region of Apulia, were chosen in order to analyse the environmental sustainability of soil and soil-less production. The results of the research, based on indexes calculated on environmental impact categories related to the comparison between hydroponic and in-soil cultivation, show that soilless greenhouse cultivation reduces the environmental impact due to lower levels of fertilizers and pesticides in the environment. The farmers completed a questionnaire on greenhouse typology (structure and covering), equipment (heating, electric, irrigation, etc.) crops (rose, Daisyflower), pesticides, fertilizers, substrate, irrigation on the soil and consumption of water, nutrient solutions distribution, assimilation of carbon dioxide, energy consumed for the cultivation and the running of solution distribution systems.