A life cycle assessment case study for walnut tree ( Juglans regia L.) seedlings production

摘要: High-quality wood production is based on both natural forestry populations and dedicated tree plantations, also mentioned as industrial plantations. The establishment of plantations needs high-quality seedlings, often grown in a nursery, having specific genetic morphological features. From seed gathering to final selling, the growth seedlings human interventions inputs such fertilizers, pesticides, substrates, capital goods (e.g., pots greenhouses). All these course can cause not negligible environmental impacts, due their production, maintenance, disposal. For reasons, impact nursery deserves deep analysis assess overall linked supply chain: it important that products are able meet high standards. This study focused 1- 2-year-old walnut (Juglans regia L.) aimed timber production. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was adopted according ISO 14040 As case study, located South Italy studied. Both were analyzed from LCA point view then compared, adopting 100 functional unit. Three inputs, plastic forming, disposal landfill, be identified greatest polluters for seedlings; all categories taken into account, emissions joined always exceeded 50% total amount, reaching values up 90% abiotic depletion, fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation). Two-year-old system more than 1-year-old; therefore, its expected, but interesting stress increasing registered over second year growing, which reaches 747% (fresh ecotoxicity), most polypropylene (mulching cloth, trays, first all, pots). four out ten categories, caused impact; this phase could useful reduce impact. Further investigations regarding mortality rate (after plantation) needed better compare practical, economic, aspects.