How Production System Would Affect the Environmental Impacts of Sugar Beet Production?

Abstract

Sugar beet production, serving as a key global source of sugar, significantly contributes to the world economy and promotes local economic growth, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices aligned with environmental goals. In this context, it is essential to investigate how production systems may influence the flow of resources and consequently the environmental consequences of sugar beet cultivation in different geographical areas. The present research examined the ecological consequences of sugar beet cultivation in two distinct systems, involving both agro-industries (AIs) and smallholder farmers (SHs), focusing on the Moghan and Joveyn regions, prominent sugar beet production areas in Iran. The study utilized the IMPACT World + life cycle assessment method to evaluate harmful impacts at midpoint and damage levels. Additionally, potential harms were identified within two area of protection (AoPs) categories: human health and ecosystem quality, and two area of concerns (AoCs) categories: carbon-related and water-related damages. The findings revealed that in terms of AoPs, AIs had 0.44% and 4.32% higher impacts on human health than SHs in the Moghan and Joveyn regions, respectively. Additionally, AIs showed 7.97% and 21.44% higher impacts on ecosystem quality compared to SHs in the same regions. Water-related impacts significantly contributed to over 90% of the total environmental impacts in both AoPs. On-farm emissions and nitrogen fertilizers emerged as the primary contributors to the negative effects of sugar beet production in all systems, emphasizing the crucial role of managing chemical fertilizers to mitigate environmental damages, particularly water-related impacts.