Comparison of exemplary crop protection strategies in Swiss apple production: Multi-criteria assessment of pesticide use, ecotoxicological risks, environmental and economic impacts

• DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2022.03.008
• Publication Date: 2022-03-12T23:49:34Z
• Authors: Marcel Mathis; Judith F. Blom; Thomas Nemecek; Esther Bravin; Philippe Jeanneret; Otto Daniel; Laura de Baan
• Keywords: Crop Protection

Plant protection products (PPP) are used to protect apples from pests and diseases maintain high yields fruit quality. Alternatively, non-chemical plant measures can be applied reduce the use ecotoxicological risks of PPP. However, additional materials, energy or labor needed, which have an impact on environmental economic performance. To investigate possible trade-offs, this multi-criteria analysis examined different apple production systems based exemplary crop strategies in Switzerland. One integrated strategy complying with Swiss Proof Ecological Performance (PEP2018) was as a reference, three were compared reference. The «PPP Reduced» assumed minimal synthetic PPPs combination range alternative avoid yield losses. conventional «High yield» maximum restrictions fertilizer. Finally, «Organic» represented typical organic without PPPs. compare performance these strategies, 13 indicators calculated, covering four aspects. PPP analyzed treatment frequency index, local for next-to-field habitats modeled SYNOPS, global impacts 1 kg life cycle assessment (LCA) farms assessed full-cost calculation. Compared «PEP2018» strategy, performed much better terms biodiversity, but not profitable due investments resulting negative farmer's hourly wage. comparable between latter performing worse biodiversity warming potential. Despite capital input, resource had largest (per apples) most indicators, also results study show that reducing associated orchard compromises is challenging. None than other all assessed. approach could contribute identify design more sustainable production.