FAO (UN) experts are completing a global Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study this year in Uzbekistan’s fruit and vegetable sector, report EastFruit.
The LCA analysis of perennial crops (apple, sweet cherry, grape) was conducted with consideration of the full life cycle of the productive ecosystem.
The study shows that all perennial orchards function as natural climate assets. Even under inefficient furrow irrigation, apple orchards, sweet cherry orchards and vineyards demonstrate a negative carbon footprint due to long‑term carbon accumulation in wood biomass and root systems. In fact, they already contribute to Uzbekistan’s progress toward its NDC commitments.
Sweet cherry is a crop of strong contrasts. It has the highest carbon sequestration potential (–105.3 kg CO₂/t), yet under extensive practices it is also the largest consumer of water (966 m³/t) and a major source of eutrophication (18.5 kg PO₄³⁻‑eq./t). This makes its modernization particularly important.
Grapes show a “hidden vulnerability” of carbon sequestration. The crop demonstrates the lowest carbon sequestration among perennial species (–6.9 kg CO₂/t under furrow irrigation). The reason lies not in plant biology, but in the logistics of post‑harvest handling, which accounts for a significant share of emissions.
Switching to drip irrigation and fertigation addresses the key environmental challenges of orchards. Drip systems, especially subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), sharply reduce the water footprint — by 1.5 to 3.5 times — and eutrophication — by 2 to 4.5 times. They also tend to enhance carbon sequestration by improving photosynthetic productivity.
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SDI vs surface drip irrigation. Subsurface drip irrigation provides the strongest improvements in water efficiency and eutrophication reduction. However, its effect on the carbon footprint is not always stronger than that of surface drip (e.g., in sweet cherry), due to additional CO₂ emissions associated with system installation.
Key environmental hotspots for perennial crops:
- negative carbon footprint (carbon sequestration);
- water consumption and eutrophication;
- nitrogen fertilizers (N);
- electricity use.
Within the project, the effectiveness of optimization measures for perennial crop production was evaluated:
Precision irrigation/fertigation systems — drip / subsurface drip:
— reduce water consumption 2× (drip) and 2.5–3.5× (subsurface drip);
— reduce eutrophication 2–2.5× (drip) and 3–4.5× (subsurface drip);
— decrease nitrogen application rates by 2–4 times per ton of product, significantly lowering fertilizer‑related emissions.
Solar energy (PV):
Using solar mini‑stations to power irrigation in intensive orchards (during canopy development and fruiting) transforms the emissions profile by eliminating the high share of electricity‑related CO₂. As a result, carbon sequestration in intensive orchards increases further, making them not just climate‑neutral but active climate‑positive assets.
Combined effect:
The integrated use of technologies (drip/subsurface drip irrigation + renewable energy sources + smart monitoring systems) increases orchard carbon sequestration by 60–400% compared with the traditional extensive scenario, while simultaneously addressing water scarcity and eutrophication challenges.
The full research results will be provided to the relevant government authorities of Uzbekistan to support future environmental policy decisions for reducing the ecological impact of the country’s expanding fruit and vegetable production sector.
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