An input flow analysis for sustainable management of apple orchards: an Italian case study

Italy is the second top European apples producer after Poland, one of the world's leading producers and also an exporter of apples, apples being the most exported fruit from Italy. Production is mainly concentrated in northern Italian regions. In a global market context, in order to remain competitive it is important to assess the efficiency in the use of certain cultivation practices, also for reduce the environmental impact, by monitoring the consumption of energy and resources used in the production of a given agricultural product. In the light of premises, the present study aims to implement an environmental impact assessment (i.e., Carbon Footprint) by collecting and analysing the material and energy input flows associated with an experimental “Fuji” apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Fuji) orchard in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, cultivated using integrated farming methods. Thus, this work constitutes a preliminary phase of a broader study aimed at the realization of a life cycle inventory “Fuji” apple variety contributing to the enrichment of databases in this field. Furthermore, the work can allow farmers to know the impact of the various activities carried out in the cultivation process on input consumption (in order to address the question of possible measures to optimize their use) and be useful to researchers and specialists in their efforts to improve the sustainability characteristics of the products so that the territory benefits from an environmental, economic and well-being point of view, also in the light of the policies of the EU Green Deal.