Greenhouse gas balance related to conventional and sustainable fruit production systems in the Highlands region of Pasto, Colombia

Abstract

This research focused on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and potential sinks associated with conventional and sustainable fruit production systems in the Highlands region of Pasto, Nariño, Colombia. Based on the IPCC (2006) methodologies, the annual emission balance for a 6-year production cycle included agricultural sources and gasoline consumption related to the main agricultural activities and the potential for soil C accumulation and biomass C fixation in all of the studied systems. The multivariate analysis showed that positive GHG balance emissions would be achieved in all sustainable fruit production systems, as compared to conventional fruit production systems with greater impact on (SS1): Rubusglaucus Benth. associated with Acacia decurrens trees and live coverage of kikuyu Pen-nisetum clandestinum grass. According to the results of this study, (SS1) showed the beneficial total GHG balance emission accounting for -21,079 kg of atmospheric CO2eq ha-1 yr-1 divided into -4,587 kg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1 and -17,102 kg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1 due an annual soil and biomass C sequestration potential that could help offset its emissions (610 kg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1).

Greenhouse gas balance and mitigation potential of agricultural systems in Colombia: A systematic analysis

“…For a new GHG inventory the compiler has to make a preliminary assessment based on local knowledge and expertise about large emission sources such as GHG mitigation practices at the farm level and inventories in other agricultural systems with similar national circumstances 15,17 . In the first step, mitigation of GHG emissions in agriculture has several approaches: (a) emissions reductions; (b) emissions that can be avoided or displaced; or (c) sinks can be created to remove emissions (IPCC 98 ).…”

“…Formalized data collection activities should be established, adapted to countries’ national circumstances, and reviewed periodically as a part of implementing good practices 5 . In this step, it is necessary to try to explain all the components, inputs, and outputs of the studied systems in order to quantify GHG emissions and potential mitigation practices at the farm level 15 …”

“…At the farm level a number of inputs are used for crop production, for example, the production, formulation, storage, and distribution of P and K fertilizers, pesticides, lime, water, and their application with mechanized equipment leads to the combustion of fossil fuels, which emits CO 2 and other GHGs into the atmosphere 5 . Frequent use of the tractor in conventional fruit systems leads to an annual consumption of about 75 L of fuel per hectare 15 . Fossil fuel CO 2 emissions from croplands were estimated to be responsible for 0.4–0.6 Gt CO 2 eq per year from the use of agricultural machinery in 2010 (AR5 42 .…”

“…In Colombia there are a limited number of studies that have investigated the potential of SOC sequestration for positive GHG balances from agriculture based on production type 12–14 . Criollo et al 15 . and Graefe et al 16 .…”

“…Simple empirical methods based on published data are also used to calculate GHG emissions, or accumulation factors 5,20 . However, in Colombia the importance of including SOC sequestration options in mitigation policies and reducing possible tradeoffs between food security and climate change mitigation makes expanding the knowledge base on agroforestry systems as a GHG mitigation practice 11,13–15 a priority at the farm level.…”