Long-Term Effects of Residue Management on Soil Fertility in Mediterranean Olive Grove: Simulating Carbon Sequestration with RothC Model

Nieto, Olga María; Castro, J.J.; Ondoño, Emilia Fernández

doi:10.5772/31064

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…This reduction of GHG emissions is therefore positive to the environment. These results of energy production from biomass leading to positive GHG emissions for collecting and combustion the biomass and negative GHG emissions for remaining the pruned branches are also reported by Nieto et al [45,46] and Morlat et al [42]. The soil effects methodology applied is described in more detail by Den Boer et al [40] and Den Boer and Den Boer [41].…”

Section: Generalsupporting

confidence: 65%

Life-Cycle Assessment of the Use of Peach Pruning Residues for Electricity Generation

et al. 2020

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Biomass residues from permanent crops might be an alternative fuel for energy generation in a local market with limited transport distances. Moreover, as activities related to CO2 reduction are of special attention in the European Union (EU), sustainable use of resources plays an important role in climate change mitigation. In this paper, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the integrated value chain from peach pruning residues for electricity generation is presented and compared with the common practice including the mulching process of the pruned biomass in an orchard. It was shown that biomass harvesting, chipping and its delivery to a power plant—the Pruning-to-Energy (PtE) scenario—is feasible from an environmental point of view. The total global warming potential (GWP) of this value chain was 200 kg CO2 eq.·ha−1 (or 27 kg CO2 eq.·GJ−1). In turn, the mulching and leaving of the pruned biomass in an orchard—the pruning-to-soil (PtS) scenario—is characterized by a CO2 equivalent of 2360 kg·ha−1. Other impact categories showed a lower environmental impact for the PtE scenario as well. When considering the Spanish electricity-mix instead of coal-based electricity, the PtS scenario score better in most impact categories, but the GWP for the PtE scenario remains lower.

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Section: Generalsupporting

confidence: 65%

Life-Cycle Assessment of the Use of Peach Pruning Residues for Electricity Generation

et al. 2020

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“…As a result, in the PtS scenario the value of CO 2 equivalent is −5.93 kg CO 2 •ha −1 . As far as bioenergy production is concerned, however, the positive effect of leaving the pruned material in orchards or the negative effect of taking it out has been demonstrated by Nieto et al [43,44] and Morlat et al [38]. The applied methodology is explained by Den Boer et al [36] and Den Boer and Den Boer [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Energy Use of Biomass from Apple Orchards—An LCA Study

et al. 2019

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Generation of heat in small and medium-size energy systems using local sources of energy is one of the best solutions for sustainable regional development, from an economic, environmental, and social point of view. Depending on the local circumstances and preferences of the agricultural activity, different types and potentials of biomass are available for energy recovery. Poland is the third-largest producer of apples in the world. The large cumulative area of apple orchards in Poland and necessity of regular tree pruning creates a significant potential for agricultural biomass residues. In this paper, the LCA analysis of a new and integrated process chain focused on the conversion of cut branches coming from apple orchards into heat is conducted. Furthermore, the obtained results of the environmental indices have been compared to traditional mulching of pruned biomass in the orchard. It was shown that in terms of the LCA analysis, the biomass harvesting, baling, and transportation to the local heat producer leads to an overall environmental gain. The cumulative Climate Change Potential for pruning to energy scenario was 92.0 kg CO2 equivalent·ha−1. At the same time, the mulching and leaving of the pruned biomass in the orchard (pruning to soil scenario) was associated with a CO2 equivalent of 1690 kg·ha−1, although the soil effect itself amounted to −5.9 kg CO2 eq.·ha−1. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis of the LCA showed that in the case of the PtE chain, the transportation distance of the pruned bales should be limited to a local range to maintain the positive environmental and energy effects.

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“…On this respect, the application of SOC simulation models to a series of experimental data, long-term data of soil properties in particular, can be very useful for targeting the best management strategies. Results obtained from the RothC simulation model [39,67] showed that mulching with shredded pruning significantly improved SOC content as compared to conventional tillage. An increase in SOC (13.2-14.4 t C ha −1 yr −1 ), a reduction in CO 2 emissions from soil (2.0-2.1 t CO 2 ha −1 yr −1 , and a potential carbon sequestration (0.5-0.6 t C ha −1 yr −1 ) was observed according to soil type.…”

Section: Agronomic Operations Preserving Som and Allowing For Pruning...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Residues from Fruit Tree Pruning: A Trade-Off between Soil Quality and Energy Use

2021

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In the EU, bioenergy is by far the most significant renewable energy source and more than two thirds of biomass utilized for energy conversion consists of forestry and agricultural residues, such as fruit tree pruning. Although still underutilized, biomass from pruning is a relevant energy feedstock that does not generate additional demand for land, nor negative impact on the environment and biodiversity. On the other hand, previously shredded pruning left in the field may sustain agricultural processes and help provide beneficial ecological services. In the latter case, the most relevant result is the increase in soil organic carbon, an essential factor for improving soil quality and promoting climate regulation. As a result, a “dilemma” arises for farmers over two conflicting pruning management options: “pruning to energy” vs. “pruning to soil”, respectively. The present study, performed in the frame of the Horizon 2020 project “uP_running”, is offering a straightforward evaluation tool to assess weather biomass resulting from fruit tree pruning could be removed from the field and used as energy feedstock without compromising both soil quality and the provision of important ecosystem services.

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Long-Term Effects of Residue Management on Soil Fertility in Mediterranean Olive Grove: Simulating Carbon Sequestration with RothC Model

Cited by 5 publications

References 47 publications

Life-Cycle Assessment of the Use of Peach Pruning Residues for Electricity Generation

Life-Cycle Assessment of the Use of Peach Pruning Residues for Electricity Generation

Local Energy Use of Biomass from Apple Orchards—An LCA Study

Management of Residues from Fruit Tree Pruning: A Trade-Off between Soil Quality and Energy Use

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