Life cycle assessment (LCA) of winter wheat in an intensive crop production system in Wielkopolska region (Poland)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of winter wheat production in an intensive crop production system. In view of environmental concerns linked to modern practices of crop production, it is necessary to identify the ecological profile of highly productive winter wheat. The life cycle assessment (LCA) of this crop was performed in two large-scale farms, located in the Wielkopolska region (Poland), in the years 2011-2013. Results obtained indicated that the core processes related to wheat production on the farm had the biggest influence on acidification, eutrophication and global warming potentials. The possibility of photochemical ozone creation and depletion of abiotic resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels, were most dependent on the upstream processes. The mineral fertilization process was identified as the most important source of environmental threats. The grain transport stage had the lowest share in all analyzed impact category indicators. Normalization showed that acidification attributed to wheat production had the greatest environmental impact on the overall environmental profile. This indicates that the priority direction in mitigation of environmental impacts associated with intensive wheat production should be lowering adverse effect on soil acidification, followed by global warming and eutrophication.