Environmental impacts of watermelon production in Guilan province through Life Cycle Assessment

Iran is among the biggest emitters of greenhouse gasses in the world. Agricultural sector has a remarkable role in non-renewable energy consumption and then, the environmental impacts in this country. In this regard, the environmental impacts of watermelon production as the most important melons produced in Guilan province of Iran were investigated through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The primary data were gathered using the questioners and face to face interview with 58 watermelon producers in Kiashahr region of Guilan Province in 2014. The environmental impacts were classified into six impact categories including global warming, acidification, terrestrial eutrophication, depletion of fossil resources, depletion of phosphate and potash resources. Results revealed that the terrestrial eutrophication (0.185) followed by depletion of phosphate resources (0.116) had the highest negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, efficient use of chemical fertilizers, specially nitrogen fertilizer and replacing them with a variety of organic fertilizers and using the bio-fertilizers can reduce the negative environmental impacts of watermelon production in terms of terrestrial eutrophication and phosphorus fertilizers groups in Guilan Province, Iran.