Environmental performance of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) production in lahar-affected areas of Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines
2006
Basilio, C.S.
A streamlined life cycle assessment (SLCA) was conducted to determine the environmental performance of sweet potato production in lahar-affected areas of Moncada, Tarlac. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and farm household survey were used. Nutrient balance, global warming, eutrophication and atmospheric acidification potentials and resource energy were estimated. T-test was used to compare the environmental performance of the farms of the members and non-members of the cooperative. One ton of sweet potato is the functional unit. The systems boundary was from planting to the trading post. Quantitative estimates of average environmental burdens generated by sweet potato production in terms of global warming and atmospheric acidification potentials from diesel fuel and eutrophication potential from nitrates and phosphates were estimated for both groups. The estimated surplus nitrogen (29.54 kg/ha) and phosphorus (28.84 kg/ha) were higher in farms of cooperative members than that of non-members (1.75 kg N/ha and 7.95 kg P/ha). The farms of both had negative balance in terms of potassium. Farms of cooperative members had significantly higher eutrophication potential that that of non-cooperative members, but the amounts were low. They were not significantly different in global warming potential. The atmospheric acidification potential was higher in the farms of cooperative members than that of non-cooperative members. The soil in the study site is moderately susceptible to soil erosion. The low genetic diversity of sweet potato varieties in the area makes the crop vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses and hence to genetic erosion. The study recommended crop management practices to improve the environmental performance of sweet potato production and to address existing and emerging environmental issues and challenges that constrain its productivity and economic viability.
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