Assessing the gray water footprint impact of pesticide use in Tommy Atkins mango cultivation: a case study in the semi-arid region of São Francisco Valley, Brazil.
2024
GOMES, F. F. S. | PARAIBA, L. C. | AMARAL, A. | MACIEL NETTO, A. | FLÁVIA FERNANDA SANTOS GOMES, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DE PERNAMBUCO; LOURIVAL COSTA PARAIBA, CNPMA; ADEMIR AMARAL, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PERNAMBUCO; ANDRÉ MACIEL NETTO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PERNAMBUCO.
Abstract: Mango production, particularly of the Tommy Atkins variety, is prominent in the São Francisco Valley region of Northeast Brazil due to favorable conditions and year-round cultivation facilitated by irrigation and growth regulators. However, concerns arise over its significant water footprint and heavy pesticide usage, prompting a study on the gray water footprint of pesticides applied to Tommy Atkins mangoes in Sub-middle São Francisco Valley-Pernambuco, Brazil. Utilizing models by Hoekstra et al. (2011) and Paraiba et al. (2014), the study estimated the Gray Water Volume (GWV) and assessed potential water contamination using the GUS Index and GOSS method. Results suggest minimal groundwater pollution risk but moderate surface water contamination risk. The GWV ranged from 106 to 107 m3 ha-1, with the model of Paraiba et al. (2014) showing higher environmental sustainability due to considering toxicity to aquatic nontarget organisms. Despite this, both models indicate a high gray water footprint. The pesticide ranking derived from these findings can aid in selecting environmentally safer pesticide mixtures for mango cultivation, aiming to balance water protection and agricultural productivity.
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