Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 3
Written by Ailin MOLOȘAG, Cătălin-Viorel OLTENACU, MihaelaOLARU, Nicoleta OLTENACU, Andreea Mihaela UDREA-BRASLĂ, Damian DRAGOMIR

At a time when the need for sustainable horticulture is becoming increasingly important worldwide, this paper highlights the environmental and economic aspects of peach cultivation (Prunuspersica (L.) Batsch) and conducts a life cycle analysis (LCA) based on carbon footprint at Research and Development Station for Fruit Tree Growing (RSFG) Băneasa, South-Eastern of Romania. It was applied to 2024-2025 activity data from technological sheets and yield records for three planting densities (4×1.5 m, 4×2.0 m, 4×2.5 m), using standard emission factors. Within this scope, spacing-driven yield differences largely explained per-kilogram indicators, while cultivation hotspots followed patterns reported for stone-fruit systems: nitrogen fertilisation and irrigation energy were dominant, diesel from field operations was secondary, and plant-protection inputs were comparatively minor. A parallel per-hectare cost appraisal, compiled from the same records, revealed a cost structure led by labour and crop protection, followed by fuel and routine items, consistent with an intensive orchard under research management. Building on these findings, the concept of carbon farming (CFarm) is proposed as a practical pathway, that groups nature-based practices such as residue retention, mulching, reduced soil disturbance, cover cropping, organic amendments, and efficient pesticide application to increase soil organic carbon and reduce cultivation-phase emissions. The analysis offers a diagnostic for the RSFG Băneasa peach trial and establishes a basis for integrating carbon-farming scenarios and more detailed metered datasets in future LCA/LCCA work.

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