

Announcements
Vacancies
- Growing Manager for Hydroponic strawberry producer
- Regional Sales Manager Fresh Produce
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Export Trade Manager
- Business Developer - Northern Europe
- Orchard Sector Manager
- Grower
- International Citrus Account Manager
- Business Developer Water Storage - International technical horticulture
- Export Manager
Global warming potential, variable costs and water use of young plant production
System A was modeled as a gutter-connected, rounded-arch greenhouse without a ridge vent and covered with double-layer polyethylene, and the plants were fertigated through sprinklers on stationary benches. System B was modeled as a more modern gutter-connected, Dutch-style greenhouse using natural ventilation, and moveable, ebb-flood production tables.
Inventories of input products, equipment use, and labor were generated from the protocols for those scenarios and a LCA was conducted to determine impacts on the respective greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the subsequent carbon footprint (CF) of foliage plants at the farm gate. CF is expressed in global warming potential for a 100-year period (GWP) in units of kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (kg CO2e).
The GWP of the 72-count trays were calculated as 4.225 and 2.276 kg CO2e with variable costs of $25.251 and $24.857 for trays of foliage plants grown using Systems A and B, respectively. The GWP of most inputs and processes were similar between the two systems. Generally, the more modern greenhouse in System B was more efficient in terms of space use for production, heating and cooling, fertilization, and water use.
While overhead costs were not measured, these differences in efficiency would also help to offset any increases in overhead costs per square foot associated with higher-cost, more modern greenhouse facilities. Thus, growers should consider the gains in efficiency and their influences on CF, variable costs (and overhead costs) when making future decisions regarding investment in greenhouse structures.
Access the full study at HortScience.
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-09-13 "In just a couple of years, the nursery tripled in size"
- 2023-09-06 Cacti Youngplants back in the succulent market
- 2023-09-04 2024 bedding and perennial catalogs launched by UK young plant producer
- 2023-09-01 US (MI): “Despite the unusual season, we produced one of our best crops in years”
- 2023-08-08 US (IA): Plantpeddler Variety Day 2023 trial gardens results
- 2023-08-07 All-America Selections provides list of young plant Suppliers and the AAS Winners they are offering for 2024
- 2023-05-23 Hellebores: a review of the delivery season
- 2023-05-12 Fleurizon releases 2024 catalog
- 2023-05-10 Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority visits Hishtil's facility in Nehalim
- 2023-04-20 Women in Horticulture visits ForemostCo Central Florida facility
- 2023-04-12 Helix Australia Waxflower cuttings to Israel
- 2023-03-28 200,000 Phalaenopsis cuttings from Sion potted at Bevo Farms in Edmonton, Canada
- 2023-03-28 “Cyclamen young plants travel first class with this new tray”
- 2023-03-24 "Recent site investment enhances production capacity by 25%"
- 2023-03-17 "We now have full control of our rooting container and substrate"
- 2023-03-17 KF Bioplants names two new gerbera varieties and Best Grower of 2023
- 2023-02-16 “Connecting growers with opportunities through collaboration in the indoor plant categories”
- 2023-02-14 CAN: Van Belle Nursery aims for cutting-edge with sticking robots
- 2023-01-17 India: "The weather couldn’t deter the spirits of farmers, florists, and participants"
- 2022-12-23 The ever-changing market that is horticulture