Environmental Analysis of Sustainable Production Practices Applied to Cyclamen and Zonal Geranium

Italian floriculture is facing structural changes. Possible options to maintain competitiveness of the involved companies include promotion added values, from local production environmental sustainability. To quantify value and benefits cleaner processes choices, a holistic view necessary could be provided by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Previous studies on ornamental products generally focused data one company or small sample. The aim this study was gate-to-gate two species, cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) zonal geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey), using sample 20 belonging district in Treviso, Veneto region. We also assessed potential impact alternative management choices regarding plant protection reuse composted waste biomass. Life showed higher scores for geranium, mainly as consequence greenhouse heating with fossil fuels. This factor, along uniformity practices technological levels equipment, translated lower variability comparison production, which wider results range, particular eutrophication, acidification human toxicity potential. application integrated pest had significant reducing toxicity, while use mineral nutrients through amending growing media compost resulted reduction eutrophication Similar achievable were not observed because dominant contribution energy inputs.