Greenhouse Gas Analysis of Sustainable Sugar Beet Cultivation, Taking into Account the Technological Value and Quality of Various Varieties

Magdalena Wróbel-Jędrzejewska (), Łukasz Przybysz, Ewelina Włodarczyk, Andrzej Baryga, Andrzej Jaśkiewicz, Łukasz Ściubak and Krzysztof Sitko
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Magdalena Wróbel-Jędrzejewska: Department of Technology and Refrigeration Techniques, Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Al. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 84, 92-202 Lodz, Poland
Łukasz Przybysz: Department of Technology and Refrigeration Techniques, Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Al. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 84, 92-202 Lodz, Poland
Ewelina Włodarczyk: Department of Technology and Refrigeration Techniques, Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Al. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 84, 92-202 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Baryga: Department of Sugar Industry and Food Safety Management, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Jaśkiewicz: Department of Sugar Industry and Food Safety Management, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
Łukasz Ściubak: AGROBIOTECH Doctoral School, Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, 36 Rakowiecka St., 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
Krzysztof Sitko: Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 6 Kossutha St., 40-844 Katowice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-25

Abstract: Sustainable production also involves analyzing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the entire cultivation and processing cycle. The emissions balance for different sugar beet varieties is a key element of environmental assessment in sustainable production systems. It is consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal and aims to decarbonize agri-food technology. This study aims to assess and compare GHG emissions associated with the cultivation of three sugar beet variants (Viola, Jaromir, and Pulitzer) taking into account their technological and quality characteristics. The varieties were selected based on their registration in the National Register and their importance in agricultural practice in Poland, as well as their contrasting technological profiles, which allow for the assessment of the relationship between raw material quality and GHG balance. The study combines life cycle assessment (LCA) with physiological parameters such as CO 2 assimilation, sugar content, yield, fuel consumption, and fertilizer use. The aim is to identify the correlation between the technological value of a variety and its environmental impact. It has been shown that genotypic characteristics have a significant impact on both yield and emissions. The Viola and Jaromir varieties showed a favorable balance between photosynthetic efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, while the Pulitzer variety, despite low emissions per kilogram of product, showed poorer yield performance. The importance of using integrated assessment methods combining production efficiency, environmental efficiency, and crop quality was emphasized. Such an approach is essential for the development of sustainable agricultural practices in line with the EU’s climate neutrality goals. Further research is needed to optimize agrotechnical strategies tailored to the requirements of individual varieties, contributing to climate-resilient and environmentally friendly crop production.

Keywords: sugar beet cultivation; carbon dioxide assimilation; greenhouse gas emissions; sugar production; raw material quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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