Introduction. The cultivation
of high-value fruit species is a profitable agricultural activity
in many tropical countries; however, intensive fruit cultivation
may depend on high amounts of external inputs. The objective of
our study was to quantify and compare the resource use during the
cultivation of eight tropical fruit species (Rubus glaucus,
Solanum quitoense, Passiflora edulis,
Cyphomandra betacea, Physalis peruviana,
Ananas comosus, Persea americana and
Mangifera indica) commonly cultivated in Colombia.
It further aimed to identify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the
selected production systems and to highlight the potential to contribute
to climate change mitigation efforts. Materials and methods. The
analysis was based on data from agricultural databases and applied
a life-cycle assessment with energy use and GHG emissions as impact categories.
Furthermore, economic indicators were taken into account with the
aim of integrating the environmental and economic goals of production
systems. Results and discussion. Among the eight fruit
species studied, mango (Mangifera indica) was found
to have the lowest and tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea)
the highest emission profile. The variability in resource use among
growers of the same species was high, indicating the need to improve management
abilities at the farm level. Mineral fertilizer production was the highest
contributor to GHG emissions. GHG- and energy-efficient management
alternatives would have a high potential to reduce the carbon footprint of
fruit cultivation.