Evaluation of hazelnut production in Türkiye in environment, energy and economy using life cycle assessment approach.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of hazelnut cultivation in Ordu province of Türkiye, which ranks first in world hazelnut production. Thus, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was implemented to analyze the environmental impact potentials determined as acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and global warming potential (GWP). Additionally, energy use efficiency and economic analysis were identified. Data were collected from fifteen farmers cultivating in the same region and performing the same cultural practices by conducting a face-to-face questionnaire during the period of 2019-2020. LCA results showed that all environmental impacts and energy use of hazelnut production in the region were dominated by synthetic fertilizer. According to the results of the economic analysis, human labor had the highest share (52.7 % as a minimum) with 6.2 TRY kg and 5550.0 TRY ha, although it was not included in the environmental impact category. Harvesting had the largest share in economic costs, but it was the most challenging cultural practice as it was carried out under difficult conditions (slope up to 70 %, hot weather) and depended only on human labor. This study provides a basis for future studies and recommends solutions for agricultural sustainability in hazelnut production. The foremost step taken should be to use fertilizer according to soil analysis and to encourage organic fertilizer use. Future studies should examine the relationship between fertilizer use and hazelnut yield. Also, the use of manpower tools without fossil fuels could overcome the challenges as an environmentally friendly solution for harvesting.