MODELLING LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS (LCCA) SCENARIOS ON THE USE OF COMPOST IN ORGANIC PEAR ORCHARD IN ROMANIA

This study aims to present the life cycle cost (LCC) for 1 kg of pear produced using organic technology in Southern Romania. Two principal stages were depicted: production stage costs (PC) and Transport costs (TC). For each stage, investment and operational costs were determined. Pear orchard establishment (POE), the first I-III years of orchard management (without harvest) (OM.I-III), and IV-XX years of orchard management (OM.IV-XX) were analyzed considering the elemental activities included. Three scenarios were applied for fertilization: (S1) compost produced at the farm level using a composter Oklin GG-50S combined with the one produced on outdoor platform in the farm, mainly from vegetable sources. (S2) compost from the outdoor platform for organic residues, and (S3) acquisition of a commercial organic fertilizer. The total LCC for 1 kg of pear ranged between 0.400 euro (S2), 0.481 euro (S3), and 0.496 euro (S1). Details regarding the LCC components and optimization were presented.