What is the relationship between beet cultivation practices and climate change ?

Sugar beet is the second-largest crop in the world, after sugarcane, for the production of white sugar intended for human consumption. Sugar beet cultivation in Morocco covers an area of approximately 65,000 hectares per year, producing nearly 3 million tons of roots (2019). Sugar beet is a significant crop that plays a crucial economic role in Morocco. Despite its importance, it has environmental impacts due to the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, which can lead to soil and water quality degradation and negatively affect local biodiversity. Moreover, the machinery used for beet harvesting and processing contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the issue of climate change and eutrophication . Therefore, the life cycle assessment methodology has been adopted to evaluate the environmental impact associated with agricultural production.

This impact can be measured from the beginning to the end, starting from the extraction of raw materials required for product manufacturing, through distribution, usage, transportation, collection, and disposal, until the end of the product's life cycle. In this regard, the life cycle assessment method is used to determine environmental impacts. The results indicate various environmental effects, such as climate change. Ultimately, this tool holds great significance for the improvement and selection programs for sugar beet.