Fresh Apples at Orchard Gate

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR guides foreground data package construction for fresh apples from commercial cultivars of Malus domestica, harvested and delivered at the orchard gate. It covers orchard establishment and removal annualized over the declared productive life, annual orchard management, harvest, and on-orchard handling needed to produce marketable bulk fruit.

Conventional, integrated, organic, rain-fed, and irrigated routes are included when declared. Apple nursery trees, juice, cider, dried or otherwise processed apples, packing-house or cold-store outputs, and fruit produced primarily for industrial processing are excluded.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.agriculture-forestry-and-fishery-products.products-of-agriculture-horticulture-and-market-gardening.apples
classification_refs	CPC 3.0 01341, Apples; mapping relation: narrower
covered_products	fresh harvested apples from commercial cultivars of Malus domestica at orchard gate
excluded_products	nursery trees; juice; cider; dried, preserved, or otherwise processed apples; packing-house or cold-store outputs; fruit produced primarily for industrial processing
representative_product	marketable fresh apples, natural cultivar mix, bulk at orchard
production_route	perennial orchard establishment, annual management, harvest, and orchard-gate handling
market_state	fresh, whole, unprocessed bulk fruit at orchard gate, with grade and packaging state declared

This PCR covers a narrower subset of CPC 3.0 01341. Its existing product, use and gate restrictions remain in force. The accepted classification mapping is narrower, not a declaration that all goods in the CPC leaf are covered.

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	fresh whole apples at orchard gate
How much	1 kg
How well	cultivar or mix, marketability criterion, grade, production system, and moisture state declared
How long or cycle	one declared harvest year; establishment and removal annualized over the declared productive life
reference_flow_link	reference_product_at_declared_handoff

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	Apple, natural mix, at orchard
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	cultivar or cultivar mix; production system and certification status; orchard age and productive-life assumption; harvest year or averaging period; irrigated or rain-fed status; geography; marketability and grade criterion; orchard gate; bulk container or packaging state

The reference mass is accepted marketable fruit. Industrial-grade fruit and culls are separate outputs with measured mass and an evidenced fate.

Each foreground dataset must explicitly select one actual route, declared gate, product state and output row. Reconcile the selected terminal route with reference_product_at_declared_handoff; normalize that handoff output to the reference quantity and retain preceding-stage outputs as measured transfers. Raw weighing, mass reconciliation and lot traceability requirements continue to apply.

The sole reference output is reference_product_at_declared_handoff, receiving the selected actual route product at the declared gate. Existing route-output ids identify the source and physical state; they are no longer individually fixed to the reference quantity.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Express the reference flow as net kg of accepted fresh apples at orchard gate, excluding reusable-bin tare.
yield_basis	yield and normalized inputs	Mass and area	kg and ha	Record harvested, accepted, industrial-grade, and culled mass for the same period before normalization.
fertilizer_n_basis	fertilizer and N emissions	Mass	kg product and kg N	Record product mass and nutrient content; nitrogen calculations use kg N.
water_basis	irrigation and withdrawal	Volume or Mass	m3 or kg	Declare source and distinguish withdrawal, delivered irrigation, consumption, and water footprint.
energy_inventory	fuel and electricity	Mass, Volume, or Energy	kg, L, MJ, or kWh	Preserve fuel type, energy unit, conversion factor, and orchard operation.
perennial_annualization	establishment and removal	declared property	declared unit	Divide attributable lifecycle burdens by declared lifetime marketable yield; disclose juvenile years and replacements.

5. System Boundary

The foreground boundary includes material nursery-tree and support-system installation, soil preparation, planting, attributable irrigation infrastructure, annual fertilization, irrigation, crop protection, pruning and floor management, purchased pollination when material, machinery, harvest, field transport, orchard-gate handling, and end-of-life removal. Upstream production uses representative background datasets. Packing-house grading, retail packaging, cold storage, distribution, retail, consumption, and processing are outside the default boundary.

Boundary Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_orchard_life_cycle	all datasets	Include establishment, juvenile years, productive years, replacements, and removal through an annualized perennial-orchard model, or justify a representative alternative.	goossens-apple-orchard-lca-2017; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024
boundary_gate	reference product	End the default boundary at accepted fresh bulk apples at the orchard gate; packing-house and cold-store operations require a downstream dataset.	codex-cxs-299-2010
boundary_input_completeness	orchard management	Address fertilizer, irrigation, crop protection, fuel, electricity, land, establishment materials, biomass fate, and direct emissions with a value, justified zero, or documented exclusion.	baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020
boundary_quality_separation	apple outputs	Separate accepted fresh fruit, industrial-grade fruit, culls, and losses by measured mass and fate.	codex-cxs-299-2010; mass-balance-identity

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	established_orchard_block
starting_condition_role	perennial_production_condition
product_classification_scope	fresh apples corresponding to CPC 3.0 01341; processing outputs excluded
recursive_input_rule	same-category apples entering the system are separate inputs with origin and purpose and are not merged with orchard production
upstream_dataset_requirement	nursery trees, fertilizers, crop-protection products, energy, water supply, support materials, and waste treatment use representative upstream datasets
disclosure	orchard block, cultivar, planting density, establishment year, age, productive life, route, irrigation status, geography, harvest period, yield, marketable fraction, and gate

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
orchard_lifecycle_and_production	Orchard Lifecycle and Apple Production	required		foreground	1 kg accepted fresh apples at orchard gate
orchard_gate_handling	Orchard-gate Handling	conditional	include on-orchard washing, pre-cooling, grading, or other handling before the gate	foreground	1 kg accepted fresh apples at orchard gate
declared_reference_handoff	Product Measurement at Declared Handoff	required		foreground	reference_product_at_declared_handoff

Process: Orchard Lifecycle and Apple Production (orchard_lifecycle_and_production)

Inputs

Product flows

Urea fertilizer (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_urea)

Collection scope and applicability for orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs. The following concrete identities have separate cards and apply only when use or generation is evidenced inside the original process scope. They are not mandatory inputs or a default recipe. Document non-use; missing records are not zero. Add a separate concrete card for any other actual material instead of substituting one of these names or UUIDs. Preserve attribution and boundaries and avoid double counting components included in outsourced services.

Collect each fertilizer product separately. Preserve each actual product identity, quantity, formulation, nutrient composition, application event, and allocation; do not count a compound product more than once. Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the product UUID does not establish actual use or upstream-provider compatibility. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Urea 3f8850c0-f718-4c4b-8fcb-8fd42e03aa8e
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-fertilizer-identities

Use this product identity only when the actual formulation and grade are compatible. Retain supplier composition and mass records; do not substitute nutrient mass, dilute solution mass or service activity for the product mass. The UUID alone supplies neither a dose nor an emission factor.

Ammonium sulfate fertilizer (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_ammonium_sulfate)

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the product UUID does not establish actual use or upstream-provider compatibility. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Ammonium sulfate 8c6f0cbb-16d7-4dc9-8d55-e8dea17d7faf
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-fertilizer-identities

Use this product identity only when the actual formulation and grade are compatible. Retain supplier composition and mass records; do not substitute nutrient mass, dilute solution mass or service activity for the product mass. The UUID alone supplies neither a dose nor an emission factor.

Triple superphosphate fertilizer (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_triple_superphosphate)

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the UUID remains unverified. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Triple superphosphate fertilizer
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-fertilizer-identities

Potassium chloride fertilizer (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_potassium_chloride)

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the UUID remains unverified. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Potassium chloride fertilizer
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-fertilizer-identities

Cattle manure applied as fertilizer (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_cattle_manure)

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the UUID remains unverified. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Cattle manure applied as fertilizer
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-organic-nutrients

Composted plant residues applied to soil (orchard_lifecycle_and_production_agricultural_nutrient_inputs_plant_compost)

Confirm identity, grade, state and unit from equipment, supplier and contemporaneous measurements; the UUID remains unverified. Count physical product mass once and retain moisture, N/P/K composition and application events; nutrient quantities are calculated attributes, not additional purchases of the same product. Give unlisted compound and organic fertilizers separate cards identified by formulation or feedstock.

• Selected flow: Composted plant residues applied to soil
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Collect raw quantities for this identity under cp_orchard_input_records and calculate the exchange per declared reference flow using the original attribution rules.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records
• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; fao-organic-nutrients

Irrigation water (irrigation_water)

Irrigation water records delivered water entering the orchard production system from each declared source.

• Selected flow: Irrigation water 4ad684b1-8e85-4dee-8d9c-55d1fa2d4432

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg, retaining m3

• Amount rule: metered delivered water; zero only for verified rain-fed production

• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)

• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)

• Collection protocol: cp_irrigation_records

• Sources: dzikiti-apple-water-footprint-2019 Range evidence need: collect delivered irrigation and source withdrawal separately. The cited total water-footprint observations (187–237 m3/t, including green/blue components) are contextual indicators and are not a range for either exchange.

Diesel fuel (orchard_energy_diesel)

Only for documented diesel-powered operations. Retain grade and actual use; convert recorded L using supplier-supported or measured density in kg/L. Link fuel supply once, and retain actual combustion emissions separately unless already included in the supplying service. Other carriers and inclusive machinery services require separate actual identities; these conditional cards do not prescribe site equipment.

• Selected flow: Diesel fuel 9d258d75-6792-4f1c-9856-81602ed8f816
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Record this carrier separately under cp_energy_records by operation, including pumping. Attribute shared use once, divide the attributed raw quantity by measured matched accepted final fruit output in kg, then multiply by the 1 kg reference amount. Retain stage-to-final output ratios and do not normalize an already normalized quantity again.
• Value mode: calculated_value
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: calculated_from_collection
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records
• Sources: baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020

Alternating current (orchard_energy_electricity)

Only for actual alternating-current supply. Record voltage, provider and supply technology; convert metered kWh to MJ once with 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ. Internally generated electricity links to its foreground generator without another purchased-electricity burden. Other carriers and inclusive machinery services require separate actual identities; these conditional cards do not prescribe site equipment.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Energy 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ
• Amount rule: Record this carrier separately under cp_energy_records by operation, including pumping. Attribute shared use once, divide the attributed raw quantity by measured matched accepted final fruit output in kg, then multiply by the 1 kg reference amount. Retain stage-to-final output ratios and do not normalize an already normalized quantity again.
• Value mode: calculated_value
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: calculated_from_collection
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records
• Sources: baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024; ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020

Waste flows

No waste input is normally required. Waste-derived amendments crossing the boundary are separately identified, quantified, and linked to a burden-sharing rule.

Elementary flows

Land occupation (land_occupation)

Land occupation represents productive orchard area over the declared occupation period.

• Selected flow: applicable land occupation elementary flow for the declared land-use class

• Flow property / unit: Area-time / ha a

• Amount rule: productive area times occupation duration divided by marketable output

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Crop cycle (crop_cycle)

• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)

• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records

No universal numeric bound is established by the cited balance identity or method. Derive a lot/site-specific check from measured inputs, outputs, moisture, growth where applicable, stocks, losses and uncertainty on compatible bases. Report numeric screening unavailable until supported; retain the measured exchange and investigate residuals without clipping or substituting a default.

Water withdrawal (water_withdrawal)

Water withdrawal represents source-specific water removed from the environment for orchard irrigation.

• Selected flow: Source-specific natural water withdrawal, with water type and receiving resource compartment declared

• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3

• Amount rule: calculate from metered irrigation by source without double counting supplied water

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)

• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)

• Collection protocol: cp_irrigation_records

• Sources: dzikiti-apple-water-footprint-2019 Range evidence need: collect delivered irrigation and source withdrawal separately. The cited total water-footprint observations (187–237 m3/t, including green/blue components) are contextual indicators and are not a range for either exchange.

Measure withdrawal at the actual source boundary in m3, separately from supplied/delivered water. Record freshwater or seawater, surface water or groundwater, location, resource compartment, meter dates/readings and transfers; use closing minus opening cumulative readings with documented meter corrections. Sum source volumes for the matched period and normalize once to accepted reference output. Keep any mass observation separate and convert by V = m/rho only with a documented compatible water density and units; no implicit kg-to-m3 equality. A broad unspecified-water identity cannot substitute for the actual source. Missing source/type or conversion evidence is an explicit gap and blocks a fully identified or complete water inventory claim.

Outputs

Product flows

Accepted fresh apples (accepted_fresh_apples)

Accepted fresh apples are the marketable reference product measured at the declared orchard gate.

• Selected flow: Apple, natural mix, at orchard dae75a0f-16b9-47ff-9ee7-63058aebcfe2

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg Raw output measurement and reconciliation: measured net accepted mass at orchard gate

• Amount rule: measured net transfer mass, retaining lot, actual product state and moisture basis; reconcile to the final reference output at the declared handoff

• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: quantitative reference.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)

• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)

• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records

• Sources: codex-cxs-299-2010

• Range: Same-stage output measurement reconciliation

  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg net accepted output of this stage
  • Basis: same-stage numerator and denominator measurement consistency; not a stage yield or fixed ratio to the final reference output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
  • Sources: mass-balance-identity

Industrial-grade apples (industrial_grade_apples)

Industrial-grade apples are non-reference fruit sold or transferred as a product for processing.

• Selected flow: Apple, natural mix, at orchard dae75a0f-16b9-47ff-9ee7-63058aebcfe2

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg

• Amount rule: measured fruit sold or transferred for processing

• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)

• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)

• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records

• Sources: codex-cxs-299-2010

• Range: Harvest mass-balance fraction

  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg total harvested apples
  • Basis: fraction of harvested apple mass
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
  • Sources: mass-balance-identity

Waste flows

Discarded apple fruit (discarded_apple_fruit)

Use only for this separately identified material actually exported as waste to an evidenced treatment recipient. Measure net as-received mass and moisture for this stream and retain a separate dry-matter ledger where used. Do not include deliberately sold products, on-site retained biomass, or an unexplained balance loss. If the actual disposal stream is a physical mixture, document composition and its one actual treatment boundary in a separate mixture-specific card; do not invent segregation or also count component exports. Account for non-use with evidence; missing amount or fate blocks completeness. Normalize attributable actual mass once to matched accepted apple output; no universal cull/wood ratio is prescribed.

• Selected flow: Discarded apple fruit sent to treatment
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net stream mass, actual moisture and destination; final-reference normalization once
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records
• Sources: ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020

Discarded apple-tree woody material (discarded_apple_wood)

Use only for this separately identified material actually exported as waste to an evidenced treatment recipient. Measure net as-received mass and moisture for this stream and retain a separate dry-matter ledger where used. Do not include deliberately sold products, on-site retained biomass, or an unexplained balance loss. If the actual disposal stream is a physical mixture, document composition and its one actual treatment boundary in a separate mixture-specific card; do not invent segregation or also count component exports. Account for non-use with evidence; missing amount or fate blocks completeness. Normalize attributable actual mass once to matched accepted apple output; no universal cull/wood ratio is prescribed.

• Selected flow: Discarded apple-tree woody material sent to treatment
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net stream mass, actual moisture and destination; final-reference normalization once
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records
• Sources: ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020

Elementary flows

Managed-soil nitrous oxide to air (direct_soil_nitrous_oxide_emission)

Calculate direct and indirect nitrous oxide from orchard nitrogen inputs with the selected IPCC tier. Keep this exchange separate from ammonia and nitrate.

• Selected flow: nitrous oxide, emissions to air unspecified 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-94c3-0050c2490048

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg N2O

• Amount rule: apply selected IPCC tier and convert N2O-N to N2O by 44/28

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Nitrogen input (n_input)

• Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)

• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records

• Sources: ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o

Calculation method corresponds to Section 8 rules: calculate_direct_soil_n2o.

Ammonia volatilization to air (direct_soil_ammonia_emission)

Record this exchange only when orchard nitrogen-application records and a declared, applicable ammonia method support a separate estimate. Do not substitute an N2O factor.

• Selected flow: ammonia, emissions to air unspecified 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-a2a9-0050c2490048

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg NH3

• Amount rule: calculate ammonia with the declared method and convert any NH3-N result to NH3 by 17/14

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Nitrogen input (n_input)

• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)

• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records

• Sources:

Nitrate released to fresh water (direct_soil_nitrate_freshwater_emission)

Include nitrate only when monitoring or a declared nitrogen-loss method supports transfer to fresh water; retain the receiving-water evidence.

• Selected flow: nitrate, emissions to fresh water 4d9a8790-3ddd-11dd-8d68-0050c2490048

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg nitrate

• Amount rule: calculate or measure nitrate transferred to fresh water and convert any nitrate-N result to nitrate by 62/14

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Nitrogen input (n_input)

• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)

• Collection protocol: cp_orchard_input_records

• Sources:

Fossil carbon dioxide from fuel (fossil_carbon_dioxide_from_fuel)

Fossil carbon dioxide from fuel represents direct on-site combustion emissions calculated from recorded fuel use.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil), emissions to air unspecified 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg

• Amount rule: recorded fuel multiplied by a declared combustion factor

• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: per 1 kg reference product.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Fuel inventory (fuel_inventory)

• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)

• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records

No universal numeric bound is established by the cited balance identity or method. Derive a lot/site-specific check from measured inputs, outputs, moisture, growth where applicable, stocks, losses and uncertainty on compatible bases. Report numeric screening unavailable until supported; retain the measured exchange and investigate residuals without clipping or substituting a default.

Process: Orchard-gate Handling (orchard_gate_handling)

Inputs

Product flows

Record water, electricity, reusable bins, and materials only when on-orchard handling occurs before the gate, using the applicable identities and protocols above.

Waste flows

Record waste-derived inputs separately.

Elementary flows

Do not duplicate water withdrawal already recorded in orchard production.

Outputs

Product flows

Orchard-gate handled apples (orchard_gate_handled_apples)

Orchard-gate handled apples are the accepted reference product after included on-orchard handling.

• Selected flow: Apple, natural mix, at orchard dae75a0f-16b9-47ff-9ee7-63058aebcfe2

• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg Raw output measurement and reconciliation: measured accepted output after on-orchard handling

• Amount rule: measured net transfer mass, retaining lot, actual product state and moisture basis; reconcile to the final reference output at the declared handoff

• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)

• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific) Raw activity or stage basis: quantitative reference.

• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow

• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)

• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)

• Collection protocol: cp_land_and_output_records

• Sources: codex-cxs-299-2010

• Range: Same-stage output measurement reconciliation

  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg net accepted output of this stage
  • Basis: same-stage numerator and denominator measurement consistency; not a stage yield or fixed ratio to the final reference output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
  • Sources: mass-balance-identity

Waste flows

Measure additional culls and reconcile them with input fruit.

Elementary flows

Record direct handling emissions only when they occur inside the foreground boundary.

Process: Product Measurement at the Declared Handoff (declared_reference_handoff)

This node records the actual product handoff at the existing system boundary for reconciliation and reference-quantity normalization. It adds no physical processing and does not presume drying, cooling, storage, packaging or transport. Each data package declares one actual route, one terminal product state, moisture or dry-matter basis, and gate. Feed only the accepted product delivered by that route at that gate into this node; do not add other routes as extra inputs. Record co-products separately and apply Section 7. Count preceding inputs, losses and emissions once. Normalize using the measured accepted net mass at the handoff; this measurement node changes neither mass, yield nor allocation.

Inputs

Product flows

Actual route product at handoff (actual_route_product_for_handoff)

Record the accepted product delivered by the actual terminal route and reconcile it with handoff weighing and lot records.

• Selected flow: Apple, natural mix, at orchard
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured accepted net product mass at the actual handoff, normalized to the reference quantity; do not sum preceding-stage quantities, other routes or co-products
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_declared_reference_handoff
• Range: Handoff quantity normalization identity
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg net handoff mass of the same state
  • Basis: normalization of the measured net mass of the same handoff state; not a physical-operation yield
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
  • Sources: declared-handoff-measurement-definition

Waste flows

This measurement node adds no waste inputs.

Elementary flows

This measurement node adds no resource inputs.

Outputs

Product flows

Reference product at declared handoff (reference_product_at_declared_handoff)

• Selected flow: Apple, natural mix, at orchard
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: 1 kg
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_declared_reference_handoff Confirm the product UUID independently for the actual state. Until confirmed, retain unresolved identity instead of inheriting a UUID from a preceding stage or another route.
• Range: Handoff quantity normalization identity
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg/kg net handoff mass of the same state
  • Basis: normalization of the measured net mass of the same handoff state; not a physical-operation yield
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Method formula (method_formula)
  • Sources: declared-handoff-measurement-definition

Waste flows

Record actual losses at the operation where they occur; do not duplicate them here.

Elementary flows

Record actual emissions at the operation where they occur; do not duplicate them here.

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

Allocation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_avoidance	subprocesses and grades	First avoid allocation by subdividing establishment, management, harvest, handling, industrial fruit, and residue management where records permit.	iso-14044-2006
allocation_perennial_time	establishment and removal	Annualize attributable burdens over declared productive life and lifetime marketable yield; disclose non-bearing years, replacements, and yield assumptions.	goossens-apple-orchard-lca-2017; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024
allocation_multiple_apple_outputs	accepted and industrial apples	Use mass allocation when subdivision is impossible; economic allocation requires representative prices and a mass-allocation sensitivity.	iso-14044-2006
allocation_residue_fate	orchard biomass	Assign collection and on-site management to the orchard; use substitution only with an evidenced displaced product, route, and market. Explicitly model open burning when practiced.	ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020; iso-14044-2006

Concrete cards do not inherit numerical ranges from the former aggregate card. Determine quantities from original records, stock/meter reconciliation and the declared reference flow; no default quantity or numeric screen is supplied without evidence matching the identity, unit, period and boundary. Missing range evidence is a quality disclosure, not zero use or proof of completeness.

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Specific input identification before dataset completion

Identify the actual input for this operation from supplier specifications, equipment and primary records. This is a mandatory collection requirement, not an exchange. Before dataset completeness, represent each used material, formulated product, carrier or independently purchased service by one physically specific card with its native quantity/property; confirm a compatible UUID, or retain an explicit unresolved identity and do not claim a fully linked dataset. Do not substitute a conditional example for an unknown actual input, invent a recipe, omit required use or infer zero from missing records. Attribute shared use, reusable assets and inclusive services once; preserve the original stage/period and measured throughput link to final reference output. The former aggregate range is not a component limit or consumption default.

requirement_id	collection_protocol_id	Preserved collection scope
annualized_establishment_inputs_specific_input	cp_orchard_lifecycle_records	Operation orchard_lifecycle_and_production: Annualized establishment inputs represent nursery trees, support systems, irrigation infrastructure, replacements, and removal attributable to the reference product. Original quantity method: measured installation, replacement, and removal quantities annualized over lifetime marketable output Use measured lifetime output; input/output mass ratios are not bounded by one.

Retain raw site, lot, cycle and stage quantities and denominators in each collection protocol. Reconcile stocks, losses, moisture and co-product attribution first, then normalize: normalized exchange = attributable raw exchange × declared reference quantity / accepted hand-off product quantity on the same boundary and measurement basis. Apply perennial-establishment and shared-operation attribution before this normalization. Never set an internal-transfer quantity equal to the final reference quantity. Per declared reference flow means the amount, unit and product state in section 3; the data package must declare its actual route and gate.

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_orchard_lifecycle_records	orchard_lifecycle_and_production	establishment and removal	orchard asset record	block; planting year; productive life; trees; replacements; supports; irrigation materials; removal; fate	invoices, field logs, asset register; Raw aggregation and attribution: annualize over lifetime marketable output annualized_establishment_inputs_specific_input: Operation orchard_lifecycle_and_production: Annualized establishment inputs represent nursery trees, support systems, irrigation infrastructure, replacements, and removal attributable to the reference product. Original quantity method: measured installation, replacement, and removal quantities annualized over lifetime marketable output Use measured lifetime output; input/output mass ratios are not bounded by one. Identify the actual input for this operation from supplier specifications, equipment and primary records. This is a mandatory collection requirement, not an exchange. Before dataset completeness, represent each used material, formulated product, carrier or independently purchased service by one physically specific card with its native quantity/property; confirm a compatible UUID, or retain an explicit unresolved identity and do not claim a fully linked dataset. Do not substitute a conditional example for an unknown actual input, invent a recipe, omit required use or infer zero from missing records. Attribute shared use, reusable assets and inclusive services once; preserve the original stage/period and measured throughput link to final reference output. The former aggregate range is not a component limit or consumption default.	item, kg, L, kWh, year	per event	complete orchard model	orchard block	per declared reference flow	invoices, asset register, calculation workbook
cp_orchard_input_records	orchard_lifecycle_and_production	fertilizer and crop protection	purchase and application record	product; active ingredient or nutrients; mass; date; area; block	invoice, label, application log; Raw aggregation and attribution: sum by substance and normalize to accepted mass crop_protection_inputs_specific_input: Crop-protection inputs record each named formulated product and active ingredient applied to the orchard. measured application by named product and active ingredient This is a mandatory specific-input collection requirement, not a selected exchange. Identify every actual formulation, carrier or independently supplied service from primary records, with physical identity, state, native quantity and supplier specifications. Create a separate concrete card for each actual input before dataset completeness; verify a compatible UUID or explicitly retain its unresolved identity. Product mass and contained active-substance mass are different ledgers: convert only using documented composition and never count both as two purchases. Finished feed and separately added ingredients must not duplicate its recipe. Distinguish fuel purchase, purchased electricity/heat and inclusive machinery services; charge only their actual boundaries once. Preserve the original operation, period, attribution and final-output normalization. Missing identity or records do not establish zero use; no universal component range or invented recipe is supplied. baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024	kg product, kg nutrient, kg active ingredient	per application	harvest year	orchard block	per declared reference flow	invoice, label, applicator log
cp_irrigation_records	orchard_lifecycle_and_production	irrigation and withdrawal	meter and pumping record	source; meter; readings; volume; pumping energy; date; block	calibrated meter, pumping log, invoice; Raw aggregation and attribution: sum by source and normalize to accepted mass	m3 and energy unit	per event or month	irrigation season	block and source	per declared reference flow	calibration, readings, invoice
cp_energy_records	orchard_lifecycle_and_production	fuel and electricity	energy record	operation; machine; energy type; quantity; period; block	fuel log, telematics, meter, invoice; Raw aggregation and attribution: allocate by operation and normalize to accepted mass	L, kg, MJ, kWh	per operation or billing interval	harvest year	orchard block	per declared reference flow	invoice, meter, equipment log
cp_land_and_output_records	orchard_lifecycle_and_production	land and apple outputs	block and harvest record	area; age; cultivar; harvest date; gross; tare; accepted; industrial; culled; biomass; grade; fate	GIS, calibrated scale, dispatch and fate records; Raw aggregation and attribution: reconcile outputs and normalize by accepted mass	ha, year, kg	per harvest and annual reconciliation	complete harvest year	orchard block and gate	per declared reference flow	field map, calibration, tickets, grade and fate records
cp_declared_reference_handoff	declared_reference_handoff	reference_product_at_declared_handoff	handoff weighing and acceptance records	route, terminal_output_row_id, product_state, gate, lot, net_mass_kg, moisture_basis, acceptance, tare	Use calibrated scales or traceable weighing records; reconcile the actual terminal-operation handoff lot, accepted net mass, product state and moisture; exclude packaging tare and do not sum preceding-stage quantities.	kg	each handoff lot	declared reporting period	declared handoff gate	per declared reference flow	calibration or weighing tickets, acceptance and lot traceability

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calculate_marketable_yield	reference product	accepted net mass / productive area	cp_land_and_output_records	kg accepted apples/ha and accepted fraction	mass-balance-identity
annualize_orchard_lifecycle	establishment and removal	attributable lifecycle input / lifetime accepted output using age-specific data or a documented yield curve	cp_orchard_lifecycle_records; cp_land_and_output_records	annualized input/kg reference product	goossens-apple-orchard-lca-2017; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024
calculate_water_withdrawal	irrigation	source-specific metered withdrawal / accepted mass; report consumption or water footprint separately	cp_irrigation_records; cp_land_and_output_records	m3 water/kg reference product	dzikiti-apple-water-footprint-2019
calculate_direct_soil_n2o	fertilizer N	apply selected IPCC tier and convert N2O-N to N2O by 44/28	cp_orchard_input_records; declared factors	kg N2O/kg reference product	ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o
reconcile_apple_outputs	harvested fruit	accepted + industrial-grade + culled + measured loss = total harvest within declared tolerance	cp_land_and_output_records	mass balance and unexplained loss	mass-balance-identity
chemical_species_mass_accounting	elementary_nutrient_emissions	Final elementary exchanges use the mass of the identified substance and one actual receiving compartment. Keep nutrient/activity ledgers separate: species-specific N2O-N × 44/28 gives N2O, NH3-N × 17/14 gives NH3, nitrate-N × 62/14 gives nitrate, and phosphate-P × 95/31 gives phosphate. If the selected flow is elemental phosphorus instead, report kg P and convert phosphate mass by 31/95 only when that species basis is evidenced. Apply a conversion exactly once only when the method output is on the elemental basis; measured compound mass is not reconverted. Total nutrient losses cannot be assigned to a single species without a supported split, and residual/retained soil nutrient is not an emission. Keep direct/indirect pathway ledgers and avoid repeating a pathway already included in the chosen method or upstream inventory. Factor uncertainty ranges screen factors on their stated basis, not final compound amounts or admissible site emissions. Normalize the attributable compound mass once using the accepted reference quantity and the matched measured output. Unknown activity, identity or compartment remains an evidence gap and blocks a completeness claim.	cp_orchard_input_records; species-specific activity ledger, method pathway and factor basis, matched accepted output	Identity-specific exchanges and reconciled activity records

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	reference product	Declare cultivar, block, route, irrigation status, geography, period, grade, gate, and packaging state.	metadata, orchard and dispatch records
dq_temporal_representativeness	perennial production	Cover a complete harvest year and disclose age and yield variability; use at least three recent years for a representative dataset or justify one year.	dated harvest and input records
dq_mass_balance	outputs	Reconcile harvest, accepted, industrial, culled, and lost mass; document tare and calibration.	scale records and reconciliation
dq_input_completeness	management	Quantify or justify zero/exclusion for fertilizer, irrigation, crop protection, energy, establishment, land, biomass fate, and direct emissions.	ledgers, logs, meters, invoices
dq_geographic_representativeness	water and energy	Record water source, pumping, electricity mix, fuel, climate, and irrigation status; do not use the cited water range as a default.	source records and geography metadata

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validation_reference_flow	reference product	Confirm one 1 kg reference flow uses the verified Apple UUID and all required qualifiers.	codex-cxs-299-2010
validation_scope	inventory	Confirm establishment, juvenile years, productive years, management, harvest, removal, and handling are included or justified.	goossens-apple-orchard-lca-2017; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024
validation_mass_balance	outputs	Confirm apple outputs reconcile to harvest within tolerance and every non-reference output has a fate.	mass-balance-identity
validation_nitrogen	fertilizer and nitrogen emissions	Confirm product mass differs from kg N; verify separate N2O, NH3, and nitrate amounts, receiving media, method factors, and N-equivalent mass balance. Convert N2O-N by 44/28, NH3-N by 17/14, and nitrate-N by 62/14 when reporting substance mass.	ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o; mass-balance-identity
validation_water	water flows	Confirm withdrawal, delivered irrigation, consumption, and footprint are not double counted or mislabeled.	dzikiti-apple-water-footprint-2019
validation_allocation	shared burdens	Confirm orchard life, yield basis, annualization, allocation, residue fate, and sensitivities are disclosed.	iso-14044-2006
validation_completeness	data package	Confirm each required category has a value, justified zero, or exclusion and out-of-range values are explained.	ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020; baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	unit_process
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset
allowed_use	orchard-gate fresh apple supply matching cultivar, geography, route, irrigation, orchard-age profile, period, grade, and gate
excluded_use	nursery trees; fruit primarily for processing; packing-house, cold-storage, distribution, retail, consumption, or processed products
required_metadata	reference UUID and qualifiers; represented orchards; geography; cultivar; route; irrigation; age; productive life; period; yield; accepted fraction; grade; packaging; gate; allocation; protocol coverage
required_quality_disclosure	years; primary-record coverage; mass-balance tolerance; calibration; background representativeness; water source; factors; exclusions; uncertainty and sensitivity
update_trigger	material change in cultivar, route, water source, age model, yield, accepted fraction, crop protection, fertilizer, energy, biomass fate, gate, or representativeness period

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
codex-cxs-299-2010	standard	Codex Alimentarius CXS 299-2010, Standard for Apples, https://workspace.fao.org/sites/codex/Standards/CXS%20299-2010/CXS_299e.pdf	fresh-apple scope, processing exclusion, quality and marketability
goossens-apple-orchard-lca-2017	literature	Goossens et al., Agricultural Systems 153 (2017) 81-93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.01.007	orchard life-cycle boundary, low/high yield years, system variability
baima-apple-orchard-lca-2024	literature	Baima et al., Heliyon 10 (2024) e38397, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38397	establishment and management inventory, productive-life modelling
dzikiti-apple-water-footprint-2019	literature	Dzikiti et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 271 (2019) 135-147, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.02.042	measured orchard water-footprint range and water distinctions
ucdavis-orchard-lca-findings-2020	official_guidance	UC Davis SAREP, Orchard Life Cycle Assessment: Findings, https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/are/energy/lcaorchard-findings	process completeness, biomass fate, irrigation-energy variation
ipcc-2019-managed-soils-n2o	method_factor	IPCC 2019 Refinement, Volume 4, Chapter 11, https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/pdf/4_Volume4/19R_V4_Ch11_Soils_N2O_CO2.pdf	managed-soil N2O calculation
iso-14044-2006	standard	ISO 14044:2006, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines	allocation hierarchy
mass-balance-identity	method_factor	Conservation of mass applied as a PCR calculation identity.	output reconciliation and annualization checks

source_id	type	reference	used_for
declared-handoff-measurement-definition	method_factor	This PCR, Sections 3, 6 and 8: measured net mass at the same state and gate is its own normalization denominator, giving a mass ratio of 1; handoff measurement adds no physical processing.	Same-stage and handoff measurement identities; a definition, not an observed yield, empirical default or external publication.
fao-fertilizer-identities	official_guidance	FAO Fertilizer Specifications, https://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/thematic-sitemap/theme/spi/plantnutrition/fertspecs/en/	conditional concrete identities and method context; does not establish site use or quantities
fao-organic-nutrients	official_guidance	FAO How to Make and Use Compost, https://www.fao.org/4/i2230e/i2230e.pdf	conditional concrete identities and method context; does not establish site use or quantities