Multi-Criteria Analysis for Decision-Making in Broccoli Nitrogen Fertilization

Enhancing nitrogen fertilization management contributes to the sustainability of agricultural production. A multi-criteria analysis applied to nitrogen fertilization in broccoli crops enables producers to make informed decisions. In 2023, broccoli production was analyzed under different nitrogen fertilization rates using economic, social, agronomic, and environmental criteria to determine the most suitable alternative from a sustainability perspective. Based on expert opinions, the importance of each criterion was quantified using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The ranking of the alternatives was established using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Economic and agronomic criteria exhibited a higher weighting than the others. The results established that a rate of 150 units of nitrogen fertilizer is the most suitable under the experimental conditions studied. In conclusion, multi-criteria analysis using a combination of AHP and TOPSIS can support growers' decision-making in broccoli production under Mediterranean conditions.