project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
Cover cropping as a management tool to enhance orchard sustainability - Ifasa
Inerbimento nei frutteti per l’aumento della sostenibilità aziendale - Ifasa
Context
Modern inter-row management aims to minimize the alteration of soil composition, structure, and biodiversity to reduce degradation, erosion, and compaction. Achieving these objectives involves constant inter-row herbing, which can, however, exert water-nutritional competition on the orchard and be a source of diseases. In particular, the presence of certain grass species and decomposing residues favors the development of brown spot spores (Stemphylium vesicarium), the main pest of pears in the Mediterranean area, resulting in the need for numerous antifungal treatments. Inter-row herbing with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) would create an unfavorable environment for the development of the fungus and promote the supply of nitrogen. The practice of herbing and the reduction of the use of pesticides are part of the new CAP 2023-27 strategy through the eco-scheme 2 and are considered practices that contribute to the mitigation of climate change.
Objectives
The main objective of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative inter-row management in pear orchards, analyzing its agronomic, productive, physiological, economic, and environmental impacts. The aim was to develop sustainable practices that reduce the use of fungicides and fertilizers, thus preserving water and soil quality.
Objectives
L’obiettivo generale del progetto è consistito nel verificare l’efficacia di una gestione innovativa dell’interfilare della coltura di pero sotto il profilo agronomico, produttivo, fisiologico, manageriale e di salubrità aziendale, con il fine principale di mantenere alta la sostenibilità economica ed ambientale del frutteto riducendo il numero di trattamenti fungini e di fertilizzazione per preservare acqua e suolo.
Activities
•Pear orchards with traditional inter-row tillage and orchards with legume-based intercropping were compared, in order to reduce the use of fertilizers and protect the soil.
• The incidence of brown spot and the presence of pesticide residues in the soil were evaluated in the different management systems.
• Soil characterization: Soil properties were analyzed, in particular organic carbon content and gas exchange.
• A life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of the different agronomic techniques.
• Training and dissemination activities were organized to promote the adoption of more sustainable and low-impact agricultural practices.
Activities
• Confronto fra frutteti lavorati ed inerbimenti con essenze a base di leguminose per ridurre l’apporto di concimi minerali e proteggere il suolo
• Valutazione fitosanitaria del frutteto attraverso misure dell’incidenza di maculatura bruna nei differenti trattamenti e dei residui nel suolo
• Caratterizzazione del suolo con valutazione del contenuto di carbonio organico e dello scambio gassoso
• Valutazione dell’impatto ambientale ed economico delle due tecniche agronomiche
• Formazione e divulgazione inerente alle tecniche per il miglioramento della sostenibilità nelle aziende frutticole attraverso il controllo delle avversità con metodi a basso impatto.
Additional information
The project proposed by GOI IFASA is fully aligned with the content of the work strategies suggested by the Focus Groups (FG) of the European Innovation Partnership Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). Specifically, the themes align with:
"Sustainable pome and stone fruit" as three different agronomic practices are evaluated for the containment of pear brown spot to minimize the use of fungicides in an orchard and the comparison will also consider both economic parameters and environmental impact (LCA)
"Fertiliser efficiency" as herbing with legumes reduces the use of fertilizers without compromising the quantity and quality of production while preserving the quality of water and soil.
"Water & agriculture: adaptive strategies at farm level" as the increase in water retention obtained with innovative soil management associated with year-round ground cover are strategies that allow farms to adapt to the changing water/rainfall regime underway."
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014IT06RDRP003 Italy - Rural Development Programme (Regional) - Emilia-Romagna
Location
- Main geographical location
- Ferrara
- Other geographical location
- Bologna
EUR 248838.87
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
1 Practice Abstracts
The IFASA project demonstrated how controlled grassing in pear trees, in particular with the use of underground clover, can improve farm sustainability without compromising crop productivity. Results showed significant agronomic benefits, including improved soil structure, increased fertility and reduced compaction. In addition, controlled grass has been shown to limit the proliferation of species that can promote diseases such as brown spotting of the pear tree, without increasing their incidence. Although adverse weather conditions have limited overall production yield, grass-based management techniques proved to be a promising practice for sustainable agriculture, improving soil quality and preserving water and nutrients, while maintaining production levels.
Il progetto IFASA ha dimostrato come l'inerbimento controllato nei pereti, in particolare con l'utilizzo di trifoglio sotterraneo, possa migliorare la sostenibilità aziendale senza compromettere la produttività delle colture. I risultati hanno evidenziato benefici agronomici significativi, tra cui un miglioramento della struttura del suolo, una maggiore fertilità e una riduzione della compattazione. Inoltre, l'inerbimento controllato ha mostrato di limitare la proliferazione di specie che possono favorire patologie come la maculatura bruna del pero, senza aumentarne l'incidenza. Sebbene le condizioni climatiche avverse abbiano limitato la resa produttiva complessiva, le tecniche di gestione basate sull'inerbimento si sono rivelate una pratica promettente per l'agricoltura sostenibile, migliorando la qualità del suolo e preservando risorse idriche e nutrienti, pur mantenendo inalterati i livelli produttivi.
Contacts
Project coordinator
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Alma Mater Studiorum - Università Di Bologna
Project coordinator
Project partners
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CRPA - Centro Ricerche Produzioni Animali Soc. Cons. p.A.
Project partner
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Dinamica S.C.ar.l.
Project partner
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Fondazione per l'Agricoltura Fratelli Navarra
Project partner
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Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Project partner