FINAL REPORT ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT                                   

The main final results are the following:  The integrated monitoring of wireworm revealed a low damage risk in all farms. The study showed that none of the farms involved in the project was damaged. Also soil sampling showed that larvae were not found in the farm monitored.

The monitoring of weavil species was successfully employed showing very low Conorhynchus  populations, while an increasing trend of Lixus populations was detected. A high parasitization of Lixus adult was detected.

Trap crop strategy showed a good efficacy in reducing flea beetles damage.  Damage reduction was higher at distance between 12-15 m from trap crop.

In weed control, potentials and limitations were assessed as it concerns mechanical weeding based on modern implements with optical row guide, with organs interacting with the crop row. Widening the row spacing is feasible with modest negative consequences on yield, in exchange for savings in the manpower needed for the final hand cleaning.

The main result will be the set-up of innovative tools at high environmental sustainability for the protection of sugar beet grown under organic farming protocol, resulting in beneficial effects from the environmental and economic viewpoint as it concerns use of plant protection products, water resources and ecosystem services.

Specifically, the following outcomes are expected

a. Development of effective, low input strategies of crop protection from biotic adversities, based on the valorization of functional bio-diversity and soil quality at farm level, through the adoption of preventive defense strategies against the main phytophagous, cover crops and green strips

b. Development of an integrated system for the assessment of wireworm risk at farm level, based on a multiple correlation among agronomic factors, adult capture and crop damage. This should be the basis for creating a specific insurance fund to cover the risks of sugar beet cropping

c. Development of an integrated system of sugar beet weevils risk assessment to be applied at farm and regional level, based in principle on adult captures by means of traps

d. Tuning of new implements for mechanical weed control, in association with wider crop spacings. These latter will also foster valuable water savings in the frame of the current climate changes

e. Economic and environmental savings through the set-up of a complex of best practices involving a lower use of cultivation inputs, included water resources

Main benefits/opportunities provided by the project to the final end user, and which exploitation of the results can be done by utilizers

Obtainment of more environmentally sustainable agricultural productions,coupled with a higher healthiness of the final products for the consumer