Ottimizzazione della gestione agronomica del noce in ambiente regionale attraverso la digitalizzazione della tecnica frutticola - Ottimanoce

Geographical location	Italy
Main geographical location (NUTS3)	Ferrara
Other geographical locations (NUTS3)	Bologna
Keywords	Agricultural production system Farming practice Fertilisation and nutrients management Soil management / functionality Water management Climate and climate change Waste, by-products and residues management
Main funding source	Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013)
Project type	Operational group
Starting date	2023
End date	2024
Project status	Ongoing

Title (in English):

Optimization of walnut agronomic management of walnut in regional environment through digitization of fruit-growing technique

Objective of the project (native language):

Objective of the project (in English):

The objective of the project is to optimize management strategies for walnut groves in order to reduce their environmental impact, increase sustainability and adaptation to climate change. In particular, this project aims to optimize water resource management and reduce the input of chemical fertilizers through the use of soil conditioners. Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission will also be measured during the project. Two specific actions will aim to test a bioreactor for reducing nitrate and phosphate loading from drainage water and the development of pollen sterilization techniques to reduce the incidence of dry sickness.

Description of activities (in English):

The plan aims to define the optimal agronomic practices for sustainably managing a walnut orchard in the breeding stage focusing mainly on water and nutrient management. During the experimentation, the ability of the walnut grove to function as a C sink will also be demonstrated, thereby reducing CO2 inputs to the atmosphere. Finally, pollen sterilization strategies will be developed that can reduce the incidence of dry sickness.

Total budget:

239787.65

Project coordinator

Contact person:

Società Agricola Agro Noce

Address:

Strada Consorziale, 184, 44012 Bondeno FE

E-mail:

agronoce@legalmail.it

Phone:

051 4388500

Partner category:

Farmer

Practice summary

Practice abstract 1

Short summary for practitioners (in English):

The project aims at optimizing management strategies for walnut orchards in order to reduce their environmental impact, increase sustainability and mitigation to climate change. In particular, this project intends to optimize water resource management and reduce the input of chemical fertilizers through the use of soil amendments. During the experimentation, the ability of the walnut orchard to function as a C sink will also be demonstrated, thus reducing CO2 inputs to the atmosphere.
To reduce the impact of fertilization on ground water, a pilot plan of a bioreactor will be tested. Finally, pollen sterilization strategies will be developed in order to reduce the incidence of bacterial blight induced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. Juglandis.
The project is divided into 5 specific actions that aim to achieve the following specific outcomes:
action 1: definition of the best application technique and amount of irrigation water that can optimize the main physiological performance of the plant.
Action 2: definition of plant nutrient requirements by setting up of a proper fertilization plan paying special attention to the choice of the type of soil amendemnts able to meet plants tional needs while simultaneously increasingsoil organic matter without negatively impacting nitrate leaching to groundwater.
action 3: definition of the walnut orchard as a C sink and evaluation of different soil amendments according to N2O emission.
action 4: evaluation of the effectiveness of an experimental bioreactor in reducing nitrate and phosphate inputs to groundwater.
action 5: setting up a strategy for pollen sampling, sterilization and targeted application in order to reduce the incidence of dery sickness.

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

Il piano si prefigge di definire le pratiche agronomiche ottimali che permettono di gestire in maniera sostenibile un noceto in fase di allevamento focalizzandosi principalmente sulla gestione della risorsa idrica e dei nutrienti. Nel corso della sperimentazione verrà inoltre dimostrata la capacità del noceto di funzionare come sink del C riducendo, di conseguenza, le immissioni di CO2 in atmosfera. Infine, verranno messe a punto strategie di sterilizzazione del polline in grado di ridurre l'incidenza del mal secco. Il progetto è articolato in 5 azioni specifiche che mirano a raggiungere i seguenti risultati specifici:
azione 1: definizione della migliore tecnica di applicazione e della quantità di acqua irrigua in grado di ottimizzare le principali performance fisiologiche della pianta.
azione 2: definizione del fabbisogno di nutrienti delle piante in fase di allevamento. Impostazione di un corretto piano di fertilizzazione ponendo particolare attenzione alla scelta del tipo di ammendante che deve essere in grado di soddisfare le esigenze nutrizionali del noceto aumentando contemporaneamente la dotazione di S.O. e l’attività microbica del suolo senza impattare negativamente sulla lisciviazione dei nitrati nelle falde.
azione 3: definizione del noceto come sink di C e valutazione dei diversi ammendanti in funzione dell’emissione di N2O.
azione 4: valutazione dell’efficacia di un bioreattore sperimentale nel ridurre l’immissione di nitrati e fosfati nelle acque di falda.
azione 5: impostazione di una strategia di prelievo, sterilizzazione e applicazione mirata del polline al fine di ridurre l’incidenza del mal secco.