SAFE-H2O-FARM
SAFE-H2O-FARM focuses on the main agricultural practices concerning two of the most widespread crops (tomato and olive) responsible for degradation of soil and water resources in the Mediterranean basin. An integrated approach of fertilization, irrigation and salinization management are evaluated in field trials, pot/greenhouse experiments and fields in commercial farms. The effects of agricultural strategies on the reduction of pollution in soil and water (soil solution and groundwater bodies) and salinization are evaluated via the multidisciplinary expertise offered by the partnership. The scientific team is composed of agronomists, hydrologists, plant physiologists, plant pathologists, entomologists, geoecologists, chemists and economists, working in seven different countries around the Mediterranean basin. The outputs from SAFE-H2O-FARM will be integrated with results from previous and parallel research activities to improve the calibration of crop N monitoring sensors, parameterization of agroecosystem models and to better evaluate socio-economic effects.
The main objective of SAFE-H2O-FARM is to promote innovative farm management strategies able to prevent and reduce nitrate and pesticide environmental pollution and salinization related to agricultural practices, via balanced management of the main chemical inputs and their interaction with irrigation. The project focuses on two of the most widespread crops in the Mediterranean basin: tomato as a vegetable crop (grown under both open-field and greenhouse conditions) and olive as a fruit tree crop.
Specific objectives are:
1. Improvement of N fertilization management with different N sources and doses and crop N monitoring tools to increase crop N use efficiency while preventing and reducing N leaching under optimal irrigation management.
2. Reduction of the use of pesticides to avoid or minimize the risk of water and soil pollution by chemical inputs through: a) development of specific Integrated Weed Management strategies; b) reduction of metallic copper to control plant diseases and pests; c) reduction of chemical input in pest control.
3. Improvement of combined irrigation and salinity management strategies to reduce N leaching, pesticide transport with the soil water, and salinization of soil and water bodies.
4. Scaling of optimal N fertilizer, pesticide and irrigation management across the different soil-climate situations in Mediterranean countries using agro-ecosystem modelling.
5. Socio-economic evaluations to assess the cost and benefit of the innovative proposed management strategies.
SAFE-H20-FARM STRUCTURE
Experimental activities are organized in five Work Packages (WP2-WP6) in addition to the activities related to project coordination (WP1) and to the dissemination of the results (WP7).
WP1 – Project Coordination. Tasks include monitoring project progress, tracking outputs and organizing annual consortium meetings and regular online meetings.
WP2 – Improvement of N fertilization management in tomato and olive. Considering the main variables that affect crop N uptake and use efficiency: N rates/sources and dynamic N fertilization based on crop N status monitoring; use of biostimulants (protein hydrolysates obtained as by-product from agri-food industry, seaweeds and others). Investigated in this WP2 are: a) plant developmental, physiological and morphological traits evaluated at different phenological phases; b) crop yields; and c) plant-soil N dynamics. The traits and indices will be used for the calibration of agroecosystems models in WP5. The experimental trials will be used also as demonstration plots for local farmers and stakeholders to show the crop response to different N fertilization strategies and their impact on the groundwater quality.
WP3 – Reduction of the use of pesticides. In both tomato and olive the reduction of the use of pesticides to control weeds, insect pests and pathogens, is pursued via: a) development of specific Integrated Weed Management strategies; b) reduction of metallic copper to control plant diseases; c) reduction of chemical input in pest control. To reduce the use of herbicides, several chemical and non-chemical weed management strategies are tested in field experimental trials. The mobility and the persistence of herbicides in the soil is also evaluated. To reduce the input of metallic copper and other pesticides, several alternative, low copper products are being tested for their efficacy against pathogens and insect pests.
WP4 – Improvement of irrigation and salinity management. In both crops, best management practices including the combination of irrigation and fertilization protocols for N fertilization as a function of irrigation water quality (source/salinity) are being developed to evaluate the salinity dynamics and crop response. Field trials in olive production farms test and demonstrate a science-based optimal nutrient and irrigation strategy against farmers’ practices for treated sewage water. Experiments on tomato evaluate the physiological responses of the crop due to different nitrogen inputs and brackish water.
WP5 – Agro-ecosystems modeling. Two different modelling approaches assess the risk for nitrate leaching and salinization at multiple scales. A mechanistic agroecosystem model is used in combination with remote sensing data to simulate nitrate leaching under tomato fields and olive groves. This allows scaling from field level to the regional level, providing estimates of risk also for policy-makers.
WP6 – Socio-economic evaluations. Assess the cost-benefit relations of the selected farm strategies and measures. Questionnaire surveys carried out to analyze farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards the social impacts of the innovative farming practices. A Living Lab (LL) will be established to enhance the adoption of the innovative strategies developed. A model of crop response, water and solute will be developed to support decision-making in irrigation.
WP7 – Dissemination. To influence long-term economic, environmental and scientific benefits and impact of the research by influencing on-farm decision making and regional water, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals policies.