Life 11 ENV/IT/113 BIOREM PROJECT

Life 11 ENV/IT/113 BIOREM PROJECT

Project: LIFE11 ENV/IT/113 «BIOREM»«Innovative System for Biochemical Restoration

and Monitoring of Degraded Soils»

Start: 01/01/2013End: 31/03/2015

20/01/201412 month meeting

CEBASCSIS premises, Murcia


INTRODUCTION

“BIOREM” Objective“Biorem” Project objective is to demonstrate an innovative, integrated methodology for the restoration and biochemical

monitoring of degraded soils.

The following are actions in which AMEK SCRL was

involved during the first year of “Biorem” Project , some still in progress.


AMEK scrl ACTIVITIES

Action B1: Demonstration of the innovative soil monitoring method through a characterization of the initial soil

conditions

Action B2: Demonstration of the addition of exogenous organic matter to different type of soil

Action B3: Demonstration of BIOREM revegetation strategies


AMEK scrl ACTIVITIESAction B4: Demonstration of the innovative biochemical

monitoring methodology – in progress

Action C1 e C2: Monitoring of the integrated soil restoration and monitoring activities and Monitoring and assessment of

environmental impact – in progress


Action B1Identification of the demonstration site (360 m2 ), collecting

and sending samples to laboratory..We have selected site called:

“Brusca-Imola” e “Tebano”


Action B1 “Brusca-Imola” Site:

Altitude: 62 m above sea level

Rainfall: 600-800 mm

Structure: clayey- silty

Organic matter: medium - low

Preceding Crops: 2012: Durum wheat 2011: Set -aside 2010: potato 2009: melon


Action B1 “ Brusca-Imola” Site:

The agronomic qualities are mainly influenced by: high clay content, moderate availability of oxygen, and slope. After heavy rainfall on finely worked soil, crusts resistant of a few cm of thickness are formed in surface, which may hinder the plant germination. In the dry period the soil has cracks, with a surface width up to 5 cm, which go deep. During wet period, the soil aggregates swell, exerting a very high pressures on the contact faces, adverse for a normal development of roots, of herbaceous and trees in general. After a heavy rain, the wide range of humidity between the adhesiveness point and the liquid limit involve long waiting times. In these conditions, to carry out cultivation operations, more than 7-9 waiting days may be needed.


Action B1 “TEBANO” Site:

Altitude: circa 59 m above sea level

Rainfall: 600-800 mm

Structure: silty loam texture and is mildly alkaline and calcareous

Organic matter: medium - low

Preceding Crops: 2012: Durum wheat 2011 : Durum wheat 2010 and earlier years: vineyard


Action B1 “ TEBANO” Site:

This area is characterized by a low content of clay along the profile, that on one hand can increase the risk of crusts formation, especially if there is a low organic matter content, on the other hand it reduces the precautions to adopt for the soil processing. Furthermore the waiting time decreases because the optimum conditions of humidity are restored after prolonged rain: 2-3 days.


Action B1GREENHOUSE AT ASTRA- MARIO NERI IMOLA

Although not foreseen in the original project, a test is carried out also in a greenhouse, to check the effectiveness of the integrated system Biorem on horticultural crops, able to faster response according to the level of fertility of the soil. Greenhouse has a surface area of 400 m2 (10 m wide, and 40 m long), has automatic lateral openings and burner for emergency heating during winter. It has a medium consistency soil and a moderate fertility, since it was left to set-aside for few years.


Action B1SAMPLING

Soil sampling for the determination of physical and chemical parameters was made in open field and in greenhouse, before treatment, to define initial soils conditions.Three soil samples were collected to a depth of 0-20 cm, and three soil samples to a depth of 20-40 cm, both in open field and in green house. AMEK sent these samples to partners for the analysis.


Action B2SELECTION OF EXOGENOUS ORGANIC MATTER

Exogenous organic matter selected is a mixed composted amendment, produced by Romagna Compost.

Amendment, before addition to soil, is treated in cheap by a complex enzymatic mixture, VAP, patented by Amek scrl.VAPs were added in order to promote humification and water retention.


Action B2AMOUNT AND SPREADING

About 25 kg/m2 of compost VAP were spread in open field, according to the project, in order to to have a quantity of organic matter added comparable to that of other Italian and Spanish sites (C organic dry matter 22,08% DM).

Compost VAP was manually spread and then it was homogeneously incorporated in the soil, using a rotavor.

Frequent spring rains made land preparation (refinement of the seedbed), compost distribution and burial difficult. Delays, than the provided dates, were of about 50-60 days.


Action B2PREPARATION OF SITES - OPEN FIELD

In June 2013 started preparation sites activities.

In open field, sites was subdivided into 4 sub-plots consisting of 3 plots. The size of each was about 30 m2, with 2.5 m wide strips between sub-plots to reduce any edge effect and to allow an easy access.

At each site, we obtained 12 plots, 30 m2 surface each.


Action B2PREPARATION OF SITES - OPEN FIELD

The 4 sub-plot, tagged properly, as organized as follows: 1) One control sub-plot, where no remediation treatment was carried out (not organic matter and no remediation); 2) One sub-plot which was treated with the addition of organic matter only (compost-PAV). 3) One sub-plot which will be subjected to controlled revegetation; 4) One sub-plot in which both addition of organic matter and controlled revegetation was demonstrated, applying the BIOREM methodology to the full.


Field preparation and compost VAP distribution

“BRUSCA-IMOLA”


Compost VAP silting using a rotary

“BRUSCA-IMOLA”


Field preparation and compost VAP distribution

TEBANO



TEBANO


Action B2

PREPARATION OF SITES - GREENHOUSE

In April 2013 greenhouse was subdivided into 2 parts: one treated with compost, and the other one not composted.

Overall about 20 kg of compost-PAV per m2 were spread; the quantities used were because it was feared that the horticultural could show toxicity symptoms.

The spreading was done manually, trying to homogenize the product as much as possible on the surface.


Compost VAP spreadingGREENHOUSE



GREENHOUSE


Drip irrigation system installing and mulch spreading in the

greenhouse


Action B3RIVEGETATION

Both for Italian and Spanish areas the following plant species were selected:

PINO HALEPENSIS E PISTACIA LENTISCUS L.


Action B3RIVEGETAZIONE

Pistachio and pine trees were planted in open field after 15th October because earlier it wasn’t possible to proceed with the transplant for abundant and heavy rain falls.

Vegetative material was transplanted on and between the rows at a distance of one meter, alternating between a pine tree with a pistachio. At the time of planting the pine trees is presented in optimal plant health, while the pistachio plants appeared more suffering, In case of death, will be replaced. In total were transplanted at each site 90 trees and 90 pine trees pistachio.


Transplantation in open field


Transplantation in open field


Action B3COLTIVAZIONE IN SERRA

Plants in the green house were transplanted in June 2013 using a gear facilitator. For the tests melon plants, bell pepper and courgette were planted. 1) The hybrid Capital (Clause company) was chosen for the melon test. This Extended Shelf Life hybrid is characterized by slightly flattened spherical fruits, peel and slice the raid without grooving orange flesh.;2) For the pepper test, the hybrid chosen was Gemini (Nunhems company), it is characterized of a prismatic green-yellow fruit. 3)Regarding courgette, the hybrid Velvia was chosen (Syngenta company), it is characterized of intense green color fruits.


Plants transplanting in the greenhouse

(pepper, melon and courgette)


Action B4 SAMPLING

Immediately after the application of the remediation strategies .

Composite soil samples will be randomly collected at 2 depths (cm 0-20 and cm 20-40) from 3 different homogeneous areas within each sub-plot. Inside each sub-lot, 3 withdrawals will be made to obtain a representative sample of the entire surface.

The day after, they were sent for chemical and physical analysis. .


Azione C1 e C2MONITORING

Sites are constantly monitored and monthly report is sent to the Project Coordinator.


GREENHOUSE: results

From the second week of September, because of high humidity and moderate temperature inside the greenhouse, melon and zucchini plants were attacked by powdery mildew fungal disease. Infected plants display white powdery spots on the leaves and stems. The disease is progressing, causing foliar desiccation.


Pepper development monitoring


Melon development monitoring


Courgette development monitoring


Results

Compost No Compost

Comm.Prod.

Medium comm.weigh

Waste Prod.

Total Prod.

Comm.Prod.

Medium comm.weigh

Waste Prod.

Total Prod.

kg g e/o kg kg kg Kg g e/o kg kg kg

Pepper 41,32 50,22 41,62 82,94 40,21 46,51 36,68 76,89

Melon 67,56 1,93 1,88 69,44 64,02 2 3,3 67,32

Courgette 109,58 0,26 22,17 131,75 77,51 0,3 14,14 91,65


Nora RappoliEnrico Zerbini

Thanks for your attention !!!!

Documents

Life 11 ENV/IT/113 BIOREM PROJECT