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.