National Action Plan for Sustainable Use
of Plant Protection Products (NAP)
Our farm Una Garlanda has been studied as a representative sample
of natural agricultural during a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Environment
and coordinated by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental
Protection and Research) who carried out this study between 2015 and 2020
in collaboration with ARPA (Regional Environmental Protection
Agency) Piemonte, ARPA Lazio, the University of Turin and the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.
This experimental study analyzed the differences between
conventional and organic cultivations in rice fields and vineyards (in Piedmont),
arable land and hazelnut groves (in Lazio); the research started from
the assumption that the organic - polycultural method is the most compatible
with biodiversity conservation, as indicated in Measure 13 of the NAP Guidelines (referred to in
Italian Ministry of Environment Decree of 10/3/2015).
The research was carried out by analyzing differences between the
results of the monitoring in each pair of field (organic vs conventional
- in 24 farms) of different status and impact descriptors of selected
bioindicators along the food chain of agroecosystems (soil fauna,
terrestrial arthropods, flora, vegetation, flora of beekeeping interest,
apoidea, diurnal lepidoptera, odonates, amphibians, lizards, birds and
bats) were compared.
In the selected fields, water and soil samples were also analysed to
assess the presence of residues of plant protection products and their
ecotoxicity, and to define the physico-chemical characteristics of soils,
which were related to the results of the bioindicators monitoring
activities.
It emerged that plant and animal communities are better structured
and more complex in organic fields than in conventional ones.
To learn more :
Phd, Master's and
bachelor degree dissertation
Over the years, several students and professors of
important Italian universities (Bocconi University, University of Milan, University of Turin, University of
Eastern Piedmont, University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo) dedicated their degree
dissertation to the study of our farm Una Garlanda activieties.
In the three-year period 2022-2024, 3 PhDs have
been dedicate to study and field activities at Una Garlanda:
- The PhD in Environmental Sciences in theUnivers ity of Milan DEPARTMENT OFENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLICY dedicatedto “Multifunctional evaluation and validation of practices, tools and innovative models for thelandscape and agroecological management of agricultural systems: trade-offs and synergies inthe Ecosystem services framework”
- The PhD at the DBios of the University of Turin dedicated to "Biodiversity and Agrobiodiversity for the promotion of resilience to climate change in rice cultivation"
The PhD at the DISSTE of the University of EasternPiedmont dedicated to "Characterization of microbial biodiversity in organically managed rice paddy soils"
" Citizen science for biodiversity"
In 2018, we held the first “Citizen Science” activities
in agricultural farm, starting with the “Bioblitz:
discovering natural life in the fields” which has been held by Prof. Bonelli.
“Citizen Science” involves citizens in study, research
and monitoring activities dedicated to agroecosystems
biodiversity. University teachers and
researchers lead and train citizens in the recognition
of plant and animal life forms, both daytime and nighttime.
We hold “Bioblitz and Workshops” in our farm Una
Garlanda at different times of the year, continuously since 2018.
"in the Network of
"Rete Semi Rurali"
"Rete Semi Rurali"
The RESILIENT RICE research program, starting from
one of the indispensable goods for the survival of the planet: seeds, intends to
contribute to addressing these issues through the development of seeds that, thanks also to their
ability to adapt to climate change, can produce healthy food for present and future populations.
Since 2019, Una Garlanda has participated in the "Resilient Rice" project
where farmers collaborate in selecting seeds within "evolutionary populations"
either by themselves or with the participation of technicians and researchers.
This way of managing an evolutionary population
creates medium- and long-term benefits, and its effects are felt well beyond the duration of a project:
the increased possibility and competence to select seeds within evolutionary populations increases
farmers’ ability to respond dynamically to new market demands or the emergence of new diseases
and insects, which are also linked to climate change.
The volunteers counting butterflies
Butterflies are wonderful pollinating insects!!!
They are easily recognizable by everyone and thanks to their
natural sensitivity to environmental changes (such as climate or
habitat change), they can also serve as bioindicators of meadows,
woods, wetlands and even cultivated areas health.
Our farm Una Garlanda is ABLE (Assessing ButterfLies in Europe) project partner
(Assessing ButterfLies in Europe) https://butterfly-monitoring.net/italy-bms which is based on the European butterfly monitoring system (eBMS: European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme) started in the
United Kingdom in 1976 and that is now composed of thousands of
volunteers in over 20 countries in Europe.
Walking through our rice fields we learn to recognize butterflies flying around us;
a small task making us butterfly custodians at European level!
Let's join the European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme network!
It's a team effort! Click here to read the "eBMS Annual Report".
Report 2021-2022_it_def_2.pdf ( butterfly-monitoring.net )
SCIENTIFIC PAPERS
The number of publications in national and international scientific journals dedicated in whole or
in part to Una Garlanda activities is constantly growing… we mention herein below just a few..
On Stocchi methods:
- Vitalini S, Orlando F, Vaglia V, Bocchi S, Iriti M. Potential Role of Lolium multiflorum Lam. in the Management of Rice Weeds. Plants (Basel). 2020 Mar 4;9(3):324.
- Vitalini S, Orlando F, Palmioli A, Alali S, Airoldi C, De Noni I, Vaglia V, Bocchi S, Iriti M. Different phytotoxic effect of Lolium multiflorum Lam. leaves against Echinochloa oryzoides (Ard.) Fritsch and Oryza sativa L. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Sep;27(26):33204-33214
On historical rice varieties:
- De Santis, G.; Ponzini, D.; Stentella, R.; Gaifami, T.; Bussi, B.; Caimo-Duc, R.; Stocchi, U.; Cuneo, M.; Paravicini, M.; Bocci, R.; et al. Participatory Evaluation of Rice Varieties for Specific Adaptation to Organic Conditions in Italy. Sustainability 2022, 14, 10604.
On agrobiodiversity:
- Vagge I, Chiaffarelli G. The Alien Plant Species Impact in Rice Crops in Northwestern Italy. Plants 2023, 12, 2012.
- Vagge I.; Chiaffarelli G. Validating the Contribution of Nature-Based Farming Solutions (NBFS) to Agrobiodiversity Values through a Multi-Scale Landscape Approach. Agronomy 2023, 13, 233
