Italy

Organic Cropping

In Italy, Azienda Agricola La Petrosa, in collaboration with the European Delegation for Family Farming in Asia, Africa and Latin America, the University of Naples Federico II, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, and the Renewable Energy Consortium for Research and Demonstration, will evaluate novel composts, biochar-coated seeds, and strip tillage for weed control and enhanced soil fertility under organic management.

The experiments will take place on a 3-hectare on-farm trial in Ceraso, Campania, growing wheat, trifolium , sorghum and maize. The trial will aim to enhance soil health, improve crop resilience, and reduce the environmental footprint under organic management.

Test site

Azienda Agricola La Petrosa

Location

Ceraso, Campania Region, Italy
(40.1909°N, 15.1965°E)

Arable Crops

Wheat (1 ha), trifolium(1 ha), sorghum and maize
(1 ha)

Test Area

Site Characteristics

Climate: Mediterranean
Average Precipitation: 500 mm/year
Average Temperature: 14.2 °C
Soil Type: Clay
Soil pH: 7.0–8.5
Organic Matter Content: 1.8%
Crop History: Originally maize monoculture; since 2014 diversified with wheat, oilseeds, legumes, and permanent grassland; extensive use of cover crops in the last five years.
Soil Management: Transition from deep ploughing to direct seeding and minimum tillage, combined with crop rotations and cover crops.
Inputs & Pest Management: No herbicides or chemical fertilisers; compost (partly produced on-farm) and foliar biostimulants are the main amendments.

Objectives

Planned Activities

Establish a cereal-based rotation system using direct sowing in permanent living mulch with minimum tillage.
Conduct back-up strip-tillage and cover crop trials at SSSA experimental facilities for detailed plant–plant interaction studies.
Produce compost on-farm from different manures and biomass wastes, assessing chemical and biological quality and impact on soil microbiology.
Produce and apply on-farm biostimulants (compost tea), with chemical and biological characterisation.
Test biochar production (pure and microbe-inoculated) and evaluate its application in combination with microorganisms.
Conduct germination trials using biochar seed coatings to test compatibility with direct seeding machinery.
Organise demonstrations and exchanges through National Task Force and farmer engagement activities.

Innovations Being Tested

New machinery adapted for strip cropping and cover crop integration.
On-farm compost and biostimulant production systems.
Valorisation of farm waste into high-quality compost and biostimulants.
Biochar applications (soil amendment and seed coating).
Digital tools for monitoring soil health and crop performance.

Challenge

The site focuses on:

Productivity: Overcoming low yields linked to extreme climate conditions and degraded soils.
Weed Control: Developing organic-compatible strategies under minimum tillage and direct seeding.
Sustainability: Reducing dependence on external inputs by valorising on-farm resources.

Value Chain & Stakeholders

Value Chain: From wheat cultivation to direct sale of flour to end customers.
Partners & Roles:
- DEAFAL: Field coordination, training, local engagement
- RE-CORD: Biochar provision, seed coating and germination tests
- SSSA: Trials on minimum tillage and machinery testing
- UNINA: Compost/biostimulant extraction, soil analysis
- Strategic Partners: MOM, LGI
Engagement: Demonstrations, training, dissemination, and farmer-to-farmer exchanges.

Expected Results

Improved soil health (higher organic matter, better structure, enhanced microbial activity).
Weed biomass reduction and improved cash crop yields.
Production of high-quality compost and on-farm biostimulants.
Validation of biochar seed coating as a viable method for direct seeding.
Increased water infiltration, retention, and resilience to extreme weather.

News

SOILRES welcomes European policymaker Dario Nardella to the Italian experimental site May 6, 2026 The SOILRES project hosted Dario Nardella at its experimental site in Italy, during a visit organized by RE-CORD on April 24, 2026. Currently serving as a Member of the European Parliament on the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and… Read more →
Launch of Italy’s New Laboratory for Soil Health in Campania December 9, 2025 On 13 December 2025, the launch event and the first meeting of the national Working Group of the European SOILRES project will take place at La Petrosa Farm in Ceraso (SA). Six pilot sites across Europe share a single goal:… Read more →
World Soil Day 2025: L.G. Italia showcases soil–plant–human health innovations December 4, 2025 On 11 December 2025, L.G. Italia welcomed agronomists, technicians and other stakeholders to its conference ”Innovazioni in agricoltura: nuove frontiere per la salute del suolo, delle piante e dell’uomo” at its headquarters in Fombio (Lodi, Italy). The programme, organised in… Read more →
A new frontier for soil: welcome Strip Hawk at La Petrosa! November 13, 2025 The arrival of the Strip Hawk at La Petrosa Farm marks a key milestone in the SOILRES project’s journey towards innovative and resilient soil management. Developed by MOM Moretto Officine Meccaniche, the Strip Hawk is an innovative machine designed for… Read more →

Gallery

UC 1:
Denmark

Conventional Cropping

Testing cover crops, perennial crops & biological amendments to improve sandy soils, nutrient cycling & resilience in conventional farming.

UC2:
Finland

Conventional and Organic Cropping

Piloting cold-adapted green manures and compost teas to enhance boreal soil health, crop resilience, and reduce nitrogen fertiliser use.

UC3:
France

Organic Cropping

Introducing wheat–prairie strip-cropping on degraded clay soils to boost biodiversity, soil structure & low-input, diversified farming.

UC4:
Hungary

Organic Cropping

Applying minimum tillage, green manures & soil monitoring to develop drought-resilient, low-input organic systems that improve soil health & water retention.

UC5:
Italy

Organic Cropping

Testing composts, biochar-coated seeds & strip tillage to enhance soil fertility, crop resilience & sustainability under organic management.

UC6:
Portugal

Conventional Cropping

Using different methods for cover cropping & biostimulants to improve nitrogen efficiency, reduce fertiliser use & maintain yields in intensive maize systems.