VISIT TO THE EXPERIMENTAL FIELDS OF THE SODOSOST PROJECT - MAY 25, 2022

On May 25, 2022, two field visits were conducted at the experimental fields of the SODOSOST project, funded under the PSR Puglia 2014-2020 - SM 16.2 "Support for pilot projects and the development of new products, practices, processes, and technologies", for an amount of €460,700.00.

The experimental fields are located at the CO.R.SU.D. (Rural Cooperative Subappennino Dauno) - the project's lead company, chaired by Dr. Gerardo Campanella.

During the visit, Professor Antonia Carlucci, from the University of Foggia, Department DAFNE, explained that her research unit's task is to identify the pathogens most commonly found on wheat crops in our Dauno territory, and subsequently identify the phytosanitary problems to understand how to control these diseases through innovative formulations from an environmental impact perspective (products with significant environmental impact), using commercially available formulations already on the market or formulating new ones to implement a strategy of using innovative products studied and tested in the laboratory. A pre-seeding screening was carried out on untreated seed on the two varieties used in this area, namely Marco Aurelio and Saragolla, identifying the microbial flora - mainly composed of fungi and micro-fungi - present inside the kernels of these two varieties. Subsequently, samples were collected at various stages of cultivation (from February until mid-July harvest) and analyzed in the laboratory, including root system, stem, leaves, spike, and kernels, to understand the evolution of pathogens accompanying the plants in all growth phases of the two varieties in the region. The activities were complemented by those of the agronomy production unit, where the fungal flora, which is very varied, was found from the fertilization trials. Mainly, the fungi found are those that are now most incriminated from a food point of view, mycotoxin agents, such as Fusarium - found from pre-seed to harvested seed. The same Fusarium was also identified in intermediate phenological stages, from February to May; this means that the pathogen was brought into the field by kernels that already had the pathogen before sowing, and they were also found in kernels post-harvest. The kernels also showed other non-systemic fungal contaminations, not strictly related to diseases, but related to the environment, such as aspergilli and penicilli; in particular, 4 species of aspergilli, all mycotoxigenic, were detected. This led to reflections on how to preserve the seed so that it is not a vehicle for mycotoxigenic fungal diseases. This year, trials have been started to identify methodologies or strategies to contain these diseases starting from the seed, through laboratory treatment with ten formulations: five of microbial origin and five of commercial chemical origin (seed treatments). Of the five microbial formulations, two are of commercial origin, and three have been constituted by microorganisms that have been selected over the years and are the subject of a recent publication.

We are confident that the microorganisms compared to chemical seed treatments can provide important answers in protecting the kernels pre-seeding and preserving them and future seedlings from pathogenic infections (even if they are already present in the kernels themselves). In addition to the work carried out on the kernels, tests were carried out on the experimental plots by treating them with a highly natural formulation, consisting of a complex of Brazilian-origin commercial products and little experimented in Italy, with the aim of replacing fungicides with these biostimulant products capable of strengthening the plant and making it more robust against pathogens derived from seed and the environment. The experimentation has a dual aspect, to evaluate and control seed-borne diseases, but also to evaluate alternative products to fungicides currently in use.

Furthermore, during the second field visit with Professor Francesco Lops (University of Foggia, Department DAFNE), a focus was opened on the pathology of foot rot, which you can follow on our YouTube channel.

The project partners constitute an Operational Group of the PEI AGRI, a cooperation model based on the "interactive innovation model" involving collaboration among various actors to make the best use of complementary types of knowledge, whose main objective is the co-creation and dissemination of solutions and opportunities ready to be implemented in practice.

The Operational Group consists of authoritative partners, including: Rural Cooperative Sub-Appenino Dauno r.l., Regional Agri-Food District (D.A.Re. scrl), Agricultural Company Gerardo Campanella, Cassandro Unipersonale Srl, CIA Puglia, Aretè srl, University of Foggia.