LIFE SUBSED does not stop! The experimental tests on the new sediment-based substrate continue

The activities of the LIFE SUBSED project continue at the sites of the Italian and Spanish beneficiaries! Despite the difficulties related to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the delays in the progress of the planned actions, cultivation trials are progressing in parallel with the collection and analysis of data.

Here are some photos relating to the cultivation trials currently underway in Italy.

Monitoring on Calla lilies

 

Monitoring on Protea

 

Analysis on leaves of Protea with colorimeter

 

Here are some photos of the cultivation tests currently underway in Spain.

Gala Garcia Imbernon, director of Symborg, at the Caliplant experimental site

 

Lecture by UMH students at the experimental site of the LIFE SUBSED project

 

Even the dissemination activity does not stop!

The beneficiaries prepared and submitted two abstracts::

  • Landfarming to valorize phytoremediated marine sediments for their reuse In nursery “LIFE Subsed LIFE17 ENV/IT/000347” – Macci, S. Doni, E. Peruzzi, F. Vannucchi, M. Castellani, G. Masciandaro. Per XI International Symposium on Environmental Engineering. Torino 29 giugno-2 luglio 2020.
  • Recovery and environmental recycling of sediments: CNR-IRET Pisa experience – Macci, S. Doni, E. Peruzzi, F. Vannucchi, S. Lucchetti, M. Castellani, G. Masciandaro. Sednet 2021, 29 giugno-3 luglio, Lille University and Scientific Centre, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France.

A promotional video of the Life Subsed project was produced as part of #CREABREAK for # Innovazione2020, published on the CREA Youtube channel.

More info on the events and dissemination activities of the LIFE SUBSED project are available on the News and Events page!

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Miguel Agulló Velasco, President of COITAGRA, visiting the LIFE SUBSED demonstration site – 18 December 2020

On Friday 18 December 2020 Miguel Agulló Velasco, President of COITAGRA (Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Técnicos Agrícolas y Graduados de Alicante) visited the demonstration site of the LIFE SUBSED project at the Miguel Hernandez University.

The UMH team illustrated the objectives and expected results of the project and accompanied the President on a visit to the experimental site of the SUBSED project. During the visit, the qualities of the plants in cultivation and the potential of the substrate based on marine sediment were assessed.

During the visit, the opportunities of the LIFE program for the development of new eco-sustainable technologies were also discussed, solutions that represent an incentive to the transition of companies towards more conscious circular economy models.

Spanish Minister Antonio Luengo visits the Caliplant trial site – 16 December 2020

On Wednesday 16 December 2020 Caliplant welcomed the Minister of Water, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and the Environment of the Region of Murcia, Antonio Luengo, the mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo, the Councilor for Agriculture Sergio Martinez and the General Director of Waters Sebastian Delgado.

The technician Juan Luis Jimenez Martinez presented the objectives and the expected results of the LIFE SUBSED project to the politicians, underlining the importance that these initiatives have for the development of a more sustainable future in the agricultural sector.

During the visit, various political and legislative aspects were discussed, aspects which sometimes constitute real barriers to the development of a real and effective circular economy.

24 months online coordination meeting – 15 September 2020

In light of the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fifth periodic meeting of the LIFE SUBSED project was held online.

Although the contacts between the beneficiaries are almost daily, the coordination meetings represent an opportunity to present to the beneficiaries the progress of the individual actions and the results obtained. During the meeting the next steps and expected results have been also illustrated.

The beneficiaries, in light of the difficulties related to the current health emergency, have evaluated the possibility of requesting an extension of the duration of the project to EASME.

 

Below are the slides presented during the meeting.

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UMH students visiting LIFE SUBSED trial sites – 16 October 2020

On 16 October 2020, students from the Miguel Hernández University of Orihuela participated in a visit to the trial sites of the LIFE SUBSED project managed by Caliplant.

The objectives and expected results of the LIFE SUBSED project have been illustrated to the students and, together with the Caliplant technicians, they evaluated the ongoing activities at the experimental site.

The LIFE Program and the European actions to support innovation in the field of environmental sustainability were also illustrated to the students.

The General Director of Symborg visiting LIFE SUBSED trial sites – 5 October 2020

On Monday 5 October 2020 the Caliplant team hosted Gala Garcia Imbernon, General Manager of Symborg, at the demonstration site where the cultivation trial of the LIFE SUBSED project are underway.

Symborg is a leading company in the production of biofertilizers and in the development of new biotechnologies for the agronomic sector.

During the meeting, Caliplant technicians illustrated the objectives and expected results of the LIFE SUBSED project and conducted a visit to the experimental sites where the small plants are growing.

The meeting allowed for an exchange of ideas and visions on the future and on the innovations that companies are called to introduce in their traditional production cycles, in order to make agriculture increasingly sustainable and to implement real models of circular economy.

Italian cultivation trials continue!

The cultivation tests of food and non-food species in the Italian demonstration sites proceed regularly. The technicians of Flora Toscana, CREA and Carbonsink work assiduously to control and monitor the plants grown on the 3 sediment-based substrates using different water regimes.

In these photos technicians of CREA and Flora Toscana are working in the monitoring of growing parameters of the small protea plants.

 

The following photos  show the monitoring of the germination data of the basil.

 

Start of cultivation trials in Italy

After obtaining the necessary authorizations to start the cultivation tests on the Italian sites (Tuscany Region adoptions n.4592 and 4593 of 27/03/2020 and n.4837 of 1/04/2020), the beneficiaries moved on to the preparation of the experimental sites and (obtained the permission of the Tuscany Region) on the start of the experimental activity.
The phytoremediated sediment has been delivered to the Italian sites and has been used for the preparation of the cultivation pots according to the experimental schemes defined. Currently seedlings of laurel, blueberry, wild strawberry, olive and protea have been potted. Concerning basil and calla, sowing and planting are foreseen in the coming months.

In parallel with the cultivation activities, monitoring activities have started by taking and analysing samples obtained from each cultivar.

Start of citrus cultivation trials in Spain

The cultivation trials of citrus cultivars foreseen in the LIFE SUBSED project have begun a few days ago in Spain at Caliplant premises.



 

Once the sediment has been received by Spanish partners, it has been used for the preparation of the substrate and finally used for the potting of the citrus seedlings.



Currently, the monitoring activity of plant progress have started, accompanied by the dissemination activities related to new activities.

18 months monitoring meeting – 27 March 2020

On March 27th the beneficiaries of the LIFE Subsed project and the monitor Dr. Carlo Ponzio participated in an online meeting on the occasion of the monitoring for the 18 months of the LIFE Subsed project. Participants took part remotely in the event, in light of the issues related to the COVID-19 emergency. During the meeting, the progress of the project and the actions planned in the following months have been illustrated, also considering the impact that the current pandemic could have on the regular implementation of activities.

Here are the presentations prepared for the event.