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.

LIFE Subsed at IPM ESSEN 2020 – 22-25 January 2020

Also this year – thanks to the Flora Toscana participation – LIFE Subsed took part to the IPM Essen fair. This fair is one of the most important fairs in floriculture sector in the world, and this year 54,000 (+1,200 compared to 2019) visitors from 100 countries came to see the products and services of the 1,538 exhibitors. More than ever, climate change and sustainability have been the dominant subjects at the fair. This context has been perfect for the dissemination of the contents of the LIFE SUBSED project, and several positive opinions have been collected by visitors to the stand organized by Flora Toscana.

LIFE Subsed dissemination to a delegation of Chinese researchers from Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences visiting CREA in Pescia as a part of an International Cooperation Project – 28 November 2019

The CREA team welcomed the students of the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences in visit to the CREA headquarters in Pescia in November 2019 as part of an International Cooperation Project. The Subsed project has been presented to Chinese students, who took part in a presentation concerning the objectives and expected results of the project.

LIFE Subsed at the International Floriculture Trade Fair 2019 in Vijfhuizen (Netherland) – 6-8 November 2019

The IFTF fair is one of the most important events for world floriculture. More than 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries and over 25,000 visitors from over 100 countries took part in the event, which represents a very important opportunity for the exchange of information and the start of cooperation. During the event, the Flora Toscana team exhibited the objectives and expected results of the LIFE Subsed project to its visitors, and distributed the gadgets and promotional material produced during the project.

LIFE Subsed at the Naturalitas exhibition at the Technical Agronomical Institute “D. Anzillotti” of Pescia (Italy) – 13-14 April 2019

Naturalitas is an important annual event that takes place at the Agronomical Institute of Pescia. The CREA team participated in this event by setting up a stand dedicated to the LIFE SUBSED project. The event is open to both researchers and students and to the general public, and it represented a precious opportunity to illustrate the objectives and actions of the SUBSED project and to distribute the information material produced by the beneficiaries.

 

LIFE Subsed at the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority – 1-8 December 2019

During the visit of Dr. Cristina Macci, CNR researcher, to the Environment, Soil and Land-Use Department (Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland) from 1 to 8 December 2019, the activities of the LIFE Subsed project has been presented to Simon Parker (Postdoc), Amanuel Gebremichael (Postdoc) and David Wal (Senior Research officer). The objectives, the main actions and the expected results of the project have been described.

The invitation letter and the presentation shown are available at these links.

Furthermore, the issue of dredging sediments and the different possibilities of re-using decontaminated sediments in various environmental sectors was addressed. During the meetings the process that will be undertaken during the project for the insertion of sediments in the list of agronomic substrates of the Italian legislation (Legislative Decree 75/2010) was described.

LIFE Subsed at BRIGHT 2019 in Pisa (Italy) – 27 September 2019

The LIFE Subsed project was present (thanks to the participation of the beneficiary  CNR of Pisa) at BRIGHT 2019 – The night of researchers in Tuscany (here is the detail for the city of Pisa), now a classic annual appointment to make citizens aware of the excellence of Italian research.

During the day, objectives and expected results of the LIFE Subsed project has been exposed to the crowd that took part in the event by going to the stand of the CNR of Pisa.

LIFE Subsed at the RemTech fair in Ferrara (Italy) – 18-20 September 2019

RemTech is the most specialized event on contaminated sites remediation and territory protection and requalification. The program focuses every year the most topical and interesting themes: regulatory evolution, characterization, risk analysis, remediation technologies, research, innovation, monitoring, environmental controls, industry, sustainability.
During the event, the general activities of the LIFE Subsed project has been described at the CNR stand, as well as its objectives, its main actions and the expected results. Particular attention has been paid to illustrating the problems inherent in the re-use of sediments, but relating them to their potential in different environmental sectors.