1

Case Study Site (CSS)

10  – Murcia (Spain)

1.1

Responsible partner

18 – CAMPO – CAMPOSEVEN

1.2

Short description of the CSS

The study area is located in southeast Spain, at the Murcia Region, known as the field of Cartagena "Campo de Cartagena" region, which is a large area of crops that was put under irrigation since 1970s. This place is mainly dedicated to the cultivation of ecological horticulture in rotation for more than 40 years. The cooperative comprises among all the members a total extension of 750 Has dedicated to the agriculture, from which 48 Has have been under plastic mulches for more than 15 years. PE mulch has been used since then in this CSS mainly for two reasons:  for weed control (since it is an organic crop, the removal of the adventitious plants is done manually) and water saving. In the last 3 years most of the farmers from the cooperative switched from PE mulch into oxxo-biodegrable plastic mulches, because the farmers thought that this plastic degrades at field conditions, which it is not the case. Therefore, in this CSS there are at least 2 sorts of plastic mulches residues in soils: Polyethylene and Oxxo-biodegradable. This CSS is a place where the long term effects of PE and oxxo biodegradable plastic mulches will be study on soil physicochemical and biological conditions. All farms of this cooperative are organic, but if required, it is possible to find conventional horticultural fields close to the experimental sites.

2

Location

2.1

Postal address

Carretera RM-F48, CP 30592 Murcia

2.2

Name of region, province or canton

Murcia

2.3

Coordinates  (google earth)

Lat: 37º 50” 33.70´ N, long: 0º 55” 9.16´ W

2.4

Altitude in meters

100-110 m

3

Characteristics

3.1

Climate

Semiarid

3.2

Land use

Agriculture

3.3

Main crop

Vegetables

3.4

Water supply

(e.g. irrigation system)

The waster right is managed by one irrigation community, which uses a combination of water from the Tajo river and water from the water treatment plants.

3.5

Type of drinking water supply

In the main farm there is not drinkable water

4

Farming systems

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

4.1

Assessment of feasibility to find farming systems in (reasonable) geographical isolation

/

Yes

yes

4.2

Potential for

increasing yield

/

Not sure

4.3

Potential for

reducing costs

/

Mechanized process

4.4

Application periods

-

-

4.5

Alternative farming methods

-

-

5

Plastic use / other stressors

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

5.1

Sources of MPs

-

Plastic mulch

-

5.2

Plastic types

-

We use PE and Oxo-biodegradable in the past. Now plastic types are 100% biodegradable

5.3

Pesticides used: -

-

Pyrethrum extract, azadirachtin, paraffin oil,  bacillus, pine oil, bacillus, spinosad

-

5.4

Veterinary drugs enter via dung, no data yet

6

Ongoing sharing of experiences

6.1

Ongoing training provision

-

6.2

Ongoing studies on agricultural production in the region

Agrinova Murcia (Inovacion agraria de Murcia) is the organization in charge of the agricultural innovation in Murcia. This institution implement Eip-Agri operative groups workshops in Murcia, and also enhanced the project 2014-2020 of Rural Development of the Murcia region. 

7

Human population

7.1

Demographics:

1.494.442 inhabitants (50% men, 49.97% women)

7.2

Density

132 inhabitants/km2

7.3

Main villages

Murcia, Alcantarilla, Molina de Segura, Cartagena, San Javier, Torre-Pacheco,

7.4

Regional & local organisation of health system, access to health information

Consejeria de Salud de Murcia

7.5

Socio-economic characteristics

15.6% of the active population is unemployed

7.6

Main sources of income by sector

Agriculture

7.7

Social security system, subsidies (farmers)

More than subsidies, Agrinova Murcia enhances projects related to the agriculture in Murcia.

8

Relevant stakeholder organizations

8.1

Local authorities

City councils: San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Murcia, Torre Pacheco, Cartagena

8.2

Farmers union

Local farmers associations : COAG, ASAJA, FECOAM.

Cooperatives of agricultural producers for selling: SURINVER, HORTAMIRA, SOLTIR, AGRIMESA, ALIMER, AGRODOLORES, SACOJE, CENTRAMISA,

8.3

Other

Plastics: Spanish association of biodegradable and compostable plastics (ASOBIOCOM),

9

Diagnosis

9.1

Problems/threats/challenges

·         Plastic debris accumulation from no 100% biodegradable plastics

·         High prices of the biodegradable plastics

·         Existence of European or national subsidies enhancing the use of oxxo-biodegradable plastics mulches

·         The use of the oxo-degradable terminology who promotes confusion among the farmers, and they think that this kind of plastic is biodegradable, when in the reality it is not

·         The coherent plastic mulch selection by the farmers in order to avoid the use of no biodegradable plastic mulch, for reducing as possible the plastic mulch debris pollution     

9.2

Potential for increasing soil quality

The soils from the region are poor in organic matter  and the weather is extreme  with intense precipitations and long dryness seasons. It is imperial to improve the soil conditions.

9.3

Ongoing research and innovation actions on agricultural production

Ecological agriculture

9.4

Data availability – MPs in soil  

Not yet, thought, there is potential information because of the long tradition on plastic mulches use in this area.

10

Link to relevant information

www.asobiocom.es

11

References

https://datosmacro.expansion.com/ccaa/murcia

https://agrinnova.es/

1

Case Study Site (CSS)

 8 – Region of Crete (Greece)

1.1

Responsible partner

12 – CHQ – Technologies P.C.

1.2

Short description of the CSS

CSS farms are located in the prefecture of Chania (within the Region of Crete) where the main production includes tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil. We initiated the collaboration with several farmers’ cooperation and companies across the prefecture of Chania, regarding the use of plastics in agriculture.

2

Location

2.1

Postal address

Kissamos, Chania , Crete

2.2

Name of region, province or canton

Elafonissi (Southern side of Crete) and Akrotiri (Northern side of Crete)

2.3

Coordinates

 (google earth)

35^o17’17.96” N, 23^o32’51.36” E (Elafonissi)

35^o33’38.56” N, 24^o08’07.24” E (Akrotiri)

2.4

Altitude in meters

0 m (Elafonissi) and 300-400 m (Akrotiri)

3

Characteristics

3.1

Climate

Mediterranean (characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry, sunny summers)

3.2

Land use

Mainly agriculture

3.3

Main crop

Tomatoes, cucumber, olive trees, grapes

3.4

Water supply

(e.g. irrigation system)

Mainly groundwater

3.5

Type of drinking water supply

Groundwater

4

Farming systems

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

4.1

Assessment of feasibility to find farming systems in (reasonable) geographical isolation

> 10 farms, relatively isolated

> 10 farms, relatively isolated

-

4.2

Potential for

increasing yield

yes

Yes

-

4.3

Potential for

reducing costs

yes

Yes

-

4.4

Application periods

August and January

August

-

4.5

Alternative farming methods

Not known

Crop rotation

-

5

Plastic use / other stressors

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

5.1

Sources of MPs

Greenhouse cover, plastic cover

Other sources (careless disposal of plastic packaging material, tyre wire).

-

5.2

Plastic types

LDPE

LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE

5.3

Pesticides used: -

Depends on the crops (tomato: cypermethrin, deltamethrin, indoxacarb, lufenorun, abamectin,

Pendimentalin, S-metaolaclor, Rimsulfuron)

-

-

5.4

Veterinary drugs enter via dung

no data yet

6

Ongoing sharing of experiences

6.1

Ongoing training provision

No

6.2

Ongoing studies on agricultural production in the region

CHQ, Asop-Elafonisiou and other agricultural-relevant partners will apply for a project from the Greek government about increasing the yield of tomatoes and cucumbers through biological methods

7

Human population

7.1

Demographics:

Inhabitants: 623674 (Region of Crete); >65 years: 19 %; 15-65 years: 64%; 0-15 years: 17%

7.2

Density

Population density: 75,9 Inhabitants/km².

7.3

Main villages

All farms are located near villages within the Prefecture of Chania

7.4

Regional & local organisation of health system, access to health information

Public hospitals, Ministry of Health

7.5

Socio-economic characteristics

15500 euros per capita

7.6

Main sources of income by sector

Agriculture and Tourism

7.7

Social security system, subsidies (farmers)

Public security system & subsidies

8

Relevant stakeholder organizations

8.1

Local authorities

Municipality of Chania & Municipality of Kandanou-Selinou

8.2

Farmers union

Agrifal, Platanos Coop, Asop-Elafonisiou, Agricultural Association of Horticultural Producers Greenhouse of Elafonisi-Chrysoskalitisa

8.3

Other

Olive trees of Agia Triada monastery (managed by VINOLIO Ltd)

9

Diagnosis

9.1

Problems/threats/challenges

Decrease of available water from irrigation, plastic use, soil preservation

9.2

Potential for increasing soil quality

yes

9.3

Ongoing research and innovation actions on agricultural production

There are ongoing projects among universities, NGOs, private companies and research institutes in the field of sustainable agriculture and use of plastics.

9.4

Data availability–MPs in soil  

Very limited information (based on preliminary sampling done by TU-Crete)

10

Links to relevant information

http://www.elafonisi.gr/en/cooperative

https://agrifal.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chania_(regional_unit)

11

References

https://knoema.com/atlas/Greece/Kriti

1

Case Study Site (CSS)

 9 – Alpenvorland (Austria)

1.1

Responsible partner

14 – AGES – OSTERREICHISCHE AGENTUR FUR GESUNDHEIT UND ERNAHRUNGSSICHERHEIT GMBH

1.2

Short description of the CSS

Alpenvorland/OÖ Zentralraum is located in the north west of Austria with mixed farming systems: arable and husbandry. AGES collaborates with farmers with crop field experiments  - mainly variety testing but also on fungicide and growth regulator tests and fertilization experiments and on soil and crop protection. AGES conducts a long-term compost field experiment with mineral and organic (different kinds and amounts of composts) fertilization. FiBL Austria has close cooperation with organic farmers in the region, e.g. through its long-term on-farm research project Bionet.

2

Location

2.1

Postal address

AGES Linz, Wieningerstraße 8, 4020 Linz

2.2

Name of region, province or canton

Alpenvorland

2.3

Coordinates (google earth)

48°18’N 14°25’E

2.4

Altitude in meters

(below sea level)

280

3

Characteristics

3.1

Climate

Continental, 753 mm mean annual precipitation, 8.5°C mean annual temperature

3.2

Land use

Mainly agriculture, forestry, industry

3.3

Main crop

Cereals (e.g. winter wheat, winter barley),  maize, soy bean, rape; vegetables

3.4

Water supply

(e.g. irrigation system)

Often not necessary

3.5

Type of drinking water supply

Ground water

4

Farming systems

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

4.1

Assessment of feasibility to find farming systems in (reasonable) geographical isolation

>5

>5

-

4.2

Potential for

increasing yield

yes

Yes

-

4.3

Potential for

reducing costs

yes

Yes

-

4.4

Application periods

March to May (fertilizer, pesticides)

-

4.5

Alternative farming methods

Reduced tillage, crop rotation, cover crops

-

5

Plastic use / other stressors

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

5.1

Sources of MPs

Compost, plastic mulches (esp. vegetables)

Compost, plastic mulches (esp. vegetables)

-

5.2

Plastic types

No information yet

No information yet

5.3

Pesticides used: -

https://www.baes.gv.at/en/admission/plant-protection-products/plant-protection-products-register/

Only organic plant protection

-

5.4

Veterinary drugs enter via dung

no data yet

6

Ongoing sharing of experiences

6.1

Ongoing training provision

Field days: at farm Kastenhuber in Bad Wimsbach annual field days with 500-800 participants are organised since 2006  (before Corona pandemic) in collaboration with AGES and the agricultural chamber

6.2

Ongoing studies on agricultural production in the region

AGES field station with different field experiments including the compost trial

7

Human population

7.1

Demographics: age distribution

Upper Austria in 2020: Age 0-17: 18.1% Age 18-64: 63.2% Age 65+: 18.6%

7.2

Density

124 inhabitants per square km in upper Austria

7.3

Main villages

Linz; Steyr; Wels; Alkoven; Eferding; Fraham

7.4

Regional & local organisation of health system, access to health information

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Linz. Agricultural Chamber Linz.

7.5

Socio-economic characteristics

Alpenvorland: € 33.286 annual income from agriculture and forestry per farm in 2018 (-16% compared to 2017)

7.6

Main sources of income by sector

agriculture

7.7

Social security system, subsidies (farmers)

Family allowances & subsidies.

8

Relevant stakeholder organizations

8.1

Local authorities

Federal province of Upper Austria, Agricultural Chamber, AGES

8.2

Farmers union

Agricultural Chamber of Upper Austria

8.3

Other

9

Diagnosis

9.1

Problems/threats/challenges

Preservation of soil quality with intensive agriculture, increase of nutrient (N, P) use efficiency, increasing droughts, missing possibility of irrigation.

9.2

Potential for increasing soil quality

yes

9.3

Ongoing research and innovation actions on agricultural production

Arable field experiments,  evaluation studies of agro-environmental measures

9.4

Data availability – MPs in soil  

Austrian soil map (eBOD), soil analyses actions in Upper Austria with basic soil parameters (e.g. pH, plant available nutrients, soil organic matter): data used in evaluation studies of the agro-environmental measures.

10

Links to relevant information

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety:  https://www.ages.at/en/topics/agriculture/

FIBL-AT: https://www.fibl.org/en/locations/austria.html

Agricultural chamber: https://www.lko.at/

Austrian soil map (eBOD): https://bodenkarte.at/

11

References

Spiegel, H., Mosleitner, T., Sandén, T. and Zaller, J.G. Effects of two decades of organic and mineral fertilization of arable crops on earthworms and standardized litter decomposition. Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment, 2018, 69(1), 17-28. doi: 10.2478/boku-2018-0003

Ros, M., Klammer, S., Knapp, B., Aichberger, K. and Insam, H. Long-term effects of compost amendment of soil on functional and structural diversity and microbial activity. Soil Use and Management, 2006, 22, 209–218.

Tatzber, M., Schlatter, N., Baumgartner, A., Dersch, G., Körner, R., Lehtinen, T., Unger, G., Mifek, E. and Spiegel, H. KMnO4 determination of active carbon for laboratory routines: three long-term field experiments in Austria. Soil Research, 2015, 53(190), doi: 10.1071/SR14200.

Dersch, G. & Spiegel, H. (2020). Humusaufbau braucht noch mehr Engagement. Bauernzeitung, 34/2020, 20.August 2020, S. 7.

1

Case Study Site (CSS)

7b – NORTH AND SOUTH ITALY (Italy) – additional site

1.1

Responsible partner

15 – NVM – NOVAMONT SPA

1.2

Short description of the CSS

Vegetable producing farms are located in North and South Italy, where biodegradable mulch films have been used for more than 5 years would be of great interest to monitor soils exposed for medium and long term use of microplastics.

Novamont had a close collaboration with these farms and with research centres during many years to implement biodegradable materials. The crops are ran both in conventional (IPM) and organic farming.

2

Location

2.1

Postal address

Emilia Romagna: Province Ferrara: Az. Agricola Colombi – via Romea – Lido di Spina – Ferrara & Province Rimini: Società Orticola Gli orti di Astolfi – Via Dei Mulini 37 - 47922 Rimini

Veneto: Province Rovigo: Centro Orticolo Sperimentale “Po di Tramontana” - via Moceniga 7 – 45010 Rosolina (Ro)

Campania: Province Benevento: Azienda Agricola Viscusi – Via Fenile,  S. Agata de’ Goti (BN)

Lombardia: Province Mantova: OP Guidizzolo - Strada squadri 1/B Fr. Rebecco
46040 Guidizzolo (Mn)

2.2

Name of region, province or canton

Emilia Romagna: Province Ferrara and Province Rimini

Veneto: province Rovigo

Lombardia: Province Mantova

Campania: Province Benevento

2.3

Coordinates (google earth)

-

2.4

Altitude in meters

(below sea level)

2 – 135 m

3

Characteristics

3.1

Climate

Emilia Romagna: temperate sub-continental, more similar to temperate sub-litoranean in the cost area where both farms are located. Min Temperature  also below 0°. Rainfall between 650 to 800 mm

Veneto: temperate climate with an max temperature of 24 °C and an average min temperature of 1,6 °C. Rainfalls around 650 mm/yr

Lombardia: climate hot temperate, with average annual temperature of 13 °C and average annual rainfall over 700 mm.

Campania: cold winters and low rainfall below 600 mm/yr.

3.2

Land use

North Italy: grains (maize, soybeans), fruit and vegetables; South Italt: mainly vegetables, tobacco, grains (wheat) and fruit

3.3

Main crop

Emilia Romagna: Province Ferrara: mainly vegetables in open field and grapes cultivated in organic farming – biodegradable mulches used for more than 10 years. Province of Rimini: vegetables in open field and under tunnel - biodegradable mulches used for more than 10 years

Veneto: Province Rovigo: mainly vegetables and flowers in conventional and organic farming – biodegradable mulches used for more than 5 years

Lombardia: Province Mantova: mainly vegetables (lettuce) and aromatic plants grown in open field and under tunnel - biodegradable mulches used for more than 10 years

Campania: Province Benevento: vegetables and tobacco – biodegradable mulches used for more than 5 years.

3.4

Water supply

(e.g. irrigation system)

Sprinkler and drip irrigation from wells and irrigation channels

3.5

Type of drinking water supply

Groundwater aquifer & surface water

4

Farming systems

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

4.1

Assessment of feasibility to find farming systems in (reasonable) geographical isolation

> 5 isolated farms growing vegetables

> 1 isolated farms growing vegetables

> 5 isolated farms growing vegetables

4.2

Potential for

increasing yield

Yes

Yes

Yes

4.3

Potential for

reducing costs

Yes

Yes

Yes

4.4

Application periods

Mulch film: Apr-Jul

Mulch film: Apr-Aug

Mulch film: Apr-Aug

4.5

Alternative farming methods

Mechanical weeding

Mechanical weeding

Mechanical weeding

5

Plastic use / other stressors

Conventional

Organic

Integrated

5.1

Sources of MPs

Mulch film, drip tubes

Mulch film, drip tubes

Mulch films, drip tubes

5.2

Plastic types

Mulch films, drip tubes

Mulch films, drip tubes

Mulch films, drip tubes and  greenhouse films

5.3

Pesticides used: -

According to the Regional Guidelines for the different crops:

e.g for Emilia Romagna: https://agricoltura.regione.emilia-romagna.it/produzioni-agroalimentari/temi/bio-agro-climambiente/agricoltura-integrata/disciplinari-produzione-integrata-vegetale/Collezione-dpi/dpi_2020/disciplinari-2020

No PPT applied

According to the Regional Guidelines for the different crops

5.4

Veterinary drugs enter via dung

no data yet

6

Ongoing sharing of experiences

6.1

Ongoing training provision

Novamont is carrying on experimental trials in the above mentioned farms and research centres in order to qualify and optimize the use of biodegradable mulch films as well as monitor the costs and use of biodegradable mulch in commercial fields. Novamont is also participating to EU and Italian (regional projects: e.g.: Pa.bio.or.fru^1, Interreg – CIRCE 2020) where biodegradable mulch films are used. Novamont technicians are providing guidelines based on our long time direct experience on how to use

6.2

Ongoing studies on agricultural production in the region

The Regional Services for agriculture updates on production in the region as well as giving information on main pathogens and their control. E.g. Region Emilia Romagna: https://agricoltura.regione.emilia-romagna.it/produzioni-agroalimentari

Novamont is

7

Human population

7.1

Demographics: age distribution

Data not found

7.2

Density

Emilia Romagna: Prov. Ferrara: 131,19 in./km². Prov. Rimini: 392,47 in./km²

Veneto: Province  Rovigo: 128,58 in./km²

Lombardia: Province Mantova: 176,80 in./ km²

Campania: Province Benevento: 131,71 in./ km²

7.3

Main villages

Emilia Romagna: Province of Ferrara includes 21 municipalities. Province of Rimini includes 25 municipalities

Veneto: Province Rovigo include 50 municipalities

Lombardia: Province Mantova includes 64 municipalities

Campania: Province Benevento includes 78 municipalities

7.4

Regional & local organisation of health system, access to health information

Emilia Romagna:

·         Province Ferrara: 6 public hospitals and a number of private clinics; the citizens can access to the public health systems with minimum fees for tests and checks

·         Province Rimini: 5 public hospitals and a number of private clinics; the citizens can access to the public health systems with minimum fees for tests and checks

Veneto: Province Rovigo: 2 public hospitals and a number of private clinics; the citizens can access to the public health systems with minimum fees for tests and checks

Lombardia: Province Mantova: 3 public hospitals and a number of private clinics; the citizens can access to the public health systems with minimum fees for tests and checks

Campania: Province Benevento: 2 public hospitals and a number of private clinics; the citizens can access to the public health systems with minimum fees for tests and checks

7.5

Socio-economic characteristics

Emilia Romagna: 35 300 €

Veneto: 33 100 €

Lombardia: 38 000 €

Campania: 18 200 €

7.6

Main sources of income by sector

Emilia Romagna: industry, commerce and tourism, agriculture and fishery

Veneto: finance,  industry, commerce and tourism, agriculture

Lombardia: services, industry and agriculture

Campania: agriculture, industry, commerce and tourism

7.7

Social security system, subsidies (farmers)

In all Italian regions: Rural Regional Plan and CMO (for cooperatives), which are supporting measures of CAP

8

Relevant stakeholder organizations

8.1

Local authorities

Regional Council with a President, elected every 5 years; each region elects a defined number of representatives (according to the population) to the National Parlament and Senate

8.2

Farmers union

Main farmer’s unions in Italy are: Coldiretti, CIA, Confagricoltura, Copagri, Confcooperative, lega delle cooperative

8.3

Other

Many growers are organized in cooperatives (Novamont has contacts with many cooperatives in the Italian territory), which have national representative associations such as Italia Ortofrutta, for vegetable and fruit producers (http://www.italiaortofrutta.it/); Regional research stations/farms: Centro Po di Tramontana in Veneto, CRPV in Emilia Romagna, Azienda Sperimentale Stuard in Emilia Romagna; National research institutes and universities: University of Bologna, University of Padova, University of Naples, CREA (National Research center for agriculture); National associations relevant for the project: Chimica Verde Bionet (association for the promotion of green chemistry), Cluster SPRING for green chemistry, Assobioplastiche (association for biodegradable plastics).

9

Diagnosis

9.1

Problems/threats/challenges

Use of mulch films (both non-biodegradable and biodegradable)

9.2

Potential for increasing soil quality

Agroecological management

9.3

Ongoing research and innovation actions on agricultural production

Novamont’s research on biodegradable materials for use in agriculture and other bio-molecules with reduced impact on environment

9.4

Data availability–MPs in soil  

n.d.

Soil analysis available for all the locations

10

Links to relevant information

Emilia Romanga: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilia_Romagna

·         Province Ferrara: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_di_Ferrara

·         Province Rimini: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_di_Rimini

Veneto: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneto

·         Province Rovigo: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_di_Rovigo

Lombardia: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneto

·         Province Mantova: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_di_Mantova

Campania: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campania

Province Benevento: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_di_Benevento

11

References

Project Pabiorfru: http://www.pabiorfru.it/

Eugenio Cozzolino: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Luigi_Morra/publication/306039196_The_Mater-BiR_biodegradable_film_for_strawberry_Fragaria_x_ananassa_Duch_mulching_effects_on_fruit_yield_and_quality/links/57ac52c408ae7a6420c2cf9c/The-Mater-BiR-biodegradable-film-for-strawberry-Fragaria-x-ananassa-Duch-mulching-effects-on-fruit-yield-and-quality.pdf;  https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/3/427

Po di Tramontana: https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20103016108