1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Preventing and Remediating degradation of soils in Europe through Land Care (EU-RECARE )

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

University of Padova (UNIPD) - Italy

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/10/2014

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Perennial grasses in orchards and vineyards between rows to provide permanent soil cover

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Veneto region has a strong tradition of fruit production, estimated in ca. 4% of total turnover in the agricultural sector. A sustainable fruit orchard management has the ambition to combine fruit production with the maintenance of soil fertility. The increase or preservation of soil fertility can be supported by means of soil management techniques, such as green cover. Compared with systems that does not use a permanent soil protection, green cover provides long-term agronomical and environmental benefits due to a reduction of negative impacts on agro-ecosystems. The technology is an effective practice to provide a natural supply of mineral elements to the soil surface, while the stabilisation of root system improves the soil physical properties. Moreover, the permanent soil cover prevents water erosion and limits the leaching of nutrients (particularly nitrates) and pesticides.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of adopting a permanent green cover in orchards is the prevention of soil and water degradation, especially soil erosion by heavy rainfall events and water. Secondary purpose is restoring soil biodiversity through the soil protection from pesticides, heavy machinery equipment and loss of soil structure.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Green cover comprises naturally occurring, or sown, perennial grasses which form the permanent soil cover. The stabilisation of an herbaceous covering over the years allows the passage of machinery after rainfall events by improving the efficiency of farming operations. Due to the competition with fruit trees for nutrients, during the first 2-3 years following orchard plantations the soil is handled without a continuous cover or with a large strip of bare soil around the row. After system stabilisation, green vegetation is periodically cut, depending on the seasonal variability, and left on the soil surface as mulch.

Natural / human environment: If water is not a limiting factor for fruit production, the permanent vegetation cover is the best way to improve soil physical properties and generally soil fertility with a low economic investment. Moreover the technology acts as a filter for water depuration due to a reduction of water runoff and the consequent deposition of suspended solids sediment-bound nutrients.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soils in the Veneto region generally suffer from a loss of soil organic matter (SOM) that is strongly affected by their natural texture and climatic conditions. In tree cropping systems, where permanent green cover is not applied, the problem of loss of soil fertility is associated with degradation of water resources due to sediment transportation and contaminations by excessive nutrients and pesticides.

3.3 Further information about land use

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210 Longest growing period from month to month: March to OctoberSecond longest growing period in days: 180

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Hp: decline of surface water quality

Main causes of degradation: soil management, population pressure

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Representation of an apple orchard with complete soil cover. Green cover around the trees is sometimes devitalised since the grass cutting is a time-consuming labour.

Location: Veneto region

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water

Mulching
Material/ species: Grass mowing
Quantity/ density: 3 times/y

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: G : grass

Grass species: fescue, ryegrass, orchard grass, clover

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Establishment of grass cover	Vegetative
2.	Grass cutting	Vegetative

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Grass cutting	ha	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	330.0	330.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					430.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Green cover maintenance: cutting and mulching 2/4 times per year during growing season	Vegetative
2.	Weed control around trees	Vegetative

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Green cover cutting	ha	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Equipment	Green cover maintenance: cutting and mulching	ha	1.0	305.0	305.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Biocides	ha	1.0	63.0	63.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					468.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour of grass cutting/mulching is the major cost component for SLT maintenance.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is low-medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage is capacity medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Groundwater table: <5m a.s.l. (The area surrounding the Venice lagoon (1240 km2) is even below the sea level (down to -2 m) and currently cultivated due to land reclamation. As a result water table is kept artificially low)

Water quality (untreated): Good drinking water (groundwater) and for agricultural use only (surface water can be used for agricultural purposes but not as drinking water)

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

High population density, infrastructures and intensive agriculture practices affect the state of biodiversity.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

100% of the land users are average wealthy.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 90-100%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Prevents soil surface degradation How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintain soil cover
Improves soil biodiversity How can they be sustained / enhanced? Reduction/replacement of impactful pesticides on the environment
Improves water quality How can they be sustained / enhanced? Reduction/replacement of impactful pesticides on the environment

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Competition for nutrients during the first 2/3 years after planting	Application of SLT only 2/3 years after fruit tree planting
Green cover competes for water resources depending on climate and season	Adoption of mulching and irrigation during very dry seasons