Conservation agriculture [Italy]
- Creation:
- Update:
- Compiler: Nicola Dal Ferro
- Editor: –
- Reviewers: Fabian Ottiger, Alexandra Gavilano
Agricoltura conservativa
technologies_1225 - Italy
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Expand all Collapse all1. General information
1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology
Key resource person(s)
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
Morari Francesco
University of Padova
Italy
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 ) {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 1086, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'University of Padova (UNIPD) - Italy', 'template': 'raw'}1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT
The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:
Yes
1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)
Rural development programme in the Veneto region [Italy]
Developing rural areas in the Veneto region through sustainable land management policies
- Compiler: Nicola Dal Ferro
Carbon farming [Italy]
Managing land, water, plants and animals to meet the landscape restoration, climate change and food security.
- Compiler: Nicola Dal Ferro
2. Description of the SLM Technology
2.1 Short description of the Technology
Definition of the Technology:
Sustainable crop production and residue management under no-tillage to improve soil fertility and increase environmental benefits
2.2 Detailed description of the Technology
Description:
Conservation agriculture (CA) in the Veneto region is characterised by management systems including no-tillage, permanent soil cover and crop rotation. CA has been promoted as an agri-environmental measure of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) by the Veneto region to extend sustainable land management. In spite of being provided by the regional government with subsidies, so far the adoption of CA by the farmers has been very limited since its introduction, amounting less than 1% (ca. 2000 ha) of the total regional cropland area (mainly concentrated in the low Venetian plain).
Purpose of the Technology: CA has been proposed to the farmers with the aim of reducing environmental impacts as well as economic and energetic inputs to the agricultural system. Compared with conventional practices such as soil ploughing, CA is convenient due to the saving of labour and fuel costs, with a direct effect in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Limiting the soil disturbance and guaranteeing the continuous soil cover involve both a reduction of water runoff and surface erosion and an increase of soil biodiversity and fertility.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The main winter crops usually cultivated in the low Venetian plain are wheat, rapeseed and barley, while summer season crops are maize, soybean, sorghum. Generally CA consists of direct sowing on untilled soil using a double-disk opener planter for seed deposition, while after harvesting crop residues are chopped and dispersed to the surface in order to guarantee a mulching effect and a rapid incorporation into the soil. Since application of CA practices consider the permanent soil cover, the main crop is followed by cover crops that are usually graminaceae or brassicaceae. Cover crops are neither fertilized nor treated with pesticides during growing, while their final devitalisation is achieved with non-specific herbicides (e.g. Glyphosate, Glufosinate Ammonium).
Natural / human environment: Advantages of adopting conservation agriculture have been widely demonstrated worldwide and can be classified in economic, agronomic and environmental benefits. From an environmental point of view, the soil system preserves its structure and biodiversity thanks to minimum soil disturbance to the root zone, microorganisms, fungi and macroinvertebrates. Greenhouse gas emissions under conservation agriculture compared to traditional cultivation systems are lower and might offset the gains obtained to mitigate global warming. Due to the recent introduction of the technology in the Veneto region (since mid-2000s), conservation agriculture has shown contrasting results in terms of crop yield since still in a transition period between conventional and conservation agriculture practices.
2.3 Photos of the Technology
2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
Country:
Italy
Region/ State/ Province:
Italy
Further specification of location:
Low Venetian plain of Veneto region
Specify the spread of the Technology:
- evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
- 10-100 km2
Map
×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:
- during experiments/ research
3. Classification of the SLM Technology
3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology
- reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied
Cropland
- Annual cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
- cereals - barley
- cereals - maize
- cereals - sorghum
- cereals - wheat (winter)
- legumes and pulses - soya
- oilseed crops - sunflower, rapeseed, other
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: 180Second longest growing period from month to month: April to September
Comments:
The main winter crops usually cultivated in the low Venetian plain are wheat, rapeseed and barley, while summer season crops are maize, soybean, sorghum.
Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soils in the low Venetian plain of the Veneto region generally suffer from a loss of soil organic matter (SOM) that is strongly affected by their natural texture and climatic conditions. Moreover, in the last 50 years intensive tillage practices contributed to a further SOM decrease, estimated at 0.02-0.58 t/ha/y of carbon.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Decrease of productivity, soil compaction. To date, few farmers have adopted voluntarily conservation practices to reduce a decline of soil fertility and SOM content, symptom of poor perception of the problem. Moreover, the low technical know-how causes low yield performances and discouraged farmers to adopt the SLM technology.
3.4 Water supply
Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
- mixed rainfed-irrigated
Comments:
Water supply: Also rainfed, full irrigation
3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs
- improved ground/ vegetation cover
- minimal soil disturbance
3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology
agronomic measures
- A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
- A3: Soil surface treatment
management measures
- M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:
Main measures: agronomic measures
Secondary measures: management measures
Type of agronomic measures: cover cropping, mulching, zero tillage / no-till
3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology
chemical soil deterioration
- Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
biological degradation
- Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
- Bl: loss of soil life
Comments:
Main type of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bl: loss of soil life
Main causes of degradation: soil management (lack of organic input with fertilizations), population pressure (High demand for agricultural products and competition for land in densely populated area)
Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (crop monoculture instead of crop rotation)
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: prevention of land degradation
Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation
4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs
4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology
Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):
Detailed view of direct sowing on untilled soil and chopping of crop residues
Location: Low Venetian plain of Veneto region
Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase in organic matter
Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, increase of surface roughness, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil
Cover cropping
Material/ species: e.g. barley and vetch, lolium, sorghum
Mulching
Material/ species: Residues depending on the main crop
Change of land use practices / intensity level: With conservation agriculture labour is saved and fuel cost lowered. Additional application of pesticides represents an extra expenditure.
Author:
Luigi Sartori
4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs
other/ national currency (specify):
Euro €
If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:
0.8
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:
110.00
4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities
Activity | Timing/ frequency | |
---|---|---|
1. | Weed control and cover crops devitalisation | each crop season |
2. | Main crop: direct sowing on untilled soil | each crop season |
3. | Main crop: fertilisation | each crop season |
4. | Main crop: combined harvesting and chopping of straw | each crop season |
5. | Cover crops: sowing | each crop season |
4.6 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 | Weed control and cover crops devitalisation | L/ha | 1.0 | 130.0 | 130.0 | |
Labour | Cover crops: sowing | ha | 1.0 | 254.0 | 254.0 | |
Equipment | Weed control and cover crops devitalisation | ha | 1.0 | 44.5 | 44.5 | |
Equipment | Main crop: direct sowing on untilled soil | ha | 1.0 | 63.5 | 63.5 | |
Equipment | Main crop: combined harvesting and chopping of straw | ha | 1.0 | 190.5 | 190.5 | |
Plant material | Seeds | ha | 1.0 | 190.5 | 190.5 | |
Fertilizers and biocides | Fertilisation | ha | 1.0 | 287.0 | 287.0 | |
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 1160.0 | |||||
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 1450.0 |
4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs
Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:
Costs are mostly affected by field labours, although they are considerably lower than under conventional tillage practices. They do not include initial investments since usually farmers to rely on agricultural contractors. As a result, intial investements are borne by agricultural contractors (e.g. sod seeding machinery, which costs 35000$, on average).
5. Natural and human environment
5.1 Climate
Annual rainfall
- < 250 mm
- 251-500 mm
- 501-750 mm
- 751-1,000 mm
- 1,001-1,500 mm
- 1,501-2,000 mm
- 2,001-3,000 mm
- 3,001-4,000 mm
- > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:
850.00
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:
Max in June (100 mm) and minima in winter (55 mm, December to February)
Agro-climatic zone
- sub-humid
Thermal climate class: temperate (the low Venetian plain where the technology is applied has continental climate)
5.2 Topography
Slopes on average:
- flat (0-2%)
- gentle (3-5%)
- moderate (6-10%)
- rolling (11-15%)
- hilly (16-30%)
- steep (31-60%)
- very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
- plateau/plains
- ridges
- mountain slopes
- hill slopes
- footslopes
- valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
- 0-100 m a.s.l.
- 101-500 m a.s.l.
- 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
- 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
- 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
- 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
- 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
- 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
- > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:
Altitudinal zone: 0-100 m a.s.l. (the low Venetian does not exceed 50 m above sea level)
5.3 Soils
Soil depth on average:
- very shallow (0-20 cm)
- shallow (21-50 cm)
- moderately deep (51-80 cm)
- deep (81-120 cm)
- very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
- coarse/ light (sandy)
- medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
- medium (1-3%)
- low (<1%)
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 capacity is medium
5.4 Water availability and quality
Ground water table:
< 5 m
Availability of surface water:
good
Water quality (untreated):
good drinking water
Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:
Ground water table: <5m (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) is good drinking water (groundwater) or for agricultural use only (irrigation: Surface water can be used for agricultural purposes but not as drinking water)
5.5 Biodiversity
Species diversity:
- medium
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
Market orientation of production system:
- commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
- less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
- average
- rich
Individuals or groups:
- individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
- mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
- men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:
Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Farmers in the Veneto region are traditionally males due to historical and cultural reasons.
Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%
Off-farm income specification: The conservation measure is applied by farmers whose main income is from agriculture activity.
5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology
- < 0.5 ha
- 0.5-1 ha
- 1-2 ha
- 2-5 ha
- 5-15 ha
- 15-50 ha
- 50-100 ha
- 100-500 ha
- 500-1,000 ha
- 1,000-10,000 ha
- > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
- large-scale
5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights
Land ownership:
- individual, not titled
Land use rights:
- leased
- individual
Water use rights:
- communal (organized)
- leased
5.9 Access to services and infrastructure
health:
- poor
- moderate
- good
education:
- poor
- moderate
- good
technical assistance:
- poor
- moderate
- good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
- poor
- moderate
- good
markets:
- poor
- moderate
- good
energy:
- poor
- moderate
- good
roads and transport:
- poor
- moderate
- good
drinking water and sanitation:
- poor
- moderate
- good
financial services:
- poor
- moderate
- good
6. Impacts and concluding statements
6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown
Socio-economic impacts
Production
crop production
Comments/ specify:
In the early years
Income and costs
expenses on agricultural inputs
workload
Socio-cultural impacts
SLM/ land degradation knowledge
Improved livelihoods and human well-being
Ecological impacts
Water cycle/ runoff
surface runoff
excess water drainage
evaporation
Soil
soil cover
soil loss
soil crusting/ sealing
soil compaction
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals
habitat diversity
pest/ disease control
Comments/ specify:
Increased reliance on herbicides
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 | increase or decrease | 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 |
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)?
Short-term returns:
negative
Long-term returns:
slightly positive
How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:
neutral/ balanced
Long-term returns:
positive
6.5 Adoption of the Technology
Comments:
100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view |
---|
Lowers soil tillage costs due to a reduction of fuel consumption and labour How can they be sustained / enhanced? Spread over greater areas to maximise cost reduction |
Lowers CO2 emissions due to a general reduction of energy inputs How can they be sustained / enhanced? Identification of CA as an agricultural practice to mitigate global warming. Spread over greater areas to increase effectiveness |
Reduces water runoff and erosion while increasing soil coverage and biodiversity How can they be sustained / enhanced? Further improvement of soil quality might consider organic fertilizations |
Enhances in general the sustainability of cropping systems How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintain conservation agriculture system in the long-term to maximise benefits |
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? |
---|---|
Soil compaction is sometimes emerging | Periodic decompaction and adoption of lighter machinery |
Crop productions are sometimes lower than with conventional practices | Stabilize conservation agriculture in the long-term. Support farmers in technical choices |
7. References and links
7.1 Methods/ sources of information
7.2 References to available publications
Title, author, year, ISBN:
Programma di sviluppo rurale per il veneto 2007-2013, Regione Veneto, 2007. Dipartimento Agricoltura e Sviluppo Rurale.
Links and modules
Expand all Collapse allLinks
Rural development programme in the Veneto region [Italy]
Developing rural areas in the Veneto region through sustainable land management policies
- Compiler: Nicola Dal Ferro
Carbon farming [Italy]
Managing land, water, plants and animals to meet the landscape restoration, climate change and food security.
- Compiler: Nicola Dal Ferro
Modules
No modules