The blueberry, a representative crop of Cuneo's fruit-growing heritage, was the focus of the conference held today at Macfrut to present the results of Symbiotic Agriculture research project of the’OP JOINFRUIT of Verzuolo (CN) in collaboration with the University of Turin, launched as part of the 2021-2023 Operational Programme and is still ongoing.
Two years after the project began, “Healthier soil and more virtuous production with Symbiotic Agriculture in the fruit sector, Joinfruit and the research group in plant-microorganism interactions at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology from the University of Turin, shared the blueberry results of this An innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, with its roots in the beneficial interaction between plants and soil microorganisms.
“Environmental sustainability in agriculture – underlines Bruno Sacchi, Director of Joinfruit – cannot be separated from healthy soil, which, in addition to favouring agricultural production in the long term, is able to maintain a balanced cycle of essential nutrients to preserve ecological balance and minimise the use of chemical fertilisers, guarantees good water absorption capacity, reducing the risk of erosion and improving water resource management, and preserves biodiversity.”
soil is an extremely complex matrix, which encloses enormous microbial diversity. It has been widely demonstrated that rhizosphere microbial communities (the portion of the soil in close contact with the root) contribute to the plant defence against stress, ..., improving nutrient and water uptake and influencing crop yield and quality. However, rhizosphere microorganisms are also affected by environmental changes and are negatively impacted by the use of damaging agricultural practices, such as the excessive use of fertilisers and plant protection products.
“Our collaboration with Joinfruit – tells the Prof. Alessandra Salvioli of Fossalunga of the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology of the University of Turin – it started from the implementation of the production protocol for Symbiotic Agriculture (created and developed by Sergio Capaldo, founder of La Granda and the eco-symbiotic consortium Società Consortile Ecosìto go further, exploring the foundations of the symbiosis between plants and soil microorganisms. We have analysed in depth the biodiversity associated with blueberry plant roots, mapping a total of 450,000 different microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, and confirming the presence among these of species already known for their ability to promote blueberry health. The ultimate aim of these activities is to develop microbial-based biostimulants specific to blueberry cultivation, and potentially to commercialise seedlings already provided with beneficial microbial biota at the time of field planting.”
After isolating strains of beneficial microorganisms (in particular of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi), research group is currently testing their potential in promoting plant health and development through collaboration with the Battistini nursery, leader in the production and marketing of fruit plants.
We recall that The Cuneo foothills area is suited to blueberry cultivationThe difference between day and night temperatures gives the fruit intense colour, sweetness and juiciness, while the naturally acidic soil in the hilly areas near the woods provides an ideal habitat for these small berries. Furthermore, blueberries are becoming increasingly important within the OP Joinfruit organisation, with prospects for further development: from the approximately 40 hectares under cultivation, the goal for the next three years is to increase the surface area of 30%.
Finally, for the future development of research, the intervention of Ccpb Srl (certification and inspection body for organic and eco-sustainable agri-food and non-food products) as a player in this new agronomic approach, “Why - concludes Sacchi - The objective we set ourselves as OP is the grounding of the results obtained through organised and strategic action on member companies, with the ultimate aim of allowing our producers to benefit from the work done.”
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