Since the first discovery in 2013, the epidemic of Xylella fastidiosa subs.pauca ST53 in few years devastated the olive orchards of 3 provinces in Salento (Puglia, Italy) causing huge economic, landscape and environmental problems as well raising the need to rebuild the main and almost unique arboreous coverage, increasing biodiversity and resilience of the agro-ecosystem. The selection and evaluation of alternative woody agricultural and agro-forestry crops/species, native or allochthonous but potentially adaptable to the soil/climatic conditions of Salento, is the starting point to regenerate and reconvert the future agriculture co-existing with the bacterium. In the framework of a wider national project, the research is aimed to study the main traits of alternative plants in term of agronomic requirements, characteristics, cultivation, protection, uses, investments, market, strengths and weaknesses supported by comparison with local agricultural and agro-industrial businessmen. It has been selected a tree crops list of about 80 (still in progress) intensive and extensive species classifiable in already present at small scale (i.e. almond, fig), totally new (i.e. jojoba, argan) or widely cultivated in the past (i.e. caper) in Salento with the aim to contrast climate changes and soil consumption, using the ecological benefits that perennial tree crops offer. The information will be available in an accessible database and summarized in a "reasoned catalogue" that draws data/info from bibliographical research, specialist consulting, small farming experiences and pilot projects intercepted in the infected area, as well as to evaluate innovative crops and alternative production trends (i.e. forage from cactus pale). Furthermore, for the species new for Salento, pathogenicity tests to ST53 will be conducted, by controlled artificial/vector inoculation and molecular analyses, to verify their immunity or the level of resistance. The results are addressed to producers/technicians to guide investments as well to policy makers to define strategies and related funding measures.
Renewal of "post-xylella" agriculture in Salento (Italy) by reconversion with alternative traditional and innovative woody crops
Kokici Hysen;Labbate Antonella;Barbarossa Loredana;La Notte Pierfederico
2023
Abstract
Since the first discovery in 2013, the epidemic of Xylella fastidiosa subs.pauca ST53 in few years devastated the olive orchards of 3 provinces in Salento (Puglia, Italy) causing huge economic, landscape and environmental problems as well raising the need to rebuild the main and almost unique arboreous coverage, increasing biodiversity and resilience of the agro-ecosystem. The selection and evaluation of alternative woody agricultural and agro-forestry crops/species, native or allochthonous but potentially adaptable to the soil/climatic conditions of Salento, is the starting point to regenerate and reconvert the future agriculture co-existing with the bacterium. In the framework of a wider national project, the research is aimed to study the main traits of alternative plants in term of agronomic requirements, characteristics, cultivation, protection, uses, investments, market, strengths and weaknesses supported by comparison with local agricultural and agro-industrial businessmen. It has been selected a tree crops list of about 80 (still in progress) intensive and extensive species classifiable in already present at small scale (i.e. almond, fig), totally new (i.e. jojoba, argan) or widely cultivated in the past (i.e. caper) in Salento with the aim to contrast climate changes and soil consumption, using the ecological benefits that perennial tree crops offer. The information will be available in an accessible database and summarized in a "reasoned catalogue" that draws data/info from bibliographical research, specialist consulting, small farming experiences and pilot projects intercepted in the infected area, as well as to evaluate innovative crops and alternative production trends (i.e. forage from cactus pale). Furthermore, for the species new for Salento, pathogenicity tests to ST53 will be conducted, by controlled artificial/vector inoculation and molecular analyses, to verify their immunity or the level of resistance. The results are addressed to producers/technicians to guide investments as well to policy makers to define strategies and related funding measures.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
