Sustainable solutions will be identified for: i) agronomic management of cropping systems; ii) genotypes suitable
for sustainable agroecosystems; iii) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the identification of genotypes
suitable for the stress conditions caused by climate change; iv) contribution to the production of functional food
in the quality and protection of soil, water and rural development.

The UNITUS unit carried out a range of field and laboratory activities.
In the two years herbaceous crops experiment the spading soil tillage combined with organic fertilization resulted to be an alternative solution to the conventional management with satisfied tuber yield and soil C and N stock increasing. For the wheat crop, even if the tendency on C and N result be similar, the yield is reduced.
In the olive tree experiment, the first prototype instrument to study the olive tree and cover crops root development has been installed in the soil and it started to record the data. Additional two rhizotrons will be installed in the next months with the objectives to collect data concerning the root evolution of olive tree and cover crops.
For in vitro activities, over 30 genotypes have been established in vitro, with their rooting ability and stress response (drought, salinity) currently under evaluation. A segregating population has been developed to study root system behavior both in vitro (ongoing) and in vivo (scheduled). This dual approach aids in early screening and selection of promising genetic material

Smart phenotyping platforms for the on-farm selection of resilient varieties and rootstocks

These agronomic practices could give to the farmers a better solution in the sustainable management of both herbaceous and tree cropping systems.