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Main research projects (in alphabetic order) |
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Remote sensing techniques for the monitoring of water and nitrogen stress in arable crops The objective of this research is the development of new methods of multi-angular and multi-spectral remote sensing at the field scale to obtain information on the canopy structure of arable crops. In particular we are testing multi-angular measurement techniques that would allow to estimate the radiance frequency distribution of crop canopy images. Through the use of existing geometrical-optical or ray-tracing models, or the development of new models, we are trying to obtain estimates of the LAI and LAD. These parameters are useful for the assessment of the canopy status and the monitoring and diagnosis of possible stresses such as water or nitrogen shortage. Eventually this could lead to the development of crop monitoring systems at the field scale useful for precision farming techniques. This research is carried out in cooperation with Prof. H.G. Jones group at the University of Dundee (Scotland). ð Contact person : Dr. Casa |
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The research is carried out within a european project coordinated by the JRC IPTS (Institute of Prospective Technological Studies) of the European Commission. The aim of the study is the analysis of the influence of sectorial policies on agricultural water use in six Mediterranean countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt and Israel), the analysis of natural limitations and the possible agronomic and technological options to reduce water consumptions. The part carried out at the Department of Crop Production, consists in the preparation of the "case study" for Italy and in the participation to a horizontal study on the agronomic and economic water use efficiency for the Mediterranean basin, in cooperation with the Israeli partner. ð Contact persons: Prof. Lo Cascio, Dr. Casa |
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The project is carried out within the national CNR research programme on "Recycle of waste materials from the agricultural-industrial system". At the Department, we are studying the effects of several types of compost obtained from olive mill waste waterson soil physical characteristics. The research is carried out in the field using crops with a spring-summer growing cycle. Samplings are carried out to assess the effects of the treatments on soil porosity, structure and hydrological characteristics and on the development of the root system. ð Contact persons: Prof. Lo Cascio, Dr. Casa, Dr. Pieruccetti |
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The objectives of the research are: the study of ecophysiological aspects of the linseed (flax) crop for the parametrisation, calibration and validation of a general purpose crop growth model (SUCROS) adapted to linseed. In particular the interest is currently focused on the improvement of the knowledge of aspects linked to the application of the model to water limited situations. ð Contact persons: Dr. Casa, Prof. Rossini |
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Integrated weed management in sunflower (research conducted at the Azienda Didattico-Sperimentale of Tuscia University at Viterbo, funded by the University funds for scientific research). The project is focussed to study the possibility to apply integrated weed management in sunflower. Chemical weed control at the recommended rate is compared to mechanical control or chemical control at reduced rates (40 or 70% of recommended rate) in combination with a cultural mean, applied to enhance crop competitive ability. The cultural mean is represented by nitrogen fertilisation placement (each of the above treatments conducted at two levels: N placed or not placed, i.e. broadcast distributed). ð Contact persons: Prof. Paolini, Prof. Del Puglia |
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(research conducted at the Azienda Didattico-Sperimentale of Tuscia University at Viterbo, funded by the CNR, National Research Council)
The project is focussed to study the possibility to apply integrated weed management in durum wheat in two different series of experiments, each aimed to obtain wheat crops which are more competitive against weeds. To this extent, superior crop competitive ability should be obtained by either higher competitive genotypes or proper time of nitrogen top dressed fertilisation. In the experiment series a), the competitive ability of 12 durum wheat cultivars is compared. In the experiment series b), the competitive ability of a durum wheat crop is evaluated under 4 different post-emergence applied herbicide rates (100, 70, 40 and 0% of the recommended rate) in combination with different times of nitrogen top dressed fertilisation (applied at times x, x-15d, x +15d).
ð Contact persons: Prof. Paolini, Prof. Del Puglia |
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Study of the bio-agronomic behaviour and yielding ability of durum wheat in the inner areas of Lazio
(research conducted at the Azienda Didattico-Sperimentale of Tuscia University, funded by the University funds for scientific research).
The project activity consists in the evaluation of the bio-agronomic traits and the yielding ability of twenty-five durum wheat entries grown under conventional crop husbandry conditions. The project is aimed to up-grading knowledge on the range of varieties which are suitable for cultivation under the typical pedo-climatic conditions of Upper Lazio.
ð Contact persons: Prof. Del Puglia |
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The main objectives of the agroecology research activity focus on developing sustainable agronomic strategies that integrate three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different positions, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. According to these principles, research activities are carried out to study the best agronomic practices that reduce auxiliary energy inputs in agroecosystems and enhance the use of natural resources (solar radiation, water, organisms, etc.). Moreover, another aspect of our research is monitoring agroecosystem sustainability by appropriate Agroecosystem Performance Indicators (APIs).
ð Contact persons: Prof. Caporali, Prof. Campiglia, Dr. Mancinelli |
