Acquavitis

TO6

Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency.

The project in numbers

Duration:

24 months

Start date: 01.01.20

End date: 31.12.21

N. Partner: 6

Progress

Budget:

954.663,12€

Budget FERS:

811.463,65€

The project in numbers

Duration:

24 months

Start / End:

01.01.20 to 31.12.21

Project progress:

60%

Budget:

954663.12€

Budget FERS:

811463.65€

Acquavitis

Innovative solutions for the efficient use of water in cross-border viticulture

Priority Axis 3

Protecting and promoting natural and cultural resources

Specific Objective:

OS 3.3.

Investment Priority:

PI 6f

Typology:

Standard

Overall Objective of the Project:

The aim of the project is the development and testing of joint innovative technologies and solutions for the sasfeguard and efficient use of water resources, for the risk planning associated with extreme events, to face climate change and to transfer knowledge and have exchange of experiences from research centres to grapevines companies in the cross-border area, through the active involvement of at least 15 companies in order to implement effective economic management models.

Project summary:

ent periods of drought and high temperatures cause environmental stress with reduction of the quantities of water. For this reason, indicators of water consumption will increase affecting the natural and agricultural ecosystems (in particular on sectors with a high "water use index" such as viticulture). The cross-border area is vulnerable due to its climatic, geomorphological and economic (small companies) eatures. Strategies for sustainable water use must be defined as soon as possible. The project will create a network for monitoring the quantity / quality of water and develop green and innovative irrigation systems for vineyards (irrigation time compared to water stress). It will introduce also the rapid method to define the water stress of plants with hyperspectral aerial shots. Fast information will be guaranteed through the web portal. By optimizing the use of water for irrigation, economic situation of farms will be improved and sustainable consumption of ground water encouraged. With the new water consumption approaches and development of green economy, the competitiveness of this vulnerable area will be improved through participation of at least 15 crossborder farms.

Main results:

The project aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture through better management of water resources by adjusting the quantity, method and time of irrigation according to the real needs of the vine. This goal will be achieved through a holistic approach.
(1) Setting up the web: the Acquavitis portal will be the union of different scientific fields such as viticulture, plant physiology, meteorology, hydrology, geology, etc. The objective is the systemic collection/processing/connection of data from different sources and the transfer of information to farmers for the management of the vineyards. The interactive 3D model will show the impact of climate change on the state of vineyards. (2) Implementation of new methods for measuring the water stress of plants: the quantity and modality through which plants access water will be assessed by measuring the water potential of leaves and the isotopic composition of plants. These data will be compared with the isotopic composition of water from various sources (rainwater, surface water, subsoil). The origin and quantity of water the vines obtain at any given moment will be assessed. The highlights of the analysis will allow the implementation of water circulation models. The state of water stress in the vineyards will be monitored by regular measurements of the water stress in at least six vineyards through hyperspectral and IR cameras with the aid of drones and airplanes. (3) Development of irrigation systems and definition of effective irrigation: drip irrigation devices will be studied in two cross-border vineyards. Guidelines for irrigation procedures will be drafted. (4) Knowledge transfer: data will be collected on the online platform, where farmers, students and researchers will be directly informed and disseminated during the events.