The Arnino long term experiment is located at the Centre for Agri-environmental Research “Enrico Avanzi” of the University of Pisa in a typical coastal plain area of Central Italy. It covers an area of 40 ha and aims to evaluate the effects of the transition from a conventional arable system to agroforestry on agro-environmental and economic sustainability.
Farming system
Silvoarable
Silvopastoral
Size
40
ha
Temperature
14.8º
C
MAT*
900
mm
MAP**
Treatments
-
Components
Trees
Crops
Animals
Design
Field trial with crop rotation comparing farming systems
* MAT: Medium Average Temperature
** MAP: Medium Average Precipitation
Aim
To compare an agro-silvo-pastoral and a silvo-arable system based on alley cropping with, respectively, an agro-pastoral and an arable system in terms of crop yield, soil fertility, carbon sequestration, weed biodiversity and economic efficiency.
We are happy to have established such an experiment because it could be a break-through innovation in our area, dominated by specialised systems. At the same time, it is challenging for us due to acreage (40 ha), wildlife competition, long-term horizon, lack of specific and multidisciplinary expertise.
Alberto Mantino SSSA
Key findings
The trial was only recently established, and to date only preliminary observations are available
Crop, weed and soil parameters are being collected at increasing distances from the tree rows.
Discover our eight agroforestry and mixed farming trial sites
Antichi, D., Mazzoncini, M., Tramacere, L. G., Sbrana, M., Bàrberi, P., Moonen, A. M., Carlesi, S., Mantino, A., Ragaglini, G., and Mele, M. (2019). Agroforestry systems for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change: Effects on soil fertility. Agrochimica, Special Issue 2019, 139-144. Mele, M., Mantino, A., Antichi, D., Mazzoncini, M., Ragaglini, G., Cappucci, A., Serra, A., Pelleri, F., Chiarabaglio, P., Mezzalira, G., and Bonari, E. (2019). Agroforestry system for mitigation and adaptation to climate change: Effects on animal welfare and productivity. Agrochimica, Special Issue 2019, 91-98.
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