On the last 29th of March of 2022, UPCT started the third crop cycle in CS1, located in Cartagena, SE Spain, and based on multiple cropping and rotations.
The trial started with the growth of potatoes (December 2020-May 2021), followed by broccoli (September 2021-January 2022) and now it is the melon turn, as the third crop in the rotation sequence in the same field. In all crops the same experimental design was followed, with the application of the following treatments:
- Mineral fertilization applied at 100% of plant demands
- Mineral fertilization applied at 30-50% (depending on the crop) of plant demands
- Mineral fertilization at 30-50% and addition of a biofertilizer based on bacteria and developed by the partner Fyneco
- Mineral fertilization at 30-50% and addition of a biofertilizer based on bacteria and fungi and developed by the partner Fyneco
The objective is to assess if mineral fertilization can be partially replaced by microorganisms, and check the effect of these microorganisms on soil health and crop performance, including the incidence of pests and diseases.
Presentation of preliminary results on the incidence of pests and diseases of potato in CS1
Raúl Zornoza presented the preliminary results found with the application of biofertilizers based on bacteria (bactoneco) and fungi/bacteria (nuve), developed by the partner Fyneco in the ERRIN Bioeconomy working group celebrated on 15th of March of 2022. The main objectives of CS1 are, with the application of biofertilizers, to increase agro-diversity, to reduce the input of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, to increase the availability of soil nutrients and to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. In this line, we showed that the use of biofertilizers reduced the incidence of Agriotes sp and Rhizoctonia solani in the potato tubers, and so they contribute to increase crop quality and reduce the use of pesticides. There was no effect however on crop yield. We are still working on soil analyses to assess the effects on soil quality and fertility.