RUSTICA Project Presented at the AnaEE Science Conference 2024

From October 8th to 10th, 2024, the RUSTICA Project was represented at the first AnaEE Science Conference, themed “Ecosystems under pressure: The role of experimentation,” held at the Centre de Conférence et Formation Jean Sarrailh in Paris, France. This prestigious event brought together around 60 participants, including PhD candidates, PostDocs, researchers, and professors, to explore innovative scientific approaches to addressing global environmental challenges.

During the event, the RUSTICA team presented research on the “Evaluation of the impact of novel biobased fertilizers on soil carbon sequestration integrating laboratory short-term mineralization and modelling.” The poster, presented by E. Ronchin from CREA Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (Gorizia, Italy), highlighted critical findings from the RUSTICA Project, which focuses on developing sustainable, biobased fertilizers (BBFs) as part of the EU Horizon 2020 initiative.

The research emphasizes the potential of BBFs, produced from organic residues, to support soil carbon sequestration, a key mechanism in mitigating climate change. By examining the decomposition dynamics of organic matter within BBFs, the study integrates both experimental laboratory data and modelling approaches to predict the short- and long-term effects of these fertilizers on soil health and CO2 emissions. The outcomes of this research could significantly inform strategies for improving soil management, promoting sustainable agriculture, and contributing to climate change mitigation.

The conference served as an ideal platform to engage with other researchers and policymakers, fostering discussions that could drive future collaborations and advancements in sustainable agriculture.