SAPEVO
Scheda del progetto
Università degli Studi di Pavia
Dott. Federico Sincinelli
Dott.ssa Angela Yaneth Landinez Torres
The Voghera pepper, a landrace at risk of genetic erosion, is the subject of recovery and characterization projects to preserve its genetic purity. Previously affected by Verticillium dahliae in the piedmont clay soils, it now prefers the sandy-loam areas of the Voghera region. Trichoderma asperellum, a rhizosphere microfungus, is known to promote plant resistance to pathogens and enhance physiological efficiency, also facilitating mycorrhizal symbiosis. According to data from the DSTA Mycology Laboratory, treatment with T. asperellum significantly increases plant height, leaf development, branching, flower formation, and the number of ripe fruits.
The objectives of SAPEVO include the formulation of a biostimulant based on T. asperellum, the implementation of agronomic protocols combining the biostimulant with the use of cover crops to improve germination, plant development, productivity, and reduce the incidence of pathogens. Additionally, the project aims to characterize the microbial diversity of the soil before and after treatment to assess the impact of the intervention on soil microbiota.
Contacts:
Contact person
Carolina Elena Girometta
Email
carolinaelena.girometta@unipv.it
Tel
+39 0382 984867
The challenge lies in validating a flexible methodology to stimulate plant development and productivity, enhance resistance to pathogens and abiotic stresses (e.g. water stress), promote complexity and structural, compositional, and microbiological richness in the soil, and optimize water supply through the use of sensors.
The project encompasses systematic mycology, environmental studies, plant pathology, germination physiology, and agronomy. There are currently no targeted cultivation protocols for the Voghera pepper that integrate biostimulation, cover crops, water management, and sensor technology for environmental sustainability and climate adaptation.
The proposal introduces a biostimulant specifically for the Voghera pepper, enhancing its unique characteristics rather than treating it as a generic product. By utilizing advanced protocols with cover crops and agrometeorological sensors, the application of the biostimulant is optimized. The formulation is carefully characterized in qualitative and quantitative terms while maintaining a competitive price in the market. The aim is to improve the effectiveness and adoption of the biostimulant in the agricultural sector, promoting sustainability and yield in Voghera pepper cultivation.