Latest update
The main technical results achieved with the demonstrations of the project were:
- Completion of analysis for the characterisation of dredged marine sediments (Action B1)
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the selected landfarming methodology in decontamination and transformation of sediments in a reusable matrix as substrate for horticulture (Action B2 and C1)
- Establishment of demonstration sites for strawberry, pomegranate, and lettuce cultivation: 540 strawberry plants, 180 pomegranate plants, and 90 lettuce plants were being grown on treated sediment-based substrates (Action B3)
- Establishment of demonstration sites for pomegranate propagation (saplings from rooted cuttings) and lettuce (from seed pills): 870 pomegranate cuttings were transplanted and 4,320 lettuce seed pills were sown (Action B4)
- Sampling of parts of plants (i.e. leaves and fruits) grown on sediment-based substrates: plant material was being analysed to assess potential contamination level and nutraceutical content (Action B5)
- Confirmation of the suitability of sediment-based substrates to be used for food crop cultivation in containers and in crops propagation through the monitoring activity along the project (Actions C2 and C3)
- Surveys on consumers acceptability: more than 500 questionnaires were filled; 82% of interviews indicated that food products (lettuce heads, strawberries and pomegranates) would be consumed (Actions B5 and C4)
- Surveys on stakeholders acceptability: more than 50 questionnaires on the evaluation of pomegranate saplings obtained from cultivation using sediment based substrates were filled; 40% of interviewed customers considered them similar to the traditional product (Actions C3 and C4).
All the results of the project represented an useful tool for giving the guidelines for the use of remediated sediments in food crops cultivation and propagation.
LIFE Hortised Final Report
LIFE Hortised Manual
Deliverable D7 HORTISED Manual_ENG
Hortised Layman’s Report
Update period 01/10/16 – 31/12/17
In the time span covered by the second reporting period (01/10/2016 – 31/12/2017), the progress of Life HORTISED project, were focused on the following activities:
- completion of the activities in implementation action B.3, related to the establishment and maintenance of demonstration sites for strawberry, pomegranate, and lettuce cultivation: 360 strawberry plants and 45 lettuce plants transplanted (2nd year), and 135 pomegranate plants (1st and 2nd year) have been grown on treated sediment based substrates;
- completion of the activities in implementation action B.4, related to the establishment of demonstration sites for pomegranate propagation by cuttings and lettuce by seed pills: 220 pomegranate cuttings were transplanted and 2,400 lettuce seed pills were sown;
- completion of the activities in implementation action B.5 through the sampling of substrates and plants grown on sediment-based substrates for the analysis to assess potential contamination level (detection of 130 compounds) and nutraceutical content
- completion of the activities in monitoring action C.2 and C.3, to confirm the suitability of sediment-based substrates to be used for fruit plant growth in containers and in crop production through the monitoring activity;
- continuation of and further development of project activities associated with the dissemination Actions D.
Annex Dissemination Activities
HORTISED Annex Dissemination activities
Hortised Updates April-May 2016
Hortised Aggiornamenti Apr-Mag
Hortised Aggiornamenti Apr-Mag
Technical and monitoring meeting 15 March 2016
HORTISED Presentazione15marzo2016EDg
ISE HORTISEDmeeting 15 March 16 (Copia in conflitto di Cristina Macci 2016-03-14)
Inspection of the DISPAA staff at the Zelari Piante s.s. (Pieve a Nievole – PT) to define where to set up the demonstration tests required by Actions B3 and B4.
Poster on the landfarming site
Preparation of AGIRPORT tank for landfarming treatment
Untreated sediment
Second sediment sampling
Our fruits
The project in brief
The HORTISED project aims to demonstrate the possibility of using sediment dredged from the port of Livorno, reclaimed with the technology developed in the AGRIPORT and CLEANSED projects, as a substrate alternative to those commonly used in nursery production and fruit production; the sediments will be tested on two species typical of the Mediterranean environment: strawberry and pomegranate.
The HORTISED project started after the LIFE14 Kick-off meeting (Brussels, 26 October 2015) and the HORTISED Kick-off meeting (Florence, 29 October 2015), during which all the beneficiaries planned the activity to be carried out within the project.
Initially, a bibliographic research and collection of Italian and Spanish regulations and laws on the use of sediments and on the contaminants of the fruits were carried out. At the beginning of December 2015, sediment landfarming was started: the plants used for phytodepuration in the AGRIPORT tank were removed and the sediments were mixed and homogenized. Prior to treatment a sediment sample was taken for initial analysis and chemical, physical and eco-toxicological characterization; a second sediment sample was taken in January (after a month of landfarming).
Specifications have been defined for demonstration tests and procedures for the evaluation of pomegranate (cuttings, plants and fruits) and strawberry (plants and fruit).
