In the Living Labs of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Unibz) in South Tyrol, experimental activities are underway on the use of cover crop mixtures to improve soil quality in orchards and vineyards.
These activities aim to assess how such mixtures can increase soil organic carbon, enhance fertility, and support beneficial microbial communities, thereby contributing to the resilience of the agricultural system.

As part of the PNRR Agritech Project – Task 4.2.1, two new locally adapted mixtures have been developed: “Hühnerauslauf” (8 species) and “Südtirolmischung” (15 species).
The Living Labs serve as dynamic platforms for co-creation and field experimentation of innovative agricultural strategies. The integration of cover crops represents a significant shift from traditional practices, offering agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits.

This approach is grounded in the principles of sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the interconnection between carbon, energy, and water, and aims to actively engage farmers, advisors, and researchers in the dissemination of climate-resilient solutions.

Objectives

• Test innovative cover crop mixtures to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing soil carbon sequestration and promoting sustainable management of orchards and vineyards in South Tyrol.
• Improve the chemical, physical, and biological quality of the soil by increasing organic matter, fertility, and microbial biodiversity.
• Foster co-development and field experimentation of innovative practices in real-world contexts, promoting the climate resilience of the local agricultural system.
• Reduce carbon emissions and the use of agrochemical inputs through the adoption of sustainable farming techniques.

Participating Organizations

• Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Unibz)
• Consortium of Farmers