Within the Water Living Lab Friuli Venezia Giulia, as part of a collaboration between partners UNIPD and UNITO, new drought-tolerant maize genotypes were tested in both 2024 and 2025, compared with conventional hybrids of the same FAO class. This activity is conducted through on-farm experiments (OFE) and at the A. Servadei experimental farm of the University of Udine. Each OFE is testing genotypes of specific interest: in one case, FAO class 500 hybrids under non-irrigated conditions; in the other, FAO class 400 hybrids under both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions.

At the A. Servadei experimental farm, drought-tolerant hybrids and their corresponding conventional hybrids from FAO classes 300, 400, and 500 are being tested, along with two conventional hybrids from FAO classes 600 and 700, under both irrigated (drip irrigation) and dry conditions. Additionally, 40 soil moisture sensors have been installed for monitoring purposes.

Objective

The specific objective of this activity is to test the performance of various drought-tolerant maize hybrids in the environment of the Po Valley and Veneto plain.

Entities Involved

• AQUAMAX UNIUD: A. Servadei experimental farm and two farms from the Water Living Lab FVG
• AQUAMAX UNIPD
• AQUAMAX UNITO