Innovative Solutions for Reducing Copper-Based Pesticides in Sustainable Agriculture: The LIFE MICROFIGHTER Project

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu25-5890
• Publication Date: 2025-03-14T19:28:01Z
• Authors: Matteo Alberghini; Giacomo Ferretti; Giulio Galamini; Cristina Botezatu; Barbara Faccini; Elisa Pignoni; Massimo Coltorti

Copper (Cu) is one of the seven essential micronutrients for plants, but its intensive use as a pesticide in agriculture, especially organic and integrated production systems, has led to progressive accumulation European soils. This phenomenon poses serious threat soil biodiversity, water quality, human health. Despite EU regulations limiting copper inputs maximum 28 kg/ha over years (an average 4 kg/ha/year), significant amount copper-based pesticides still widely used, they remain controlling numerous fungal bacterial diseases. However, their soils sediments become an unsustainable environmental issue, particularly Italy, Greece, France, Spain, where agricultural land contamination high. The LIFE MICROFIGHTER project proposes innovative solution reduce or replace by demonstrating efficacy new Zeo-Biopesticide, applied foliar treatment, composed natural Italian zeolites (potassium chabazite) specific biocontrol microorganism (Pseudomonas sp. DLS65). goal control major pathogens grapevine, tomato, olive (including downy mildew, speck, spot, knot, peacock spot), exploiting Zeo-Biopesticide hence reducing avoiding systems. method will be demonstrated with field trials (2-3 duration) Croatia, Spain (a total 9 fields).The objectives includes: i) from kg/ha/year 2 without compromising crop yield potential complete replacement; ii) reduction concentration while promoting increased biodiversity; iii) raising awareness among farmers, policymakers, other stakeholders about health risks associated pesticides, adoption effective sustainable alternative; iv) conducting monitoring campaigns, life cycle analysis (LCA), developing business plan assess economic sustainability technology.To evaluate effect zeo-biopesticide on reduction, concentrations soils, both bioavailable total, are determined first third sampling through ICP-MS analysis. Additionally, physico-chemical parameters, such matter content, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, measured correlation concentrations. For better data visualization, distribution maps created different experimental fields. Currently, after year project, baseline been established, corresponding have prepared. These compared those obtained second actual and, consequently, effectiveness zeo-biopesticide.