Meet the Research Team
Contributing Authors: Martinelli Federico, Miriam Negussu, Papini Alessio. All from the University of Florence (UNIFI).
In the face of climate change and increasing resource constraints, sustainable agricultural practices have become essential. Crop rotation, particularly with legumes, offers a promising solution by improving soil health, enhancing drought resilience, and optimising resource use. The University of Florence (UNIFI) focuses on understanding how different legume species and cultivars affect maize (Zea mays) performance under varied irrigation and weed management conditions. By integrating field experiments with advanced scientific techniques, the UNIFI team aims to develop practical strategies for improving maize productivity while promoting environmental sustainability.
The study is led by Federico Martinelli, an expert in plant stress genetics, and supported by Miriam Negussu, a postdoctoral researcher with multidisciplinary skills. The team also includes partners specialising in agronomy, soil science, and molecular biology. Their expertise spans crop stress adaptation, resilience evaluation, and plant memory mechanisms at both the molecular and physiological levels. They integrate transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses to explore how plants retain stress responses and inherit stress memories across generations. By combining molecular research with applied agronomy, the team is well-equipped to develop sustainable strategies that enhance crop productivity and resilience.
The Research Aim
The study investigates how different legume species and drought-tolerant cultivars impact maize growth and productivity under varying irrigation regimes (irrigated vs. non-irrigated) and weed management strategies (weeded vs. non-weeded). The goal is to identify the most effective crop rotation strategies that boost maize resilience, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers, and improve soil health.
Living Lab: Bridging Research with Real-World Agriculture
A key component of this work is the Living Lab (IT_LL02), where UNIFI collaborates with key stakeholders to test and refine findings in real-world agricultural settings:
- Farmers – Implement rotations and provide practical feedback.
- Agricultural Advisors – Translate scientific findings into real-life guidance.
- Retailers – Evaluate market potential of rotational crops.
- Researchers – Conduct field trials and data analysis.
- Policymakers – Use insights to shape sustainable agricultural policies.
Through co-design and stakeholder integration, the Living Lab ensures that research remains applicable, scalable, and impact-driven.
The Plants Studied by UNIFI
UNIFI focuses on maize and several legume species known for improving soil conditions and enhancing resilience:
Maize (Zea mays) – A staple crop that benefits from enhanced soil health.
Legumes:
- Clover (Trifolium spp.) – Excellent for nitrogen fixation and weed suppression.
- Pea (Pisum sativum) – Improves soil organic matter and offers ground cover.
- Hedysarium coronarium – Drought-resistant, with bioactive compounds.
- Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) – Well-adapted to dry conditions; enhances microbial diversity.
Why Legumes?
Legumes contribute to essential Ecosystem Services (ES):
- Nitrogen Fixation: Reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers.
- Soil Health Enhancement: Improves soil organic matter and microbial activity.
- Drought Resilience: Enhances moisture retention and plant adaptability.
- Pest and Weed Suppression: Some legumes release bioactive compounds that deter pests and weeds.
- Provide essential contribution of vegetal proteins for human and animal consumption.
- Provide essential nutraceutical components for human and animal health.
Challenges in Legume Cultivation
Despite their benefits, legumes pose several agronomic challenges:
- Pests and Diseases – Can affect yield and stability.
- Rotation Timing – Must be optimised to avoid yield losses.
- Weed Competition – Especially in non-chemical systems.
- Legume Fatigue – A condition where repeated legume planting leads to yield decline due to soil imbalance.
Innovative Methods: From Field Trials to Molecular Insights
Field-Based Approaches:
- Field Trials: Conducted under varied irrigation and weed management conditions to assess real-world performance.
- Plant status evaluation: Monitors crop growth, canopy temperature, and stress indicators.
- Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Measurements: Evaluates photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance.
- Soil Health Assessments: Measures organic matter content, microbial diversity, and nutrient availability.
Molecular and Data-Driven Techniques:
- Soil and Root Microbiome Analysis: Explores microbial community shifts under different rotations.
- Transcriptomic, Epigenomic and Metabolomic Studies: Identifies molecular pathways linked to stress adaptation, memory and nutrient uptake.
- Machine Learning Models: Predicts crop responses to different rotation strategies based on experimental data.
Why These Methods?
The UNIFI approach integrates multiple disciplines, allowing us to:
- Assess real-world agronomic performance through field experiments.
- Utilise advanced analytics to uncover molecular mechanisms driving plant resilience.
- Combine physiological, microbial, and genomic data for a comprehensive understanding of crop rotation effects.
Impact and Future Directions
UNIFI’s research aligns with the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. By optimising crop rotation systems, it contributes to:
- Increased Maize Productivity: Identifying rotation strategies that enhance yield and resilience.
- Soil Health Improvement: Enhancing fertility and reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
- Water and Weed Management: Developing strategies for efficient irrigation and weed control.
- Scalability for Farmers: Providing practical guidelines for real-world application.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the team at UNIFI aims to test additional legume species with potential for improving soil health and crop resilience. They also plan to expand collaboration with farmers and policymakers, strengthening their Living Lab network to ensure the practical relevance and scalability of their findings. At the same time, efforts are underway to develop digital tools that assist farmers in selecting optimal rotation strategies tailored to local conditions. Further investigations will focus on soil microbial interactions, promoting long-term soil fertility and sustainable productivity.
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