Innovation
Why Innovation potential of the project
In this context, the use of bioactive natural substances extracted from olive wastes for producing biofertilizers and biostimulants, and the conversion of biopolymers (lignin) into nanoparticles can represent a new challenge in the agricultural sector. The possibility of using bioactive molecules represents a valuable strategy for enhancing soil nutrient availability, plant nutrient uptake and assimilation, and resistance to stresses due to climate change, such as drought and salinity. In addition, natural soil stimulants can also promote the development of beneficial soil microorganisms that provide substrates for plant growth.
Innovation potential of the 4BIOLIVE project
| Current Situation | 4BIOLIVE contribution Beyond State-of-the Art |
|---|---|
| Massive use of synthetic organic compounds and chemical fertilizers with high impacts on the environment | Recovery of bioactive compounds and nutrients to produce biostimulants and biofertilizers, with no negative impact on the environment |
| Agrochemicals are generally applied to crops by spraying and/or broadcasting. Consequently, few compounds reach the target site of crops | Lignin nanoparticles have the advantage of effective delivery of active compounds, due to their large surface area, easy attachment and fast mass transfer. The controlled delivery over a period of time minimizes losses and harmful effects. |
| Synthetic and non-biodegradable polymers for controlled release of plant/soil drugs | Biodegradable polymers for controlled release of bioactive compounds loaded onto lignin, without toxic effects on plant and soil |
| Intensive agriculture practices increase the risk of pollution of soil, water and air | A sustainable recovery of agricultural wastes and by-products avoids adverse effects on ecosystems |
| The olive oil mill wastes used as raw materials for fertilization can cause severe environmental impacts | The possibility to obtain biofertilizers from the olive oil mill wastes represents an eco-friendly solution for providing plants with nutrients and improving plants productivity |
| The use of conventional products for agriculture generates a high carbon footprint (i.e. synthetic fertilizers, agrochemicals), contributing to climate change | Reduction of the carbon footprint by using biofertilizers instead of synthetic compounds, and also by improving the photosynthetic activity of crops with biostimulants and biofertilizers that will allow for reaching greater CO2 fixation |
| Traditional agricultural systems: “take-make-dispose” model, based on the non-renewable consumption of natural resources and characterized by a high environmental impact | Transition of agricultural systems towards a circular economy based on closing the loop by recovering the bioproducts from wastes of the olive oil production chain |
| Traditional cropping systems are heavily affected by drought and salinity; for this reason they consume enormous quantities of non-renewable natural resources. | The production of biostimulants and biofertilizers, improved by natural lignin-derived biopolymers, can be very useful for crops to deal with the adversity due to salt and drought stresses. In addition, this will permit to preserve and reduce the consumption of natural resources. |
| The lack of knowledge about the adoption of new agricultural practices in developing countries. | Proposing new technologies to optimize the agricultural production. |
This project is part of the PRIMA programme supported by the European Union
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