Lo studio le analisi introduttive per valutare i carichi ambientali della produzione di piante ornamentali mediante lo strumento dell’LCA, partendo dall’attività vivaistica in serra e considerando, quando realizzate, le successive fasi di accrescimento all’esterno o in pieno campo. Per effettuare lo studio sono stati considerati sei gruppi di produzione in cui le specie vegetali sono state raggruppate per similitudine del processo produttivo e non come campione di classi botaniche. Inoltre nelle analisi di LCA condotte sulla produzione di piante nelle quali è utilizzato il compost sono stati considerati anche i carichi ambientali evitati.

The growing awareness of the importance of greening within the urban areas is shown through the demand and the increasingly pressing need to develop a more livable and more sustainable model of city. This creates the need to streamline and make efficient the project issues of this resource, choosing, in the designing phase, material and technologies more sustainable. In this paper we compared, with the help of LCA method, the implementation of infrastructural systems, such as roads, curbs and barriers for urban green areas, in order to verify the choices that produce a lower environmental load. An examination of the different scenarios clarifies how some design choices, such as the replacement of concrete curbs or streets with bituminous, are certainly an improvement for environmental loads produced in a public green area. For other scenarios, such as the replacement of traditional fences with vegetable hedges, the results are not those desired, and indeed, on the basis of the end life time assigned to such arrangements, they are not advisable.

La floricoltura ed il vivaismo ornamentale rappresentano forme molto specializzate di agricoltura, con intensità di coltivazione spesso molto elevate. In questo studio sono stati valutati i carichi ambientali connessi alla produzione di prodotti florovivaistici ornamentali mediante lo strumento della LCA. Le categorie di prodotto esaminate sono state: Piantine da trapianto; Bedding plants; Piante fiorite e da fogliame; Arbusti; Alberi;Palme e palm-like. I risultati mostrano come le strutture produttive e le operazioni meccaniche comportano un carico ambientale limitato mentre l’utilizzo dei plateaux in polistirolo e dei vasi in PVC influiscono pesantemente sui carichi ambientali generati.

The diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, agricultural soil, irrigation water, crops and food chain can produce potential environmental health risk. The aims of this study are the environmental risk assessment for the aquifers and the estimation of pollutants concentration in the forage cultivated for evaluating the risk for human health. The risk analysis was applied in the rural territory of Statte (Taranto, Italy) using an innovative methodology based on the integration of models for estimation of pollutant leaching in the groundwater and for the evaluation of bio-transfer of pollutant in the plant. The model results are in accordance with the experimental values therefore the proposed methodology allows the evaluation and management of environmental health risks in agricultural areas interested by pollution phenomena generated by industrial plants.

The diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, agricultural soil, irrigation water, crops and food chain can produce potential environmental health risk. The aims of this study are the environmental risk assessment for the aquifers and the estimation of pollutants concentration in the forage for evaluating the risk for human health. The risk analysis was applied in the rural territory of Statte (Taranto, Italy) using an innovative methodology based on the integration of models for estimation of pollutant leaching in the groundwater and for the evaluation of bio-transfer of pollutant in the plant. The model results are in accordance with the experimental values and therefore the proposed methodology allows the evaluation and management of environmental health risks in agricultural areas interested by pollution phenomena generated by industrial plants.

A life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluation of the aerobic and manufacturing processes of nursery growing media and a growth analysis of Bougainvillea in protected environment have been realized in order to evaluate the environmental and agronomical quality of a compost coming from urban sewage sludge and green waste. The LCA has enabled the environmental impact evaluation of both the compost and the growing media; the analysis has been done considering a composting process lasting 120 days, made by a firm specialized in waste recovery. The structures and equipment together with all the inputs and outputs, both energy-related and coming from the composting matter, have been considered. The transport of the composted waste and the materials used to produce the media has been evaluated. In order to produce the growing media, the compost has been mixed with draining material at the 30% of the volume. The remaining 70% has been obtained mixing peat and compost in the percentages of 0%, 25%, 40%, 55%, and 70% of the total volume. The Bougainvillea plants have been grown for 150 days and fertirrigated with a different nutrient solution according to the growing media compost percentage. The electric conductivity of the nutrient solution and, therefore, its fertilizing ability, was inversely proportional to the growing media compost content. The growing media physical and chemical characteristics have been determined. Regarding the LCA analysis, the peat substratum productive process is the most impacting; this because of the peat extraction process and its transport from the north east of Europe to Southern Italy. At the end of the cultivation trial, the best ornamental performance has been obtained using the compost-based growing media compared to only peat.

The use of low-impact energy sources for greenhouse cultivations is growing quickly due to environmental demands, constrained by the increased price of fossil energy sources, market demand for low cost greenhouse production, and need for air pollution reduction. This paper demonstrates via environmental analysis the efficiency of a Photovoltaic- Geothermal Heat Pump integrated system (PV-GHP) as a greenhouse heating system, compared to a conventional hot air generator using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG-HG). The tests were carried out in twin experimental greenhouses in the Mediterranean area (Valenzano-Italy). In order to evaluate the environmental performance of a heat pump system with electricity supplied from the national grid, a scenario (GHP Geothermal Heat Pump) was realised. The microclimatic conditions in the two greenhouses, the thermal energy produced, and the electricity consumption were analysed. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the long-term environmental impact, an environmental analysis was conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, carried out according to standard UNI EN ISO 14040. The interpretation of the results using method CML2001 (Centre of Environmental Science, Leiden, Netherlands) showed that neither system is more advantageous from an environmental point of view and that the GHP scenario has the higher environmental burdens. Limiting the analysis to the emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect, the plant with the geothermal heat pump and photovoltaic panels reduces carbon emissions by 50%. In order to assess the sustainability of the geothermal heat pump plant, the estimated payback-time for energy and for carbon emissions were 1 year and 2.25 years, respectively.

The main objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that the growing media coming from production processes with minimum environmental impact were also those guaranteeing the best performances to the plant. Our focus is also on the adoption of growing media in ornamental nurseries that are considered “sustainable”, particularly those that protect the environment. The research has been divided into four phases which chronologically followed one another: composts production; growing media preparation and characterization; environmental analysis; rosemary bio-agronomical evaluation. Six different biomasses, mixed with different percentage relations, were composted for 4 months, obtaining eight composts with which as much peat free growing media have been prepared (SC1 - SC8). LCA of growing media production in Southern Italy has been carried out to gain more knowledge about the environmental impact and resource use along the substrata chain. Chemical and physical analyses have been realized on the nine growing media. Furthermore, a bio-agronomical trial has been conducted comparing the eight peat-free growing media with the conventional peaty one (Speat), in order to evaluate the visual quality in rosemary containerised plants. The original hypothesis has turned out, in the experimental conditions in which we have worked, only partly valid. Among the three growing media with a low environmental impact productive cycle only the SC5 guarantees to the rosemary plants good productive performance, even if statistically different from those obtained with Speat. It is necessary to go on with the research even using different composting technologies.

Recent olive cultivation in Mediterranean Countries is characterised by the strong diffusion of high-density cropping systems and by the most environmentally conscious management regarding all the agronomic practices and the waste disposal as well. This research has investigated the possibility of the use of De-Oiled Pomace (DOP) as an eco-friendly tool for weed control in a high-density olive orchard providing an environmental comparison with other soil management techniques. Five methods of weed control have been compared in a two-year experimental orchard at the Bari University (Southern Italy): mulching with de-oiled olive pomace (DOP), nonwoven tissue (TNT) and polyethylene film (PEN), chemical (CHI) and mechanical (MEC) weeding, on the three most adapted to high-density orchards olive cultivars (Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki). The data collected during the experimental test are submitted to an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analysis and five scenarios have been drafted based on DOP use and destinations. The results showed that the chemical wedding produced the greatest environmental burdens, and the higher environmental performances of DOP mulching scenarios for all environmental indexes, with burdens reductions and/or environmental credits. The presence in the following years of some biomarkers sensitive to macro and micro pollutants and heavy metals, in experimental plots mulched with DOP, confirmed the high environmental sustainability of this technique, excluding any kind of soil pollution in the medium-term period in the high-density olive orchard.

Organic and inorganic polluting substances contaminate a large number of agricultural areas in Italy. In these areas the workers' exposure to the aforesaid contaminants potentially can involve of the biological equilibrium with consequent poisonings and/or professional diseases. The aim of this paper is the evaluation of the sanitary risk for the agricultural employees that operate in a rural area of southern Italy in the Campania Region, characterized by the presence of agrarian crops in open fields and inside greenhouses. This area is also concerneded by the presence of pollutants released during the years by unauthorized dumps. The results point out that the hazard index HQ and the cancer increase risk R for the agricultural operators that work inside greenhouses or on open fields are widely below the legal limits. Furthermore the agricultural operators that work inside greenhouses, where the air replacements are produced by side and ridge openings and defective tightness of the covering, are exposed to a much greater sanitary environmental risk (HQ and R) than the labourers employed on open fields.

This research, conducted during the 2010 spring-summer seasons in a plastic greenhouse Mediterranean type environment, investigated the effects of drip irrigation system (I1= surface drip irrigation; I2= subsurface drip irrigation) and mulching materials (PM1= black LDPE; PM2= LDPE white on black coextruded; BM1= black biodegradable spray with chitosan; BM2= black biodegradable spray with galactomannans and agarose; U.M= non mulching soil), on soil thermal behaviour, Irrigation Water Productivity (IWP), yield and quality features of ornamental sunflower cut stems. The sprays are two pre-competitive research materials, prepared using natural polymers. The thermal analysis showed that the mulching plastic films increased the soil temperatures around of 2°C, compared with the un-mulching soil, at 20cm depth; instead the mulching sprays didn’t influence significantly the thermal soil behaviour. The agronomic results showed that I1 had more advantage than I2 and that both PM2 e BM1 had the highest IWP values. Among the different mulches the values were, in order, PM1>PM2>BM2>BM1>UM for sunflower yield and qualitative characteristics.

The use of fossil fuels for greenhouse heating may cause negative impacts on the environmental state and air quality. In this context, geothermal heat pumps can meet the energy needs of the greenhouses with low environmental impact. In this study we have analyzed and compared the technical, energetic, environmental and agricultural performance of a pilot plant “photovoltaic - geothermal heat pump” and a conventional hot air generator fueled by LPG for heating of two experimental greenhouses. The experimental tests performed and the life cycle analysis (LCA) of the thermal energy produced by the two heating systems have made it possible to demonstrate that geothermal heat pumps are an alternative to conventional thermal plant because they provide suitable microclimatic conditions for crop growth in greenhouse with low environmental impact.

There is a stringent need to reduce the environmental impact of peat in the plant nursery production chain. In this experiment, the use of different rates of sewage sludge compost in the preparation of growing media for potted Bougainvillea was evaluated to assess its efficiency for the replacement of peat and to quantify the environmental impact of such alternative substrates by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. Five substrates containing increasing proportion of composted sewage sludge to peat (0%, 25%, 40%, 55% and 70% v/v) were used, and their physico-chemical properties were measured. Bougainvillea plant growth, biomass production and macro- and micronutrient absorption were also determined. The main results were that compost addition improved the plant nutrient increased the substrate pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and dry bulk density values. Globally, the results showed that compost could be used at up to 55% by volume with no negative effects on plant growth. The LCA showed that use of compost reduced the environmental loads of the growth media, except the Global Warming Potential value (GWP100). Environmental implications of the use of compost in the plant nursery chain are discussed.

The world consumption of plastics in agriculture amounts yearly to 6.5 million tons. In addition to conventional polymers used in agriculture for greenhouses and mulches such as PE, PVC, EVA, photo-selective and luminescent polymers have been used, in order to improve the quality of crops. For the same reason plastic nets are used mainly in countries with tropical and Mediterranean climates. For an environmentally friendly agricultural activity, an alternative strategy can be represented by bio-based agricultural raw materials. For low environmental impact applications, biodegradable materials for agricultural films are nowadays produced. An overview of the main methods for the disposal and recycling of plastic materials are presented with the results of mechanical and radiometric tests on recycled plastics. The strategies to reduce the burden of plastics in agriculture are: a correct procedure for the collection, disposal and recycling of post-consumption plastics; the increase of lifetime duration and performance; and the introduction and promotion of bio-based materials.

Agricultural activities cause the production of considerable amounts of waste sometimes dangerous that must be properly handled to avoid negative impacts on rural areas and on agroecosystems. The estimation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of agricultural waste products and the capacity of rural land of transposing organic matter deriving from the processes of composting, is a key point for the planning and management of the waste integrated cycle. The aims of this study are the evaluation of the quantities of various types of agricultural waste on territorial scale, the amount of compost that can be used in rural areas affected by different cultures and the effectiveness of community composter in the treatment of vegetable agricultural waste for the production of green composted soil. These assessments were carried out in an area of study characterized by a high spatial density of greenhouses.. The methodological procedure used is based on the use of agricultural waste production coefficients and maximum application rates of compost for cultivation. The results show the role and potential of the agricultural areas in the waste cycle from production to the potential reuse of recovered material.

Nets are commonly used for agricultural applications. However, only little is known about the radiometric properties of net types and how to influence them. In order to investigate the influence of net construction parameters on their radiometric properties, a set of radiometric tests were performed on 45 types of agricultural nets. Laboratory tests on large size net samples was performed using a large and a small integrating sphere. Open field radiometric test were carried out by means of an experimental set up (120x120x50 cm) and a full scale shade house. Small differences (less than 5%) occurred between laboratory and open field tests. Results highlighted that the porosity and the mesh size, combined with the colour and secondarily, with the fabric and the kind of threads of the net influenced the shading performance of the net. The colour influenced the spectral distribution of the radiation passing through the net absorbing its complementary colours. Since nets are three-dimensional structures the transmissivity of direct light under different angles of incident of solar radiation changes when installed in the warp or weft direction. Transmissivity could be considered one of the main parameters involved in the agronomic performances of the netting system.

In Italy, a large number of agricultural areas are contaminated by organic and inorganic polluting substances. In such areas, the agricultural operators come into contact with the environmental contaminants through inhalation and dermic contact with dusts and vapour, and this exposure can potentially alter the biological equilibrium with consequent poisonings and/or work-related illness. The aim of this paper is to apply a methodological procedure for the numerical evaluation of the health risk for agricultural employees operating in open fields or inside greenhouses located in areas contaminated with organic pollutants. This procedure is in response to the lack of calculation models concerning these types of environment and agricultural activities. As a case study, this methodology has been applied to an agricultural area of southern Italy characterised by the presence of pollutants. The results underline that in this area there is a smaller concentration of pollutants in open field cultivations than inside greenhouses owing to a phenomenon of dispersion into the atmosphere. This numeric analysis will later be verified by measurements carried out in situ in order to evaluate the real situation on the ground.

In Italy, a large number of agricultural areas are contaminated by organic and inorganic polluting substances. In such areas, the agricultural operators come into contact with the environmental contaminants through inhalation and dermic contact with dusts and vapour, and this exposure can potentially alter the biological equilibrium with consequent poisonings and/or work-related illness. The aim of this paper is to apply a methodological procedure for the numerical evaluation of the health risk for agricultural employees operating in open fields or inside greenhouses located in areas contaminated with organic pollutants. This procedure is in response to the lack of calculation models concerning these types of environment and agricultural activities. As a case study, this methodology has been applied to an agricultural area of southern Italy characterised by the presence of pollutants. The results underline that in this area there is a smaller concentration of pollutants in open field cultivations than inside greenhouses owing to a phenomenon of dispersion into the atmosphere. This numeric analysis will later be verified by measurements carried out in situ in order to evaluate the real situation on the ground

Rural areas are often interested by pollution phenomena generated by agricultural activities with a high use of pesticides and/or by anthropic activities, such as industrial plants or illegal waste disposal sites, which may cause even long-range contamination. The risk for human health from the pollutants present in the environment can be quantitatively evaluated by the environmental health risk analysis set out in the Italian Legislative Decree no. 152/2006 (Italian Regulation, 2006). This analysis is the best technical-normative tool to estimate the health risks linked to the pollutants present in the environment but it does not consider the specificity of agricultural soils or the contamination of agricultural products. This study aims to provide this missing technical-normative data by identifying and applying a suitable methodology to evaluate the health risk caused by the ingestion of agricultural products grown in contaminated soils. The risk analysis was applied to two contaminated areas in southern Italy using an innovative methodology based on widely accepted parameters for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) soil-plant bio-transfer factor in the case of horticultural crops. In addition, some concentration limits of PAHs in agricultural soils are proposed that may be of help to the competent authorities (health agencies, local authorities) in delineating the areas requiring strict health surveillance of the food products cultivated.

The rural territory is often interested by polluting phenomena determined by agricultural activities with high pesticides use and/or by industrial plants or illegal dumps. The risk for the human health coming from the polluters presence in the environmental can be quantitatively evaluated by the environmental health risk analysis defined by the Legislative Decree n. 152/2006. The technical-normative procedure of risk analysis not consider the specificity of the soils designed to agricultural use and the possible agricultural products contaminations. This work aims at filling this technical-normative lack by identifying and applying a suitable methodology for the evaluation of the health risk caused by the ingestion of agricultural products grown in contaminated soils. This work shows the results of the risk analysis applied to a contaminated area in southern Italy by an innovative methodology based on scientifically consolidated and widely accepted relations. In addition, some concentration limits of organic polluters in agricultural soils are proposed.