[MONICA LAZZARONI]

The University of Siena and the Province of Lucca, in Tuscany, Italy, are seeking partners interested in a project aimed at reaching and developping eco-sustainable agronomic practices in agricultural production processes.

Specifically this project promotes the development of eco-sustainable agronomic practices in agricultural production processes related to agricultural tree crops typical of the Mediterranean area: vines, olive trees, orchards and nursery productions.

In particular, the experimental project is aimed at testing production processes for the production of liquid tannin extracted from wood chips of chestnut and locust pseudoacacia through solubilization in hot water at high pressure; and wood vinegar produced by the condensation of the fumes of the pyrogasification process of wood chips.

The tannin production process generates wet wood chips and liquid tannin, while the wood vinegar process originates charcoal (or biochair), wood vinegar and singas (mixture of hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, etc.) which can be used to power internal combustion engines to produce electricity.

The two extracts are characterized by active ingredients that stimulate the resistance of plants to pathogens and environmental stress (thermal and water), while the by-products represent excellent opportunities: for energy enhancement in domestic stoves (wood chip and biochair), for use as mulch in the nursery and ornamental sector (wood chips) and also as a soil improver for the agricultural sector (biochair).
The project therefore aims to structure local production chains of these active ingredients and related by-products, enhancing and diversifying forest production and at the same time reducing the environmental impacts of traditional agricultural production through a strong reduction of chemical inputs.
Moreover, the supply chain also activates a significant production of energy resources (wood chips, biochar and singas), which take on particular importance in this historical moment.

The project envisages both the carrying out of tests and evaluation of the effectiveness of organic products, as well as transfer activities to woodland companies, with the setting up of prototype production plants and application protocols for the treatments for the different crop types. The environmental effects of the production conversion and qualification process and the additional benefits generated in terms of product image will therefore be measured, as well as the economic effects on the territories where the supply chains will be launched.

If you are interested please contact us at the following address:
politichecomunitarie@provincia.lucca.it

Website: https://www.provincia.lucca.it

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