Laimburg Research Centre
Mountain Agriculture
Mountain Agriculture Research Area
The Mountain Agriculture research area performs applied research on different aspects of mountain agriculture. These projects concern research into cultivars suited to the mountain environment, optimisation of cultivation and management (meadows, pastures, silage maize) from an agronomic and ecological viewpoint; development of seed mixtures for forage production, but also protection of local phytogenetic resources (landraces) of cereals and vegetables.
The climate and ecological niches in mountain areas and the resulting variability in vegetative periods also provide an opportunity for a variety of products and the creation of production niches.
New interdisciplinary projects are being targeted at preparing the scientific basis for identifying and using these niches, such as cereals and vegetables, and the activation and support of local supply chains.
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Grassland Farming Working Group
In mountain areas meadows and pastures provide the necessary forage for livestock; they represent a reservoir for flora and fauna as well as a recreational environment for people.
Grassland management represents the foundation for a site-specific, sustainable forage production and it provides a roughage-based feeding in line with the animal needs.
Scope of activities:
- Site-specific, sustainable meadow and pasture management, including productive and environmental aspects
- Study of the potential of use of grazing in comparison with indoor rearing ('comparison of dairy cows rearing systems' project)
- Estimate of forage quality and yield of grasslands, using predictive statistical models and hyperspectral measurements
- Cultivar tests and consultancy for forage species
- Development and test of seed mixtures for permanent and temporary grassland
- Exploration of the potential of use of native ecotypes for grassland restoration
- Development of mitigation strategies for drought damages, including needs-based irrigation using digital solutions
- Prevention and control of weeds and invasive neophytes
- Analysis of the potential of digital innovations for grassland management
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Projects
All projects of the Grassland Farming Working Group
![[External link] Projects](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/56efb6e8-ab0c-4630-a737-bab56f895c2e/thumbnail_Icona_Lavagna1.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Publications
All publications by the Grassland Farming Working Group at the Mountain Agriculture and Food Technology Institute
![[External link] Publications](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/bf5b0195-0fff-4598-9d3b-68e49f267c7c/Publikationen.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Specialized Library
Here you can download a variety of professional brochures.
![[External link] Specialized Library](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/b8208389-84f2-4d8b-ad90-052fda072427/Icona_prezzi-report-moduli.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Arable Crops and Aromatic Plants Working Group
Arable Crops
Arable crop production in mountain areas provides precious food and contributes to making best use of the landscape. The cultivation of cereals and legumes has a long-standing tradition in South Tyrol and today, it represents an interesting production niche to add to farming income.
A specific focus has been placed on the conservation and characterisation of cereal landraces: a systematic collection of the local genotypes has contributed to safeguarding genetic resources for future generations.
In parallel, the characteristics of these landraces are studied to explore new uses in agriculture and in this way, preserve their cultivation on site.
Scope of activities:
- Cultivar tests with cereals and grain legumes (faba bean, lupin, protein pea, soybean)
- Optimisation of cultivation and management techniques
- Systematic collection of local varieties and ex-situ conservation (germplasm bank)
- Phenotyping and agronomic characterisation
- Research into alternative and innovative uses (local products)
- Participation in the support network for the local value chains
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
In recent years, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have attracted increasing interest. In the mountain areas of South Tyrol, the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants provides an additional income opportunity and supports the economic stability of small and medium-sized farms.
To produce high-quality products, suitable species and varieties must be selected and grown at appropriate cultivation sites. In addition, careful drying and processing after harvest are essential to preserve the quality and active compounds of the plant material.
Scope of activities:
- Cultivation trials with different species of medicinal and aromatic plants, looking at suitability for cultivation in mountain areas at different altitudes
- Quality assessment of the harvested plant material, including the analysis of relevant active compounds
- Optimisation of cultivation and crop management techniques
- Fertilisation strategies, weed management and plant protection products under organic farming conditions
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Arable Crops and Aromatic Plants Working Group
Publications
All publications by the Arable Crops and Aromatic Plants Working Group at the Mountain Agriculture and Food Technology Institute
Vegetable Growing Working Group
The favourable climate conditions in high-altitude areas, above all in summer, makes it possible to cultivate vegetables of excellent quality. This guarantees a stable role for open-field vegetable cropping in South Tyrolean agriculture.
Tests directed at agricultural practices constantly examine new varieties of major vegetable crops, making it possible to adapt to the changing needs of the market.
Crop management aims to achieve cultivation that is as environmentally friendly as possible to guarantee healthy, high-quality products.
Scope of activities:
- Cultivar tests of the most important vegetable crops in South Tyrol
- Fertilisation trials for optimum needs-based use
- Research into planting techniques and crop management
- Organic cultivation tests for vegetables
- Technical and scientific assistance and consultancy for cooperatives and farmers
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Vegetable Growing Working Group
Publications
All publications by the Vegetable Growing Working Group at the Mountain Agriculture and Food Technology Institute
Reports
Download here the Experimental Report in Vegetable Growing in German.