4
5
calculation models (e.g. leaching risk, runoff risk, erosion risk) and novel methodological approaches
(e.g estimation of intense rainfall events).
Crop protection
Many parameters were validated and a range of composite parameters were developed (which
were calculated from different single parameters) which are related to actions of crop protection
like the application of pesticides, weed management etc. Examples of parameters (and related sub-
parameters) could be the toxicity of pesticides (classification and labeling), the mitigation measures
to reduce the risk, the use of proper application rate, the spraying equipment in relation to its
calibration controls, the use of the appropriate personal protection equipment by the operators etc..
Cultural practices and other actions (e.g. pruning and pruning
waste management)
Future application of IAP Method in agricultural practice
The end users of the IAP Method, record in details the applied agricultural practices in every parcel
and the prevailing environmental conditions. Data are collected through interviews with the growers,
sampling, in filed measurements and recording. These data are used for the IAP application targeted
at the identification of the most important expected environmental impacts.
The parameters values are entered in the web application SAGEProject where they are classified
in ‘triplets’. The calculation of the environmental performance of each parcel is accomplished with
the use of IAP Toolbox which is the calculative tool of the IAP Method. With the use of IAP ToolBox
the score of each individual triplet is calculated as a function of the parameter weights and ranges.
The value of the score ranges from 0 to 1 where 0 denotes non expected environmental impacts
from a cultural activity and 1 maximum impact. Tripletes are hence ranked on the basis of their scores
in order the aspects (agricultural activities) which need immediate improvements to be identified.
In addition, the suitability of the environment of each parcel for olive cultivation is estimated and
is related to its production capacity (olives and oil).
A targeted improvement plan is further designed for every single parcel in order the negative
environmental impacts to be minimized whilst the production capacity to be increased (where
possible) based on the IAP results. This plan is handed to the grower who discuses with the agronomist
the potential of improvements based on the cost involved. IAP Toolbox is designed to test ‘what if
scenaria’ in order to achieve the environmental goals targeted; the protection of environment and
yields.
How we implemented the IAP Method in SAGE10
n
1800 parcel profiles were issued for 600 individual parcels.
n
General and parcel specific crop management guidelines were issued and distributed to the
respective growers.
n
Water and soil samples were analysed for the detection of pesticides residues in order the baseline
to be defined in the three different regions and to enable monitoring of potential improvements
achieved during the duration of the project, after IAP applications.
n
Laboratory analyses of soil and water were carried out aimed at compiling specific guidelines for
irrigation and fertilization for each of the 600 parcels and identifying specific problems, the cause
of which were the fields of the studies conducted by the scientists.
n
600 reports were produced related to land suitability for olive cultivation.
n
Guideline were edited and distributed widely related to good agricultural practices for biodiversity
maintenance in olivegroves
n
Biodiversity records were taken before and after the application of IAP aimed at identifying impacts
of olive cultivation on biodiversity and at identifying the contribution of IAP to environmental
amelioration.
n
Biodiversity monitoring was carried out by the agronomists to integrate aspects in the guidelines
issued for the growers in order to minimize impacts on biodiversity.
Application of IAP –An example
The results of a parcel which was included in the pilot application of the IAP Method presented
here as an example of its use, showed that the way the grower applies soil mechanical treatment,
fertilization and plant protection could potential cause a series of impacts inmultiple environmental
compartments such as biodiversity (mammals and fauna in soil), soil and ground - surface water.
The triplets scores as mentioned in previous section is a combination of two different groups
of parameters, those affected by the activities/decisions of the grower (parameters P) and
those related to the environment of the parcel (parameters E). The contribution of each group of
parameters to the final score of each triplet is presented in the respective pie charts (colour code
follows that of the triplets).
It becomes evident in the graphs that in the case of the last in order triplet related ‘to mechanical
soil treatment and its effect on soil biodiversity ‘, environment E parameters such as soil type and
compressibility) mainly affect the expected impact (value 0,25) in this specific parcel. On the contrary,
in the case of fertilisers use and pollution of surface water, the grower related parameters contribute
equally to those of the environment in the final score of the triplet. The total of the parameters
introduced in IAP are presented in the following diagrams.
Based on the IAP results specific guidelines were issued related to the aforementioned triplet
addressing the good practices that should be followed when soluble fertilizers are used in relation
to the environmental features of the parcel, the environmental conditions prevailing in this specific
area considering the time of fertilization. The new score of the triplet was demonstrated to the
grower if he applied the suggested by the agronomist recommendations. The Parcel Performance
Sheet was handed to the grower at the end of the evaluation session.
The SAGEProject data base
(
Grower’s activities
Environmental
characteristics
0,25 0,29
0,19
0,33
0,21
0,25
0,13
0,15
0,12
Distance οf parcel from
the closest surface water
receptor (m)
Type of fertiliser
Applied quantity of nitrogen
Applied quantity
of phosphorus
Manure
Compost
Season (fertilizer application)
Spatial distribution
of fertilizer
Integration following
application of fertilizer
Application frequency
of fertilisers
Vegetation (area %)
Climate
Frequency of intensive
precipitation
Annual irrigation water
application
Run off risk¨
P A R A M E T E R S
Fertilisation
Pollution
Surface
Water
mechanical soil treatment_
biodiversity change_fauna
into soil
general cultivation
preicedures_depletion of
natural resources_fuels
fertiliser application_
salinisation_soil
application of plant
protection product_toxicity_
mammals
waste management_
pollution_ground water
fertiliser application_
pollution_surface water
fertiliser application_
acidification_soil
0.25
0.25
0.33
0.33
0.33
0.34
0.42
0 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50
Triplete ranking
