Field demo sites
The agronomic performance and soil quality impact of the developed BBFs will be demonstrated at field scale across 4 field demonstration sites (FDSs). FDS1, owned by ANE, will serve as the main demonstration site, while FDS2 to FDS4 will replicate the studies in different climate regions and with various crops.
FDS1: Valencia, Spain
Valencia and its metropolitan area have a Mediterranean climate with desert-like characteristics, marked by irregular rainfall, hot summers, mild winters, and a significant water deficit. A key threat is the risk of torrential autumn rains, which can cause floods, soil degradation, nutrient leaching, and crop loss.
ANE’s 20-hectare experimental field, the largest private trial site in Europe, is used for studying over 500 fruit and vegetable varieties and demonstrating the agronomic performance of new fertilizer formulations. For the validation of pre-industrial commercial prototypes, ANE will test fertilized mulching films, planting pots, and BBFs on broccoli, lettuce, and watermelon, assessing agronomic performance and soil properties. Agricultural workshops with field demonstrations will be organized to engage stakeholders, evaluate risks and benefits, and promote market acceptance.
FDS2: Brittany, France
Brittany, in northwest France, has a changeable oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and cool, windy summers. The region averages 1,665 hours of sunshine per year, mostly from April to September, while the rest of the year is often cloudy.
The experimental field, owned by the Brittany Agriculture Chamber, is located at the Bretagne Sud Experimentation Station in Auray. This 6-hectare station, with 3 hectares dedicated to organic farming, focuses on research and development in vegetable growing on sandy clay loam soil.
FDS3: Alsace, France
Alsace, in eastern France near Germany and Switzerland, has a semi-continental climate with approximately 1,060 mm of annual precipitation and 2,666 hours of sunshine.
The experimental field, owned by PLANETE Légumes, is the only station in northeastern France dedicated exclusively to vegetable crops. Trials will be conducted near Obernai on loamy, sandy-clay soil.
FDS4: Kraków, Poland
Kraków, located on the Vistula River, has a semicontinental climate influenced by marine and Arctic conditions, resulting in variable weather and four distinct seasons.
Controlled-release microbial biostimulants and fertilizer-functionalized planting pots will be tested on wheat and mint, using 100-250 plants per trial in triplicate. UAK will assess agronomic indicators, while LEITAT and UAK will monitor soil microbiome and water retention capacity. Agricultural workshops and field demonstrations will be organized by UAK to engage stakeholders, promote social acceptance, and support citizen science initiatives.