The Mediterranean library of knowledge

Explore the ENI CBC Med Programme's library of deliverables: a comprehensive digital repository of diverse resources tailored for the Mediterranean region. Discover in-depth studies, innovative strategies, and practical tools spanning tools addressing key environmental, economic, and social issues. The library is your go-to source to find valuable knowledge to inspire new collaborative projects driving fair, sustainable and inclusive development across the Mediterranean.

Deliverables
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2.8.2_Catalogue of innovations multifunctional olive systems Jordan

Having identified potentially useful innovations for Mediterranean multifunctional olive systems, the partners of LIVINGAGRO project developed a dedicated Catalogue intended to provide an overview of some of the innovations that may be useful to stakeholders involved with multifunctional olive systems in order to help bring together economic stakeholders and innovators who may be able to collaborate to solve common problems. This activity included assessing the stage of readiness of a potential innovation in Jordan, as well as which type of challenges it addresses.
Taking into consideration the needs expressed by Jordan stakeholders, the research team of the Regional Forest Agency for Land and Environment of Sardinia (Fo.Re.S.T.A.S.) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Center of Jordan (NARC) and their technical teams reviewed the information provided. Following this review, the working group went back to the innovators to address questions and fill in gaps, then incorporated the responses into the innovation descriptions. The Catalogue includes innovations related to intercropping in olive groves, olive tree and olive oil authentication.

3.7.1_Co-publication Using innovative legume-based mixtures as cover crops in a multi-functional olive system

The main objective of this experiment is to provide useful indications on sustainable management of multifunctional olive systems under Mediterranean rainfed conditions by analysing the effects of different soil management on olive trees. Two field trials were established in 2022 in Italy and Lebanon, using a randomised block design and comparing four treatments: (1) cover crop with innovative mixture (IM); (2) cover crop with commercial mixture (CM); (3) natural cover + fertilization (NC); (4) traditional soil tillage + fertilization (ST). The preliminary results referred to the first year showed a better establishment of NC compared to both mixtures, regardless of whether it is below or outside the tree canopy. The higher grass-based biomass produced by NC below the tree canopy may have influenced the competition for available soil water between the sward and tree components. Regarding the water potential of olive trees, during the period of greatest water deficit, ST showed lower levels of water potential and NC showed a significantly lower photochemical efficiency. Moreover, NC promotes a smaller fruit size while no significant differences emerged between the other treatments.

3.7.1_Co-publication Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of historical olive (Olea europaea Linnaeus 1753 subsp. europaea) cultivar Mehras in Jordan

The complete mitochondrial genome of the olive cultivar Mehras was determined using high- throughput sequencing technology. It consisted of 710,808 base pairs and comprised 70 genes, including 44 protein-coding genes, 23 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes, with a GC content of 44.7%. Significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (InDels) were detected throughout the mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using other genotypes, including five olive cultivars, three related species, and Olae exasperata as an out- group. The analysis revealed that the olive cultivar Mehras shares an ancient common ancestor with the Frantoio cultivar from Italy and the Manzanilla cultivar from Spain, which confirms previous findings based on plastome sequencing.

3.7.1_Co-publication Fatty Acid and Phenolic Profiles of Virgin Olive Oils from Local and European Varieties Planted in Lebanon

In Lebanon, olive oil is an integral part of its history and culinary traditions. However, the quality of this product, originating from different growing regions of the country, is rarely addressed. The objectives of this study were to compare the fatty acids and phenolic profiles of virgin olive oils produced from two local and eight European varieties, and to use these profiles as a tool for their characterization. Seventy-six samples were collected from two olive-growing regions of Lebanon and at two harvesting times. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector, total phenols was determined by spectrophotometry and individual phenols by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector. All samples were also analysed using near infrared spectroscopy. The experimental data were collected in numerical matrices and treated by chemometric methods. The results showed the significant effect of the geographical origin, the olive variety and the harvesting time on the ripening and industrial yield of the olives and on the major fatty acids and phenols of olive oil. Moreover, the used chemometric methods allowed the discrimination of European olive varieties based on their high contents of oleic acid, oleacein and oleocanthal.

3.1.7_Policy Assessment grazed woodlands in Europe, Lebanon and Jordan

Silvo-pastoral systems have significantly contributed in shaping the landscapes of the Mediterranean basin. These systems vary widely according to the differing climatic, cultural and socio-economic conditions under which they are developed playing sheep and goats a crucial role in the farming economy of the Mediterranean basin thanks to their ability to exploit marginal areas, and as well for the limited labour and capital required for their management (Porqueddu et al., 2017). These farming systems have been shown to be resilient to frequent but moderate disturbance factors (i.e. deforestation, periodic fires and grazing) by developing strategies to maximize production of multiple goods and ecosystem services over several millennia (Zapata and Robledano, 2014). The report analyses policies supporting silvo-pastoral systems in Europe and Jordan as well as pastoralism in Lebanon.

3.1.6_Policy Assessment multifunctional olive systems EU level

The report aims to highlight how European agricultural policies promote agroforestry systems (section 1 and 2) and support the olive sector across the EU (section 3). The report is based on the consultation of relevant papers (project reports, scientific literature, European Commission documents) dealing with agricultural policies in Europe. The first part of the report (section 1) focuses on the definition of agroforestry systems and on the extent of agroforestry practices across Europe. In particular, the report aims to highlight the discrepancy between the scientific definition of agroforestry (that includes both trees and shrubs in combination with crops and or livestock) and the definition that was initially receipted by European policy (that included only trees on arable lands, Reg. 1698/2005). This is an important legal aspect, under the political point of view, since agroforestry is usually seen on the border between the agriculture and forestry sectors creating conflicts and confusion among the stakeholder communities, in particular policy makers at different levels (national, regional and local). Section 2 of the report aims to assess the Common Agricultural Policy (2007-2013 and 2014-2020 programming periods) tools and measures promoting the establishment and management of agroforestry systems.

2.8.2_Catalogue of innovations grazed woodlands Lebanon

Having identified potentially useful innovations for Mediterranean grazed woodlands, the partners of LIVINGAGRO project developed a dedicated Catalogue intended to provide an overview of some of the innovations that may be useful to stakeholders involved with grazed woodlands in order to help bring together economic stakeholders and innovators who may be able to collaborate to solve common problems. This activity included assessing the stage of readiness of a potential innovation in Lebanon, as well as which type of challenges it addresses.

Taking into consideration the needs expressed by Lebanese stakeholders, the research team of the Regional Forest Agency for Land and Environment of Sardinia (Fo.Re.S.T.A.S.) in collaboration with the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) and their technical teams reviewed the information provided. Following this review, the working group went back to the innovators to address questions and fill in gaps, then incorporated the responses into the innovation descriptions. The Catalogue includes innovations related to restoration and valorising landscapes and other ecosystems services and agronomy for sustainable agroforestry systems.

2.8.2_Catalogue of innovations grazed woodlands Jordan

Having identified potentially useful innovations for Mediterranean grazed woodlands, the partners of LIVINGAGRO project developed a dedicated Catalogue intended to provide an overview of some of the innovations that may be useful to stakeholders involved with grazed woodlands in order to help bring together economic stakeholders and innovators who may be able to collaborate to solve common problems. This activity included assessing the stage of readiness of a potential innovation in Jordan, as well as which type of challenges it addresses.

Taking into consideration the needs expressed by Jordan stakeholders, the research team of the Regional Forest Agency for Land and Environment of Sardinia (Fo.Re.S.T.A.S.) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Center of Jordan (NARC) and their technical teams reviewed the information provided. Following this review, the working group went back to the innovators to address questions and fill in gaps, then incorporated the responses into the innovation descriptions. The Catalogue includes innovations related to restoration and valorising landscapes and other ecosystems services and agronomy for sustainable agroforestry systems.

2.8.1_Catalogue of innovations multifunctional olive systems & grazed woodlands Greece

Having identified potentially useful innovations for Mediterranean multifunctional olive systems and grazed woodlands, the partners of LIVINGAGRO project developed a dedicated Catalogue intended to provide an overview of some of the innovations that may be useful to stakeholders involved with multifunctional olive systems and grazed woodlands, in order to help bring together economic stakeholders and innovators who may be able to collaborate to solve common problems. This activity included assessing the stage of readiness of a potential innovation in Greece, as well as which type of challenges it addresses.

Taking into consideration the needs expressed by Greek stakeholders, the research team of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) and the technical team reviewed the information provided. Following this review, the working group went back to the innovators to address questions and fill in gaps, then incorporated the responses into the innovation descriptions. The Catalogue includes innovations related to intercropping in olive groves, precision agriculture, machinery, health benefit determination, olive tree and olive oil authentication, preparation for climate change and re-use of traditional practices in agroforestry.

2.8.1_Catalogue of innovations multifunctional olive systems Lebanon

Having identified potentially useful innovations for Mediterranean multifunctional olive systems, the partners of LIVINGAGRO project developed a dedicated Catalogue intended to provide an overview of some of the innovations that may be useful to stakeholders involved with multifunctional olive systems in order to help bring together economic stakeholders and innovators who may be able to collaborate to solve common problems. This activity included assessing the stage of readiness of a potential innovation in Lebanon, as well as which type of challenges it addresses.

Taking into consideration the needs expressed by Lebanese stakeholders, the research team of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) in collaboration with the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) and their technical teams reviewed the information provided. Following this review, the working group went back to the innovators to address questions and fill in gaps, then incorporated the responses into the innovation descriptions. The Catalogue includes innovations related to precision agriculture, re-using of traditional practices in agroforestry, preparation for climate change, harvest and post-harvest managements and agronomy for sustainable agroforestry systems.