Effect of mycorrhizae both in field and greenhouse tomato

• The project is based on the use of a sustainable agricultural cultivating method, mychorrization in tomato crops, on the principles of:
• development of soil microbiological biodiversity, fertilization through compost obtained from  school farm green wastes and minimum tillage practices
• reduced use of agrodrugs and chemical fertilizers which will have a positive impact on environment and therefore on CO2 emissions
• growing plants saving on fertilizers, soil tillage and water.

The 16 phases are visible in the attached file.

As the outcomes are at present more detactable in the greenhouse crops than in the field ones, we suggest the mychorryzation in greenhouse or in pot plants.

Why is this a good practice?

• Making a practical experience together, cooperating in group work, taking care of plants is certainly a strong motive of cohesion of the group.
• The work both in the greenhouse and in the school lab allows to further deepen the ecological issues of the school curriculum of Agrarian Ecology and Applied Ecology and to make students acquire skills in the field of organic cultivations
• Within the work in the greenhouse and the cooperative learning there is the chance to make emerge and strengthen relational and technical skills otherwise hard to be developed.
• The practical activities are a strong motivational input

Results

• In greenhouse mychorrized baby plants root system showed a greater development
• Blooming and fruit developing has been more precocious in mychorrized´ plants
• In greenhouse mychorrized plants reacted much better to water shock stress
• From our data, up to now, mychorrized plants production seems far greater.

All students acquired fundamental knowledges and skills which allowed to empower and deepen the cultivation techniques in an eco-sustainable way; they also acquired consciousness of the right attitudes to safeguard the natural Environment.

Mrs Daniela Varsi: var.dan@tiscali.it