The new experimentation involving one of the IGP excellences of Emilia-Romagna has started this year and is achieving good results: the Vignola cherry.
Through the installation of special systems it is possible to protect plants from parasites, first of all the Asian gnat (Drosophila suzukii), and from physiopathies such as 'splits' due to rain (cracking). Two disasters which, added to the effects of climate change and the reduction in the availability of molecules for the defense of crops, have for some time been creating many difficulties for the sector with damage to the production and income of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Thanks to a project financed and supported by the Region together with the Municipality of Vignola, coordinated by the Regional Phytosanitary Service, in partnership with the Vignola Cherry Consortium, the Modena Phytosanitary Consortium and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, they have been installed in an experimental area of the Municipality of Vignola monoblock and single row systems with the aim of collecting data on the adaptability and efficiency of the systems in order to then be able to replicate and extend them. The opportunities offered by this new experimentation are many: from the verification of the control of parasites - Asian gnat, cherry fly, in addition to the damage from birds - to the control of damage from cracking, to the analysis of the main microclimatic parameters to the verification ofadaptability of the new varieties under test to these protection systems.
The first results show over 50% reduction in the use of insecticides and a sharp decline in fruit splitting despite the abundant rains recorded in recent weeks.