Carbon sequestration in vineyard: biomass utilization in a climate change scenario – The SUSTAIN project

The SUSTAIN project aims at assessing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and vulnerability in vineyard in a climate change scenario. The accumulation and stabilization mechanisms of organic carbon, both native that exogenous, as well as its relative distribution between SOC pools having a different turnover will be investigated. Three study areas within the Veneto region (North of Italy) have been selected and will represent true Living Labs. The experiment is set up as a randomized block design, consisting of 3 blocks composed of 8 plots each, and two factors, i.e., digestate application (amendment, cover crop, bare soil) and climate manipulation (ambient temperature, warming). In order to obtain a temperature increase of ~2 °C (SSP2-4.5), open top chambers (OTC) are used. Soil samples will be collected at four times (i.e., after 0, 6, 12 and 18 months from the OTC placement) and at 3 depths (i.e., 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 cm), and characterized from the physical, chemical and biological point of view. A more in-depth evaluation of SOC storage and potential vulnerability to climate change will be achieved by separating SOC into functionally defined fractions, namely particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). In fact, being more protected from microbial degradation by soil minerals, MAOM is generally expected to be less prone to disturbance compared to POM. The results of this project will help implementing agro-environmental management practices supported by the new common agricultural policy (CAP), including carbon farming payment schemes based not only on the quantity of SOC stocked, but also on its turnover or susceptibility to global warming.