The objectives of this proposal will be pursued in five different work-packages, each one with two or more tasks describing the actions to be undertaken. Thus, the main goals are:
1. To validate existent and develop new approaches (both chemical and organic based) to remediate horticulture soils with high concentrations of metals/metalloids and high levels of salinity/sodicity;
2. To consider substrates from soilless cultivation as part of the solution, both by extracting added-value products and by producing a compost to stabilize metals/metalloids and to incorporate soil organic matter in soils used for horticulture production;
3. To assess soil remediation approaches in terms of their potential to recover soil functions and to produce safety crops;
4. To assess consumers' perception regarding the binomial soil health/food quality;
5. To assess consumers' acceptance of the crops/products growth and product's in remediated soils;
6. To demonstrate the efficiency and to transfer soil remediation approaches to farmers;
7. To promote young generations awareness for the importance of soils protection.
8. To contribute to scientific employment and to adjust higher education to market demands, making new generations more capable to carry out a process of intelligent specialization of the horticulture sector, in the northern region and, to collaborate in the transition to a circular horticulture.
9. To respond to specific societal challenges, RIS3 domains and OP prior axes. |