GERMONTE 4 - Germplasm of Piedmont: study for the establishment of itineraries for biodiversity in Piedmont

The objective is the exchange of experiences and information between subjects of the regional biodiversity network and the enhancement of agro-biodiversity through the dissemination of knowledge on local varieties to the public and the consumer.

The project Germonte 4 implements dissemination activities aimed at spreading the values of biodiversity and at enhancing the actors of conservation of local Piedmontese varieties with ex situ and in situ strategies. The results and knowledge acquired from previous activities carried out on the Regional territory need above all to be harmonized and disseminated. Expected results:

• Identification of 5-6 itineraries between the germplasm conservation centers and the custodian farmers of the regional territory: wheat, maize, vegetables, fruit (apple, pear, cherry, chestnut, vine);
• Creation of one or more videos illustrating the hypothetical biodiversity itineraries between the germplasm conservation centers and the identified custodian farmers;
• Creation of a publication containing the map of the itineraries illustrated in the video and the description of the biodiversity involved;
• Creation of a website on biodiversity itineraries;
• Creation of a cycle of lessons in secondary schools on agro-biodiversity.

The project has achieved the following results:

1.1 Feasibility study on biodiversity trails and an in-depth review of the relevant regulatory framework.

1.2 Identification of 7 trails connecting germplasm conservation centres and custodian farmers across the region:

Winter cereals (wheat)

Collection of autumn-sown cereals at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (CN) and 5 custodian farmers preserving varieties held in the collection:

1. Il Papavero Rosso, Confreria (CN)
2. Il Girasole, Ponzano Monferrato (AT)
3. L’Altromercato, Pianezza (TO)
4. Il Mulino Valsusa, Bruzolo (TO)
5. La Tadea, Bibiana (TO)

https://goo.gl/maps/ArumYuxrTX1MSw3cA

Summer cereals (maize)

Germplasm bank at DISAFA in Grugliasco (TO) and 6 custodian farmers preserving varieties held in the bank:

1. Associazione Produttori Antichi Mais Piemontesi, Cascina Caretto, San Giorgio Canavese (TO)
2. Cascina delle Grazie, Pralormo (TO)
3. Franco Andrea, Bollengo (TO)
4. Agridelta, Avigliana (TO)
5. Ostenga Organics, Chieri (TO)
6. Il Mulino Valsusa, Bruzolo (TO)

https://goo.gl/maps/D9tYFwJtckbm6iDi6

Vegetable crops

Germplasm bank at DISAFA in Grugliasco (TO) and 8 custodian farmers preserving varieties held in the bank:

1. Cascina Braman, Fiano (TO)
2. L’Altromercato, Pianezza (TO)
3. Reale Pier Amos, Campiglione Fenile (TO
4. Azienda agricola Chicco, Carmagnola (TO)
5. Azienda Agricola Scaglione, Nizza Monferrato (AT)
6. Porcellana f.lli SSA, Asti (AT)
7. L’Orto del Pian Bosco, Loreto Fossano (CN)
8. Azienda agricola Baudino, BOVES (CN)

https://goo.gl/maps/FLmKzn9vaaRkgA5X6

Pome fruits

Pome fruit collection at the Malva Arnaldi School in Bibiana (TO) and 13 custodian farmers preserving varieties held in the collection:

1. L’Uberge, Piasco (CN)
2. Silvana Grosso, Saluzzo (CN)
3. La Bargiolina, Barge (CN)
4. Stefano Rolando, Cavour (TO)
5. Silvio Priotti, Cavour (TO)
6. Paolo Mattalia, Cavour (TO)
7. Il Frutto Permesso, Bibiana (TO)
8. Cascina Danesa, Bibiana (TO)
9. Az Agr. Baldi frutta, Bibiana (TO)
10. Cascina Marsaglia, Lusernetta (TO
11. Cascina Serabial, Lusernetta (TO)
12. Cascina Bonetto, Lusernetta (TO)
13. Cascina Roncaglia, Bricherasio (TO)

https://goo.gl/maps/RBaXG9VEnq9rH48Z7

Stone fruits

Tetti Grondana Fruit Growing Centre in Chieri (TO) and 2 custodian farmers preserving varieties held at the centre:

1. Cascina Canape ss, Pecetto Torinese (TO)
2. Azienda agricola Tosco, Pecetto Torinese (TO)

https://goo.gl/maps/NxCYULEhnZDjkcYWA

Chestnut

Regional Chestnut Growing Centre in Chiusa Pesio (CN) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held at the centre:

1. Azienda Agricola Vola Ornella, Boves (CN)

https://goo.gl/maps/2iSdD3EaV6qPF8Bg7

Grapevines

Grapevine collection in Grinzane Cavour (CN) and 4 custodian farmers preserving varieties held in the collection:

1. Azienda Agricola Agriforest, Almese (TO)
2. Enrico Druetto, Alfiano Natta (AT)
3. Cascina Iuli, Montaldo di Cerrina (AL)
4. Azienda Agricola Sulin, Grazzano Badoglio (AT)

https://goo.gl/maps/PRhrPsyiUdxRuxq98

Information Panels for the Specific Trails

Production of 7 videos showcasing the biodiversity trails connecting germplasm conservation centres and custodian farmers:

Winter cereals (wheat): Collection of autumn-sown cereals in Pollenzo (CN) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held in the collection.

Summer cereals (maize): Germplasm bank at DISAFA in Grugliasco (TO) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held in the bank.

Vegetable crops: Germplasm bank at DISAFA in Grugliasco (TO) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held in the bank.

Pome fruits: Pome fruit collection at the Malva Arnaldi School in Bibiana (TO) and 2 custodian farmers preserving varieties held at the school.

Stone fruits: Tetti Grondana Fruit Growing Centre in Chieri (TO) and 2 custodian farmers preserving varieties held at the centre.

Chestnut: Regional Chestnut Growing Centre in Chiusa Pesio (CN) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held at the centre.

Grapevines: Grapevine collection in Grinzane Cavour (CN) and 1 custodian farmer preserving varieties held in the collection.

Production of a publication featuring a map of the trails showcased in the video and a description of the biodiversity involved.

Development of a website dedicated to the biodiversity trails.

In addition to this section on the UNISG website, dedicated pages have been developed on the Piedmont Region's website.

1.6 Organisation of a series of lessons in upper secondary schools on agrobiodiversity.

In particular, the following topics were identified for in-depth study:

• Climate change and biodiversity
• Agriculture and biodiversity
• Genome studies, genetic improvement and biodiversity
• Strategies for the characterisation and conservation of biodiversity
• Strategies for the protection and promotion of agricultural products linked to the traditions and culture of their areas of production

Below is the list of educational sessions delivered in 2023, involving a total of 28 classes and approximately 650 students.

Prof. Ezio Portis

• Istituto 8 Marzo, Liceo Scientifico, Settimo Torinese (1 classe: 5A)
• Istituto Porporato, Linguistico, Pinerolo (4 classi: 5A, 5B, 5E, 5D)
• Istituto 8 Marzo, Liceo Scienze Applicate, Settimo Torinese (3 classi: 3C, 3D, 5C)
• Istituto 8 Marzo, Liceo Scienze Umane, Settimo Torinese (1 classe: 4F)
• Istituto Porporato, Liceo Scienze Umane, Pinerolo (7 classi: 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 5A, 5B, 5D)

Prof.ssa Daniela Torello Marinoni

• Istituto di Istruzione Superiore B. Vittone, Istituto Tecnico Agrario, Chieri (3 classi: 5A ,5B)
• Istituto di Istruzione Superiore B. Vittone, Istituto Agrario Professionale, Chieri  (1 classe: 5C)
• Liceo A. Volta, Liceo Scientifico Tradizionale, Torino (4 classi: 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D)
• Liceo A. Volta, Liceo Scienze applicate, Torino (4 classi: 2As, 2Bs, 2Cs, 2Ds)