Vol. 37 No. 1 (2023): Advances in Horticultural Science - Special issue Postharvest
Articles

Sustaining low-impact practices in horticulture through non-destructive approach to provide more information on fresh produce history and quality: the SUS&LOW project

M. Amodio
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
G. Attolico
Institute on Intelligent Industrial Systems and Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing, National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola, 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy.
L. Bonelli
Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giovanni Amendola, 122, 70125 Bari, Italy.
M. Cefola
Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o CS-DAT, Via Michele Protano, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
H. Fazayeli
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
F. Montesano
Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giovanni Amendola, 122, 70125 Bari, Italy.
B. Pace
nstitute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o CS-DAT, Via Michele Protano, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
M. Palumbo
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
F. Serio
Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola, 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy.
A. Stasi
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
G. Colelli
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.

Published 2023-01-18

Keywords

  • Marketing strategies sustainability,
  • non-destructive assessment,
  • quality,
  • shelf-life

How to Cite

Amodio, M., Attolico, G., Bonelli, L., Cefola, M., Fazayeli, H., Montesano, F., Pace, B., Palumbo, M., Serio, F., Stasi, A., & Colelli, G. (2023). Sustaining low-impact practices in horticulture through non-destructive approach to provide more information on fresh produce history and quality: the SUS&LOW project. Advances in Horticultural Science, 37(1), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-13899

Abstract

The general aim of the project SUS&LOW is to increase the sustainability of fresh produce by testing and implementing low-input agricultural practices (LIP) with positive impact on product quality with the support of non-destructive (ND) tools for real-time quality assessment and for product discrimination. Additionally, new marketing strategies are generated to better support the added value of the products and to satisfy the final consumers’ preferences. The SUS&LOW project consists of three work packages (WP) and the adopted methodology used two model crops: rocket salad and tomato. The WP1, focused on the reduction of agricultural inputs, showed that sensor-based fertigation management might improve sustainability of soilless cultivation. Results coming from WP2, aimed to the evaluation of ND techniques, outlined the high potentiality of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and Fourier transformed-near infrared (FT-NIR) techniques for the authentication of sustainable growing methods. Moreover, project activities’ proved computer vision system (CVS) as an effective tool for evaluating the product quality also through the bag. The WP3, dealing with marketing strategies, indicated a positive approach of consumers compared to LIP products certified through a visual storytelling platform.