General project information · 19. October 2018

A very promising alternative farming system that is drawing more supporters is the combined use of legumes and rhizobia-based biofertilizers. However, with this approach, a number of questions are raised: Why are legumes so important in the context of sustainable agriculture? What are rhizobia and how are they related to legumes? What are biofertilizers and how do they benefit crop production?

Case study reports · 14. September 2018

TRUE Case study 22 at the Agricultural University of Athens uses legumes in crop rotations schemes in organic crops of non-legumes, aiming to increase soil fertility and ensure an adequate nitrogen supply to the crop despite the non-use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. This study will compare the environmental impact of organic and conventional cultivation systems and identify wider environmental effects when legumes are used in crop rotation schemes with non-legume vegetables.

Case study reports · 30. August 2018

Legumes are "smart" plants because they can utilize nitrogen from the atmosphere to cover their nutritional needs. Legumes do not need nitrogen fertilization as they form symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria. Non-legume crops however need synthetic fertilizers to replenish the nitrogen removed from the soil. Case Study 21 at the AUA uses beans and grafting technique to obtain efficient rootstock/scion genotypes in terms of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and GHG emissions.