The InnovaLegumi project sought to enhance the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of cereal farms in Apulia by introducing a legume–cereal rotation that strengthened soil fertility through increased nitrogen availability and organic matter content.
The team selected regionadapted legume varieties and devised tailored cultivation techniques and protocols, alongside developing novel technologies for industrial-grade legume grain selection.
Through on-farm trials, they identified the most suitable cultivars, refined crop management guidelines and demonstrated improved cereal yields in rotation.
End-users benefited from greater crop diversification, lower reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, enhanced soil structure and organic content, reduced water use, and a smaller carbon footprint, all contributing to more resilient and productive farming systems.
