The regeneration of olive grove soils represents a step forward in sustainability. While the European debate remains heated following recent warnings from Nature about the excessive presence of pesticides in soil, a new technological solution comes from the European project. Soil O-Live.
A team of scientists from the University of Castile-La Mancha and Jaén, in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC), has demonstrated that it is It is possible to “wash” olive grove soils from pesticides using electrochemically generated green oxidants.
Eliminate pollutants and save biodiversity
The study, conducted on real soil samples for a period of 30 days, compared two different agents: the hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) and theozone. Although both have shown degrading capabilities towards difficult molecules such asatrazine and glyphosate, the results highlighted a fundamental difference in ecological impact.
Il hydrogen peroxide It achieved higher removal rates (60% for atrazine, 25% for glyphosate), but showed side effects, reducing soil respiration and increasing the mortality of nematodes, tiny organisms essential for ecosystem health.
THEozone, despite slightly lower removal rates (40% and 21%), proved to be the real winner in terms of biosecurity. Its application did not alter the soil's biological activity, preserving its biodiversity.
“Effectiveness depends not only on the amount of oxidant, but on its ability to penetrate the soil structure without destroying its life.”, the researchers explain.
Towards a cleaner olive oil
THEElectrochemically generated ozone thus emerges as the most practicable solution for field application. This technique not only decontaminates, but also protects the soil's ecological function, a key requirement for ensuring the quality of the olive oil produced.
This progress is part of the broader framework of Soil O-Live, a consortium of 15 institutions and part of the Horizon Europe mission, which aims to achieve an ambitious goal: transforming laboratory research into practical tools for farmers. The ultimate goal is an ecological transition that does not penalize production, ensuring that olive groves remain healthy and productive ecosystems for future generations.
