New agri-food infrastructure: shaping the future at the University of Bologna

The new infrastructures of the Cadriano Experimental Teaching Centre were inaugurated today at the University of Bologna’s Agricultural Farm: a €12 million investment that strengthens the University’s role as a national and European point of reference and a central hub within the Agritech network. 

Among those attending the inauguration were Rector Giovanni Molari, Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region Michele De Pascale, and Director of the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna Giovanni Dinelli. 

The renewal of the Cadriano Experimental Teaching Centre marks a strategic step towards strengthening research and innovation in the agri-food sector and accelerating the transition towards more sustainable, efficient and technologically advanced production models.

The newly inaugurated infrastructure includes a test track for agricultural tractor safety, with particular attention to next-generation and autonomous vehicles; a semi-anechoic chamber for testing electromagnetic interference on agricultural components and machinery; and two cutting-edge scientific laboratories, dedicated respectively to plant research and to the study of optimal conditions for fruit and vegetable preservation.

These results have been achieved through Spoke 3 of Agritech, coordinated by the University and focused on “Enabling technologies and sustainable strategies for the smart management of agricultural systems and their environmental impact”. This is one of the key strategic initiatives of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), designed to support the digital and sustainable transformation of agriculture. 

These innovations are expected to have a significant impact on a sector undergoing profound change, addressing current challenges through resource optimisation, waste reduction, and the creation of value via new relationships with consumers and between the agri-food industry and the agricultural sector.

Biotrons: advanced research for new cultivation systems

Biotrons represent one of the most advanced infrastructures dedicated to plant research: a next-generation experimental laboratory for developing innovative, sustainable and efficient cultivation systems. At the core of the facility are six climate-controlled chambers, each covering 24 square metres, where temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration and ventilation conditions can be replicated and monitored. Adjustable LED lighting adapts to the specific needs of different crops, while a closed-loop fertigation system enables the use of tailored nutrient solutions and the recovery of drainage water, which is sanitised, corrected and reintroduced into the production cycle. A consumption monitoring system allows detailed analysis of the energy impact of each component and supports the development of increasingly effective optimisation strategies. The laboratory makes it possible to simulate complex and dynamic environmental scenarios, helping researchers study crop responses to climate change and develop innovative and efficient cultivation systems.

The new semi-anechoic chamber and upgraded test track for agricultural vehicles

Modern agricultural tractors and technologically advanced vehicles are increasingly exposed to interference from external electromagnetic fields, which can cause malfunctions. The new semi-anechoic chamber is therefore a key tool for assessing risks associated with such interference. 
Measurements focus on the resistance of electrical and electronic systems in agricultural machinery or individual components to artificially generated electromagnetic fields within a standardised testing environment. At the same time, sensors can measure the level of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the vehicles.

Alongside the chamber, the test track of the Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory has undergone major refurbishment, including resurfacing to meet the needs of modern agricultural vehicles and autonomous systems. A new area has also been added for testing tractors and autonomous vehicles, assessing their ability to operate independently within assigned working areas, as well as to detect and avoid unexpected obstacles, ensuring the safety of operators and the surrounding environment. The results will support the development of standardised testing procedures for evaluating the safety performance of autonomous tractors.

A “Living Lab” to improve fruit and vegetable preservation

Within the Agritech project, Living Labs represent the core of innovation and technology transfer to businesses. The Cadriano Living Lab focuses on improving the preservation of fruit and vegetables while maintaining their organoleptic qualities, a key factor in ensuring high nutritional standards for consumers.

In traditional cold storage systems, oxygen levels are reduced and carbon dioxide levels increased to extend shelf life. However, these static conditions throughout storage can alter the metabolism of fruit, encouraging the onset of diseases. The dynamic controlled atmosphere technologies used in the Living Lab’s refrigerated chambers (“DCA”) instead allow continuous monitoring of atmospheric composition and adjustment of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen and ethylene levels in response to signals from sensors detecting oxidative stress in the fruit. Initial trials have focused on both summer fruit (such as peaches) and long-storage varieties such as kiwifruit, apples and pears, with the aim of transferring new preservation protocols to companies in the sector.