SPINFERT

She-nziate – CNR-ISB Open day
2026-02-11 00:00 - 23:59 UTC
SPIN_FERT by the STEM Week and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (CNR_ISB)

On February 11, at the Territorial Research Area of the National Research Council – Rome1 (CNR-ARRM1), Carmelo Cannarella (CNR-ISB) held a workshop entitled: “Phytoacoustics – Plants in Music: How to Transform Nature into Sound,” an outreach initiative connected to a research activity exploring the relationships between plants and sound.

This workshop was part of the Open Day “She-nziate” which falls within both STEM Week and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Open Day featured approximately 15 activities, including workshops, seminars, and demonstration sessions.

Investigating the biophysical and bioelectrical processes of the plant world and translating them into sound phenomena makes it possible to communicate science through a sensory, interdisciplinary language that brings together biology, physics, technology, art, and listening practices. Sound thus becomes a tool for scientific inquiry, as well as for mediation and data representation, making often hidden phenomena audible.

Approximately 100 lower secondary school students attended the event, with about 50 participating in phytoacoustics activities, divided into three groups.

During the workshop, the SPIN-FERT project’s activities were also presented, highlighting in particular that soil is a complex living system and a fundamental prerequisite for the well-being of plants and trees. Soil itself was therefore the subject of a sonification demonstration, contributing to a dialogue between scientific knowledge and society, encouraging new ways of listening to the natural world and new forms of relationship between human beings and the environment.

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At the CNR in Montelibretti, the “Curious by Nature” Open Day Celebrates World Nature Day
2026-03-03 00:00 - 2026-03-05 23:59
Rome, Italy

On March 3, 4, and 5, 2026, the Territorial Research Area of the National Research Council (ARRM1) in Montelibretti (Rome) open its doors to primary school students for the “Curious by Nature” Open Day, an initiative dedicated to celebrating World Wildlife Day.

During these three days, children are involved in a multidisciplinary and engaging exploration of science, technology, innovation, and Art & Science. Through interactive experiments, hands-on demonstrations, and discussions with researchers, young participants have the opportunity to discover firsthand how scientific knowledge is created and how it contributes to the protection and enhancement of our natural heritage.

The initiative aimed at stimulating curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting scientific culture from primary school onward, within a dynamic and inclusive environment. “Curious by Nature” represents a valuable opportunity to bring younger generations closer to the world of research, showing how science and creativity can work together to interpret and understand the complexity of nature.

The Open Day is part of the outreach activities promoted by the CNR Territorial Research Area in Montelibretti, which has long been committed to strengthening the connection between the scientific community, schools, and the local area.

Within this event, CNR-ISB participates with three activities: Carmelo Cannarella (“The Secret Music of Plants”), Valerio Muzzini (“Discovering the Environment with Sensors”), and Giovanni D’Orazio (“Science and Color: Painting with the Colors of Nature”).

CNR-ISB’s activities have also been designed to increase awareness of the central role of soil health for both human life and the planet — a fundamental principle that inspires the SPIN-FERT project.

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SPIN-FERT & Hort2theFuture – Policy Scoping Workshop
2026-03-03 10:00 - 13:00
SPIN-FERT & Hort2theFuture Invite to Policy Scoping Workshop On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, the Horizon Europe projects SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture (H2F) convened a joint Policy Scoping Workshop in Brussels (REA headquarters) to present and discuss project results related to EU policies on peat-free growing substrates and biostimulants.

Bringing together representatives from SPIN-FERT consortium, Hort2theFuture consortium, relevant EU policy experts (e.g., DG AGRI, DG ENV), REA, REA External review monitors, invited external stakeholders (industry, organic sector, NGOs), and topic experts, the workshop aimed at:

• Reviewing the current policy landscape and the state of play of project results

• Providing preliminary information suitable for policy recommendations

• Identifying key issues and gaps to define actions relevant to policies

The programme included policy updates from EU officers, presentations of key innovations from both projects, and a joint discussion on opportunities for coordinated policy briefs.

Workshop report

The meeting confirmed that the operational synergy between SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture represents a strategic asset for effectively meeting the objectives of the topic and the overall Mission Soil.

It is our feeling that the collaboration between the two consortia has revealed a value that transcends individual project KPIs.

Involving representatives from DG AGRI in this process, i.e. during the session, was not only useful but necessary. The possibility of involving other DGs related to the subject (e.g. ENVI) in future similar events would provide an even better framework for the discussion and the work we carry on. The direct dialogue between institutions developing innovation and those defining the regulatory framework is suitable to avoid the risk of producing scientific and technically excellent solutions that are bureaucratically inapplicable. This exchange was therefore essential to bridge the gap between research and regulatory implementation, favouring real-world application.

Systematizing both projects’ pathways would allow for:

standardizing recommendations for peat-free substrates;

aligning technical innovations with the developments of the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR);

identifying the regulatory gaps that still hinder the large-scale adoption of such solutions, from both the manufacturers and farmers points of view.

The discussion with stakeholders and other project partners during the workshop allowed us to better understand possible options for policy recommendations. Indeed, there is a clear sense that our scientific evidence is effectively providing a compass for future policy recommendations regarding bio-based substrates and fertilizers, which, however, have to face some regulatory constraints that derive from both EU and national provisions. In this respect, the session and workshop allowed us to acquire some additional knowledge useful to define possible technical solutions that better fit with the current legal framework and also present the issues that we face because of a lack of clear/common regulations (e.g. in case of adjuvants).

We believe that the approach of the session, i.e. direct discussion between projects and DGs’ officers, can help defining the scientific activity and support a better understanding of the implications that its results can have on current policies or legal frameworks, supporting technical choices to be considered by the authority/ies when developing or modifying the provisions (e.g. in relation to the inclusion of new microbial genera under microbial biostimulants). Indeed, besides the normal lobbying and consultation activity from/of industrial parties, we believe that the scientific evidence can be better expressed during such kind of events/meetings and thus would welcome a kind of their “institutionalisation” among the normal dissemination activities of any project.

To maintain the proactive momentum generated in Brussels, we have already scheduled technical meetings between the key players of both projects in the coming weeks. The objective is to define a common strategy (“the way forward”) that integrates the feedback received during the policy session and coordinates upcoming research and dissemination activities, moving forward in a unified and synergistic direction. This is seen as a possibility of providing the EU Commission with a “common single message” based on policy recommendations derived from both projects independently, but with a synergistic approach.

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Soil Quality: The Role of Organic Fertilisers, from Theory to Field
2026-03-06 10:30 - 16:30
Cesena, Italy

On Friday, March 6, the workshop “Soil Quality: The Role of Organic-Based Fertilizers, from Theory to Field” took place in Cesena, Italy, as part of the European SPIN-FERT project. The event was organized by Ri.Nova, sponsored by Herambiente.

The technical meeting, which was well-attended both in person and online, highlighted strong interest in biostimulants and their applications, while also highlighting several aspects that require further discussion and investigation.

Soil quality is a fundamental lever for the future of agriculture, ecosystem protection, and land resilience, but in recent decades it has been progressively compromised by intensive management practices and the effects of climate change. Soil organic matter plays a central role in countering these processes and improving soil fertility and resilience.

In particular, through scientific contributions and the presentation of long-term case studies and applications across different crop types, the conference offered a forum for discussion and technical-scientific updates for technicians, agricultural sector operators, researchers, and public decision-makers.

Eligio Malusò from CREA and In Hort, together with Maria Grazia Tommasini from Ri.Nova, presented the possibility of considering all components of soil fertility within a soil quality index, according to the SPIN-FERT approach.

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SPIN-FERT at the inaugural symposium of the DynaMF
2026-03-10 00:00 - 2026-03-11 23:59
Warsaw, Poland

We are pleased to share that our project SPIN-FERT was promoted during the inaugural symposium of the DynaMF (Dynamic Microbial Fertilizers) Consortium, held on 10–11 March 2026 at the University of Warsaw’s Masurian Centre for Biodiversity and Nature Education.

The event brought together numerous scientific institutions to discuss future collaboration, joint research initiatives, and innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. 🌱

SPIN-FERT was represented by Prof. Magdalena Frąc, IAPAS

We are proud to be part of this dynamic international collaboration and look forward to shaping the future of sustainable agriculture together!

🔗 Learn more: https://www.ipan.lublin.pl/sympozjum-inauguracyjne-konsorcjum-dynamf/

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SPIN-FERT na sympozjum inauguracyjnym konsorcjum DynaMF

W dniach 10-11 marca 2026 r. w Mazurskim Centrum Bioróżnorodności i Edukacji Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego w Urwitałcie odbyło się sympozjum inauguracyjne konsorcjum DynaMF.

Instytut Agrofizyki PAN reprezentowała prof. dr hab. Magdalena Frąc, czł. koresp. PAN. W spotkaniu uczestniczyło kilkanaście jednostek naukowych zaproszonych do tworzenia konsorcjum. Inicjatorem i organizatorem sympozjum był prof. dr hab. Łukasz Drewniak, Prodziekan ds. finansowych Wydziału Biologii Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.

Wydarzenie obejmowało panele dyskusyjne poświęcone formalnych aspektom współpracy, wspólnych przedsięwzięć publikacyjnych i projektowych oraz zwiedzanie Centrum.

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Future Horticulture Cluster meeting
2026-03-18 00:00 - 23:59
Lublin, Poland

On March 18, 2026, during the meeting of the Future Horticulture Cluster held at the Institute of Agrophysics PAS, we had the opportunity to promote SPIN-FERT project and share its key objectives with representatives of science, industry, and innovation networks.

The event gathered leading experts and stakeholders, creating a valuable space for strengthening collaboration and discussing ongoing cluster activities, aimed at supporting innovation and knowledge transfer in the horticultural sector.

SPIN-FERT was represented by Prof. Dr. hab. Magdalena Frąc, corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and her team / The Institute of Agrophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences

We are proud to contribute to initiatives that connect research with practice and drive sustainable development in modern horticulture.

🔗 Read more: https://www.ipan.lublin.pl/posiedzenie-czlonkow-klastra-ogrodnictwo-przyszlosci/

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Klaster Ogrodnictwo Przyszłości

W dniu 18 marca 2026 r. w Instytucie Agrofizyki PAN odbyło się posiedzenie członków Klastra Ogrodnictwo Przyszłości.

SPIN-FERT reprezentowała prof. dr hab. Magdalena Frąc, czł. koresp. PAN wraz z zespołem Instytut Agrofizyki PAN. Podczas spotkania omówiono formalne aspekty współpracy oraz bieżącą działalność klastra.

Wydarzenie zgromadziło czołowych ekspertów i interesariuszy, tworząc cenną przestrzeń do zacieśnienia współpracy i dyskusji na temat bieżących działań klastra, mających na celu wspieranie innowacji i transferu wiedzy w sektorze ogrodniczym.

🔗 https://www.ipan.lublin.pl/posiedzenie-czlonkow-klastra-ogrodnictwo-przyszlosci/

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Future of Soil Education - when education means action
2026-04-10 00:00 - 23:59
Poznan, Poland

On the 10th of April, students from the Studio for Transdisciplinary Projects and Research at the University of Arts in Poznań, led by Prof. Joanna Hoffmann and assistant Mateusz Janik (FASSF/ASN), visited the Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. As students were already involved in SPIN-FERT activities, this time they were introduced to another EU Mission Soil project, LOESS.

The program included a tour of the Museum of the Earth, where students viewed a rich collection of exhibits, including the Morasko meteorite, fossils, and materials illustrating the region’s geological history. The meeting provided an important introduction to geological processes and their impact on environmental development.

The next element of the visit was a workshop on soil, led by Prof. Karolina Lewińska, Prof. Barbara Mackiewicz, and the LOESS team. Participants learned about different soil types, using the colour index, distinguishing between clay and loess, and methods for determining pH. The workshops were practical – students independently conducted measurements of soil samples collected in the field.

An important component of the meeting was the presentation of a participatory AR application that supports the collaborative mapping and analysis of environmental data. This tool enables the integration of scientific knowledge and user activities, thereby strengthening education and public engagement in ​​soil conservation.

The visit was not only informative but also experiential and collaborative. Participants developed research skills by combining knowledge of natural sciences and artistic practices. The meeting aligns with the goals of EU Mission Soil, promoting awareness of the importance of soil and supporting the development of sustainable practices through education, collaboration, and engagement.

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WORKSHOP “Soil Health. Innovations for Sustainable Cropping Systems. Research Meets Industry”
2026-04-22 00:00 - 23:59
Rimini, Italy

Soil health as a driver of sustainable cropping systems 🌱

The sustainability of cropping systems is intrinsically linked to soil health, an increasingly pivotal factor for agricultural stakeholders.

On April 22, at Macfrut, Ri.Nova(@linkedin Ri.Nova) organized a joint workshop in collaboration with ENEA (@linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/enea-2/ ) and CINSA (@linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/consorzio-cinsa-587843102/) titled “Soil Health. Innovations for Sustainable Cropping Systems. Research Meets Industry” in which 50 people participated.

Technical experts and farmers engaged in a knowledge exchange on applied practices and solutions developed within the European projects Multisoil (@linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/multisoil/) and Spin-Fert (@ linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/spin-fert/posts/?feedView=all ).

Following an overview of the Spin-Fert project, the workshop presented results from semi-field and open-field trials assessing the performance and adaptability of a peat-free growing substrate, as well as the efficacy of biostimulants under nutrient stress conditions in agricultural systems.

Considerable attention was also devoted to technological innovations for sustainable soil management, with a specific focus on the tools that the project SpinFert is developing to monitor soil biodiversity and soil health, as well as the valorization of agri-food by-products as soil improvers within the framework of the DELISOIL project.

The discussion underscored the central role of multifunctional soil biodiversity, while addressing local constraints and exploring the opportunities and limitations of emerging agronomic practices.

A valuable opportunity to connect research and practice, generating actionable insights to support the future development of more sustainable agricultural systems.

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SPIN-FERT at Earth Day in Torino: Soil, Memory, and Collective Awareness
2026-04-25 00:00 - 23:59
Torino, Italy

On Saturday, April 25, SPIN-FERT joined the celebrations of Giornata della Terra in Torino, hosted in the beautiful Royal Palace of Turin Gardens. Organised around Earth Day (April 22), the event brought together citizens, science, and sustainability in the heart of the city.

As part of the programme, we presented Breath of Soil – Memory Nexus, an art–science activity that invited participants to reflect on their personal connections to soil through memory and sensory experience. The response was remarkable: in just a few hours, we collected a rich constellation of “Memories,” demonstrating how deeply soil resonates across individual and collective narratives.

🌿 At the same time, we engaged visitors in discussions on the importance of peat-free and peat-reduced growing substrates, highlighting their role in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable resource use—key objectives of the SPIN-FERT project.

🧬 The collected memories will now be transformed into a new RNA-based artistic structure, soon to be shared on our website—bridging science, art, and lived experience in a truly transdisciplinary form.

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us in Torino and contributed their memories!

👉 Stay tuned and follow SPIN-FERT / Art & Science for updates.

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Science in the Field: Students and CNR Researchers Together
2026-04-28 00:00 - 23:59
Rome, Italy

On April 28, 2026, the Research Area of the National Research Council (CNR) in Montelibretti (Rome) was transformed into an open-air laboratory. Students from a Roman high school took part in a “hands-on” scientific outreach day, actively collaborating with CNR researchers.

An Experimental Agricultural Lab

The activities have been focused on an experimental field divided into two distinct plots, designed to analyze the impact of agronomic practices on ancient and traditional cereal crops: emmer (farro), barley, and solina wheat.

Plot A: Fertilized.

Plot B: Unfertilized (control plot).

This setup allowed the students to directly observe how soil nutrition influences plant growth and physiology.

Research Activities

The meeting was characterized by a multidisciplinary, workshop-based approach, focusing on several aspects described by the CNR researchers: in particular two topics have been analyzed by the researchers from the Institute for Biological Systems (CNR-ISB):

1. Soil Conductivity Analysis (Soil Sensing)

Under the guidance of Valerio Muzzini (CNR-ISB), soil resistivity measurements were carried out by students using the four-wire technique with a modified linear array characterized by a 1:2:1 spacing ratio. A DC voltage was applied to the two outer electrodes using a polarity reversal technique to compensate for stray currents and parasitic galvanic potentials. This measurement is essential for understanding the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and water.

2. Bioacoustics: The Sounds of Plants

Carmelo Cannarella (CNR-ISB) engaged the class in detecting audio signals and “sounds” generated through the plants. Using precision electrodes placed both on the leaves and in the soil, students listened to and visualized variations in bio-electrical signals. This activity made it possible to investigate how plants react to different cultivation conditions (nutrient stress vs. abundance), revealing an invisible but detectable “language.”

Conclusions and Educational Impact

The experience allowed students to step out of the classroom and immerse themselves in the experimental scientific method, addressing fundamental themes at the heart of the SPIN-FERT project research. It was not merely an observation exercise, but a genuine data collection session that highlighted:

The importance of soil analysis for sustainable agriculture.

The physiological complexity of ancient cereals like solina wheat.

The use of innovative technologies (electrodes and sensors) to monitor ecosystem health.

The day concluded with a debate on the role of public research in ensuring food security and protecting biodiversity, leaving the students with the realization that science is a living process made of questions, measurements, and continuous discovery.

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SeedCon 2026 International Conference on the Seed Microbiome and Microbial Inheritance
2026-05-05 00:00 - 2026-05-07 23:59
Potsdam, Germany

🌱SeedCon 2026🌱 the first International Conference on the Seed Microbiome and Microbial Inheritance is now open for registration & abstract submission!

From May 5–7, 2026, researchers & industry partners will gather at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam, Germany to discuss the latest advances in seed microbiome research and microbial inheritance, bridging fundamental knowledge with agricultural applications.

🌱 Register for the conference at https://seedcon.org/collection/registeration-timeline-and-costs

🌱Submit your abstract at https://seedcon.org/call-for-abstracts

🌱All info on program, speakers and travel details at https://seedcon.org/

We encourage early registration to benefit from reduced fees and to secure your participation. Abstract submissions are welcome for oral and poster presentations across all relevant topics.

Please also feel free to forward this announcement to colleagues and networks who may be interested in joining SeedCon 2026 and contributing to the discussion.We look forward to welcoming you in Potsdam in May 2026!

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"Spring of Flowers" Horticultural Fair
2026-05-09 00:00 - 2026-05-10 23:59
Łosiów, Poland

The “Spring of Flowers” Horticultural Fair took place in Łosiów from May 9-10, 2026. It was one of the most important horticultural events in the region, organized by the Opole Agricultural Advisory Center in Łosiów under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

InHORT the Institute of Horticulture – National Research Institute presented ongoing research and development projects and modern solutions for horticulture and agriculture. Among the initiatives presented was the SPIN-FERT project – “Innovative practices, tools, and products increasing soil fertility and replacing peat in horticultural crops.”

Attending the fair provided an opportunity to promote the project’s objectives and engage with participants interested in sustainable solutions for horticultural production.

W dniach 9–10 maja 2026 r. w Łosiowie odbyły się Targi Ogrodnicze „Wiosna Kwiatów” – jedno z najważniejszych wydarzeń ogrodniczych w regionie, organizowane przez Opolski Ośrodek Doradztwa Rolniczego w Łosiowie pod honorowym patronatem Ministerstwa Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi.

Wśród wystawców obecny był Instytut Ogrodnictwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, który prezentował realizowane projekty badawczo-rozwojowe oraz nowoczesne rozwiązania dla ogrodnictwa i rolnictwa. Wśród prezentowanych inicjatyw znalazł się projekt SPIN-FERT – „Innowacyjne praktyki, narzędzia i produkty zwiększające żyzność gleby i zastępujące torf w uprawach ogrodniczych”.

Udział w targach był okazją do promocji założeń projektu oraz rozmów z uczestnikami zainteresowanymi zrównoważonymi rozwiązaniami dla produkcji ogrodniczej.

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Food Revolution 2026 Conference
2026-05-11 00:00 - 2026-05-13 23:59
Mestre, Italy

From May 11–13, 2026, researchers, industry partners, and changemakers will gather at Venice-Mestre, Italy to explore groundbreaking innovations and forge lasting partnerships that will revolutionize how we produce, distribute, and consume food globally.

SPIN-FERT is part of the Food Revolution 2026 conference in Mestre (Italy) with Loredana Canfora (CREA) as invited speaker on the topic: Microbial inoculant success in soil: the importance of tracking inoculative species.

As a molecular biologist and biotechnologist in the field of soil microbial ecology Loredana Canfora is involved in the study of soil biodiversity, microbial ecology, integrated pest management, evaluation of impact on soil microbial community, and assessment of a new tool for the detection of bio-inoculants in soil.

Presentation:

Microbial inoculant success in soil: the importance of tracking inoculative species

Key Points:

• Are we truly certain the bioinoculant has established itself?

• Monitoring the persistence of inoculated species in soil is essential to understand their efficacy, optimise formulations, and ensure safe and effective use.

• Innovative approaches are replacing conventional offerings with faster, more accurate tools.

• Innovative molecular tools enable rapid, precise, and cost-effective monitoring of microbial inoculants.

• Hope or horizon? Aptamers-based tool in the monitoring of Bacillus subtilis in the field.

Lecture:May 11

Start 14:00 – Soil health

Microbial inoculant success in soil: the importance of tracking inoculative species

https://www.foodrevolution.events/

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CIGR–EurAgEng World Congress 2026
2026-06-24 00:00 - 2026-06-26 23:59
Turin, Italy

The CIGR – EurAgEng 2026 Conference covers a broad range of scientific and engineering topics addressing current and emerging challenges in agricultural and biosystems engineering.

SPIN-FERT is taking part in the conference with a submitted oral presentation by CREA:

Violino S., Figorilli S., Canfora L., Manfredini A., Moscovini L., Pallottino F., Antonucci F., Costa C., Furmanczyk E.M., Popinska W., Pepe A.G., Miglio E., Del Santo F., Sala S., Malusa E. Data-Driven Chemical-Physical Soil Quality Index And Visualization Tool.

For more information on the schedule of the conference please visit the website:

https://www.cigr-eurageng-2026.org/homepage/

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