Policies aimed at reducing plant protection products (PPPs) are part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable management of PPPs is crucial for soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, including food provision. While PPPs can control pests and enhance agricultural yields, they also pose environmental and health risks by contaminating water, soil, and non-target organisms through airborne drift. Investigating innovative and more sustainable distribution methods can support sustainability goals. This study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of the pesticide Spintor^® Fly on non-target soil organisms in olive orchards comparing two spraying methods: a traditional Casotti^® pump mounted on a tractor and an innovative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed for the project. The study was conducted in 2021 in an organic olive orchard, which was divided into two plots: a Casotti-treated plot (CAS) and a drone-treated plot (DRO). A strip of uncultivated land at the edge of the orchard was used as a (non-treated) control plot (CAP). The impact on native soil microarthropod communities was assessed using the arthropod-based Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar) and Bait Lamina Test (BLT). Soil samples were collected for earthworm avoidance tests and soil chemical–physical analysis. The results obtained with QBS-ar and BLT indicated no significant differences between DRO and CAS, in both sampling periods (pre- and post-treatment). However, DRO generally exhibited slightly better performance than CAS. The avoidance behaviour was confirmed for both CAS and DRO, although it was lower for the latter. Overall, drone aerial spray performed slightly better, suggesting a potentially lower impact on soil communities. Our results provide initial clues for the sustainable use of drones in agriculture with no increased risks for soil health compared to traditional methods. Further long-term studies should be conducted to validate these findings and possibly confirm the long-term benefits of drone applications compared to traditional methods.

The wine industry faces increasing challenges related to authenticity, safety, and sustainability due to recurrent fraud, shifting consumer preferences, and environmental concerns. In this study, as part of the B.I.O.C.E.R.T.O project, we integrated blockchain technology with ultrasonic spectroscopy and soil quality data by using the arthropod-based Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar) to enhance traceability, ensure wine quality, and certify sustainable vineyard practices. Four representative wines from the Marche region (Sangiovese, Maceratino, and two Verdicchio PDO varieties) were analyzed across two vintages (2021 and 2022). Ultrasound spectroscopy demonstrated high sensitivity in distinguishing wines based on ethanol and sugar content, comparably to conventional viscosity-based methods. The QBS-ar index was applied to investigate the soil biodiversity status according to the agricultural management practices applied in each vineyard, reinforcing consumer confidence in environmentally responsible viticulture. By recording these data on a public blockchain, we developed a secure, transparent, and immutable certification system to verify the geographical origin of wines along with their unique characteristics. This is the first study to integrate advanced analytical techniques with blockchain technology for wine traceability, simultaneously addressing counterfeiting, consumer demand for transparency, and biodiversity preservation. Our findings support the applicability of this model to other agri-food sectors, with potential for expansion through additional analytical techniques, such as isotopic analysis and further agroecosystem sustainability indicators.

In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of the soil ciliate Rigidohymena tetracirrata (Gellért, 1942) Berger 2011, exposed to single and bimetallic mixtures of heavy metals (HMs) for 24 h. Ecotoxicological tests showed LC₂₀ values of 0.16, 19.86 and 0.68 mg L⁻¹ to Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Cadmium (Cd), respectively, and LC₅₀ values of 0.25, 44.12 and 1.12 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that the mixture of Cd and Zn exhibited antagonism in comparison to other mixtures, (Cd + Cu and Cu + Zn). In the total phenolic content (TPC) assay, a higher phenolic content was observed for the LC₂₀ of extracellular Cu (p ≤ 0.01) and the LC₂₀ of intracellular Cd (p ≤ 0.001). The LC₅₀ values for Cd and Zn in both extracellular and intracellular contents demonstrated increased α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity with significant values of p ≤ 0.05, respectively. Regarding hydroxyl scavenging activity (HRSA), the LC₅₀ of extracellular Cd (p ≤ 0.001) and LC₅₀ of intracellular Cu (p ≤ 0.001) exhibited higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, the present study suggests that R. tetracirrata holds considerable potential as bioindicators and could be used as a model organism in ecotoxicological studies of soil polluted by HMs.