Field activities under RUNFASTER4EU are advancing with the establishment of replication field sites in Spain, supporting the evaluation of low-impact oil crops under real farming conditions.
AGRIES has established the first replication field site during Autumn 2025. The site includes:
- high-erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR), sown at the beginning of November 2025
- safflower, sown in late November 2025
- cardoon, sowed on late March 2026
During this first growing season, the focus is on observing crop response to the selected environment, following the defined agronomic protocols where possible.
These trials will provide valuable insights into crop performance under different pedoclimatic conditions, contributing to the optimisation of low-input cultivation practices.
As next steps, AGRIRO will establish its first replication field site in Romania in Spring 2026, further expanding the geographical scope of the trials and strengthening the project’s field-based evidence.