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The aim of this study is the evaluation of proximal surveying and remote surveying technologies for monitoring and to highlight the variability within vineyards.The devices used measure the electromagnetic energy (emitted, reflected or transmitted) of leaf surface subjected to different wavelengths (spectral signature).The proximal data were detected using the ACS 210 sensor-provided LED, Light Emitting Diode (an internal light active source), which emits an active pulsed light in red and near-IR bands, obtaining in real time the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) from reflectance values.A mobile laboratory was prepared and transported by 4x4 quad-vehicles, equipped with GPS system, sensor for measuring the reflectance of the canopy in real-time, ultrasonic sensor for the canopy thickness map, and an infrared sensor to measure temperature.Furthermore, we developed a special software and hardware to implement and acquire data in continuum.The remote data were taken using DFR (Duncan -Flir -Riegl) sensors that acquire data in visible, near-IR and thermal bands. The system consisted of a GPS unit, GPS/INS unit, laser altimeter, thermal infrared camera, and a multispectral camera. These apparatus are combined in a single system of acquisition, flexible and configurable by the user. System management software was developed, which allows the acquisition by each sensor and the storage of position and altitude of the aircraft associated with the captured images, besides all the other accessory parameters. Synchronization between GPS and cameras is handled by TTL trigger signals.The NDVI generated from spectral bands provides information about vine biomass and plant vigor, however, is not unique item for vineyard evaluation.This work was conducted simultaneously in three experimental vineyards selected in the Chianti Classico DOCG area, on which multispectral data were detected by two methods and compared results obtained; cultivar (Sangiovese), soil and canopy management is the same in all vineyards. The data acquired by both monitoring system twice during the summer of 2011 for determining NDVI values.2

The care and protection of the mountain areas and their traditional crops were some of the reasons that led regional governments of Liguria and Tuscany to participate in the strategic project “Sea, Countryside and Land: potentiate the strategic unitarily” (MARS +). This project has also involved the participation of the four cross-border regions: Tuscany (leader), Sardinia, Liguria and Corsica. The aim was to promote the development of the innovations and entrepreneurship in the rural areas in order to increase competitiveness. In particular, the subproject SC has provided the transfer of innovations to facilitate the processes of mechanization in vineyards and olive orchards in contexts defined as “heroic”, areas of high landscape and environmental value in which the typical cultures has been always carried out, generally, on terraces or slopes. These conditions require a great effort by the farmers and result in high production costs. The transfer of the innovations has provided the organization of demonstration days in which the technological solutions for the management of the farming operations in vineyards and olive orchards were proposed and tested. During these events, the participative process was fundamentally reconfirmed, not only as a means to expand the knowledge of innovative products, but also as an opportunity for farmers, retailers, manufacturers, researchers, and local administrators to interact and facilitate the development of other technologies. The parameters that led to the innovative solutions included: the small size, user-friendliness, agility, and the ability of operating on systems not easily accessible. These products must also ensure the ergonomics and safety of workers performing all the growing operations. A thorough research of the available technologies and prototypes, still under development, affirms the presence of many innovations. These innovations not only allow the execution of all the field operations in the vineyard and olive orchards and significant time and cost reduction but also ensure the performance in complete safety. This research has shown the constant development of these products and how the use of electronics and mechatronics is becoming more prevalent.

The green nursery sector in Europe involves 90,000 ha of cultivated land and 120,000 ha for the nurseries (MiPAAF, 2012), reaching 19.8 billions of Euros in 2011. Every year, nurseries produce waste about 4 kg of the residual biomass for each m2 of the potted plants cultivation. Nurseries waste make up a substantial quantity of organic materials e.g. wood biomass-substrate, which could be retrieved and valorized. With the expansion of potted plants cultivation and the resulting increase in discarded products a number of companies have begun to setting up solutions for the recovery of materials accumulated. Analysis led to the development of a separating system based on trunk vibration technology. To this end, two shaker yard were identified, developed and tested for the recovery of residual biomasses. With these solutions, green waste can be easily grasped by a clamp device able to convey strong vibrations to the trunk (or to the aerial part of the plant) to the point that the soil materials are detached from the vegetable portions.