The new high-density cropping systems (>1200 trees ha −1 ) represent a very interesting proposal for olive orchard profitability. It is crucial to know the morphology and the dynamics of sprout elongation of a cultivar in order to fully assess its suitability for a high-density olive orchard. For this reason we planned a research on two cultivars, Coratina and Arbequina, in a high-density orchard. The apical sprouts elongation of Arbequina early stopped at fruit set without a further step, while Coratina showed a little growth flux after pit hardening. Similar trends showed the lateral proleptic sprouts. Only the sylleptic sprouts of both cultivars had a second period of activity. In all cases, the sprouts elongation finished at the end of summer, when oil accumulation started. Coratina showed higher apical shoot growth and internodes mean length than Arbequina. On the contrary, Coratina showed lower lateral proleptic shoot growth and nodes number than Arbequina, but the same internodes mean length. No significant differences were observed between cultivars for growth, nodes number and internodes mean length of sylleptic shoots. The differences observed between the two cultivars could be explained considering their different vigour. The introduction of this innovative cropping system is allowed to register a considerable reduction of production costs. The result is a considerable increase in the economic performance of the olive grove and a consequent reduction in the unit cost for kg of oil. These data are very useful for varietal choice and field management in high-density orchards and then for new olive breeding programs.

Understanding the determinants of price volatility is a key step to prevent the potential negative consequences of the uncertainty faced by farmers. The presented critical review provides a novel categorization of grain price volatility drivers. The authors distinguish the endogenous and exogenous causes and conclude on the potential effects that each of the identified factors may generate on the price dynamics. In particular, there is deepened the contribution of endogenous factors, such as the spatial and temporal arbitrage, as well as the drivers of shocks of demand and supply.

The paper investigates the attitude of farmers to participate in an on-farm conservation programme based on the cultivation of vine landraces in Apulia, southern Italy, in place of the current commercial varieties, as an adaptation strategy to climate changes. The results, based on choice experiments and assessed through a latent class model, highlight a general interest of the regional farmers toward the biodiversity-based adaptation programme for coping with climate change. In particular, three classes of respondents were identified: (i) farmers operating on the whole regional territory and willing to cultivate up to 50% of their farm area with up to two landraces and compensation in line with the aid set by the regional rural programme; (ii) winegrowers of the intensive rural areas and willing to cultivate up to 25% of their farm with up to two landraces and a compensation greater than 200% compared to the aid of the regional rural programme; (iii) farmers operating in the intermediate rural areas and willing to cultivate up to 50% of their farm with up to three landraces and a compensation greater than 50% compared to the aid of the regional rural programme. Policymakers should calibrate adaption actions depending on rural areas, since economic, social, cultural, behavioural and cognitive barriers, as well as structural characteristics of farms, impact the farmers’ attitudes toward measures aimed at coping with climate change.

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Purpose – to identify in the literature the main activities of Social Agriculture and elaborate a framework easily readable to manage them. Design/Method/Approach –systematic literature review. Findings. Formulation of an interpretative framework for evaluation and management of the existing Social Agriculture actions trough a system-describing pattern. Theoretical implications. Care farms are the most innovative expressions of the agriculture multifunctional. Through the development of complementary activities related to the production of food, they represent an opportunity to discover the innumerable resources of the rural world. An assessment system of the care farming activities, allows for reaching a clear definition of the services for the citizens. Practical implications. Individuals can use Social Agriculture as a way out of job-related stress. Firms, local, and national authorities should evaluate, support, and manage Social Agriculture. Originality/Value. This study for the first time concludes that the rural context and agricultural process are the drivers to promote social integration in the communities. Therefore, the meaning of the Social Agriculture assessment systems obtaining a great importance both for the value' increase of the farmer and for the increase of support for social policies in marginal areas. Future research. The prospects for further studies are: future research about measures to evaluate Social Agriculture activities; tools to improve the decision-making process about future scenarios of the care processes for the society; improved services to avoid the worsening of population health status and thus, improving the process of defining social policies. Paper type – conceptual.