PEGaSus
Phosphouruse efficiency in Gallus gallus and Sus scrofa: bridging the gaps in the phosphorus value chain
Il fosforo, largamente utilizzato in agricoltura, è un elemento esenziale per la vita. È una risorsa finita ma riciclabile che, però, non viene utilizzata in maniera efficiente. I monograstrici, quali suini e pollame, contribuiscono al raggiungimento della sicurezza alimentare mondiale ma rilasciano alte quantità di fosforo e rappresentano la causa principale della dispersione di questo elemento nell'ambiente. Lo scopo del progetto è di trovare soluzioni per garantire un adeguato approvvigionamento di prodotti di origine animale di alta qualità attraverso sistemi agricoli efficienti ed economicamente competitivi, che possano creare valore aggiunto per la società e preservare gli ecosistemi del suolo e dell'acqua.
The UCSC team is coordinated by prof. Paolo Sckokai
CHALLENGE
Phosphorus (P) is an irreplaceable component of life and used in all agricultural production systems. It is a finite but recycable resource which is not efficiently used and reused in agricultural production leading to serious concerns for soil and water ecosystems.
OBJECTIVES
onogastrics such as pigs and chickens contribute to achieve global food security but are major P excretors and sources of P losses. Balancing the P cycle is crucial towards a P resilient livestock production. The strategic aim of this project is to provide solutions to secure sufficient supplies of high quality animal products from resource-efficient and economically competitive agro-systems that are valued by society and preserve soil and water ecosystems.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The fate of P in fodder, animals, microbiota, slurry, soil and water will be traced. An improved understanding of the biodiversity of monogastric P utilisation towards both an optimised P supply and highest standards of animal health and welfare will be generated. The genotype-phenotype map, i.e. genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic variation, will be addressed. PEGaSus will develop feeding, breeding and management/reuse tools and strategies as well as science-based policy measures to improve the efficiency of P use in pig and chicken production.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The project delivers cost-benefit estimations in various farm-, production-, process-, and eco-systems, and novel approaches of P management/reuse to balance economic and environmental sustainability of the dense but uneven distributed European animal production.