Optimisation of water and nitrogen in irrigated permanent meadows in the province of Reggio Emilia

Permanent meadows located in the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia (Northern Italy) are extremely important for the production of Parmigiano – Reggiano cheese. Traditionally, this crop is irrigated by means of flood irrigation. In recent years, the reduced availability of irrigation water has meant that it has become necessary to optimise water use for crops with high irrigation requirements like permanent meadows. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the possibility of using the sprinkling method to optimise irrigation. The influence of nitrogen fertilisation has also been studied over a three year period, to verify the environmental effects of the different irrigation methods.