BioActiveWool is an innovative project exploring the use of sheep wool as the basis for developing a new bio-based solution for more sustainable olive cultivation.
The project combines sheep-wool pellets with microbial biostimulants, aiming to evaluate this solution under real field conditions. BioActiveWool brings together two complementary approaches — the valorisation of sheep wool as a circular, bio-based agricultural input and the use of beneficial microorganisms — within a single solution designed for practical application in olive cultivation.
From an underused by-product to a new agricultural input
Sheep wool is a locally available resource that often remains underutilised. By converting it into pellets, it can serve as a carrier of organic matter and nutrients, while also creating new opportunities to valorise an agricultural by-product within the circular bioeconomy.
Within BioActiveWool, the pellets are enriched with selected microbial biostimulants. The project investigates how this combined approach performs under real cultivation conditions and whether it can contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable olive-growing practices.
Pilot trials in Crete and Halkidiki
BioActiveWool pilot applications are being carried out in olive groves in Crete and Halkidiki, allowing the solution to be assessed under different soil and farming conditions.
The field trials include the application of different treatments, monitoring of soil and crop conditions, sample collection and laboratory analyses. The project aims to assess the agronomic performance of the solution, water and nutrient-use efficiency, the mode of action of the microorganisms, and potential differences in performance across different regions and soil conditions.
The project starts from TRL 6 and aims to progress towards TRL 7, demonstrating the integrated solution under real operational conditions.
The partnership
BioActiveWool is implemented by:
- Mediterranean Agrofood Competence Center – MACC, project coordinator, responsible for field trials, data management, communication and exploitation of project results.
- Internet of Food Alliance – INOFA, responsible for the selection and integration of microbial biostimulants, as well as the formulation and quality control of pilot batches.
- Christos Kampanis, an olive grower in Halkidiki, who provides the pilot farm and supports the implementation and monitoring of the field trials under real production conditions.
What comes next
Over the coming months, field trials, monitoring activities and laboratory analyses will continue. The results will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, better understand its mode of action and develop practical guidance for its future application and uptake.
BioActiveWool demonstrates how circular bioeconomy, biological innovation and real-world agricultural testing can come together to support the development of new solutions for the agrifood sector.
More information about I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS and the FSTP Open Call is available here:
https://i3-4-biofertilizers.eu/financial-support-to-third-parties-2/
