Introduction... page Crop rotation Till the soil with respect Use the most suitable variety... 12

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2 Contents Introduction... page 4 1. Crop rotation Till the soil with respect Use the most suitable variety Use only certified and treated seeds Sow at the right moment Use the right amount of seed Control weed species promptly Dose nitrogen in relation to plant needs Protect the plant from disease Extend sustainability to the farm system This document was printed in September 211 on FSC certified paper ( DNV COC 2.

3 Introduction page 4 Introduction page 5 Agricultural sustainability Sustainability implies the ability to produce goods and food in a way that holds economic advantage for farmers while respecting the environment and social correctness. Sustainable agriculture contributes to improving the quality of life for both farmers and the community as a whole. The sustainable farmer gives priority to production systems that help preserve environmental resources, safeguard their wellness and that of the community and produce an adequate quality and quantity of food, with a connected economic reward. Agricultural sustainability is a priority for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 21422). The ten rules for durum wheat cultivation For several years Barilla has pursued the study of cropping systems that include durum wheat in Italy. The study compares various systems and cultural practices in terms of environmental, economic and agronomic aspects through specific sustainability indicators. The results show that practices of sustainable agriculture help improve crop yields, product quality by allowing an increase of crop income and efficiency of fertilization. The Handbook for Wheat Cultivation, which originates from this study, is a list of guiding principles for farmers who face the complex challenges of modern agriculture. THE OBJECTIVES IN APPLYING THE TEN RULES From Handbook to operative choices The sustainable farmer is a new business figure called upon to make complex decisions both strategic (long term) and tactical (in response to events) while taking into account a multiplicity of resources, constraints and objectives. Such figure, thus, has significant decisionmaking capacity, is available for constant modernization and makes use of specific consultancy. DSS The compilation of this Handbook focused on findings from public and private research as well as on longterm rotational crop trials for what concerns strategic decisions, while those of a tactical nature drew main reference from GranoDuro.net, which constitutes a DSS (Decision Support System) for the cultivation of quality durum wheat. Indeed, several of the models housed by this system were used by Barilla In studies on cropping systems concerning the optimization of nitrogen inputs of durum wheat and the DON forecast. GranoDuro.net is an Internet service that is currently under validation and integrates information on weather patterns, soil conditions and varietal characteristics in a clear and userfriendly decision support system. In this document, DSS implies the possibility of using a Decision Support System, such as GranoDuro.net or others scientifically tested on crops, to define more appropriate interventions in relation to specific environmental conditions and cultivation. DON Reduction (Food Safety) Increase of quality yield Reduction of environmental impact

4 Rule 1 Crop rotation page 6 Rule 1 Crop rotation page 7 1. Crop rotation Crop rotation increases the income of the field. Rotate durum wheat with dicotyledonous crops (eg, soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, tomato, sugar beets, alfalfa, grain legumes, grass, etc..). Alternating crops reduces the environmental impact. ton CO₂/ha Maize, durum wheat, maize, maize 6,2 ton CO₂/ha (34%) Soybean, durum wheat, sunflower, maize /ha (quadrennial) % 1. Gross income Direct costs Net income durum wheat, durum wheat, sorghum, durum wheat rapeseed, durum wheat, sunflower, durum wheat Emission of CO₂ equivalent of two quadrennial crop rotations. Study data "Sustainability of crop systems" coordinated by Barilla, 21. Processing by Life Cycle Engineering. Economic indicators showing two different quadrennial rotations in Central Italy. Study data "Sustainability of crop systems" coordinated by Barilla, 21. Processing by Horta. Rotation with dicotyledons allows a reduction of greenhouse gas by over 3%, due to the possibility of using less fertilizers. The CO₂ equivalent consists in the conversion into quantities of CO₂ of the impact on global warming related to the different types of greenhouse gases (CO₂ / N₂ O / CH₄ / etc.) through the use of conversion factors. The rotation with dicotyledons allows approximately a 6% increase of total net income, mainly due to the possibility of obtaining higher yields without increasing costs. The benefits can be demonstrated in relation to complete crop rotation.

5 Rule 2 Till soil with respect page 8 Rule 2 Till soil with respect page 9 2. Till soil with respect Tilling soil in a more conservative manner while taking into account the local area, climate, type of soil and rotation performed. Conservative tillage allows significant cost savings. Conditions of high fusarium head blight risk still require land ploughing to reduce the amount of inoculum. Soil tillage is one of the key elements for reducing mycotoxin risk. 1 IMPACT SYSTEM 8 /ha minimum kg CO₂ eq/ha DON content % 58% Traditional tillage Minimum tillage Traditional tillage Minimum tillage ploughing chisel clod breaking harrowing sowing Comparison of sowing costs involving traditional and minimum tillage: cost of crop operations (lefthand graph) and values of emissions (righthand graph). Study data "Sustainability of crop systems" coordinated by Barilla, 21. Processing by Life Cycle Engineering and Horta. Ploughing Minimum / no tillage Tillage without turning DON content of grains produced in 8 plots of EmiliaRomagna (224) with different soil tillage methods. Source: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 24. Minimum soil tillage cuts costs 335% compared to traditional methods. Minimum tillage methods allow a 3% reduction of CO₂. Set the content to 1 with minimum or no tillage, ploughing reduces DON by an average of 79%.

6 Rule 2 Till soil with respect page 1 Rule 2 Till soil with respect page 11 Choosing the tillage method in a flexible manner, using adequate tools and work depth for the specific conditions and cropping system involving durum wheat, according to the following guidelines. + recommended LEGEND advised + possible not advised NORTHERN ITALY CENTRAL ITALY SOUTHERN ITALY TILLAGE Rotation of maize, sorghum wheat Rotation of soybean, rapeseed, tomato alfalfa, sugar beet Rotation of maize, grain sorghum, durum wheat Rotation of soy, rapeseed, tomato, alfalfa, peas sugar beet Rotation of durum wheat (monocropping) Rotation of sunflower, rapeseed, fava bean Deep ploughing (4 45 cm) + + Surface ploughing (3 cm) + Combined / minimum tillage (3 35 cm) + Sod seeding +

7 Rule 3 Use the most suitable variety page 12 Rule 4 Use only certified and treated seeds page Use the most suitable variety Choosing the planting variety in relation to the cropping area and expectations in terms of productivity and technological quality. 4. Use only certified and treated seeds Only certified seeds guarantee varietal identity (productive potentiality, technological quality and resistance to adversities) and quality of the seed (purity, germinability). Using certified seeds allows better selection and improved marketed varieties of seeds. Increased yield in grain (%) Yealds increase of new varieties compared to the Creso and Simeto average (set at 1). Processing by Horta in relevance to CRA data, National network of variety trials of hard wheat. Choose varieties tested in the target area, both in test plots and in the openfield. Choose the variety on the basis of production criteria, production stability, resistance to adversities and technological quality. Each value represents the average of the new accessions included into the official trials. The line represents the growing trend of production over the years thanks to genetic enhancement.

8 Rule 4 Use only certified and treated seeds page 14 Rule 5 Sow at the right moment page 15 Only industrially treated seeds allow the best protection against pathogens found on caryopsis and better active principal distribution on each seed. 5. Sow at the right moment MORE SURETY IN USING PHYTOSANITARY PRODUCTS REDUCTION OF PATHOGEN LOAD Each variety has an ideal planting season that varies in relation to crop area and weather conditions. 9, 8,5 8, INCREASE OF FARMER S GROSS INCOME HEIGHTENED GUARANTEE OF ACHIEVING TARGET RETURN ON INVESTMENT Grain yield (t/ha) 7,5 7, 6,5 6, 5,5 5, 4,5 4, 3 October 15 November 13 December 26 January variety A variety B variety C Yield of three varieties drilled at different moments. Data source: "Farming Barilla", Ravenna 211. Processing by Horta. INDUSTRIAL TREATMENT OF CERTIFIED SEEDS The varieties produce differently in relation to planting period. Some varieties adapt better to late planting. With regard to late planting, it may be best to modify variety selection.

9 Rule 6 Use the right amount of seed page 16 Rule 7 Control weed promptly page Use the right amount of seed 7. Control weed promptly Select planting density in relation to variety, crop area, planting period and soil conditions. Excessively dense planting prevents crops from best exploiting reserves, foster development of disease and lodging effects. On the other hand, sparse planting, especially with low tillers, may limit production potential. Treatment delay leads to consistent production losses due to competition of crop infesting species. Select the proper weeding solutions in regard to the type of plant infestation as well as weather and crop conditions. 1 Grain yield (t/ha) 1, 9,5 9, 8,5 8, 7,5 7, Grain 13% Um* ,5 PD 6, DA 19 January 2 February 23 March 13 April PD planting density variety A variety B * first stage = 1 DA data of application of avenicide herbicides Yield of two varieties with different planting density. Data source: "Farming Barilla", Ravenna 211. Processing by Horta. DSS Grain yield in relation to application stage of two herbicides against wild oats. Test performed in Foggia cropland of Italy (Marino, 29). Processing by Horta. DSS Variety A achieves maximum productivity with balanced investments. Variety B achieves higher yields with higher investments. In the southern areas of Italy, springtime weedcontrol activities can lead to production losses of up to 8% when compared to winter treatment.

10 Rule 8 Dose nitrogen in relation to plant needs page 18 Rule 8 Dose nitrogen in relation to plant needs page Dose nitrogen in relation to plant needs Achieving higher yield and protein implies correct dosage of nitrogen by fractionating it in relation to plant development. High efficiency of nitrogen use is obtained considering the required amount of nitrogen supply for wheat in relation to crop rotation, natural ground supply, variety in play and climate pattern. Grains 13% Um (t/ha) ND ND nitrogen dosage kg/ha Grain yield under increased dosage of nitrate fertilizer over a fiveyear period (2621). Trial carried out in Ravenna (IT) by the Terremerse Cooperative in 268 and by Horta In 291. Processing by Horta DSS Nitrogen distributed during planting generally has low efficiency because it is subjected to wash out by winter precipitation. Nitrogen is more effective when administered to growing crops and above all significantly improves yield and protein content if fractionated. If supply is essential for productivity during tilering and onset od stem extension, it is vital for protein content during the end of elongation onest of flowering. Protein content of SS (%) SA Tillering Elongation onset Elongation end flowering SA stage of application Protein content obtained with 3 different moments of application of nitrated fertilizers. Data source: "Farming Barilla", Ravenna (IT) 211. Processing by: Horta. In each year, the highest production was achieved with different doses. Differences are due to climate and crop rotation. The same nitrogen dose of 41 units (from ammonium nitrate) was applied during tillering, elongation onset and elongation end flowering. No other additives were supplied on trial plots.

11 Rule 9 Protect the plant from disease page 2 Rule 9 Protect the plant from disease page Protect the plant from disease Carry out treatment in relation to risk conditions. Choose the fungicides or the mix of active ingredients best suited to control the diseases VARIETY ROTATION TILLAGE ZONE SPECIES CLIMATIC PATTERN Contribution in % of different DON accumulation factors. Data processed over a threeyear study conducted in Emilia Romagna. Source: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 25. Seasonal trend and cultivation area has a 47% impact, varietal species is 33%, crop rotation is 8% and soil tillage method makes up the remaining 12%. Crop rotation and soil tillage method, however, lend a vast contribution in reducing mycotoxin risk. Septariosis Puccinia triticina (brown rust) Therefore, limiting DON in cereal plantations with mycotoxin risk can be achieved only through an overall strategy that accounts for all crop aspects. Risk depends mainly on varietal susceptibility, phenological stage of the crop, type of agronomic choices (nitrogen and planting density), atmospheric conditions and presence of incoculum. DSS DON in µg/kg (first histogram= 1) 68% 72% 87% 91% Fusarium head blight (or scab) constitutes the main fungal disease for wheat because, aside from producing significant quanti qualitative losses, it is at the base of the production of DON (Deoxynivalenol). Control of fusarium must be performed through preventive and curative measures. The first thing to consider is the type of crop rotation (species cultivated) and soil tillage (management of crop residues). The second treatment employs specific fungicides at flowering onset. The choice of fungicide must be made considering the risk level obtained through forecast models. Fungicide treatment Crop rotation Tillage Variety No No No No Yes cereals sod A cereals other crops other crops other crops ploughing ploughing ploughing ploughing A A B B Effect of different technical itineraries on DON content of kernels. Trials performed In 3 locations of the Pianura Padana (Northern Italy) with the research project SINSIAF. Source: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 27. The % values express the reduction compared to the highest value that is represented by no fungicide treatment, cereal rotation, sod planting and variety A (susceptible).

12 Rule 1 Extend sustainability to the farm system page Extend sustainability to the farm system Deal with durum wheat cultivations at a cropping system level (rotation), beyond the limit of individual crop. Apply the ecoconditionality measures in accordance with the rules. Employ technical measures in Respect of Good Farm Practices and follow the Guidelines for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) while accounting for a Sustainable Use of pesticides. Adopt farm hydraulic measures to prevent erosion, runoff and contamination of water bodies. Foster biodiversity (use hedges, cover crops, etc.). This document was drawn up by a working group composed of Barilla, Horta Srl, Life Cycle Engineering and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Piacenza (Italy), on the basis of both public and private research findings. Luca Ruini, Enrico Cademartiri, Emilio Ferrari, Cesare Ronchi, Marco Silvestri, Michele Zerbini (Barilla G. e R. F.lli S.p.A.) Massimo Marino, Fabrizio Boeri, Filippo Sessa (Life Cycle Engineering) Pierluigi Meriggi (Horta Srl) Matteo Ruggeri (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Piacenza)

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