Expected results

Considering the most serious problem of corn cultivation i.e. the high cost of production due to and the cost of nitrogen fertilization which has more than doubled, the introduction of the proposed cultivation protocol will help to reduce costs through reduced nitrogen fertilization and increase yields through and of their better redistribution of nitrogen fertilization.

In more detail: Increase in profit of the Central Macedonia region where 600,000 acres are cultivated by at least €6.72 million, contributing significantly to the economy of the region and to the survival of the crop. Previous research data showed a cost reduction of at least €4/str (€2.4 million euros) and in combination with an increase in efficiency of at least 2% (2% increase * 600,000 acres * 1.2 tons/acre * 300 euro/ ton. = €4.32 million), a significant increase in the income of the producer is achieved. Reduction of production costs through the application of reduced inputs to corn cultivation

Performance indicator: mean reduction of fertilization costs in corn fields and confidence intervals.Reduction of environmental footprint through reduction of nitrate pollution of groundwater. Performance indicator: reduction of NO₃⁻ in soil and water through laboratory analyses. Training of farmers in innovative production systems of reduced inputs and rational nitrogen fertilization. Preparing the agricultural sector for the upcoming changes of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.