The Center for Agriculture, Food and Environment is a joint initiative of the University of Trento and Fondazione Edmund Mach, created to strengthen their long-standing collaboration. Established through a framework agreement signed on 22 September 2015 and formally inaugurated on 21 September 2017, C3A brings together scientific expertise, advanced facilities and training programmes in agriculture, food and environmental sciences.
Photo: Campus C3A Fondazione Edmund Mach
The Centre focuses on high-quality research and education in smart and sustainable agriculture, quality food production, environmental impact mitigation and the responsible use of natural resources. Its interdisciplinary approach connects laboratory research, field trials and environmental monitoring to develop innovative, low-impact products, tools, methods and strategies.
C3A supports joint research projects, advanced training and education, technology transfer and knowledge dissemination at local, national, European and international level. It also facilitates the sharing of scientific expertise, human resources, equipment, laboratories and physical spaces between its founding institutions, increasing the quality and impact of research and its transfer to society. Its activities in partnerships with public institutions, other research organisations and companies foster innovation, patents and the application of scientific results beyond academia.
The Centre contributes to the development of joint educational programmes, doctoral training and is the academic home of the undergraduate programme in Viticulture and Oenology, the Master of Science in Agrifood Innovation Management and the doctoral programme in Agrifood and Environmental Sciences. It is also a partner in the Master’s degree in Environmental Meteorology.
Infrastructure and Equipment
C3A is located at Fondazione Edmund Mach in San Michele all’Adige, 16 km north of Trento, on a research and education campus dedicated to agriculture, food and environmental sciences.
The campus includes lecture rooms, greenhouses, laboratories, office spaces and agricultural areas. It combines a 14-hectare agricultural campus with extensive green spaces and field facilities, providing an ideal environment for laboratory research, teaching and open-field experimentation.
The Centre has access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment for research in genomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, chemistry, sensory analysis, food technology, agronomy, plant physiology, environmental science, agricultural microbiology, plant pathology and entomology.
Field research is supported by controlled-temperature greenhouses, semi-field tunnels, experimental fields, microclimatic sensors and agro-meteorological stations. These systems collect environmental and meteorological data and are connected to remote-sensing acquisition platforms.
Sustainable agriculture
C3A develops research and innovation for more sustainable, resilient and low-impact agricultural systems.
Photo: Vineyard at Campus C3A Fondazione Edmund Mach
Its work combines crop genetics, plant physiology, microbiology, entomology, plant pathology, agroecology and climate-smart agronomy to improve productivity while reducing pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. Particular attention is given to crop adaptation, soil biological fertility, plant–microorganism interactions, beneficial microorganisms, resilient varieties and precision approaches for plant breeding and crop management.
The Centre develops sustainable strategies for crop protection, with the aim of reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Research focuses on biological control, microbial consortia, biofungicides, biostimulants, biofertilizers, plant extracts, semiochemicals, vibration-based monitoring systems and other environmentally friendly tools for the prevention and management of pests and diseases.
C3A also studies invasive species, emerging plant pathogens and climate-driven agricultural risks. By integrating field trials, controlled-environment experiments, omics technologies, molecular diagnostics, ecological modelling and decision-support systems, the Centre provides scientific knowledge and practical solutions for farmers, cooperatives and agri-food value chains.
Research also supports climate-smart viticulture, fruit crop improvement and sustainable management of vineyards, fruit and olive orchards, with a focus on quality, resilience, reduced plant protection l inputs and adaptation to drought, heat and other environmental stresses.
Quality food products
C3A combines advanced food characterisation, sensory science, consumer behaviour, traceability, agri-food technologies, and social, legal and economic research.
Photo: Mediterranean-style dish
The Centre studies raw materials, processed products and beverages (wine in particular) across the entire production chain, linking composition, processing conditions, structure and functionality to measurable quality attributes.
Research activities support quality assessment, authenticity verification, product differentiation and the valorisation of territorial food systems. Advanced analytical approaches - including spectroscopy, omics methods, stable isotope analysis and NMR profiling - are used to verify origin, protect geographical indications and develop reliable tools for food traceability. C3A also investigates sensory quality and consumer responses, studying how biological, psychological and genetic factors influence perception, preferences and food choices.
The Centre’s food research extends to the social, legal and economic dimensions of agri-food systems. It examines regulation, innovation, sustainability policies, market dynamics, consumer acceptance and the governance of food system transitions, supporting more resilient, equitable and sustainable models of production and consumption.
C3A also addresses innovation in processing, packaging and industrial sustainability, with attention to green food processing technologies, smart packaging, circular economy approaches and the reduction of natural resource use in agri-food value chains.
The Alpine environment
C3A studies alpine and mountain ecosystems to support biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Photo: The alpine landscape surrounding the campus
Research combines field observation, ecological modelling, remote sensing, GIS analysis and open data to monitor environmental change across different areas and time scales. The Centre develops models and tools to understand the evolution of forests and landscapes, assess ecosystem fragmentation, study the effects of extreme events and support land planning, biodiversity conservation and forest management.
C3A also investigates the interactions between climate, vegetation, agricultural and forest systems. This includes the monitoring and modelling of meteorological variables, extreme weather events, water resources, vegetation–atmosphere exchanges and the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
Particular attention is given to biodiversity, invasive species, ecosystem services and the relationship between environmental change and society. By integrating ecological, climatic, spatial and socio-economic data, C3A provides knowledge and practical tools for the protection and management of alpine environments.