Montepaldi Long Term Experiment

The Montepaldi Long-Term Experiment (MoLTE) is a field-based research initiative launched in 1991 at the experimental farm of the University of Florence (Montepaldi, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Italy). It compares organic and conventional farming systems under realistic Mediterranean cropping conditions. MoLTE monitors agronomic, ecological, and environmental indicators over time, making it one of the most enduring and data-rich experiments in the Mediterranean region. It serves as a Living Lab for researchers, students, and stakeholders interested in agroecology and sustainable agriculture.

Their aim is to evaluate and compare the long-term effects of organic and conventional farming systems on crop performance, soil fertility, biodiversity, and resource use efficiency in Mediterranean conditions, and to support the transition towards more sustainable agriculture through participatory research and knowledge exchange.