A convention held at the CREA facility in Acireale (Sicily) discussed how the germoplasm conservation of the Citrus genus is essential for biodiversity.
The audience attended in compliance with Covid regulations
"150 years of history of intensive citrus fruit cultivation have been written thanks to this center, which contributed not only to scientific research, but also to the economic development of the island," explained Silvia di Silvestro, manager of the Crea facility in Acireale.
After all, companies from Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sicily used to export prestigious citrus fruits all over Europe already on steam trains!
Above, one of the various tables set up to showcase the products (click here for the photo gallery)
"The event was an opportunity for the world of research and the citrus fruit chain to stress the availability of researchers to listen to and understand market needs to establish the objectives of future shared projects. The Acireale facility features three experimental companies in Lentini (SR), San Gregorio (RC) and Fiumefreddo (CT), as well as the historic facility (San Salvatore, Acireale) with the citrus fruit germoplasm collections. These companies perform the first selections of new genotypes, which we showcased."
Silvia Di Silvestro
When presenting the new director of the Center Enzo Peri, former director Paolo Rapisarda said that "the challenge remains the same, i.e. ensure funding for research. Unfortunately, the Italian Ministry for Agriculture has not envisaged direct funding for research as part of the resources deriving from the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). In such a difficult moment for the economy and from a geopolitical point of view, we were expecting more consideration."
Enzo Perri
Perri said he is very pleased with the lively activities of the Center, which he now manages together with the facilities of Rome, Rende, Forlì and Caserta. As for the PNRR funds, he added that "it would be preferable for part of the sums destined to MUR (Ministry for University and Scientific Research) to reach CREA through project developed jointly by the Universities and the CNR."
H6305 - Foma tangerine x Tarocco 4x.
"Today is an extraordinary day, as we showcase what research can do when it interacts with the territory. I plan on being in Acireale more in the future to support the work of our researchers, try and simplify bureaucracy and actively search for financing."
L8907 - common clementine x Ar. Tarocco 4x
The morning was also the occasion to present four new tangerine-like hybrids as part of a larger exhibition (click here for the photo gallery) that preceded the convention.
H5969 - Fortune tangerine x Tarocco 4x
The cultivars presented were H6305 - Foma tangerine x Tarocco 4x, l'H5969 - Fortune tangerine x Tarocco 4x, la L8907 - common clementine x Ar. Tarocco 4x e la cv. L9072 - common clementine x Tangelo Minneola. All cultivars are currently being assessed (sampling date 02.18.2022) and will be available to private companies in the near future.
L9072 - common clementine x Tangelo Minneola
Three scientific reports were illustrated by researchers Marcello Cutuli with an assessment of Sicilian fruit genetic resources, Paola Caruso on the role of "ornamental citrus fruit in the preservation of biodiversity" and ending with Giuseppe Russo, who discussed "varietal choice between innovation and tradition".
Gerardo Diana
Gerardo Diana, president of Consorzio di Tutela dell'Arancia Rossa di Sicilia Igp and Federica Argentati, president Distretto degli Agrumi di Sicilia, also intervened and there followed a short debate with the audience.
"We work hard every day to make people understand what we do in the interest of agriculture. The projects started by Crea in collaboration with the POs are tangible and much appreciated by the category. We have corrected and are still correcting the mistakes companies made by making their own varietal choices. We are focusing more on market needs, and our companies remain open to scientific research as they are aware, final results can vary between areas or even within the same company."
(click here for the photo gallery)
"This year, we have had to deal with rain, floods, drought, frost, volcanic ash, etc. We are also very worried about the global spreading of citrus greening (also known as Huanglongbing or HLB), which has almost reached Europe."
Federica Argentati
"We are also committed to biodiversity and have developed various projects on sustainability, starting with the rationalization of natural resources and mainly irrigation water. The District includes all Sicilian citrus fruit PDOs and PGIs. A lot has been done when it comes to innovation and promotion, but there is still a long way to go for aggregation, as companies could work together as a community."
For further information: 
CREA - Acireale
[email protected]
