Varietal innovation is back in the spotlight at Macfrut. The theme will be explored in the Varieties International Project in the Plant Nursery Area of Macfrut on 6 and 7 May. International speakers will take the stage at the Plant Nursery Area (Hall A2), where four seminars will discuss the latest advances in fruit plant genetic improvement and the latest varieties of pome, kiwi, stone, and citrus fruit. In this context, Stefano Lugli, expert and coordinator of the symposium, will outline the future of breeding on a worldwide scale.
Stefano Lugli
"In the future, we will have tastier, healthier fruit grown in increasingly sustainable ways. In fact, in recent years, breeding has shifted some of its traditional goals to new ones. Genetic innovations, whether they are new varieties or rootstocks, are now being developed with greater sensitivity to issues such as ecological and agronomic sustainability, the adaptability to climate change, and the resistance to adversity. All of this without forgetting that the main objective of any project of varietal innovation is, and will always be, the quality of the fruit."
Red Pop®, a new apple obtained through CIV (all photos provided by Stefano Lugli)
Genetic improvement can go hand in hand with ongoing climate change, but how is yet to be seen. "Fundamental help comes from rootstock research, which we discussed at length here at MacFruit last year. In the case of varieties, a lot of work has been done to develop genotypes that can withstand rising temperatures and resist various diseases. But as the climate changes, so do the living organisms in the area. And this is another crucial issue, because fruit growing has to deal with diseases related to fungi, bacteria, and insects that are now appearing for the first time. Since Europe has chosen to reduce the use of chemicals, fruit growers find their hands tied and their tools weakened in the fight to defend their products. The way out is therefore through science, which must be able to provide rapid and effective solutions to the current problems."
New variety of yellow-flesh kiwi fruit under the Kikokà® trademark
"Thanks to the genetic and molecular approaches that new biotechnologies have made available to innovators, these priorities are finally achievable. In addition to methods that support traditional breeding, such as assisted selection or MAS, by knowing the genome of a species, it is now possible to intervene through artificial modification to insert/deactivate or activate/deactivate genes that regulate plant responses. In this way, without changing the characteristics of the plant, more precise objectives can be achieved more quickly and with less costly economic impact. In practical terms, this would mean moving from the multi-decade timeframe of the first method to the few years of the second, while drastically reducing costs. In addition, some breeding programs have introduced artificial intelligence to identify future project goals, especially in terms of fruit quality and the needs and expectations of future consumers."
University of Bologna ready to launch new line of bicolor cherry varieties
Breeding has evolved into a genuine entrepreneurial and managerial endeavor, encompassing both the development and propagation of new varieties. "Modern breeding requires creativity, strategic planning, and the sharing of multi-sectoral roles and competencies. The end goal is to create sustainable product innovations that benefit the entire supply chain and align with the current needs of producers, markets, and consumers."
Clemenlola®, the new clementine variety marketed exclusively by Commercial Gallo
"The creation of new varieties and the pursuit of profitability in this field require a synthesis of scientific expertise in genetics and genomics, managerial skills, the establishment of strategic interprofessional partnerships, and the development of effective branding and marketing policies. This approach is essential for developing new and distinct varieties that fully align with the demands of the production and marketing chain while meeting the expectations of consumers, who are becoming increasingly discerning," Lugli concludes.
To learn more and register:
www.macfrut.com/c/129/plant_nursery_area