The “Nocciolo e Ricerca” event will be held at the Università Cattolica, Piacenza campus, on June 27th, starting from 9 am, during which the genetic improvement program on the hazelnut implemented thanks to the work and research of the staff of scientists from the faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences led by the professor Sergio Tombesi.
hazelnut in Europe
Europe is the world’s leading user of dried fruit and hazelnut represents one of the most important ingredients for the Italian and European confectionery industry.
“The hazelnut sector, which deals with the cultivation of hazelnuts, is experiencing an effervescent phase of expansion, with an increase in surface areas and the diffusion into new geographical areas – highlights Tombesi – This growth has led to an increase in the number of new hazelnut growers and the increasingly pressing need for solutions to adapt to climate change“.
The answer to these requests comes from scientific research, the results of which will be at the center of the day in Cattolica during which, in addition to talking about the evolution and management of the hazelnut grove, the genetic improvement program of the Catholic University will also be presented.
“With this program, which is currently the largest in Europe, we aim to obtain, through controlled breeding, new hazelnut varietiesimproved in terms of productivity, quality and tolerance to environmental stress – continues Tombesi – Another focus of the research is the obtaining of non-sucking clonal rootstocks which will allow us to increase resilience to climate change, reduce the use of herbicides, increasing the sustainability of the culture” .
“The future of hazelnuts passes through genetic improvement and grafting,” he says Elisa De Luca, head of the VCR Research Center. “In this context, the Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo are motivated to make their experience available to the hazelnut sector, collaborating effectively with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and with Ferrero Hazelnut Company to solve the agronomic problems caused by the impact of climate change on the hazelnut tree ”.
the program
During the study day it will be possible visit the experimental hazelnut fields available to the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the Piacenza campus for its study, research and training activities: “Visiting the hazelnut grove, we could discuss the innovations that could contribute to the progress of hazelnut growing in the coming years”, concludes the professor.
