Sustainable crop production

Abstract

The research for sustainable crop production is mandatory to face climate change and reduction of genetic biodiversity and soil fertility in farming systems and to increase food security, food safety and ecosystem services. Evolutionary history of crop species, effects of crop domestication and adaptation to different environments on crop population and identification of genes/genomic regions that control important agronomic and adaptive traits were studied. Yield and quality have been primary aims for our breeders, who also strived to anticipate the future needs of the society, developing resilient varieties to environment, pests and diseases by using traditional and biotechnological tools. Innovation in vineyard and orchard management was introduced by developing new strategies or adapting traditional techniques to the needs of social and climate changes. Cultivated landscape preservation was pursued by improving carbon sequestration, increasing soil fertility and reducing the risks of soil erosion and nitrogen leaching. Studies on social support and consumer appreciation of sustainable farming systems marked the importance of matching food safety and security, conservation of biodiversity and improvement of ecosystem services. These last at farm and landscape scale are the framework approach for describing the benefits of crop production to human well-being.