New approaches for sustainability in horticulture

Alessandra Gentile is full professor of Arboriculture and Fruitculture at the University of Catania, Italy, since 2006. She had many management roles in different universities and scientific research centers and has been recipient of “Shennong Scholar” Chair professor of Hunan Agricultural University Changsha, China for 6 years. During her careers she collaborated with different national and international research center among which Department of Plant Genetics of the Weizmann Institute of Science of Rehovot, Israel; Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Instituto Valenciano de Investigationes Agrarias, Valencia; Spain; Hunan Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, PR China. Her main reserch interests are in genetic improvement of mediterranean fruit tree species by traditional and innovative methods, mainly on citrus. She also patented 6 grape varieties. Her research experience includes plant tissue culture, germplasm characterization and gene identification. She also developed traceability protocols for fruit products, along the chain. Professor Gentile has received many recognitions from different Accademies and she is currently President of the Sud-ovest section of the Accademia dei Georgofili, Florence, Italy and President of the International Society of Citriculture.