Faculty of Agriculture Sciences of the University of Milan, Italy

The collaboration with the Arboreal Cultivation Institute of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Milan, contact Prof. T. Eccher, began in 1982, still a student, with research on in vitro cultures.

It is a relationship that has passed through different phases: from a new graduate first, until 1985, later part-time as an external collaborator, from 1986 to 1990, a period in which I was an employee of the company EniChem Agricoltura SpA, since November 1990, after resigning from Enichem Agricoltura SpA, I have collaborated with greater diligence by taking advantage of an annual scholarship of the CLIFOF Foundation of Minoprio dedicated to the “Realization of a research and experimentation project in the horticultural sector”, from November 1991 to February 1995 the collaboration with the ICA continued with the grant of triennial study foreseen for the attendance of the research doctorate in Plant Biology and Cultivated Plant Productivity, for the achievement of which he worked, with Professor Tommaso Eccher as a guide, on a research project concerning the interaction between genotypic and microclimatic factors in the expression of the morphological and qualitative characteristics of the apples; in 1997-1998 I continued the collaboration with a scholarship two-year post-doctoral degree, from 1999 to 2005 as external collaborator of DI.PRO.VE. following research projects and contributing to the performance of the students’ thesis work.

During the academic activity I published over 40 scientific articles for the major Italian scientific journals (Italus Hortus, Fruit-growing, etc.) and in English (Physiologia Plantarum, Scientia Horticulturae, Biologia Plantarum, Acta Horiculturae); I also participated in about thirty international conferences, in Italy and abroad. I was co-supervisor of a dozen graduation theses in the field of fruit-growing and commissioner in several sessions at the Degree exams of the Faculty of Agriculture. I participated as a member of the operational units in research projects funded by the National Research Council (C.N.R.), Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research (M.U.R.S.T.), M.I.R.A.A.F. and M.I.PA.

I collaborated in the thesis work, of which I am the co-supervisor, of the following Degree Theses of the Faculty of Agriculture:

• RAVA – Vegetative and productive characteristics of giant blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) propagated traditionally and micropropagated – a.a. 1992-93; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• DEL SIGNORE – Varietal responses, influence of light and nutrition in the “in vitro” culture of Vaccinium corymbosum – a.a. 1993-94; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• FERRARI – Influence of microclimatic and nutritional factors on rooting and breeding of micropropagated plants of Vaccinium corymbosum – a.a. 1993-94; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• PERICO – Determination of the presence of gibberellino-like substances in small fruits of different Golden Delicious growing clones – a.a. 1994-95; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè and Dr. Vanoli.
• LO RUSSO – Influence of microclimatic factors on the morphological and qualitative characteristics of Golden Delicious fruits – a.a. 1994-95; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• ZILORRI – Influence of mineral nutrition on the physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of Golden Delicious apples – a.a. 1994-95; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• GILARDONI – Observations on the behavior in the field of different cultivars of giant blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) – a.a. 1995-96; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• BORRA – Study of the effects of different mycorrhizal strains on the rooting and mineral nutrition of Vaccinium corymbosum micropropagato – a.a. 1997-98; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. Dr. N. Noè.
• AZZALINI – Study of the correlations between the content of endogenous gibberellins and the shape and russeting of the fruit in different Golden Delicious apple clones – a.a. 1998-99; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• GARLASCHI – Evaluation of the influence of thirteen different rootstocks on the agronomic and productive characteristics of the sweet cherry (Prunus Avium) – a.a. 1999-00; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• MASPERO – Research on pruning and the needs of mineral fertilization of Vaccinium corymbosum (giant blueberry) – a.a. 2000-01; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• DOMENICALI – In vitro propagation tests, mycorrhization and mineral nutrition of deciduous azaleas (Azalea mollis) – a.a. 2000-01; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• LAFACE – Varietal characterization, productivity and possible use of 18 new American giant blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum and V. ashei) in the piedmont environment – a.a. 2001-02; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.
• DELLA VALLE – Investigations on aerial and radical development of self-rooted or grafted apple trees on clonal rootstocks of different vigor – a.a. 2001-02; supervisor Prof. T. Eccher, co-supervisor Dr. N. Noè.

Faculty of Agriculture Sciences of the University of Milan, Italy – Master’s degree

I was Deputy Commissioner for the Degree exams of the Faculty of Agriculture: a.a. 1993-94, II session, 11/14/1994, substitute teacher. 1994-95, II session, 7/11/1995, deputy.a.a. 1994-95, III session, 7/3/1996, substitute teacher. 1995-96, III session, 3/13/97, substitute teacher. 1997-98 III session, 18/3/1999, substitute teacher 1998-99 1st session, 12/7/1999, actual.a.a. 1999-00 II session, 11/14/2000, substitute teacher 2000-01 II session, 11/20/2001, actual.a.a. 2001-02 II session, 3/12/2002, substitute.a.a. 2001-02 III session II appeal, 10/04/2003, effective.

As a member of the operational units, I participated in the following research projects: National Research Council (CNR) – “Agrobiotechnology in plant production, quality regulatory mechanisms, theme of fruit quality in relation to crop and climate factors” (RAISA) , resp. national Prof. S. Sansavini, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher, 1991-95. Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research (MURST) – “Ecophysiology, biochemical characterization, improvement and qualitative development of Ribes, Rubus and Vaccinium” (40%), national manager Prof. R. Paglietta, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher. 1992-95.Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research (M.U.R.S.T.) – “Application of in vitro techniques for the propagation and improvement of tree species”, (60%). Head of research Prof. T. Eccher, years: 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research (MURST) – “Expansion of the possibilities of use of small fruits in agri-environmental recovery and crop diversification of marginal areas “, national manager Prof. R. Paglietta, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher. 1995-97.Ministry of University and Scientific and Technological Research (M.U.R.S.T.) – “Improvement of quality in tree production: influence of different wavelengths of solar radiation on GA content in apple fruits”. (60%) Head of research Prof. T. Eccher. year 1998 National Research Council (CNR) – “Interaction between hormones and light in the control of plant growth and differentiation: study of the influence of different wavelengths of the solar spectrum on the synthesis and level of endogenous phytoregulators in Malus” (ORLU ), coordinator Prof. B. Lercari, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher. 1994-96.I.R.A.A.F. – National Plant Biotechnology Plan – “Molecular techniques for the identification and diagnosis of symbiont fungi in a plant”, head of the operational unit Prof. P. Bonfante, 1995-1999.Ministry of the University and Scientific and Technological Research (MURST) – “Expansion of the potential use of small fruits in agri-environmental recovery and crop diversification of marginal areas: Effect of different mycorrhizae on the adaptation to the environment of Vaccinium”, national manager Prof. Bounous, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher. 1998-1999.MIPAF – MIPAF finalized project “Piccoli Frutti – Varietal lists”. National coordinator Prof. Bergamini, resp. U.O. Prof. T. Eccher, since 1998.

 

I mainly worked on research on: 1) Micropropagation at the Institute’s laboratory. The work was aimed at the “in vitro” cultivation of the genus Vaccinium and the production of plants set for assessments of vegetative and productive behavior in the open field. 11 American blueberry cultivars (Bluetta, Blue Haven, Berkeley, Elisabeth, Herbert, Top Hat, Atlantic, June and Weymouth) were cultivated and an experimental field of micropropagated plants was established (Bluetta, Blue Haven, Berkeley and Top Hat) to Minoprio. The work has produced several publications (see annexes). Microporration of micropropagated plants. Furthermore, it has dealt with “in vitro” Rhododendron cultivation, reaching the field of 3 cultivar plants; of Azalea and Camellia has obtained plants set.

La micropropagazione del mirtillo – Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree (MI)

2) Cultivation of small fruits. The purpose of the work carried out was the publication of a monograph, financed by the MAF, on the American giant blueberry accompanied by pomological records. On the plants belonging to the below listed collections and experimental fields the following observations were made: phases phenological (swelling of buds, bud opening, flowering and maturation), description and biometric measurements of the flower, description and biometric measurements of the fruit, analysis of the fruit (sugars, pH and acidity), description and biometric measurements of leaves, production surveys, measurement of the fruit plant growth, vegetative behavior and vigor evaluation of the plant through measurements and number of branches, shoots and suckers. The collected data were processed and statistically interpreted by Tukey test, variance analysis, multivariate analysis, discriminant analysis. The cultivation techniques proposed for the American blueberry were also evaluated and perfected.- Collection in pot since 1975 of 27 blueberry cultivars American giant from the Beltsville Experimental Center (USA). List of cultivars: Blueray, Katherine, Herbert, Late Blue, Darrow, Concord, Blue Haven, Coville, Rubel, Early Blue, Berkeley, Collins, Bluetta, Pemberton, Blue Crop, Jersey, Cabot, Elisabeth, Harding, Weymouth, Rancocas, Atlantic , June, Dixi, Burlington, Elliot and Stanley.- Experimental field of Borgo Ticino established in 1985 with material propagated at the Institute of Arboreal Cultivation of Milan. List of cultivars: Blueray, Top Hat, Katherine, Herbert, Late Blue, Darrow, Concord, Blue Haven, Coville, Rubel, Early Blue, Berkeley, Collins, Bluetta, Pemberton, Blue Crop, Jersey, Cabot, Elisabeth, Weymouth, Rancocas, Atlantic, June, Dixi, Burlington, Elliot and Stanley.- Experimental field of Minoprio established since 1987 with material from the micropropagation laboratory of the Arboreal Cultivation Institute of Milan and set in the Institute’s own greenhouse. List of cultivars: Bluetta, Top Hat, Berkeley, Blue Haven.- Experimental field of Brenna established in 1973 with material from Hammonton (NJ – USA). List of cultivars: Coville, Collins, Bluetta, Darrow, Berkeley, Jersey, Weymouth, Blue Crop, Late Blue and Blueray. He also collaborated, again for the purpose of drafting the monograph funded by the MAF, to find and process data for several years collected at the ICA of Milan on thirty or so raspberry cultivars grown in various experimental fields in Lombardy.

3) Nursery techniques and greenhouse crops. He has done a lot of research on the rooting and greenhouse setting of micropropagation plants of American Blueberry, Camellia, Acero, Actinidia and Rododendro. On shoots from “in vitro” culture and traditional cuttings have been tried different treatments with auxins to stimulate rooting. Extensive research has been conducted on the optimization of rooting substrates. The effects of relative humidity, temperature, luminous intensity and photoperiod have been verified with regards to the setting and development of rooted cuttings. An investigation into the influence of photoperiod and temperature on the induction and removal of dormancy of axillary buds was also conducted on American bilberry.

4) Interaction between genotypic and microclimatic factors in the manifestation of the morphological and qualitative characteristics of apples.

5) Others research projects. Photomorphogenesis in higher plants in in vitro crops and in the natural environment. Aspects of cherry cultivation in the mountain environment. Genetic improvement of Artemisia genipi. Mineral apple and small fruit nutrition.