Revista Temes Rurals núm. 1

Fruit production in a “controlled” environment, which aims
to produce “perfect” fruit by trying to avoid damage caused
by wind, rain, high temperatures and pathogen attacks, is not
the only possible way, nor the correct solution. To really face
climate change, any attempt to control natural phenomena
that are becoming increasingly unpredictable and uncontrollable
is in vain. Consumers need to be informed and change
the behavior which causes the current high levels of food
waste; breeding programs need to be reviewed under new
priorities and criteria underlying the selection of new varieties;
fruit quality standard parameters need to be reviewed
considering nutritional value and not aesthetical ones; sustainability
of agroecosystems has to be considered in their
management.
Paisatge i ecosistemes
Figure 12: During last years, breeding programs focussed on size and aestethic aspects of fruit. Author: Cristos Xiloyannis - 2017
Conclusion
The adoption of sustainable management practices
can increase soil quality and its capacity to generate
benefits for the environment. Results of our studies
have demonstrated that the application of sustainable
agricultural practices in fruit orchards in Southern Italy
have positive effects on SOC content, soil water vertical
infiltration, microbial diversity and soil quality,
with benefits to the whole agroecosystem stability.
Recovery of SOC loss represents a significant task for
the EU not only to offset CO2-induced global climate
change but also to save water (because soil hydrological
properties and soil water holding capacity are
improved under high SOC). It has been highlighted
that a minimum 7-year period of changed practices
is required to detect statistically significant increases
of SOC under Mediterranean field conditions. If water
availability is reduced in the future, soils of high water
holding capacity will be better able to reduce the impact
of drought while maintaining crop yield. Carbon
and water footprint could be valid indicators to monitor
the use of resources at the ecosystem level.
On the other hand, with the increase of extreme weather
events and changes in climate, saving ugly fruit
isn’t only an issue of ethics, it is a question of saving
valuable natural resources.
Efficient solutions for reducing total amounts of fruit
lost and wasted exist along the whole fruit supply
chain. It is necessary to involve all the stakeholders:
governments, research institutions, producers, distributors,
retailers and consumers, raising their awareness
on this issue. Collaboration and coordination
between them is required in order to develop policy,
strategy and projects for food loss and waste reduction
on a global scale.
100
Fruit orchard management: How can we adapt to/face climate change?