We are pleased to announce the second edition of the ISPAMed International Conference. This conference will take place for the second consecutive year in the city of Palermo in July 11th and 12th. The conference aims to continue the discussions and dialogues started last year, providing an important moment for debate and knowledge exchange in the field of sustainable agricultural development. It represents a unique opportunity to delve into the most current and relevant issues for industry professionals, scientists, students, and enthusiasts. The conference will include plenary sessions, presentations of scientific posters, and networking moments revolving around the theme of sustainability and ecological transition, addressing it in the light of five main thematic areas.
Agriculture is an economic sector of the utmost importance, as it can meet the food needs of a growing world population and generate income. However, the application of high-input agricultural techniques in recent decades has led to a decline in soil fertility, an increase in desertification, excessive pressure on water resources, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable use of non-renewable energy resources and a loss of biodiversity. Agriculture thus contributes to climate change but is also itself vulnerable to its effects. Therefore, innovations in production methods are needed to increase the sustainability of agricultural production. The goal of the conference is to define the state of the art in terms of environmental impacts in agriculture and to promote possible innovations to increase the sustainability of agricultural products. The event will be focused on tree fruits, crops, protected horticulture and plant protection.
The programme is divided into five thematic sessions:
The focus of this first thematic area will be oriented towards assessing interventions and strategic actions for the proper resource management, with specific attention to raw materials and primary productions, in both herbaceous and woody crops. Discussions will cover strategies to promote sustainable livestock feeding, exploring actions for animal health promotion and the reduction of pharmacological treatments, presenting alternative approaches to intensive farming, analyzing the associated benefits and challenges. Debates will also address waste management, valorization of by-products, sustainable water resource management, and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the role of the latest technological innovations in agronomy will be examined, aiming to balance economic needs with environmental and social considerations.
The section will encompass insights into the medicinal and industrial uses of medicinal plants, along with the analysis of the industrial applications of crops intended for the production of manufacturing materials Sustainable agronomic practices will also be explored, with a particular focus on eco-friendly techniques. The discussion will extend to the importance of biodiversity in these crops and strategies to preserve it. Additionally, the latest technological innovations applied to the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of these plants will be presented. Finally, future perspectives in the sector will be explored, along with the identification of current and future challenges requiring innovative solutions.
This session aims to create a comprehensive framework that combines agronomic research, practical innovations, and medical considerations to promote an integrated approach to food, nutrition, and health. The thematic session seeks to explore fundamental pillars such as Nutraceuticals, Functional Nutrition, and Nutrigenomics, with the goal of analyzing the relationships between genes, diet, and health, as well as the nutritional and therapeutic aspects of foods in enhancing health and preventing diseases.
This session will be dedicated to delving into the topics of biological control through agronomic practices that minimize the use of chemical pesticides and promote sustainable crop management. Plant defense against diseases will be addressed through advanced research and pathology strategies, along with the selection of crops resistant to attacks from insects and pathogens. The session will also feature the presentation of new technologies and advanced tools for monitoring and managing entomology in agriculture.
The dramatic depletion of freshwater reserves in the Mediterranean region, resulting from climate change, calls for urgent and sustainable solutions to avoid water crises in various productive sectors, particularly in agriculture. This session aims to illustrate and identify innovative solutions and technologies aimed at optimizing water management and applicable agronomic strategies to enhance the efficiency of water resource utilization within the irrigation sector. The goal is to improve environmental sustainability and address water scarcity induced by increasingly sparse precipitation and above-average temperatures, especially in the most vulnerable areas such as the Mediterranean semi-arid regions. Special attention will be given not only to more efficient irrigation systems but also to the use of "unconventional" water resources through the utilization of low-impact environmental technologies.
In addition to technological approaches, the perspective of human and cultural geography on the perception of the water crisis and drought risk by operators and stakeholders in the agricultural sector will also be considered. This is useful for assessing the effects on the territories.
Furthermore, this session will also explore the future challenges that agriculture must face in the water sector regarding the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Chair: Prof Tiziano Caruso, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences – University of Palermo, Italy
KEYNOTE LECTURES
Strategies to support crop productions and reduce GHG emissions in the Mediterranean area
Dr Leonardo Verdi, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Italy
Invited speaker:
Physiological and biometeorological approaches for efficient irrigation management in California olive and pistachio orchards
Prof Giulia Marino, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
Combining nitrogen fertilization and biostimulant application in durum wheat: effects on morphophysiological traits and grain production
Prof Roberto Ruggeri, Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Italy
The impact of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), companies report on the agriculture activity & sustainability
Prof José Rafael Marques da Silva, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias Mediterrânicas, Department of Rural Engineering, University of Évora, Portugal
Functional agrobiodiversity: intercropping with legumes as the most promising tool for facilitating phosphorus availability in the Mediterranean cropping systems
Dr Emilio Lo Presti, Department of Agriculture, University of Reggio Calabria, Italy
Feeding responses and dairy production of ewes fed dehydrated sulla forage (Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik) as alternative to hay
Dr Marialetizia Ponte, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Comparison of olive oil consumers between Spain and Portugal
Prof Amparo Baviera-Puig, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain
Chair: Prof Konstantinos A. Aliferis, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
KEYNOTE LECTURES
Sustainable management of medicinal and nutraceutical plants - a partnership for bioactive compound production?
Prof Ana Luisa Fernando, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Intercropping systems with cardoon in mountainous Mediterranean regions: a case study from Sardinia
Prof Vittoria Giannini, Department of Biology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Cultivation and Processing in Türkiye
Prof Nazim Şekeroğlu
, Department of Biology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Brassicas in the Mediterranean Basin: more opportunities than problems
Dr Roberto Matteo
, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, Bologna, Italy
Effects of sustainable agronomic management in giant reed for biomethane production
Dr Alessandra Piccitto
, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Italy
Digestate, cover crops and soil tillage management: preliminary results on soil fertility and on mais (Zea mais L.) crops
Dr Enrica Allevato
, Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
Rapid measurement and statistical ranking of leaf drought tolerance capacity in cotton
Prof Xuejun Dong
, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, United States
Chair: Prof Albino Maggio, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Napoli, Italy
Effect of biostimulants foliar application on yield, essential oil and chemical properties of organically grown sage
Dr Davide Farruggia, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Expression of plant-environment interaction of four groups of Vicia faba selected from a mixed population
Dr Antonella Iurato
, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Italy
Assessing the environmental impact of durum wheat in sicily, italy: a comparison between conventional and organic systems
Dr Monica Auteri
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Joint Action of Trichoderma atroviride and a Vegetal Derived-Protein Hydrolysate Improves Yield, Fruit Quality of Two Woodland Strawberry Cultivars Grown Under Greenhouse
Dr Pietro Bellitto
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
RIUBSAL: opportunities for expanding the use of reclaimed water for olive tree irrigation
Dr Francesco Abbatantuono
, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
Molybdenum biofortification as eustress factor through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi application in a cherry tomato soilless system
Dr Lorena Vultaggio
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Trend of research on durum wheat irrigation by bibliographic mapping
Dr Noemi Tortorici
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Vegetation Analysis and Productivity Assessment of Natural Pastures in Madonie Regional Park, Sicily
Dr Nicoletta Lala
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Differential physiological activity and metabolomic signatures of lettuce plants grown under nitrogen deficiency conditions and treated with different vegetal derived biostimulants
Dr Christophe El Nakhel
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Effects of pasture supplemented with Aloe Vera on lamb meat production: preliminary results
Dr Simona Prestigiacomo
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Effects of biostimulants and corroborants on plant pathogenic fungi
Dr Marika Lamendola
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences (SAAF), University of Palermo, Italy
Evaluation of Olive Oil Polyphenols' Properties on Ex Vivo Models: Results from Preliminary Studies
Dr Anna Calabrò
, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
“Villa Niscemi”, Piazza Niscemi, Palermo and conference dinner.
Chair: Prof Giuseppina Candore, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
KEYNOTE LECTURES
The importance of Diet in Health: What About the Future?
Prof Antonio Garcia Rios, Sofia University Hospital/University of Cordoba, Spain
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Functional foods for healthy aging
Dr Giulia Accardi, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
The Nutraceutical Properties of Rhus coriaria Linn: Potential Application on Human Health and Aging Biomedicine
Dr Anna Aiello, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
Nutraceuticals and healthy aging, implications for a positive nutrition
Prof Giovanni Scapagnini, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Italy
Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity: a new challenge for cereal growers
Dr Aurelio Seidita, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Italy
Nutrition, epigenetic modulation and healthy ageing
Prof Giuseppe Passarino, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy
Chair: Dr Slavica Matic, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Turin, Italy
KEYNOTE LECTURES:
Plant protection products in EU: too many or too few? A look to fungicides and related alternatives
Prof Gianfranco Romanazzi, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Sustainable strategies to improve resilience to fungal diseases in berry crops
Prof Tânia R. Fernandes, Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre, University of Porto, Portugal
How to manage plant disease risk when implanting a new crop as sugarcane in a Mediterranean European environment
Prof Jean Heinrich Daugrois, Department Bios, Research unit Plant Health Institute Montpellier, CIRAD, France
Coming of age: metabolomics in biostimulant research and development to combat the climate crisis and secure food supply
Prof Konstantinos A. Aliferis, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
Honeydew management to promote biological control
Dr Maite Fernández de Bobadilla, Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Spain
Chemical and visual cues in host-plant selection of the melon ladybird: new perspectives in biological control
Dr Valerio Saitta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Chair: Prof Giorgio Micale, Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy
KEYNOTE LECTURES
Experimental investigation of the performance of a seawater reverse osmosis desalination system operating under variable feed flowrate pressure and temperature
Prof George Papadakis, School of Environment and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Constructed wetlands as nature-based solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse for agriculture: a critical assessment by experimental studies and literature
Prof Mario Licata, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy.
Improving irrigation efficiency by using sensors to monitor the soil-plant-atmosphere system
Dr Vincenzo Alagna, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Use of remote sensing and modelling for crop and water monitoring in mediterranean area
Dr Dominique Couraul, UMR 1114 EMMAH, INRAE, Avignon, France
Biostimulants, N level and drought stress intensity synergistically orchestrate yield, quality and physiology of greenhouse-grown basil
Dr Beppe Benedetto Consentino, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy.
Risk perception and the water crisis: a geographical approach
Prof Gaetano Sabato, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Italy
Continuous monitoring of tree water potential in olive for efficient irrigation management
Prof Paula Guzman Delgado, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
Regulated deficit irrigation to boost processing tomato sustainability in Mediterranean environmen
Dr Nicolo Iacuzzi, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy.
Chair: Dr Giovanni Gugliuzza, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Italy
Climate change, water scarcity and adaptation strategies in Sicily
Dr Antonino Drago, Department Agriculture Sicily Region, Italy
Medicago intertexta as a forage crop: exploring various utilizations in the Mediterranean environment
Dr Lucia Dinolfo, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Saffron “the red gold spice”: how to improve its profitability
Dr Cinzia Barbieri, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
Agronomic evaluation of 13 cotton varieties to organic cultivation in a hot arid environment
Dr Federica Alaimo
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Morphometric and agronomic traits multivariate analysis of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) grown wild in Eastern Sicily
Dr Valentina Formica
, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Catania, Italy
Comprehensive Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis of Xylella fastidiosa in Fruit Tree Crops
Dr Aparna S. Balan
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
CA Decade-Long Quantitative and Qualitative Characterization of 18 Lemon Cultivars
Dr Aurora Cirillo
, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Composting sewage sludge with biochar and zeolite: effect on composting process and soil-sunflower system
Dr Sara Paliaga
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Can the combination of two apulian traditional agri-food products generate a superfood? The case of functional taralli with Pleurotus eryngii
Dr Fortunato Cirlincione
, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
First report of Sargassum muticum in Caretta caretta, Sicily, Italy.
Dr Rosalia Disclafani
, Sustainability and Ecological Transition Center, University of Palermo, Italy
Impact of saline groundwater irrigation on net assimilation in Cucumis melo cv. Huanghemi in north-western China
Dr Miriam Distefano
, Institute of BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Catania, Italy
The potential role of hormone-related genes in controlling the olive dwarf phenotype observed in the F2 progeny of 'Koroneiki'
Prof Annalisa Marchese
, Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
The spearmint sector: a niche activity with strong development potential in Morocco
Dr Kawtar Mahrach
, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, HASSAN II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, Rabat, Morocco
Overview on the global spice and herbs market with a focus on Morocco’s position
Dr Fatima Zahraa Lahsaini
, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
Dr Roberto Massenti and Prof Giuseppe Di Miceli Conveners
ISPAMed invites you to submit an abstract to the International Conference Innovations for Sustainable Crop Production in the Mediterranean Region.
Our esteemed abstract chairs and reviewers will evaluate the best abstracts that will be considered as oral abstracts. All abstracts selected for presentation will be physically presented in Palermo.
Abstract Submission Now Open
Deadline: June 30, 2024
Prof Giuseppe Di MiceliUniversity of Palermo, Italy |
Prof Leo SabatinoUniversity of Palermo, Italy |
Dr Roberto MassentiUniversity of Palermo, Italy |
Prof Tiziano CarusoUniversity of Palermo, Italy – Chair |
Prof Giuseppe Di MiceliUniversity of Palermo, Italy - Chair |
Attendance at the conference sessions requires mandatory registration.
Registration is exclusively available online.
The registration fees are outlined as follows:
Full Conference Registration | €300 |
Young Conference Registration* | €150 |
(*) The age limit is 35 years.
To promote the involvement of students, PhD students, and young researchers in the ISPAMed 2024 International Conference, a discounted participation fee is available.
The discounted fee covers the same benefits as the full conference fee.
Please note that there are no reduced fees for partial attendance at the conference.
The Feast of Santa Rosalia (U Festìnu), wich is one of the most important in Sicily, takes place from July 10 until July 15, and it is a real tourist buster in Palermo. The topic of the feast is on July 14th. The feast is dedicated to Saint Rosalia, also called La Santuzza (Little Saint) or Rusulia (in Sicilian dialect), the patron saint of Palermo. According to local faith, in 1624 Santa Rosalia saved the city’s residents from a dreadful plague after her relics were found in Monte Pellegrino. U Fistinu (the feast), starts on the 10th of July, and during the night between 14-15 July reaches its peak. Thousands of people follow the parade led by a giant iron made chariot, from the Cathedral to the Foro Italico. Folklore and religion meet and explode into traditional fireworks, making you believe the sun is shining. On July 15th at 7:00 pm, a second procession takes place which carries the relic of the Saint through the streets of the city. The 2024 edition marks the 400th iteration of the event.
Calendar of events:
The procession, led by the Archbishop and the Mayor of Palermo, starts on the evening of July 14 in front of the Cathedral of Palermo, and ends near the sea, culminating with an impressive and amazing firework display. The central point of the procession is a vessel-shaped chariot, built different every year, carrying the Statue of Saint Rosalia. The chariot is ten meters high and almost as long, decorated with roses and angels, and pulled by oxen. The feast continues the next day, July 15, with the solemn procession of the relics of the Saint, contained inside a silver urn. During the feast, you can buy food on the street that is part of the popular tradition of the city: pasta with sardines, babbaluci (snails boiled with garlic), sfincione (a thick Sicilian pizza), boiled octopus and watermelon.