Title : Innovative tools for enhancing stress resilience in Mediterranean horticulture
Abstract:
Mediterranean horticulture is increasingly exposed to the pressures of climate change, particularly due to intensified water scarcity and stricter environmental constraints on production. In this context, adopting innovative and sustainable production strategies is essential to ensure crop productivity while reducing resource use and limiting environmental impacts. Recent research on horticultural systems has focused on enhancing resource-use efficiency and strengthening crop resilience under Mediterranean conditions. Special emphasis has been placed on water-saving technologies and advanced irrigation management practices aimed at improving water use efficiency and mitigating drought-related stress. Precision irrigation, sensor-based monitoring, and optimized irrigation scheduling have emerged as key tools for adapting production systems to increasingly arid environments. In parallel, plant biostimulants have gained considerable attention as promising solutions for mitigating the effects of abiotic stress and reducing reliance on mineral fertilizers and plant protection products. Their use can support sustainable crop management while maintaining productivity under challenging environmental conditions typical of Mediterranean regions. Another relevant area of innovation is the development of alternative growing media for soilless cultivation systems. Compost-based substrates derived from organic residues represent a sustainable option for partially replacing conventional materials such as coconut coir and perlite. These renewable substrates contribute to reducing the environmental impacts associated with raw material extraction and transport while promoting the valorization of local organic resources within a circular economy framework. The integration of water-saving technologies, bio-based inputs, renewable substrates, and precision management practices represents a strategic approach for developing more resilient and resource-efficient horticultural systems. These integrated solutions are particularly relevant in Mediterranean environments, where the sustainable management of water, nutrients, and organic resources is crucial for the future of horticultural production. Experimental results obtained from trials conducted on different Mediterranean crops will be presented, providing evidence of the effectiveness of these approaches. The findings highlight the synergistic benefits of integrated strategies for improving resource-use efficiency, enhancing crop performance under abiotic stress, and reducing environmental impacts, thus confirming their potential for the sustainable intensification of horticultural systems in Mediterranean areas.
