Sistemi ortofrutticoli sostenibili

The sustainability of agricultural production systems is a recurrent topic in the public debate, tightly linked to resource use efficiency and energy saving principles. "Higher yield with lower input" is the paradigm that will guide us in the years to come. This will unavoidably call for a joint effort of different players from research, production and policy sectors. In this scenario, research has a key role since it is the only instrument that may generate a continuous flux of information that in the short-, medium- and long-term could effectively contribute to defining innovative production systems, more efficient and with a reduced environmental impact. In this short review, some aspects of sustainability in horticultural systems will be presented with a particular focus on the implementation of proven technology, production in saline environments and breeding strategies to improve crops resource use efficiency.