Supported by the FruitCREWS COST Action, Melissa Venturi, a researcher from the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, recently completed a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (INRAE) in Versailles, France. Her mission focused on studying the impact of water deficit on fruit crops, specifically apricot and sour cherry trees. The INRAE institute, known as one of Europe’s leading plant science research centers, provided Melissa Venturi with access to advanced laboratory facilities and expert mentorship.
During her stay, Melissa Venturi aimed to analyze untargeted metabolomic data from previous irrigation trials conducted on apricot and sour cherry trees. Her research goals included investigating the physiological and biochemical responses of these trees under water stress conditions, specifically measuring leaf water potentials, gas exchanges, and growth rates. To accomplish this, she utilized advanced bioinformatic tools like MetGem, Cytoscape, and MetaboAnalyst for detailed data analysis and visualization. Additionally, Melissa Venturi engaged with the local research team, learning new techniques and contributing to ongoing discussions on water scarcity solutions.
This STSM is crucial to FruitCREWS COST Action’s objectives, as it contributes to understanding how fruit crops can be more resilient under water-scarce conditions. The insights gained from Dr. Venturi’s work will help refine irrigation practices and support sustainable fruit production amidst climate challenges. Her findings will be shared within the FruitCREWS network, promoting knowledge exchange and fostering future collaborations in sustainable agriculture.