Chiara Tezza is the winner of the second prize in the first edition of the AgriFood Future Award, in the non-Agricultural category. The student from the University of Verona was awarded for her work on the molecular identification of the cultivable microbiota of grapevines and the search for rhizobacteria with plant growth-promoting activity.
The prize was awarded on May 9 in Salerno during AgriFood Future Research, a specialized event held alongside the national AgriFood Future event promoted by Unioncamere in collaboration with the Salerno Chamber of Commerce. In just two editions, this event has established itself as a primary forum for debating the future of agri-food systems.
Under the scientific direction of Professor Alex Giordano, the AgriFood Future event in 2024 and 2025 facilitated meetings between companies, institutions, and trade associations. These meetings aim to foster dialogue between technology, communities, and food production based on the Foodsystem 5.0 concept. This serves as a concrete push to ensure that technological solutions drive sustainable development from environmental, social, and economic perspectives, rather than letting innovations alone dictate the future.
The AgriFood Future Award, in collaboration with Image Line, aims to provide further incentive by rewarding research that proposes innovations designed to bridge the gap between scientific production and the needs of the agri-food system. These are concrete studies that address real problems and propose actionable solutions for the industry.
Tezza’s work, titled “Molecular identification of the cultivable microbiota of grapevines and research of rhizobacteria with plant growth-promoting activity,” earned her the second-place spot in the non-Agricultural category. She was recognized for her significant contribution to developing a more environmentally friendly biological approach to ensuring plant health and productivity. Furthermore, she developed strategies to address abiotic and biotic stresses by leveraging the potential of soil microorganisms, including growth-promoting rhizobacteria.
| Problems Addressed | Proposed Solutions | Interested Companies |
| Dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides harmful to the environment. Emergence of resistance in pathogens to conventional plant protection products. Need for more sustainable solutions for grapevine protection and growth. | Identification of PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) bacteria isolated from the grapevine rhizosphere. Growth inhibition tests against pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea. Growth inhibition tests against pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea. | Wineries and wine producers focused on sustainability. Companies producing biostimulants and products for organic agriculture. Research institutions in microbiology and agricultural biotechnology. |