Climate change is reshaping Mediterranean agriculture by altering temperature patterns, water availability, and the incidence of abiotic and biotic stresses. In this context, the cultivation of tropical and subtropical crops such as mango, papaya, avocado, and emerging species such as coffee is becoming increasingly relevant, requiring new strategies to ensure environmental, agronomic, and economic sustainability.This PhD project aims to develop and assess sustainable crop management models for these species under climate change scenarios, with particular attention to irrigation management, the use of photoselective nets, and innovative cultivation techniques able to improve water-use efficiency, microclimate regulation, and plant performance. The research will also address plant responses to abiotic stresses, such as heat, drought, radiation excess, and wind, as well as the increasing pressure of pests and diseases favored by changing climatic conditions.The project will also integrate precision agriculture tools, such as field sensors, agroclimatic monitoring, and data-based decision support, to optimize resource use and improve the adaptive management of orchards. The final goal is to identify climate-resilient and resource-saving production systems capable of supporting the sustainable development of tropical and emerging crops in Mediterranean environments

The candidate should have skills in sustainable crop management, plant physiology, and experimental field research, with particular interest in tropical and subtropical crops under Mediterranean conditions. Knowledge of irrigation management, abiotic and biotic stress responses, and basic principles of precision agriculture (sensors, agroclimatic monitoring, data analysis) will be beneficial. Competence in statistical analysis and scientific writing would be useful. knowledge of other languages than English are a plus.; knowledge of Italian would be useful for field and stakeholder activities.

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The research team consists of a principal investigator, who will act as a tutor to the PhD student and two post-doc who will supervise the research and field activities. The working area consists of some farms in Sicily where experimental fields and a network of weather stations are located to measure environmental variables. Laboratory activities can be carried out in the Department's pomology, ecophysiology, food chemistry and post-harvest units. The program can be enriched by the numerous collaborations with research organizations and Italian and foreign universities with which the research team has active partnerships and student exchanges.

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