Heritable Agriculture, Paul J. Mastronardi and Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti are partnering to develop an advanced strawberry improvement program for greenhouse and tabletop varieties.
The collaboration represents a trifecta of expertise and capabilities for a successful breeding program, according to a news release. CIV brings the genetics and germplasm knowledge; Heritable Agriculture brings artificial intelligence-driven breeding models and machine-learning expertise; and Mastronardi brings production assets, distribution network and indoor strawberry production skill.
The partners said traditional breeding programs take several years and millions of dollars to bring new cultivars to the market, and current strawberry breeding emphasizes field-growth and targets a limited number of traits. This results in inadequate control over essential characteristics such as taste, disease resistance and productivity, which are key factors for successful greenhouse operations, the release said.
“We are already working with North America’s largest retailers to bring these innovations to their customers.” Mastronardi said. “Greenhouse and tabletop environments vary widely, requiring tailored genetics and distinct growing protocols to optimize performance and meet market demands. We expect to bring novel varieties to the market that will deliver a premium quality experience for the consumer and retailer, while ensuring crop economics that will see farms thrive for generations.”
The partnership will use Heritable’s AI-driven predictive breeding technology to:
- Predict crop performance through simulations, before strawberries are planted.
- Optimize traits important in greenhouse environments, such as taste, disease resistance and yield.
- Develop varieties that streamline growth and management practices for indoor growers.
- Reduce breeding timelines, bringing superior varieties to market faster.
“Our approach empowers greenhouse and tabletop growers to break free from traditional breeding limitations,” said Heritable Agriculture CEO Brad Zamft. “Partnering with Paul J. Mastronardi and CIV allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible for greenhouse crop optimization.”
Heritable Agriculture’s AI-driven predictive models are adaptable to any operation, according to the release. The technology extends to crops such as tomatoes, spinach and peppers, offering an opportunity for growers looking to diversify and innovate.
CIV has over 40 years of experience in the R&D of new varieties and an international reputation to bring to the partnership. It also brings specialized expertise and a rich germplasm collection.
“A partnership of this scale provides a unique opportunity for CIV to drive and speed-up our traditional breeding process at the service of all value chain players” said Federico Stanzani, CIV’s managing director. “This collaboration is a confirmation of CIV’s continuous commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and achieving the highest quality standards to swiftly meet the market demands.”
“This is a paradigm shift for the greenhouse sector,” Mastronardi said. “Our work with Heritable Agriculture and CIV not only reimagines how we breed strawberries but also sets the stage for a new era of greenhouse crop innovation.”
