From June 16 to 22, 2024, Dr. Pablo Aleza Gil from the Valencia Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) in Spain visited our university upon the invitation of Professor Wenwu Guo from the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences and the National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticulture Crops.
On the morning of June 17, Dr. Aleza Gil delivered an insightful lecture titled “The Mandarin Triploid Breeding Program in Spain” in the South Building Room 204. He began with an overview of the citrus industry in Spain and the research background of his team. Dr. Aleza Gil detailed the significant advancements his group has made over the past three decades in the triploid breeding of mandarins, highlighting the development of more than ten high-quality triploid varieties, some of which are now commercially available.
His presentation also covered fundamental research on citrus reproductive biology, the genetic mechanisms of polyploidy, and the use of molecular markers to assist in the selection of triploids. Furthermore, he discussed innovative approaches like using viral vectors to shorten the juvenile phase of citrus plants, thereby accelerating the breeding process. Dr. Aleza Gil’s lecture was rich in content and information, showcasing the latest advancements in seedless mandarin breeding and introducing new methods and technologies. After the presentation, he engaged in a lively Q&A session, addressing the questions from faculty and students with great expertise.
During his stay, Dr. Aleza Gil participated in one-on-one discussions with graduate students from Professor Guo’s team, offering personalized guidance and valuable insights into their research projects. He also visited our university’s citrus cell engineering breeding experimental fields and laboratories. Additionally, Dr. Aleza Gil conducted academic exchanges and visits at the Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hunan Agricultural University, the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Horticulture Research Institute and the Tropical and Subtropical Crops Research Institute), and the citrus production areas in Wuming, Nanning. He provided numerous recommendations and suggestions regarding citrus research and industry development.
Dr. Pablo Aleza Gil is a distinguished researcher at the Valencia Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2006 and his Ph.D. in 2008 from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV). Since 2015, he has led the triploid breeding research group at IVIA. His primary research interests include citrus breeding through tissue culture, triploid breeding, and cytogenetics. Dr. Aleza Gil has published over 20 papers in renowned journals such as BMC Plant Biology, Annals of Botany, Plant Cell Reports, and Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture. He holds more than ten plant variety rights for new triploid citrus varieties.
This visit and exchange have significantly contributed to advancing our understanding and collaboration in citrus breeding research.
Reviewed by: Kaidong Xie
