Our laboratory brings strong expertise in fruit tree physiology, fruit quality assessment, and postharvest biology. With extensive experience in coordinating and participating in large-scale research projects, we are well-positioned to contribute to innovation-driven consortia. We are particularly interested in collaborating with: Agri-food technologists and engineers developing on-site processing, preservation, and valorization technologies (e.g. minimal processing, drying, extraction, cold-chain alternatives). SMEs and industry partners focused on sustainable processing, packaging, and reduction of postharvest losses. Research groups working on circular bioeconomy approaches, including by-product valorization and waste minimization. Digital and precision agriculture experts integrating sensing technologies and decision-support systems for harvest timing and quality optimization. The Pomology Laboratory can contribute to collaborative projects through: Design and implementation of orchard-based experiments to optimize pre-harvest factors affecting raw material quality for processing. Comprehensive fruit quality evaluation, using both destructive and non-destructive methods, across harvest and postharvest stages. Postharvest physiology studies, including ripening behavior, storage responses, and physiological disorders under different handling or transformation scenarios. Advanced biochemical and metabolomic profiling, including antioxidant capacity and primary/secondary metabolite analysis relevant to nutritional quality and processing suitability. Support for process optimization, by linking raw material characteristics with processing performance and final product quality. Our laboratory also specializes in fruit tree physiology, with strong expertise in understanding plant responses to abiotic stresses, including water quality and salinity. We provide a unique platform to assess the biological and quality-related impacts of alternative water sources in agriculture. We are particularly interested in collaborating with: Engineers and technology providers developing decentralized desalination systems (e.g. membrane technologies, solar-powered units, low-energy solutions). Hydrologists and soil scientists working on water quality, salinity management, and soil–plant interactions. Agricultural scientists and irrigation specialists focusing on precision irrigation and water-use efficiency. SMEs and stakeholders implementing innovative water management solutions in Mediterranean farming systems. The Pomology Laboratory can support collaborative projects through: Orchard-based experimental design and monitoring, evaluating the effects of desalinated brackish water on tree growth, productivity, and fruit quality. Assessment of plant physiological responses to irrigation with varying water qualities, including salinity stress and recovery mechanisms. Comprehensive fruit quality analysis, linking irrigation strategies to yield, nutritional value, and postharvest performance. Postharvest studies, examining how pre-harvest water quality influences storage behavior and shelf life. Evaluation of sustainability impacts, by connecting water treatment strategies with crop performance and product quality. Finally, our laboratory has strong expertise in fruit quality assessment, and postharvest biology, combined with advanced multi-omics capabilities (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics). This enables us to generate high-resolution biological and quality-related data that can support robust, science-based traceability systems. We are particularly interested in collaborating with: ICT developers and data scientists working on digital traceability platforms, blockchain applications, and AI-driven analytics. Sensor technology providers developing non-destructive tools for real-time quality monitoring along the value chain. Supply chain actors and SMEs involved in production, storage, processing, and distribution of Mediterranean agri-food products. Certification bodies and policy stakeholders focusing on transparency, authenticity, and quality assurance. The Pomology Laboratory can contribute to collaborative projects through: Generation of high-quality datasets linking pre-harvest conditions, orchard practices, and environmental factors with fruit quality outcomes. Comprehensive fruit quality evaluation, using both destructive and non-destructive methods across development, harvest, and postharvest stages. Postharvest monitoring, assessing changes in quality, ripening, and storage behavior to support dynamic traceability systems. Advanced metabolomic and biochemical profiling, including antioxidant capacity and primary/secondary metabolites, enabling product fingerprinting and authenticity verification. Molecular-level analyses, including gene expression and protein/enzyme activity, supporting the development of biological markers for traceability. Integration support, linking biological data with digital platforms to enhance context-aware, data-driven traceability solutions.