Elena Baldi

College degree at “Liceo scientifico E. Torricelli in 1996 with the score of 56/60. She studied English and took the following certificates: “First Certificate” (1995) and “Certificate of Proficiency” (1999). Degree in agriculture in 2001 at University of Bologna (110/110 with laude) with a thesis on the study of Peniciulim expansum in pear. In the period 1999-2001 worked in the laboratories of CRIOF- University of Bologna  for her thesis working on mycology and biotechnology. In novembre 2002. PhD in 2005 at the Department of fruit tree and woody plant science with a thesis on "Efficiency and dynamics of peach root system fertilized with organic matter". During the PhD period she spent five months at the Horticulture Department of Clemson University (South Carolina, USA) working on root physiology with Dr. C.E. Wells. From 2006 has a post doctoral position at Department of Fruit Tree and Woody Plant Science of the University of Bologna. 

Since September 2021 senior assistant professor (Academic discipline: AGR/03 Arboriculture and Fruitculture) at Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna.

Scientific activity

Since 2002 works in the group of Prof. Moreno Toseeli at Department of Fruit Tree and Woody Plant Science of the University of Bologna where works on the following research fields:

• fruit tree root morphology and physiology;
• chemical and agronomic practice to reduce Armillaria mellea infection in peach;
• mineral nutrition of fruit tree in relation to environmental aspects and fruit quality;
• effect of organic matter on chemical and biological soil properties;
• causes and strategies to reduce iron chlorosis
• fruit quality and nutraceutical value.

Meetings
She attended to more than 20 national and internationals meetings where she presented orals and posters.

Teaching activity

• 2009-10 and 2010-2011 responsible for “Basic Horticulture” (1 credits) offered at the Campus of Food Science of the University of Bologna (in Cesena).
• 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2020-21 responsible for Fruit Science (mod 2) and General Arboriculture (mod 2) (2 credits) offered at the University of Bologna, school of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.
• 2019-20 and 2020-21 teaching tutor in General Arboriculture, first cycle degree programme in Viticulture and Enology offered at the University of Bologna, school of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.
• Since 2021-2022 responsible for “Plant morphophysiology” (6 credits) offered at the Campus of Food Science of the University of Bologna (in Cesena).
• Visiting professor at the Institute of Agrobiotechnologies and Food Safety of the University of Samarcanda and lecturer of "Intensive fruit cultivation" on October 2023
• Tutor of more than 40 thesis.

She contributed to writing more than 70 publications in national and international papers.

Review activity

• Section board member and editorial board member for Horticulturae since January 2023.
• Guest editor di Agronomy, Special Issue "Soil-Plant Interaction: focus on plant growth and soil biodiversity" (2020-2021) and Agronomy, Special Issue “Application of organic amendments in agricultural production” (2022-2023).
• Guest editor di Horticulture, Special Issue “Strategies in fruit trees and vegetables to increase nutrient use efficiency” (2022-2023) and special issue on “Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management" (2023).
• Guest editor di Plants, Special Issue " Biostimulant and Biofertilizer Use in Agricultural Systems " (2022-2023).
• Reviewer for the following journals: Ciencia Rural, Journal of agricultural science and technology, Journal of plant growth regulator, Journal of plant nutrition, Nutrient cycling in agro-ecosystems, Scientia Horticulturae, Soil use and management.
• External revisor for the project: National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FONDECYT) of the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile), September 2020.

OTHER ACTIVITY

• Organizer of technical days “Diversificazione in frutteti biologici specializzati”; working group SOI, Bologna, June 24^th 2019.
• Organizer and chairman of the conference “Agricoltura sostenibile: innovazione a tutto campo”. Bologna, February 20^th 2020.
• Collaboration with Italian consortium for compost production to write agronomic information for the use of compost in Organic Agriculture (PSR 2014-2020 Regione Lombardia. Operazione 1.2.01 «Progetti dimostrativi e azioni di informazione»; Giugno 2020 - Maggio 2022).

Training courses

• Brasil, February 7-28 2003: “Integracao Profisional Fruticola entre Hemisferos: Brasil e Italia”.
• Potenza, March 13^th and 14^th 2003: “Basic plant physiology of fruit crops” by Prof. Lang.
• Milan (Italy), April 1st 2003: “Use of stable isotope for characterizing natural substrate”.
• Bologna, January/February 2016: “Academic writing” by Dott. Anderson.

Abroad experiences

• “Visiting student” at the Horticultural Department of Clemson University from October 2004 to March 2005; collaboration with Prof. Wells.
• Visit at the “Pontificia Universidad Catolica of Chile” on October 2013; collaboration with  Prof. Bonomelli.
• Visit at Federal University of Santa Maria Brazil on July 2023; collaboration with Prof. Brunetto.
• Visiting professor at the Istitutte of Agrobiotechnology and Food Security of the University of Samarkand on October 2023; collaboration with Prof. Rajabov.

Member of the International Society for Horticultural Science (I.S.H.S) dal 2009.