Italy, the second largest kiwifruit producer in the world

This article summarizes the author's almost 50 years long researches and experimental practices developed in the cultivation of the kiwifruit. The first two experimental orchards were established in 1971 in the province of Latina, allowing the author to carry out significant studies, which contributed in the rapid development of the kiwifruit cultivation in the country. By the beginning of the 1990s, Italy was the largest producer of kiwifruit in the world (a primate that only recently has been taken over by China). However, in order to gain such an important result for the national and local economy, many difficulties and issues had to be solved. This account describes problems and solutions, which made the kiwifruit production one of the most important agricultural activities of the Latina province area, as well as the mission of an entire professional career.