In 1900, while in Camerino, he started his research on the
hybridization of
wheat, although he was unaware of the concurrent work of
Gregor Mendel. In 1903 he was
chair of agriculture in
Rieti, while there he continued to cross wheat varieties and within a few years developed new high-performing hybrid combinations. From 1907 he was in charge of the "Wheat experimental station". His wheat breeding programs achieved the shortening of the growing phase and increasing of the disease tolerance through the reduction of the stem size. Strampelli's best performing varieties were named
Gregorio Mendel,
Luigia,
Varrone, followed by small sized and high baking varieties such as
Villagloria,
Ardito (the result of crossing local wheat with Japanese
Akagomugi),
Mentana,
Edda,
Balilla and
Fanfulla. In order to disseminate the results of his studies, he established a farmers' association in Rieti. In 1919 a national
cereal crop breeding institute was established in Rome, and Strampelli was appointed as director. Starting in 1925 he was in charge of a major national program,
La battaglia del grano, supporting the increase of wheat production and yield, aimed at ensuring Italian food security and self-sufficiency. Strampelli named his wheat variety
Ardito in honor of the storm troopers led by
Gabriele D'Annunzio, who established a short-lived,
proto-fascist state in Fiume in 1919-20. Strampelli joined the
National Fascist Party in 1925, and in 1929 he was nominated
Senator of the Kingdom for his scientific achievements. ==Final years==