Apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis is the major constraint to apple production worldwide, causing severe economic losses. As current commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to scab, introduction of new scab-resistant cultivars will reduce the intensive use of pesticides now required to control this disease. Although the ‘Geneva’ apple is an important source of resistance for breeding, its complex scab resistance has not been properly characterized. In preliminary studies, we mapped to chromosome 4 of ‘Geneva’ a 5 cM region containing three genes conferring both dominant and recessive scab resistance, which corresponds to a 2 Mbp region containing nine candidate NBS-LRR resistance genes on the physical map of ‘Golden Delicious’ (GD). This provided the first evidence of recessive genetic control of apple scab resistance. In this project proposal, we will further characterize this complex locus, employing next generation sequencing, together with bioinformatics and functional analysis of disease candidate resistance genes (CRGs): (1) we will sequence the resistance locus in ‘Geneva’ and identify CRGs that are polymorphic (presence/absence, or sequence polymorphism) between the resistant ‘Geneva’ and the susceptible GD; (2) we will clone each CRG with its native promoter, terminator and introns; and (3) transform susceptible lines with the individual CRGs to evaluate their effect on the level of disease resistance and its race-specific spectrum. This will not only build a better understanding of the genetic basis of apple scab resistance and the gene-for-gene relationships between the pathogen and the host, but it will enable the development of molecular markers for breeding new ‘sprayfree’ cultivars with durable scab resistance.

The “C and N Models Inter-comparison and Improvement to assess management options for GHG mitigation in agrosystems worldwide” (CN-MIP) addresses theme 1, topic 1 of the FACCE-JPI 2013 call. Our project will coordinate international development, evaluation and inter-comparison of agricultural process-based models to reduce uncertainty in estimating greenhouse gas emissions from crops, grassland and livestock systems. The project will focus on improving the simulation of management options to enable evaluation of credible mitigation strategies adapted to diverse agrosystems under different climatic conditions. CN-MIP responds to the priority of the core theme 5 "Mitigation of Climate Change" of the FACCE-JPI strategic research agenda, to improve the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory methods, particularly the "certified" modellingTIER3 modelling approach for quantifying emissions and the effects of mitigation options. The project also supports initiatives outlined in the Global Research Alliance (GRA) on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which aim to improve measurement methodology and modelling, as well as inventory of GHG emissions and C sequestration in soils. The consortium comprises eleven partners: INRA (France), University of Aberdeen (UK), Helmholt-Zentrum Postam (GER), University of Florence (IT), CRA-Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura (IT), University of Milan (It), University of Sassari (IT), New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research (NZ), Colorado State University (USA), Woods Hole Research Center (USA), Queensland University of Technology (AU). The proposing partners are experienced modelers and experimentalists, already involved in internationally funded projects on measuring and modelling of greenhouse gas emissions,soil carbon sequestration, and reactive nitrogen, for a variety of agricultural conditions (annual crops, grasslands, tree crops) under temperate, Mediterranean and tropical conditions (GRA CN, Livestock and Cropland groups, AgMIP, MACSUR, Reactive N RCN, NANORP, etc.). This network will provide connections and sharing of models, modelling protocols and datasets, but also the necessary interactions with stakeholders. The project will be undertaken from January 2014 to December 2016, in 4 work packages (i) Definition of model data requirements, selection of process-based CN models (i.e. DNDC, DNDC mobile, DSSAT, Roth C, DayCent, PaSim, STICS, APSIM, EPIC, CN-SIM), selection of appropriate databases; (ii) development of common protocols for modelling and model inter-comparison; (iii) identification and testing of mitigation options, improvement of models for coverage, predictive capability and reliability; (iv) dissemination and training. Deliverables will be guidelines for the selection of database and the simulation of mitigation options, evaluation of uncalibrated and calibrated model performances for an array of GHG emission outputs, improved model tools, peer-reviewed research papers, communication and reports to policy makers and stakeholders, and training sessions for students and scientists.

CHIC is the Chicory Innovation Consortium. Its objective is 1) to implement New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) in chicory in order to establish it as a multipurpose crop for the production of health-related products with clear benefits for consumers, and 2) to develop co-innovation pathways with stakeholders for game-changing technologies, such as NPBTs. CHIC will develop four different NPBTs. They will be used to steer bioprocesses in chicory and mobilize its under-explored potential to produce immunomodulatory prebiotics and medicinal terpenes. The conceptually different NPBTs will be assessed with respect to technological potential, risks, regulatory framework and their socio-economic impacts. This will be done in close consultation with a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) composed of relevant stakeholders in industry and society. Ongoing project activities and results will be discussed with stakeholders and communicated to interested public using innovative methods including cultural communication and linking art to science. In this context, CHIC will develop two business cases in different application areas, inulin as healthy food ingredient and terpenes as medicinal lead compounds. This effort requires a highly interdisciplinary approach with expertise from molecular sciences, economy, arts, social sciences & humanities, and legislation. The partnership includes three SMEs and a chicory end-user, and international collaboration is established via a research institute in New Zealand. The SAG plays a crucial role in consultation in all phases and activities of the project. Via this co-innovation approach, we aim to contribute to leadership in responsible research innovation and to promote improved understanding of plant biotechnology. Chicory will be boosted as a robust multipurpose crop, tolerant to adverse environmental conditions from which bioactive compounds can be extracted, contributing to sustainable agriculture and a biobased economy.

The fall armyworm (FAW) is a highly invasive and polyphagous pest native to the Americas, first detected in Africa in 2016 and which has since spread globally, including western Asia. By late 2023, FAW had reached mainland Europe, with detections in Greece and Romania. This pest now presents a major threat to European agriculture, as climate change and increased trade increase the likelihood of its establishment or presence across wide areas of Europe. The aim of EUFAWREADY is to provide European agricultural stakeholders—including farmers, advisors, and phytosanitary services—with the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively to potential FAW outbreaks. This involves tools to detect the presence of the pest the earliest possible and to effectively and sustainably manage the pest, thus minimizing the economic, environmental and social impact and the reliance on synthetic pesticides. The specific objectives of EUFAWREADY are to: i) Raise awareness and improve stakeholder preparedness regarding FAW risks, and enhance their engagement in management efforts; ii) Generate new knowledge on the biology of European FAW populations, focusing on traits that enhance their invasiveness potential; iii) Assess the economic and environmental impacts FAW could have on Europe; iv) Provide effective strategies for early detection and monitoring of FAW; v) Investigate a diversified array of sustainable control options that could be offered to European farmers, including the use of FAW natural enemies, microbial agents, and plant-based and natural semiochemical solutions; vi) Integrate these management strategies into guidelines intended to plant health actors, and an IPM toolbox to be provided to European farmers and advisers; vii) Ensure the project's scientific and technical findings are widely shared, so stakeholders are fully informed on FAW risks and management strategies by the project's end.