Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BreedingValue (Pre-breeding strategies for obtaining new resilient and added value berries)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31
BreedingValue aims to develop a new strategy for producing new pre-breeding material of strawberry, raspberry and blueberries through the study of the genetic resources available in Europe and applying new genotyping and phenotyping techniques. With this aim the most interesting GenRes available in EU public and private GenRes collections were identified and are now used applying the most recent technologies, such as: a) genotyping and phenotyping tools for the characterization of local races and varieties, breeding populations and pre-breeding material; b) defining common breeding strategies for resilience and quality; c) developing studies on EU consumers preference; d) use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the ecological benefits of new resilient pre-breeding material and varieties; e) generate a novel efficient data analyses strategy; f) disseminating and communicating the results to breeders, GenRes managers, researchers, stakeholders, consumers.
The second period of BreedingValue was devoted to capture and characterize genetic diversity in GenRes and its value revealing novel information to breeders, growers, and consumers. The material list for all 3 species containing the constantly updated use of genetic material in the different tasks of each WP served as a reliable base for all activities in experimental design and expected data. (WP1). Field trials were planned and set-up specifically for each task in different cultivation conditions and data was collected for 2022 and 2023. Experimental trials were set up to analyse the agronomic performance in response to different stress of pre-breeding materials generated by the project, and data collected in 2022 and 2023 were used to measure increased sustainability through the LCA. Regarding Genotyping (WP2), all experimental fields have been established. The various beneficiaries are at variable stages regarding field data retrieval: some have finalized samples collection while other partners plan to collect samples even in the 2024 season. All collected samples were transferred to the genomic laboratory that has already performed the analyses. Most of the parties have completed their genotyping, while others will have activity also in the next period. Phenotypic data have been also collected for gene/markers identification and genomic prediction are being produced. WP-Leaders in collaboration with different partners already started the analyses of the genomi data produced. As a result of Targeted calls, 5 companies are included for MAS validation in strawberry and raspberry; 2 for the genomic selection studies.
Regarding phenotyping (WP3), the implementation of previously developed harmonized SOPs for different parameters related to fruit quality and sensorial analysis were followed. Fast screening methods such as NIR spectroscopy and 3D imaging on strawberry fruits and hyperspectral imaging for raspberry and blueberry´s plants aiming to build up prediction models for fruit quality (for NIR and 3D imaging) and plant resilience and yield (for hyperspectral) was used. A software to visualize the plant architecture in 2D and 3D representations and to analyse the development of the plants was developed. Postharvest studies were applied in the three species. To produce sensory analysis tools (WP4) harmonized on the European level, the development of multilingual (7 languages) lexicons for berries was completed, to provide the descriptions of fruit quality. Research was done to validate the lexicons´ adequacy and effectiveness by trained panels. Panel tests by using the lexicons developed were conducted. For communicating with fresh fruit stakeholders, 2 regional workshops (Spain/UK) were organized. The data collected by the Future Workshop methodology used was combined with the data collected earlier by Expert consultations. The contacting of fruit chain stakeholders and consumers by the on-line surveys was completed, to collect information of consumers opinions on berry quality. Data showed clear common outlines about perceived quality, sensory, hedonic, economic, and cultural-based berry choices, and relevant differences emerged between stakeholders’ point of view and consumers’ preferences, verified by statistical analyses. For standard methodology to arrange consumer sensory tests of each berry species pay, guidelines and question forms were created, and consumer test events were organized. The methodology was communicated with breeding entities in Targeted Call 4. Work for a harmonized visualization methodology to fruit sensory quality is still in the beginning. The first sets of sensory data collected was presented as sensory profiles and analysed by statistical tests to validate the panel test lexicons. Data management is considered a priority for BreedingValue, thus WP5 followed, strictly collaborating with all WPs, the establishing of the material lists and the definitions of methodologies for sample collection and data recording. The Germinate platform was adopted to help this process. Of importance was to import and integrate previous datasets, by starting with historical data provided by different partners. All partners agreed on the level of confidentiality to be applied depending to the type of data. Data visualization for GenRes exploration and analysis in a consumer and community friendly interaction was facilitated with new documentation and communication tools. All BreedingValue partners actively disseminated the project and its results (WP6) reaching a wide audience. Dissemination at international conferences (e.g. IHC2022-FR, ISHS Rubus Ribes Symposium 2023-USA, PAG31-USA) and participation to different national scientific conferences took place. BreedingValue partners already published 17 peer-reviewed publications. Several project workshops were organized, including a Workshop on IP of Genetic Resources (GenRes) in 2023. Field demonstration activities were implemented and workshops with growers and breeders organised. To train young students/researchers on all levels of technologies and knowledge developed by BreedingValue, 3 berry schools were organised in 2023. The project website continues to inform about the project and its activities and social media channels (X and LinkedIn) provide visibility to the general audience. All activities are coordinated and monitored by the Steering Committee that meets monthly (WP7).
Regarding phenotyping (WP3), the implementation of previously developed harmonized SOPs for different parameters related to fruit quality and sensorial analysis were followed. Fast screening methods such as NIR spectroscopy and 3D imaging on strawberry fruits and hyperspectral imaging for raspberry and blueberry´s plants aiming to build up prediction models for fruit quality (for NIR and 3D imaging) and plant resilience and yield (for hyperspectral) was used. A software to visualize the plant architecture in 2D and 3D representations and to analyse the development of the plants was developed. Postharvest studies were applied in the three species. To produce sensory analysis tools (WP4) harmonized on the European level, the development of multilingual (7 languages) lexicons for berries was completed, to provide the descriptions of fruit quality. Research was done to validate the lexicons´ adequacy and effectiveness by trained panels. Panel tests by using the lexicons developed were conducted. For communicating with fresh fruit stakeholders, 2 regional workshops (Spain/UK) were organized. The data collected by the Future Workshop methodology used was combined with the data collected earlier by Expert consultations. The contacting of fruit chain stakeholders and consumers by the on-line surveys was completed, to collect information of consumers opinions on berry quality. Data showed clear common outlines about perceived quality, sensory, hedonic, economic, and cultural-based berry choices, and relevant differences emerged between stakeholders’ point of view and consumers’ preferences, verified by statistical analyses. For standard methodology to arrange consumer sensory tests of each berry species pay, guidelines and question forms were created, and consumer test events were organized. The methodology was communicated with breeding entities in Targeted Call 4. Work for a harmonized visualization methodology to fruit sensory quality is still in the beginning. The first sets of sensory data collected was presented as sensory profiles and analysed by statistical tests to validate the panel test lexicons. Data management is considered a priority for BreedingValue, thus WP5 followed, strictly collaborating with all WPs, the establishing of the material lists and the definitions of methodologies for sample collection and data recording. The Germinate platform was adopted to help this process. Of importance was to import and integrate previous datasets, by starting with historical data provided by different partners. All partners agreed on the level of confidentiality to be applied depending to the type of data. Data visualization for GenRes exploration and analysis in a consumer and community friendly interaction was facilitated with new documentation and communication tools. All BreedingValue partners actively disseminated the project and its results (WP6) reaching a wide audience. Dissemination at international conferences (e.g. IHC2022-FR, ISHS Rubus Ribes Symposium 2023-USA, PAG31-USA) and participation to different national scientific conferences took place. BreedingValue partners already published 17 peer-reviewed publications. Several project workshops were organized, including a Workshop on IP of Genetic Resources (GenRes) in 2023. Field demonstration activities were implemented and workshops with growers and breeders organised. To train young students/researchers on all levels of technologies and knowledge developed by BreedingValue, 3 berry schools were organised in 2023. The project website continues to inform about the project and its activities and social media channels (X and LinkedIn) provide visibility to the general audience. All activities are coordinated and monitored by the Steering Committee that meets monthly (WP7).
BreedingValue identified the genetic variability available between the partners and the definition of best genotyping and phenotyping tools and strategy to characterize berry GenRes and use in breeding programs to obtain new cultivars highly resilient and of better quality for the consumer. Companies directly involved in the project and companies selected with the Target calls collaborate to adopt the most advanced tools available to increase their competitiveness in obtaining new cultivars of increased resilience and quality. The evaluations carried out confirmed the wide availability of European genetic resources for strawberries, while that available for raspberry and blueberry is much more limited. This is an element of weakness for European companies which we will try to solve with the aim to maintain and improve the capacity of European breeding programs for bringing to the market new berry cultivars adapted to different cultivation areas, market types and consumers’ demand.