Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CROPDIVA (Climate Resilient Orphan croPs for increased DIVersity in Agriculture)
Período documentado: 2023-03-01 hasta 2024-08-31
CROPDIVA will reinforce agrobiodiversity in European agricultural cropping systems on different levels and along distinct geographic and socio-economic areas resulting in resilient food and feed production systems. To realise the project objectives CROPDIVA will focus on (1) the promotion of six underutilised crops: oats, triticale, hull-less barley, narrow-leafed lupin, buckwheat and faba bean in various cropping systems, (2) on the creation of new value chains and on the examination of the socio-economic impact and of the ecosystem services particularly with respect to the new and diversified cropping systems.
The selected crops have unique features. Firstly, the six underutilised crops are characterised by a broad genepool, which serves as a reservoir for important traits related to e.g. resilience to (a)biotic stress as well as nutritional quality. This great genetic ensures the development of climate resilient varieties. Secondly, the selected crops have great ecological benefits and advantages for a sustainable crop management system. For example, many of them produce nectar rich flowers and/or biologically fix nitrogen. Others result in early stubble, which allow to sowing cover/catch crops as a second crop or they mature early leading to a lower transpiration coefficient and less water use. Thirdly, these crops possess a high nutritious and food technological value, which create many possibilities to develop new food/feed and non-food products; a more diversified value chain will provide new market opportunities for the local food/feed and associated non-food industry and will provide opportunities for new innovative products tailored to the local demand.
The selected crops have unique features. Firstly, the six underutilised crops are characterised by a broad genepool, which serves as a reservoir for important traits related to e.g. resilience to (a)biotic stress as well as nutritional quality. This great genetic ensures the development of climate resilient varieties. Secondly, the selected crops have great ecological benefits and advantages for a sustainable crop management system. For example, many of them produce nectar rich flowers and/or biologically fix nitrogen. Others result in early stubble, which allow to sowing cover/catch crops as a second crop or they mature early leading to a lower transpiration coefficient and less water use. Thirdly, these crops possess a high nutritious and food technological value, which create many possibilities to develop new food/feed and non-food products; a more diversified value chain will provide new market opportunities for the local food/feed and associated non-food industry and will provide opportunities for new innovative products tailored to the local demand.
The ten specific objectives of CROPDIVA are organised in three operational areas (OAs). Below are the main results of the work carried out during this second reporting period, incorporating achievements from the first period to fulfil these objectives:
OA 1: In-depth study and promotion of six key underutilised arable crops: oats, triticale, hull-less barley, narrow-leafed lupin, buckwheat, and faba bean (WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5)
Identification of current socio-economic and agricultural challenges for greater agrobiodiversity: An evidence synthesis was conducted to identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Socio-economic aspects remain underexplored, but new value chain studies are being developed in WP5. The literature review from the first period (D1.1) continues to guide the approach.
Definition of future breeding goals: The breeding goals differ according to each crop's needs. For example, triticale and oats require the development of new breeding tools, while buckwheat, narrow-leaved lupin, and hull-less barley need improved understanding of desirable traits. Additionally, opportunities have been identified to breed specifically for intercropping and to focus on traits that enhance ESs, as informed by the findings from the first period (D1.1).
Exploration of genetic diversity and development of breeding tools: Screening trials have been established at various locations, focusing on different traits, such as resistance to stripe rust in triticale and winter hardiness in oats. Some accessions have already been sequenced, while further sequencing is in progress. These results will provide a basis for new breeding tools. Building on the first period, GWAS studies are underway to establish marker-trait associations.
Elucidating arable systems and promoting ESs: The evidence synthesis from the initial phase highlighted the potential of these crops to diversify cropping systems but emphasised the need for better quantification of ecosystem services. Field trials across Europe have shown that these systems can enhance ESs, such as pollinator support and soil health. Data mining will be used to identify key indicators for assessing agrobiodiversity (D3.5 D3.6).
Parameters for assessing agrobiodiversity: Observations and measurements collected over multiple growing seasons will inform the parameter set, which will be finalised once all project data are analysed.
OA 2: Creation of new value chains
Investigation of consumer behaviour: A consumer survey was conducted across six European countries, involving over 4,800 participants to gauge awareness and preferences regarding underutilised crops. The results showed high familiarity with oats and buckwheat but lower recognition for triticale, lupin, and hull-less barley. Barriers such as limited availability and lack of familiarity were identified. Preparations and frameworks established in the first period were expanded upon in this phase (MS36).
Strengthening the producer-consumer link:Initial multi-actor regional focus groups were prepared to explore the potential of new food and feed products. A draft work plan has been created to address business models and regional value chains.
Development of new food and non-food products: Gaps identified in the first period informed the development of new food and non-food products. Analytical methods have been refined, and protocols for protein isolation optimised. Innovations include hybrid meat products (e.g. sausages with 50% faba bean protein), sweet and savoury spreads featuring buckwheat, and functional bread blends made from wheat and buckwheat. Non-food developments include biostimulant production and assessments of triticale silage for animal feed.
OA 3: Examination of socio-economic impact and ecosystem services
Agronomic and economic viability:The assessment of the agronomic and economic viability of the selected crops and cropping systems, using ecological and economic metrics, will be carried out in future reporting periods. Initial insights suggest promising outcomes, building on earlier work.
Development of an open-source interactive toolbox (DSS): A prototype DSS has been developed (MS05), integrating AI-driven tools such as large language models (LMMs) for querying project results. This tool is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange related to breeding, cultivation, processing, and ESs.
OA 1: In-depth study and promotion of six key underutilised arable crops: oats, triticale, hull-less barley, narrow-leafed lupin, buckwheat, and faba bean (WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5)
Identification of current socio-economic and agricultural challenges for greater agrobiodiversity: An evidence synthesis was conducted to identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Socio-economic aspects remain underexplored, but new value chain studies are being developed in WP5. The literature review from the first period (D1.1) continues to guide the approach.
Definition of future breeding goals: The breeding goals differ according to each crop's needs. For example, triticale and oats require the development of new breeding tools, while buckwheat, narrow-leaved lupin, and hull-less barley need improved understanding of desirable traits. Additionally, opportunities have been identified to breed specifically for intercropping and to focus on traits that enhance ESs, as informed by the findings from the first period (D1.1).
Exploration of genetic diversity and development of breeding tools: Screening trials have been established at various locations, focusing on different traits, such as resistance to stripe rust in triticale and winter hardiness in oats. Some accessions have already been sequenced, while further sequencing is in progress. These results will provide a basis for new breeding tools. Building on the first period, GWAS studies are underway to establish marker-trait associations.
Elucidating arable systems and promoting ESs: The evidence synthesis from the initial phase highlighted the potential of these crops to diversify cropping systems but emphasised the need for better quantification of ecosystem services. Field trials across Europe have shown that these systems can enhance ESs, such as pollinator support and soil health. Data mining will be used to identify key indicators for assessing agrobiodiversity (D3.5 D3.6).
Parameters for assessing agrobiodiversity: Observations and measurements collected over multiple growing seasons will inform the parameter set, which will be finalised once all project data are analysed.
OA 2: Creation of new value chains
Investigation of consumer behaviour: A consumer survey was conducted across six European countries, involving over 4,800 participants to gauge awareness and preferences regarding underutilised crops. The results showed high familiarity with oats and buckwheat but lower recognition for triticale, lupin, and hull-less barley. Barriers such as limited availability and lack of familiarity were identified. Preparations and frameworks established in the first period were expanded upon in this phase (MS36).
Strengthening the producer-consumer link:Initial multi-actor regional focus groups were prepared to explore the potential of new food and feed products. A draft work plan has been created to address business models and regional value chains.
Development of new food and non-food products: Gaps identified in the first period informed the development of new food and non-food products. Analytical methods have been refined, and protocols for protein isolation optimised. Innovations include hybrid meat products (e.g. sausages with 50% faba bean protein), sweet and savoury spreads featuring buckwheat, and functional bread blends made from wheat and buckwheat. Non-food developments include biostimulant production and assessments of triticale silage for animal feed.
OA 3: Examination of socio-economic impact and ecosystem services
Agronomic and economic viability:The assessment of the agronomic and economic viability of the selected crops and cropping systems, using ecological and economic metrics, will be carried out in future reporting periods. Initial insights suggest promising outcomes, building on earlier work.
Development of an open-source interactive toolbox (DSS): A prototype DSS has been developed (MS05), integrating AI-driven tools such as large language models (LMMs) for querying project results. This tool is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange related to breeding, cultivation, processing, and ESs.
1. New breeding tools will be available for the six underutilised crops focussing on the balance between provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services. This will result in new varieties adapted for different growing conditions and cropping systems.
2. Today, different measures to evaluate cropping systems exist, lacking standards to make proper comparisons between e.g. pure and mixed cultures. CROPDIVA will create a standardised method for an unbiased evaluation of (mixed) cropping systems.
3. Integrated knowledge to successfully implement agrobiodiversity in a sustainable way resulting in more climate resilient agriculture with stabilised yield, quality and income.
4. New local protein concentrates which can serve as basis for meat replacers, new gluten free, bakery products and new healthy cereal based products are developed. High quality silages from triticale will become a true alternative for maize silages.
Throughout the production of the different food products, waste streams will be valorised by production e.g. biostimulants and fiber board packaging.
5. CROPDIVA will focus on producer-consumer links to identify new marketing opportunities.
6. The multi-actor approach will ensure that CROPDIVA’s results reach the different stakeholders and that it’s developed products will easily penetrate the market.
2. Today, different measures to evaluate cropping systems exist, lacking standards to make proper comparisons between e.g. pure and mixed cultures. CROPDIVA will create a standardised method for an unbiased evaluation of (mixed) cropping systems.
3. Integrated knowledge to successfully implement agrobiodiversity in a sustainable way resulting in more climate resilient agriculture with stabilised yield, quality and income.
4. New local protein concentrates which can serve as basis for meat replacers, new gluten free, bakery products and new healthy cereal based products are developed. High quality silages from triticale will become a true alternative for maize silages.
Throughout the production of the different food products, waste streams will be valorised by production e.g. biostimulants and fiber board packaging.
5. CROPDIVA will focus on producer-consumer links to identify new marketing opportunities.
6. The multi-actor approach will ensure that CROPDIVA’s results reach the different stakeholders and that it’s developed products will easily penetrate the market.