The development of non-toxic synthetic and natural priming agents (PAs) towards sustainably-sourced and environmentally sound products for the development of a resource-efficient circular economy is an R&D activity that recently has received considerable attention. PRIMESOFT´s overarching objective was to explore innovations in the application of PAs in value-added soft fruit crops from a range of perspectives and strengthen educational, research and innovation activities among the Widening Institution (WI, Cyprus University of Technology) and 4 internationally-renowned Advanced Partners (APs).
Through this multi-actor approach, we bridged the gap between chemical and nanomaterial priming research and agricultural practice in order to bring the inventions closer to application and commercialization towards resource-efficient smart farming practices. Besides the novelty of its technological approach, PRIMESOFT research activities included the use of computational analysis and mechanistic modelling to identify key components that regulate the mode of action of PAs through the employment of transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. The WI received pioneering education, research and technological capacity by a polymorphic Consortium that share highly complementary skills. Outreach activities created significant scientific, societal and economic impacts. PRIMESOFT enhanced strategic networking activities of WI with both APs and stakeholders of the agro/food sector during and beyond the end of the project by fulfilling the following scientific, technological and widening objectives:
- Creation of a knowledge hub with a core in the application of priming agents as a cutting-edge technological approach for direct use in modern agricultural practices
- Targeted transfer of knowledge activities to enhance creativity by new approaches in R&I collaboration
- Development of a critical mass of high-profile researchers of the Widening Institution and enhancement of the reputation, research profile and attractiveness of the Cyprus University of Technology
- Enhancement of the research management capacities and administrative skills of the WI personnel
- Establishment of long-term collaborations towards increment of the S&T capacity and innovation potential of the Widening Institution
Impact indicators:
- Scientific and technological excellence on chemical and nanomaterial priming research towards deployment or resource-efficient production systems for soft fruits
- Enhance visibility of the Widening Institution within an international context
- Sustainable continuation of Research and Innovation activities at the Widening Institution
