Project description
Rethinking crop protection, sustainably
Europe’s agricultural sector is under pressure to reduce its reliance on chemical pesticides, which are linked to health risks, biodiversity loss, and growing resistance. In this context, the EU-funded ZELDA project is exploring ways for plants to defend themselves. Specifically, it is validating a zero-waste biorefinery that transforms agricultural waste into natural immune-boosting molecules. These bio-based compounds – derived from cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin – stimulate plant defences while supporting growth and flowering. Lignin nanoparticles also offer a curative antimicrobial punch. Smart, AI-guided delivery systems minimise use by targeting only affected areas. Tested on tomatoes, grapes, and cereals across Europe, ZELDA’s solutions could strengthen food security while protecting ecosystems.
Objective
As the EU is confronted with profound agriculture and environmental challenges, the development and adoption of more effective, safer and greener alternatives for crop protection is becoming increasingly critical, thus reducing the impact of current pesticides on human, animals and the environment as well as fighting pesticide resistance, a phenomenon that has been exacerbated by the extensive and non-targeted use of these products and climate change. Answering current challenges for the development of new sustainable bio-based alternatives for crop protection, ZELDA aims to validate a zero-waste biorefinery approach at TRL5 for developing a portfolio of broad-spectrum immune elicitors derived from lignocellulosic biomasses. Such products combining for the first time cello-oligos, hemi-oligos and lignin-based products will reverse the pesticide paradigm, supporting plants in raising their own defences against a wide range of pathogens while supporting plant growth and flowering. Lignin nanoparticles will also bring a microbicides effect for curative use, further enhancing product efficacy. By combining principles of Safe and Sustainable by Design that will establish a feedback loop for product implementation, the project will ensure that products are not only more effective, but also safer and more sustainable. Economic viability will be ensured by minimising the amount of product to be used: ZELDA’ success will rely on the use of AI-based smart delivery systems targeting specific areas of the crop that require to be treated. The products developed will be tested on key crops central to the EU diet (cereals, tomatoes and grapes) in different EU geographical and pedo-climatic areas, developing tailored crop protection strategies for improving food security and contributing to preserving biodiversity and the ecosystem.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds cereals
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.