Objective
The objective of MicroMaize is to develop and validate integrated farming practices based on phytostimulation and biofertilisation to enable a reduction of chemical fertiliser usage in a key European cropping system, maize monoculture. Maize is a strategic target as it is often grown in a non-sustainable way in Europe, and it has been imported from Mexico in relatively recent times, without its entire guild of root-associated beneficial microbes.
The project will focus on synergistic consortia of multifunction plant-beneficial microbes comprising the two PGPR Azospirillum (nitrogen fixation and modulation of plant hormonal balance) and Pseudomonas (phosphate solubilisation and phytohormone modulation), and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus (nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization/acquisition). Novel research tools including micro-array technology and plant metabolic profiling will be used to design consortia and monitor plant-microbe interactions in situ.
The establishment of introduced and indigenous plant-beneficial microbial consortia in the maize rhizosphere will be achieved by inoculation and management of the indigenous microbial community via the choice of maize genotypes, respectively. The novel microbial management strategies developed in this project will be integrated with current farming practices in maize monoculture. They will be validated at different field locations throughout Europe (and in Mexico) under real-life conditions, and positive agronomic effects on crop yield, yield quality, food safety (mycotoxins), and residual nutrient levels in soil at harvest will be quantified.
Microbial innovation will be transferred to farmers and other end-users via demonstration actions and various dissemination modes. These goals will be achieved by a partnership including three top academic centres, two technical institutes, two SMEs, one OTH and one INCO partner who is currently managing the largest successful inoculation program for maize worldwide.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry metabolomes
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology microbiomes
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology food safety
- 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.
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.
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.
FP6-2005-FOOD-4-B
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
1335 VILLEURBANNE
France
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.