Project description
A new era of self-sufficiency in agriculture
An impressive amount of genotype and phenotype data have been collected on hundreds of legume accessions as part of the EU-funded EUCLEG project's work. Genetic diversity description, markers associated with trait variation, and genomic prediction equations are results that open new opportunities to boost legume breeding. Trainings in statistics and molecular breeding have been offered within and outside EUCLEG to share these promising results, in addition to publications and conference communications. Breeders of public institutes or private companies can now use this knowledge to make the best use of genetic diversity and to implement marker-assisted breeding. All this progress will in turn lead to strategies for more rapid breeding of new varieties that will help boost the use of legumes in livestock and arable farming in Europe and China, and decrease protein dependency, thus contributing to the overall objectives of the project.
Objective
EUCLEG aims to reduce Europe and China’s dependency on protein imports by developing efficient breeding strategies for the legume crops of major economic importance in human food and animal feed. The objective is to improve diversification, crop productivity, yield stability and protein quality of both forage (alfalfa and red clover) and grain (pea, faba bean and soybean) legumes. Using diverse and extensive genetic resources and taking advantage of advanced molecular tools, EUCLEG aims to identify and develop the best genetic resources, phenotyping methods and molecular tools to breed legume varieties with improved performance under biotic and abiotic stresses in the representative European and Chinese agro-ecological areas. The potential for new uses of forage species for human nutrition will be explored. Searchable databases will be developed or built to host passport, agronomic and genetic data facilitating exchanges and use of genetic resources. The evaluation of genetic resources in multi-site trials will allow to broaden the breeding material and extend agro-ecological adaptation. The genetic architecture of key breeding traits will be analysed using association studies in order to identify molecular markers related to phenotypic traits. Finally, genomic selection strategies will be assessed for their potential to improve genetic progress. Practical tools for genotyping, data management and calculation will be provided to breeders to implement marker-assisted selection and genomic selection leading to the creation of new varieties in the long-term. The partnership gathered in EUCLEG, combining public institutes and private companies of Europe and China, guaranties the transfer of knowledge from research to seed industry.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureindustrial cropsfodder
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnucleotides
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedslegumes
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandryanimal feed
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.3. - Empowerment of rural areas, support to policies and rural innovation
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
75007 Paris
France
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Participants (39)
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75794 Paris
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SY23 3BF Aberystwyth
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664 41 Troubsko
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
3660 Opglabbeek
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
41003 Sevilla
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
31600 Jokioinen
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010010 HOHHOT
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150086 HARBIN
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4000 Roskilde
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3003 Bern
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
8092 Zuerich
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2322 Ridabu
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010011 HOHEHOT
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75013 PARIS
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21000 Novi Sad
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37251 Krusevac
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100193 BEIJING
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41012 Sevilla
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00153 ROMA
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210014 Nanjing
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49250 Beaufort En Anjou
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06484 Quedlinburg
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10425 Stockholm
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06466 Seeland Ot Gatersleben
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210095 NANJING
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234 56 ALNARP
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1433 As
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150030 HARBIN
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130102 CHANGCHUN
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712100 YANGLING
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9990 Maldegem
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
TAIGU SXANHI
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12033 Rodez
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77144 MONTEVRAIN
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9000 Gent
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9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
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9820 Merelbeke
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310021 HANGZHOU
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735000 SUZHOUQU
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.