Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Exploiting the multifunctional potential of belowground biodiversity in horticultural farming

Project description

Improving the effectiveness of biocontrol and bio-fertilisation practices in agriculture

Rich in biodiversity, the soil microbiome plays an important role in agricultural soil systems. The EU-funded EXCALIBUR project will enhance knowledge on soil biodiversity dynamics and its synergistic effects with prebiotic and probiotic approaches in horticulture. New multifunctional soil microbial inoculants (bio-inocula) and bio-effectors will be tested on three model crops of economic importance (tomato, apple, strawberry) under different experimental and open-field conditions across Europe, and the feed-feedback effect of/on native biodiversity will be monitored. To go beyond the multitude of studies on the links between soil biodiversity and plant health, EXCALIBUR will develop a comprehensive strategy of soil management improving the effectiveness of biocontrol and bio-fertilisation practices in agriculture.

Objective

Excalibur plans to deepen the knowledge on soil biodiversity dynamics and its synergistic effects with prebiotic and probiotic approaches in horticulture, using a multi-actor approach. To pursue this aim, new multifunctional soil microbial inoculants (bio-inocula) and bio-effectors will be tested on three model crops of economic importance (es. tomato, apple, strawberry) under different experimental and open-field conditions across Europe, and the feed-feedback effect of/on native biodiversity monitored. In order to go beyond the multitude of studies on the links between soil biodiversity and plant health, Excalibur will develop a comprehensive strategy of soil management improving the effectiveness of biocontrol and biofertilization practices in agriculture. For this purpose Excalibur plans to: 1) focus on multiscale interactions between plants and belowground organisms to exploit the potential of multifunctional bio-inocula and bio-effectors; 2) optimize the formulation and the application methods of these products based on native soil biodiversity dynamics; 3) develop a strategy to improve the exploitation of soil biodiversity interactions with bio-effectors and bio-inocula by assessing their impacts on crops and biodiversity under contrasting agricultural management practices (conventional, organic) and biotic/abiotic stress conditions; 4) to build a multi-criteria model to assess soil biodiversity status of cropping systems for a more efficient use of bio-effectors and bio-inocula; 5) develop technical tools to monitor the persistence and dispersion of bio-inocula under field conditions for eco-toxicological and agronomical purposes; 6) evaluate the effects of the new strategy on economy, environment quality and ecosystem functions; 7) disseminate results to all stakeholders with a dynamic and comprehensive methodology and encourage the adoption of best practices derived from the new strategy at local, regional and global level.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-SFS-2018-2020

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

CONSIGLIO PER LA RICERCA IN AGRICOLTURA E L'ANALISI DELL'ECONOMIA AGRARIA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 183 615,00
Address
via della navicella 2-4
00184 ROMA
Italy
Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 1 183 615,00

Participants (17)