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.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
00184 Roma
Italy
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Participants (17)
96-100 SKIERNIEWICE
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47023 Cesena
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
SW7 5BD London
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Participation ended
CB3 0LE Cambridge
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1000 Ljubljana
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10124 Torino
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1011 JV AMSTERDAM
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1165 Kobenhavn
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8010 Graz
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21110 Breteniere
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
18071 Granada
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32 300 Olkusz
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
1300 Wavre
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88213 Ravensburg
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74189 Weinsberg
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33203 Gijon
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
CB3 0LE Cambridge
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.