Descrizione del progetto
Alcune molecole speciali potrebbero contribuire a rendere le piante più resilienti allo stress da freddo
Lo stress da freddo può gravemente ostacolare il rendimento delle colture. Le basse temperature limitano la crescita e lo sviluppo delle piante, mentre le gelate causano danni ai tessuti. Le perdite di raccolto sono ancora più gravi quando lo stress da freddo si verifica durante la fase riproduttiva. Il progetto BoostCrop, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di aumentare la resilienza delle piante allo stress da freddo e di stimolare la crescita in diverse condizioni impiegando un concetto rivoluzionario: i riscaldatori molecolari. Si tratta di molecole ispirate alla natura che assorbono parti dello spettro elettromagnetico, dannose per le piante o non impiegate durante la fotosintesi, e convertono successivamente queste lunghezze d’onda in altre più lunghe (calore). Il metodo proposto potrebbe ridurre drasticamente le perdite di raccolto e allungare le stagioni di crescita.
Obiettivo
Cold and freezing stress are important constraints for crops and for horticulture. BoostCrop seeks to reduce such stress by an invention called 'molecular heaters'. These are nature-inspired molecules that absorb solar radiation and convert it to heat energy. The invention would reduce yield losses due to cold stress, extend growth seasons and the geographical locations suitable for agriculture, increase crop yield at high crop density and, concomitantly, reduce greenhouse energy costs. BoostCrop strives to increase food production to feed a continuously growing population, thus tackling a major European and Global Challenge in Food Security. The multidisciplinary research programme outlined in BoostCrop will demonstrate how intrinsic molecular processes that underlie energy transfer, and which occur on timescales of tens of trillionths of a second, can be manipulated such that macroscopic properties are impacted. The targets of the research programme include: (1) applying state-of-the-art experiments and theory to track and understand, in unprecedented detail, energy flow in targeted, nature-inspired molecules; (2) manipulating this energy flow through chemical modification; and (3) developing a suite of molecules to suit the needs of crop growth in the field and under protected (greenhouse) conditions. These molecules will then be applied to crops through an aqueous foliar spray. The proposed research programme offers a transdisciplinary and synergistic approach to developing, and understanding the properties of novel photon-to-molecule heaters. The combined expertise of 6 universities (and staff spanning Chemistry, Physics and Biology), one government institute and an SME with an outstanding track record for developing sustainable agro-technologies will ensure that the longterm vision of BoostCrop, to develop molecular heaters for use in a foliar spray, are met, thereby contributing significantly to Europe’s future technological and Food Security.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
B15 2TT Birmingham
Regno Unito