BIOVEXO is developing innovative approaches using plant-colonising (systemic) microorganisms and plant by-product that may also reach inner plant tissues to directly counteract Xylella. BIOVEXO is also developing innovative bio-based vector-targeting control products involving microbial strains, plant extracts and microbial metabolites that are tested in different soil, climate and cultivation conditions. These biopesticides are developed for best application ensuring suitable formulation, efficacy and adequate uses of feedstock resources in order to develop sustainable and control solutions with the aim to have market-ready products by, or shortly after project completion.
BIOVEXO planned to make environmental, economic and socio-economic impacts, which remain valid the full duration of the project.
(1) ENVIRONMENTAL
The project aims to reduce the environmental footprint associated with agricultural activities as compared with existing alternative approaches and to increase the overall resource efficiency. BIOVEXO will continue to optimise and develop new X- and V-biopesticides based on plant extracts or microorganisms. These biopesticides will be close to market entry at the end of the project and will be used as solutions for a sustainable approach, aimed at preserving diversity and involving circular economy.
(2) ECONOMIC
Increasing crop yield by at least 10% as compared with existing cultivation cases based on chemical inputs, reducing costs of crop (nutrition and) control by 15% as compared with benchmark chemical approaches, and increasing income and business opportunities for stakeholders and actors in the bio-based sectors, in particular in the primary sectors.
(3) SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Creating new job opportunities in the bio-based sector, particularly the rural areas by protecting olive and almond trees as well as by increasing job opportunities in the industrial sector. BIOVEXO will also aim to make an impact in education through trainings and workshops in order to raise awareness on Xylella and increase understanding of bio-based economy in the society. Raising awareness and educating wider audience is also expected to be done through scientific publications and scientific conferences BIOVEXO will organise and/or partake in. Synergies with regional initiatives in Apulia, Mallorca and Valencia are also expected, as well as the possibility of supporting the regional development by diversifying the local economy.
The BIOVEXO project will provide understanding of the biopesticides‘ mode of action to support final product development. Above all, the project aims to ensure continued olive and almond cultivation, reducing the use and risk of harmful pesticides, as well as reducing the socio-economic pressures of Xylella and disease severity in olive cultivation. BIOVEXO will potentially impact the protection and safety of long-established olive orchard with socio-cultural value (with 1,500 year-old trees) and ensure prevention of future spread of Xylella infections to secure and sustain jobs in severely affected areas. Finally, it is important to highlight that BIOVEXO aims to make a significant impact in protecting global plant health, securing fragile ecosystems and ensuring environmental and economic sustainability.
