ABOUT US

ZeroParasitic is a three-year project, aiming to deliver innovative sustainable solutions to overcome broomrape plant parasitism in key Mediterranean cropping systems. Genetic and molecular approaches will be used at three critical levels to gain new insights on potential regulatory targets of the infection: the broomrapes per se, the host plants and their interaction (host-parasite). Research will target two of the most important crops in the Mediterranean. i.e. industrial tomato and faba beans. Surveillance tools utilizing remote and satellite images will be employed for monitoring parasitism and for large-scale documentation. Innovation tools will consist of molecular approaches for screening and identification of tolerant/resistant hosts and hormone host-parasite interactions. Deciphering the molecular basis for resistance utilizing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and other defense-triggering molecules aiming to support breeding of resistant host plants. Solutions will be integrated in an integrated pest management (IPM) context targeting several innovations such as prevention, biological/non-chemical approaches, and other IPM strategies. Agronomic practices will be scientifically supported by a validated model for prediction of parasitism emergenceacross various Mediterranean locations and farming systems. Solutions will be socioeconomically evaluated, implemented and disseminated in a participatory way. The dissemination of the Project outputs will be based on a systems-thinking approach and the solutions that will be proposed will be highly accessible via an innovative web platform designed to satisfy requirements of a wide range of end-users.

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Period of Implementation

Apr 10, 2020 - Oct 10, 2023
Total Budget

EUR 1,445,000.00

OUR IMPACT

Goals

The main goal of ZeroParasitic is to integrate innovative solutions into a realistic framework through a trans-disciplinary, multi-actor effort targeting broomrapes, which is one of the most critical disease/weed in Mediterranean countries, posing a significant threat to various key cropping systems in the region.

Objectives

The specific objectives are as follows: Objective 1. Identify new genetic variability in different species for broomrape tolerance/resistance Objective 2. Identify molecular genetic markers in mapping populations and in contrasting genotypes at different phases of parasite-plant interaction Objective 3. Identify new hormones and metabolites involved in broomrape germination, haustorial development and plant infection during host-plant interaction Objective 4. Identify the molecular basis of resistance based on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to enhance capabilities for targeted breeding of resistance  Objective 5. Provide IPM solutions that are supported by innovative tools such as modelling of emergence of parasitism, validated under different Med cropping systems Objective 6. Provide surveillance tools for local, regional and national scale monitoring of the parasitism Objective 7. Disseminate the results among stakeholders, engaging with them in the co-creation of innovative solutions and provide training to farmers to facilitate prevention of broomrape expansion

Problems and Needs Analysis

Innovative solutions for prevention and IPM to overcome parasitism in Mediterranean cropping systems is a requirement. A safe, clean and reliable cropping system is of paramount importance. In ZeroParasitic, the problem to be tackled is real and clear: “weeding” is a critical and global operation. Potential crop losses due to weeds are high. By acknowledging this highly important issue ZeroParasitic aspires not only to propose effective solutions, but also to ensure that they are put into place. The project has, therefore four basic ambitions. 1. To address low adoption rates. This is an issue of particular importance for broomrape parasitism, keeping in mind that previous efforts have been only partially (or not at all) successful. 2. To act on farmers’ opinions. ZeroParasitic introduces a systems-thinking perspective, which, combined with its socioeconomic approach, positions the project well beyond the state of the art in relation to decision support and adoption. ZeroParasitic aprires to propose solutions which will be co-created by the Consortium and end-users. The project is 'from end-users to end-users'. 3. To address uncertainty in decision-making on weed control and innovation adoption. The applicability of an innovation is a crucial characteristic, along with its economic performance. If a novel solution does not clearly demonstrate to farmers that it will ameliorate their performance, farmers will not choose to adopt it. ZeroParasitic seeks to provide an integrated evaluation of economic benefits, with clear comparisons with the existing situation, thus showing to farmers what the real gains are compared to their "business-as-usual". The participation of farmers in the assessment of outcomes and in field days (demonstrations) constitutes a novel aspect of ZeroParasitic towards higher adoption rates. 4. To address development issues for staple products. Tomato and faba beans are in the bottom step of the human food chain with a significant importance and ZeroParasitic will seek to provide important solutions for their effective cultivation, by minimizing the danger of parasitism and the consequent loss of yields.

Intervention Strategy(ies)

Particular elements of ZeroParasitic which are of importance to Topic 1.2.2 of Section 2 Prima Call include -The use of biocontrol agents such as arbuscular mycorrhiza (AMF) and utilizing insects with specificity to broomrapes, that are ecological approaches and could be used to alleviate the parasite development. Regarding AMF’s, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms could provide new regulatory targets to control weed infection, from germination to plant fortification and to improve plant nutrition. -Hormonal interactions (host-parasite interactions) at different phases of infection is becoming an interesting approach, since it has been mostly focused to some few single hormones such as strigolactones and ABA, which are mostly related to parasite germination. -Discovery and application of new sustainable system for preventing, controlling and alleviating pest effects is needed in broomrape research topics. Effective means of parasite control are generally lacking, in part because of the close physiological connection between the established parasite and host plant. - Surveillance tools to map broomrape parasitism In addition, digital tools (UAV’s, remote and satellite images) would help to monitor, record and measure the success of the proposed solutions ate various spatial scales. -Molecular approaches aiming to identify genetic variability utilizing molecular markers for large scale initial characterization in relation to broomrape tolerance/resistance could lead to selection of appropriate germplasm. -Understanding the molecular basis of resistance (e.g. PRRs, defense-triggering molecules) could lead to sound understanding host-parasite interactions and provide an excellent base of knowledge to breed resistant crops. -The development of models to predict parasitism would require inclusion of meanginful parameters into the models, proper validation under various agro-climatic conditions, and extrapolation of the model to include legumes. As a result, the parasitism inavasions could be better estimated and monitoring could be significantly supported; the effect of climate change on the invasión of parasitism would be also assessed.

Impact Pathway

ZeroParasitic’s impacts include delivering innovative sustainable solutions for prevention and integrated management of broomrapes that represent a major threat for significant crops in the Meditteranean regions. More than that, ZeroParasitic will deliver state-of-the-arts tools to support these sustainable solutions. Socio-economic evaluation of the IPM strategies will increase the likelihood for adoption of the sustainable solutions and the high adoption by the endusers is a key target for impact. Various broomrape management alternatives (WP2) could be seen as stand-alone solutions. Nevertheless, ZeroParasitic will seek to maximize impacts for end-users at national, Mediterranean, European and global scales. This will be achieved by integrating new methods to holistic solutions tailored to the various Mediterranean countries and settings and to the requirements of individual local farmers. By advancing the state of the art for broomrape prediction of emergence and mapping together with engineering innovations, ZeroParasitic is expected to lay a firm foundation for ongoing research, development, and research outputs exploitation. Most importantly, there is the potential to build on this foundation to meet medium- and long-term changes in Mediterranean farmers' needs with global environmental change and technology developments. The project’s expected impacts are in direct line with the PRIMA objectives and significant contribute to the call impacts and relevant objectives

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