News

MYCOVIRUSES

AGAINST FUNGI

(Lead beneficiary: UPM)
Partner beneficiaries: IPSP-CNR, LUKE, Agrion.

This work package is to advance research on virus-caused hypovirulence for plant fungal diseases and develop novel strategies for biocontrol against fungal diseases with mycoviruses. We will also derive VIGS vectors and explore the potential of such vectors for the in vivo and in vitro production of dsRNA. Such dsRNA will be used for deriving different RNAi systems for containing fungal diseases.

PHAGE COCKTAILS

AGAINST BACTERIA

(Lead beneficiary: KULEUVEN)
Partner beneficiaries: IPSP-CNR, UniREADING, TI-BD, ILVO, UniUTRECHT, APS, Agrion.

The main objective of this work package is to identify and validate bio-based control tools for bacterial diseases of plants. To date, copper, which is harmful for the environment and thus not sustainable, is the only available (chemical) approach to control bacterial diseases in agriculture.

VIRUSES AGAINST

INSECT PESTS AND VECTORS

(Lead beneficiary: INRA)
Partner beneficiaries: IPSP-CNR, UVEG, Agrion.

This WP will tackle insects as direct pests or as vectors of important diseases to agricultural crops. It will identify “indigenous” viruses that can be further exploited as biocontrol agents (VBCA) against major agronomical insect pests and vectors, and include viruses in ecological practices for crop protection. In this WP, we shall also test new viral BCA methods based on identified candidate Iflaviruses for inoculative strategies and VIGS vectors.

TECHNO-ECONOMIC SYSTEM

ANALYSIS & BUSINESS MODELLING

Objectives: the overall objective of this work package is to integrate the techno-scientific knowledge developed in this project with socio-economic and regulatory considerations regarding the application of new pest control strategies making use of specific selections of biological control organisms, also when genetically modified. The integration of the different technical, regulatory and socio-economic considerations aims at increasing the likeliness of a successful market introduction of novel pest control solutions developed in this project and in future similar innovation projects.

SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE

OF VIRUS-BASED NATURAL PRODUCTS

Objectives: mapping the collective imagination about virus in terms of public perception, in particular for hazards and risk, which orients production and consumers behaviour. Providing indication for communication strategies, in order to identify drivers and resistences to cope with: 1) review of the literature on European public perception of BTI – Bibliometric approach / Content analysis; 2) mapping trends and changes in relation to gender and generation. Construction of raw materials for Delphi Method and Focus Group.