« SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:

REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITY »

NEW COST ACTION PROPOSAL

Domain Agriculture and Biotechnology

COST 860

BACKGROUND

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

There is an increasing demand throughout Europe for sustainable crop production characterised by reduced inputs of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers and increased agricultural biodiversity.

The most rigorous low-input system is the organic farming system as defined by EU-directive 2092/91 where pesticides and synthetic fertilisers are generally not allowed

OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

• establish methods for selecting varieties, lines and populations,

• develop ways to increase and make use of crop diversity and genotype-environment interactions,

• ensure stable and acceptable yields of good-quality crops for low-input

Exchange of knowledge• Breeders• VCU-testing authorities• Farmers and extension servies• Researchers

Indicators for low input farming systems for improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact

BENEFITS

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME ORGANISATION

Working Groups:• WG1: Genetics and Plant breeding• WG2: Biostatistics• WG3: Plant-soil interactions• WG4: Plant-plant interactions• WG5: Plant-Disease complexes• WG6: Variety testing and certification

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Interested Countries : 18

A, CH, CZ, D, E, F, FIN, H, I, LV, NL, N, PL, P, SK, S, UK

Proposer : DK

Economic Dimension: € 50 MillionDuration: 4 years

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

CONSULTATIONCOST -

ESF LESC

EU DG RTD, DG Agri, DG ENV

EUREKA

OTHERS EEA, ECOPB, EWRS, OFA

European Consortium of Organic Plant Breeding, European Weed Research Society, Organic Farmers Association

860: SUSTAINABLE LOW-INPUT CEREAL PRODUCTION:REQUIRED VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CROP

DIVERSITYAGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY