Enhancing the competitiveness of organic crop breeding: focus on intercropping adapted varieties

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic funds research that gives organic plant breeders methods and tools to develop crop varieties adapted to intercropping. It covers plant traits, breeding approaches and variety testing criteria.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

Most varieties on the market are bred for monocropping and may perform poorly in intercropping systems. Projects give organic breeders tools to develop varieties adapted to intercropping and suitable for organic production.

Activities

• Study plant traits and mechanisms that drive intercrop performance, ideally covering both above-ground interactions and below-ground dynamics between roots and soil organisms.
• Develop new organic breeding approaches that focus on competition, complementarity and facilitation between crops.
• Identify crop and variety combinations that consistently perform well together.
• Provide inputs for future testing and selection criteria and tools for evaluating genotypes in intercropping, with attention to rules on Organic Heterogeneous Material and Organic Varieties Suitable for Organic Production.

Financial support to third parties

Proposals may provide financial support to third parties, for example to develop, test and demonstrate the new breeding approaches.

Expected outcomes

A more efficient and competitive organic breeding sector, better knowledge of key target traits for intercropping, and a basis for future varieties that improve pest and weed management, resource use, soil fertility and productivity. Activities are expected to reach TRL 4-5 and may start at any TRL.

Cosa ci si aspetta dalle proposte?

• Proposals should build on the results of relevant Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects and collaborate with relevant ongoing ones.

Quando scade il bando?

22 settembre 2027 (320 giorni)

22 September 2027 (single-stage call).