AgroServ User Projects

BIOTA seeks to evaluate the interplay between elevated CO2 (eCO2), high temperatures and beneficial soil microbes (BMs, namely Trichoderma spp.) and its impact on Phaseolus vulgaris seed development, yield and quality. The study will utilize phenotyping and biochemical tools to assess seed quality attributes, including the potential use of seed volatilomes as non-destructive markers for seed aging, vigour and health.

UnRootINGStress aims to quantify the root traits of rice plants with altered expression of a root-specific E3-ubiquitin ligase responsive to drought. To fully characterize this phenotype, the project plans to access root-phenotyping installations to collect root (e.g. length and width) and shoot parameters (e.g. apparent leaf area) under control and drought conditions.

This project evaluates the effect of biochars produced from olive and hazelnut tree pruning on Chinese cabbage productivity. It aims to study the nutritional status of plants and the microbial community in leaves to find correlations between growth substrate, biochar amendment, plant performance, and metabolic activity.

In the project BioTechAPS, novel technologies for biodiversity assessment in sunflowers will be applied to assess and promote biodiversity associated with drought-tolerant hybrids. The methodology comprises conventional sampling and morphology-based identification compared to novel pollinator diversity assessment using eDNA and bulk sample metabarcoding.

Through metagenomic analysis, this project aims to study microbial diversity and identify fungal communities in European almond orchards. It also explores the metabolites of novel fungal strains for antimicrobial properties, serving as potential biological controls against pathogens like Botryosphaeriaceae and Diatrypaceae.

The BreeTOMICs project evaluates six selected thermotolerant tomato genotypes for performance under drought stress. It combines eco-physiological assessments, field evaluations, and metabolomic analyses for fruit quality to advance sustainable agriculture through the selection of abiotic stress-tolerant genotypes.

This project proposes to identify and characterize small molecules to increase plant drought tolerance by screening a large chemical library for ABA-receptor agonists. The distribution of these compounds will be studied using MALDI-MSI, and their efficacy will be analyzed via high-throughput phenotyping in maize.

This interdisciplinary study validates the hypothesis of common lotus (Lotus corniculatus L.) as a sustainable crop. It covers field performance in Serbia and Poland, chemical properties (proanthocyanidins and carotenoids), and the effect of different doses in forage on milk quality and methane release by cows.

The D-PLASMA project aims to address the negative effects of drought in rice by developing targeted cold plasma (CP) seed treatments. CP treatments enable optimal hydrophilicity and faster water absorption, and their effects on growth and development will be evaluated using high-throughput phenotyping.

This study aims to co-design novel organic bread and pasta using Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum S.). It integrates consumer research, food technology, and sensory analysis to develop high-quality foods while advancing scientific understanding of local Emmer supply chains.

This project aims to identify novel biostimulants (BSs) of marine origin to improve nutrient use efficiency and abiotic stress tolerance. It focuses on the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in signaling upon stress, using state-of-the-art microscopy and plant phenotyping.

This project investigates the use of marine microalga Cylindrotheca closterium, potentially combined with the fungus Trichoderma viride, as plant biostimulants to ensure food provision for a growing population.

Project ChEMISt investigates how global change factors (tilling, warming, fragmentation) affect plant chemical profiles and natural defenses. It focuses on leaf secondary metabolites and plant-herbivore interactions in grassland species of agronomic relevance.

This proposal aims to develop a protocol for selecting Trichoderma strains that induce drought tolerance in wheat. It uses Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as markers and investigates the underlying mechanisms through proteomic and metabolomic studies.

Using X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy, this project studies the structural basis of how the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae infects crops. It focuses on pressurized infection cells (appressoria) to develop novel disease control strategies.

This project seeks to optimize a novel biopesticide formulation based on Colubrina elliptica extract. It will perform nanoformulations and encapsulation to enhance efficacy and assess environmental impact via Life Cycle Assessment and assessment of crop yields.

This study characterizes the probing behavior of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius on olive varieties using Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) and Scanning Electron Microscopy. It aims to identify host-associated traits that influence the transmission of Xylella fastidiosa.

This project leverages an Agroecology Virtual Research Environment (VRE) and stakeholder panels to enhance soil health and carbon sequestration. It seeks to provide a standardized database and analytical platform to model and monitor soil organic matter dynamics.

Chemical insecticides have a variety of detrimental impacts, such as environmental pollution and their presence in food as residues. They also pose a major risk to human health and have negative impacts on natural enemies. Integrated pest management now requires the use of essential oils (EOs) obtained from plants as potent bio-agents. Hyptis suaveolens L. is one of the most widely recognised essential oil plants from Lamiaceae family and a potential biopesticide. It is found all over the world and is widely used for medicinal purposes and as mosquitoes repellent. In this study, the chemical composition of Hyptis suaveolens essential oils selected from three phytogeographical regions of Benin will be analysed to identify its major components. Furthermore, the essential oils from the selected Hyptis suaveolens plants will be tested in vitro and in vivo for their contact toxicity and repellent properties on Aphis gossypii.

This research uses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for non-invasive imaging of soybean and chickpea seedlings treated with beneficial microbe (PBM) seed coatings. PET data are integrated with metabolomics and RGB imaging to assess seed coating effectiveness.

This research determines the effect of including hazelnut skin (HZS) and cocoa bean shell (CBS) in dairy cow diets. It records feed intake, methane emissions, and animal performance, while analyzing milk composition, butter quality, and shelf-life.

The project applies high-throughput and virtual screening to identify species-selective juvenile hormone receptor (JHR) agonists. The goal is to develop biorational insecticides targeting pests like Bemisia tabaci and Helicoverpa armigera without impacting beneficial insects.

This study investigates how cultivated cabbage plants respond to the synthetic pheromones of the pest Plutella xylostella. It aims to elucidate the priming effects of insect-released volatiles on plant defense mechanisms, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis.

VEM-Med investigates desiccation tolerance (DT) dynamics in germinating Medicago truncatula seeds. It uses 2D and 3D volume Electron Microscopy to study nucleolar dynamics in primed versus overprimed embryos, integrating these with transcriptomic and metabolomic data.

This project investigates metabolic changes in three winter wheat genotypes under field-simulated drought stress using automated rainout shelters. Plant development is monitored via high-throughput drone phenotyping and tissue sampled for metabolomics at key growth stages.

The BRIDGE project identifies genetic factors controlling drought tolerance during arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. It uses 150 African rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima) and high-throughput phenotyping to measure biomass and transpiration efficiency.

This project evaluates Anavrin®, a blend of essential oils and tannins, on beef cattle performance and methane emissions. Trials in Spain and Scotland measure feed efficiency and methane in respiration chambers, with data integrated into a Virtual Research Environment.

This project aims to define the spatiotemporal location of metabolites and proteins in strawberry receptacles using mass-spectrometry-based imaging. It integrates these findings with existing transcriptomic data to identify candidate genes for improving fruit flavor quality.

This project evaluates the agronomic quality of digestates produced from the co-digestion of local biowastes and seagrass wrack. It investigates enzymatic pretreatment and conducts laboratory and field trials on tomato cultivation using the digestate as fertilizer.

This project develops biomarkers for Poaceae (wheat and rice) to evaluate seed performance and germination under climate stress. It uses NMR, LC-HMRS, and MALDI-MSI for space-time characterization of metabolites in fresh and aged seeds.

SUSTAINDAIRY assesses alternative feed resources (local agricultural residues) in Algeria to improve milk productivity and reduce GHG emissions. It employs a Life Cycle Assessment approach to evaluate carbon footprints and environmental impacts of raw milk production.

The BARD project uses the PlantArray physiological phenotyping platform to evaluate a doubled haploid barley population under drought. The data supports QTL mapping and genetic analysis to detect responsible loci for water scarcity response.

DEEPER integrates modern winter wheat prototypes with rye translocations to improve understanding of root system architecture and nutrient-use efficiency. It uses innovative phenotyping of root and shoot growth to assess drought stress tolerance in the field.

This project investigates the physiological impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on durum wheat. It explores mechanistic pathways of NP uptake and translocation from roots to leaves and seeds, assessing risks to plant health and food safety.

This project evaluates the Literal sensor, an affordable device for proximal phenotyping, using machine learning and multi-view imaging. It aims to make crop trait development more accessible through climate chamber and field trial benchmarks.

This proposal develops small-molecule inhibitors against the cyanobacterial enzyme GUAB3 to control harmful blooms. It leverages chemical screening (OpenScreen) and structural analysis to find alternatives to non-specific chemical water treatments.

This study focuses on the endogenous knowledge of wild spices in the DRC. It uses ethno-botanical surveys and laboratory evaluation to promote their consumption and preservation via a one-health approach and circular economy principles.

Project Fruit WASYS assesses the impact of shading from high-stem trees or photovoltaic panels on fruit tree physiology. It uses advanced photosynthetic assessment methods in Ecotron platforms to test adaptability to 2040 climate scenarios.

This study investigates the brassinosteroid-dependent metabolic pathways influencing photosynthetic efficiency in barley under drought. Using spring barley genotypes, it employs metabolomic, microscopy, and phenotyping techniques to identify metabolic biomarkers of drought resilience.

This project optimizes a pelletized formulation of the biocontrol agent Penicillium rubens (PO212) to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. Field trials evaluate the reduction of disease incidence and mycotoxin (DON) contamination in different soil conditions.

Durum wheat yield potential and resilience to heat waves are analyzed using field experiments. The goal is to identify physiological drivers of yield, quantify differences between old and modern cultivars, and support future wheat breeding efforts under climate change.

This project evaluates the resilience and sustainability of Tritordeum, a new cereal species. Field experiments under varying CO2 and Nitrogen doses phenotype plant growth and identify physiological traits associated with Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and baking quality.

The ELMIAGRI project studies the cellular stoichiometry and elemental content of microbial communities exposed to agricultural waste loads. It aims to project future ecosystem functioning in coastal zones following extreme weather events.

This research focuses on the microscopic observation of mycelium in Mycelium-Based Composites (MBC). Using liquid mycelium culture, the project employs high-resolution episcope microscopy (HREM) to evaluate how microscopic structure impacts macroscopic thermal and biomass properties.

This project examines the effectiveness of biostimulants (BSTs) like ectoine and salicylic acid in sugar beet. It uses high-throughput phenotyping and transcriptomics to determine the mode of action against cold, heat, and drought stress.

An in vivo trial on dairy cows assesses plant and algae extracts for reducing enteric methane emissions. Methane is measured using GreenFeed technology, while active compounds are tracked via LC-HRMS metabolomics to ensure milk yield and quality are preserved.

VREfA is a multi-phase initiative to co-design a Virtual Research Environment for Agroecology. It integrates land use, water, and biogeochemical models to facilitate data-driven decision-making for landscape-scale agroecological transitions.

vineADAPT tests a multiscale approach for sustainable viticulture. It quantifies ecosystem services in Italian vineyards, simulates climate change in Ecotron microcosms, and assesses adaptive capacity using a social-ecological framework.

This study investigates the combined effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and selenium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on tomato plants. It evaluates plant and root morphology and physiological responses under simultaneous heat and drought stress.

Using microcosms with continuous 13CO2 labelling, this project evaluates how basalt rock powder and compost affect soil organic and inorganic carbon sequestration. High-resolution electron microscopy resolves organo-mineral morphologies to measure long-term stabilization.

CheeseLegacy creates a georeferenced archive of traditional Italian cheeses. It uses airborne hyperspectral imaging, LiDAR, and thermal remote sensing to map pastures and heat patterns, integrating these into a socio-ecological framework to evaluate agroecological resilience.

The WEW_AR project phenotypes 20 Wild Emmer Wheat accessions and one durum variety. It utilizes 4PMI and PHENOPlant infrastructures to identify genotypes with superior root system architecture and morpho-physiological responses under combined drought and heat.

This project develops seed biomarkers for rice and wheat using mass spectrometry-based imaging. It aims to identify how heat stress during seed formation affects metabolic concentration, germination, and vigour in offspring.

This proposal investigates hydropriming on grass pea and fenugreek. It combines ICP/OES and TEM-EDX for elemental mapping in seeds with high-throughput phenotyping of resulting plants under drought and heat stress.

Multisensor high-throughput phenotyping and metabolomics are used to assess tolerance to combined heat and drought in three oak species (Q. suber, Q. ilex, Q. pubescens). The findings inform resilience strategies for silvopastoral and agroforestry systems.

This pilot project introduces water-saving practices (SRI and AWD) to Egyptian smallholder rice farmers. It uses AI-powered monitoring and methane chambers to link water savings with GHG reductions for future carbon certification.

This project decodes volatile organic compound (VOC)-mediated signaling in barley under combined drought and aphid infestation. It links chemical signaling and epidermal microstructure to develop a holistic model of stress communication.

Using FIB-SEM volume electron microscopy and IP-LC-MS/MS proteomics, this project resolves the 3D architecture of viral replication complexes in cassava. It identifies host factors involved in immunity against Cassava brown streak viruses.

This research combines laboratory efficacy testing of indigenous botanical formulations in Angola with socio-economic surveys. It validates circular bioeconomy models that transform agricultural waste into biopesticides for sustainable pest management.

This study estimates and compares ecosystem services in sustainable (DSR, AWD) versus conventional rice systems in India. It analyzes farmer willingness to accept incentives to integrate ecosystem service values into agricultural policies.

This project investigates drought stress responses in Mediterranean stone pine using high-throughput phenotyping, metabolomics, and root characterization. It links ecological provenance and genetic variation to adaptive potential for enhanced breeding.

This project develops seed priming strategies using nanoparticles and sodium alginate hydrogels to enhance tomato resilience to heat. It integrates high-throughput imaging with transcriptomic profiling to identify molecular pathways conferring thermotolerance.

This project targets InsP8 metabolism to improve plant phosphate homeostasis. It combines high-throughput screening for VIH kinase inhibitors with mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics to develop phosphate-starvation tolerant plants.

SOIL2OLIVE addresses sustainability challenges in Andalusian olive production by investigating how soil health influences extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality. Through regional Living Labs, the project links sustainable agronomic practices to the product's sensory and nutritional profiles while assessing European consumer willingness to pay for these attributes. By integrating chemical analysis with consumer choice experiments, it provides evidence-based marketing strategies to foster sustainable, market-driven transitions in global EVOO markets.