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New European project to develop innovative and sustainable strategies to create climate-resilient cereals
We are pleased to announce the signing of the European project “BOOSTER”, funded by the European Commission within the framework of the Horizon Europe programme.
BOOSTER aims to improve drought tolerance in both maize and teff, while simultaneously exploring the potential for transferring species-specific drought responsive features. By exploiting natural genetic variations to achieve drought-tolerant genotypes, and by developing biostimulants derived from living organisms, BOOSTER will harness the natural resources available to develop new varieties of drought-tolerant agricultural crops.
Two synergistic strategies will be implemented to achieve this goal. Firstly, a new approach will identify genomic variants in regulatory regions functionally associated with drought tolerance. Novel regulatory elements underlying resilience will inform efficient breeding efforts to create new drought-tolerant cereal varieties. Secondly, novel molecular priming technologies from seaweed and microbial-based biostimulants will be developed as an eco-friendly approach for improving drought resilience. The two strategies will be tested in two cereals with different degrees of responsiveness to drought: European maize and Ethiopian teff – a cereal with a high genetic similarity to the desiccation tolerant sister species Eragrostis nindensis.
The BOOSTER consortium comprises a highly qualified team represented by European and international (USA, South Africa, Ethiopia) academics and industry to collectively ensure that the expected impacts are achieved in the near future.
The project started on 1 May 2023 and has a duration of 48 months. The expected funding will amount to €4.9 million from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe framework programme.
About IDConsortium
IDConsortium is a consultancy founded in Seville in 2009 with the aim of helping researchers and companies to internationalize and showcase their Research and Development (R&D) by joining international consortia to carry out different lines of research, development and innovation.
To date, it has successfully managed 22 European and national projects, worth more than €88 million in public funding. Currently, more than 250 European and international partners are part of its network.
For more information and press
Macarena Sanz
More news about BOOSTER:
BOOSTER project advances tef drought resilience
The BOOSTER project recently held key meetings to review progress, address challenges, and showcase innovative trials to enhance tef’s drought tolerance through genomics and plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria, bringing together researchers, officials, and industry stakeholders.
Booster partner VIB highlights innovations in sustainable agriculture at European Maize Meeting and webinar on Rhizobia biostimulants
The BOOSTER project continues its mission to advance agricultural research, with contributions to high-profile scientific events, like European Maize Meeting.
Pioneering breakthroughs in crop science through collaboration and innovation
By upcoming advancements in molecular techniques, the BOOSTER project is driving forward its mission to revolutionise crop improvement strategies across Europe.
