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Project Topic
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Global warming is seriously challenging the agricultural sector making the correct and efficient use of natural resources a fundamental aspect to take into account to mitigate the economic loss linked to such climatic changes. It is extremely important to develop new strategies against global climate change, started to affect the Mediterranean region negatively. The overarching goal of MEDPOME-STONE is to explore some pome and stone fruits biodiversity and to select genotypes with enhanced resilience to climate change to promote long-term breeding and more sustainable production in new biodiversity-based crop systems. The project proposes to obtain the most detailed characterization of some wild pear and almond genetic diversity in the Mediterranean area, identifying variants associated with desired rootstocks traits to climate change resilience. By involving local farmers and stakeholders through a multi-actor approach, MEDPOME-STONE will valorize local knowledge and maximize the socioeconomic impact of its outcomes. The MEDPOME-STONE workflow is organized into 6 research work packages (WPs; WP1-WP6), in addition to those dedicated to the project Coordination and Management (WP0; M1-M36). (i) Desk analysis and living lab (Turkey, Italy, Spain and; WP1; M1-M32. Data collection (official statistics, grey literature) to get an up-to-date overview of the characteristics of the markets of the related species. Living labs involving local farmers and stakeholders organized once a year in Italy, Spain, and Turkey will aid the choice of genotypes and traits based on knowledge about local cultivars provided by growers. (ii) Wild Pear (Turkey), Almond (Italy) and Almond (Spain) germplasm collections from three Mediterranean countries will be studied (WP2; M1-M3). Each germplasm collection will be analyzed in smart-pots. A number of genotypes will be chosen from the collections and also collected from nature especially in arid areas. Erciyes University: Wild pear: 100 genotypes from collections and nature. Catania University: Almond: About 130 local varieties, semi-wild and national and international varieties. Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragón: Almond: 186 accessions: 94 from Spain and 92 from other countries and 15 wild-relative species. (iii) Assessment of genetic variability by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) (Italy, Spain, Turkey; WP3; M4-M24). GBS will be carried out following a modification of the double-digest RAD sequencing (ddRAD) procedure (Italy, Spain, Turkey). (iv) Phenotyping analysis of species in control/stress condition (Italy, Spain, Turkey; WP5; M4-M3). At the start of the project, plant material should be propagated to be ready for phenotyping by the summer of 2023. Plant treatments (drought) will be performed at the end of the spring season of 2023 on 10 plants for three experimental theses (control, drought stress; 5 biological replicates each). Physiological responses of treated and control plants will be estimated weekly by monitoring several physiological parameters. At the end of phenotyping analyses, the accessions showing favorable traits will be selected and made available to stakeholders for field trials. (v) Genome-wide association studies (Turkey, Italy Spain; WP6; M32-M36). Phenotypic and genotypic data from accessions from each partner will be integrated on a GWAS approach to detect molecular markers in strong linkage with candidate genes associated with phenotypes of interest. (vi) Dissemination, Exploitation Communication and Outreach (DECO) strategy (Italy, Spain, Turkey; WP7-; M1-M36). WP6 will be devoted to maximizing the impact of MEDPOME-STONE outputs throughout a plethora of DECO activities (as public presentations, press releases, project website and social media). Genotypes showing best adaptation to drought conditions will be shared with stakeholders and local farmers by project partners to have them tested under field conditions
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