2023
"News from Barley" is the new BEST-CROP newsletter, that wants to highlight how Next Generation Barley Plants will bring innovations that will replace non-renewable with renewable resources within the EU-funded BEST-CROP project.
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an EU-funded project to deliver novel crops with enhanced photosynthesis and tailored straw for the circular economy. (Press release)
Milan, 28 April 2023
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-02-two-stage, the BEST CROP project (Boosting photosynthESis To deliver novel CROPs for the circular bioeconomy) capitalizes on ground-breaking technologies to improve the photosynthetic properties and ozone assimilation of barley and deliver novel crops with tailored straws for industrial uses. To achieve these ambitious targets, the University of Milan lead a multidisciplinary alliance of 18 European plant breeding companies, straw processing companies and academic plant scientists aiming to use the major advances in photosynthetic knowledge to improve barley yield and to exploit the variability of barley straw quality and composition.
BEST-CROP targets barley, a major crop worldwide, with the European Union producing the largest share (almost 55 Mt grain/yr) and an almost equivalent amount of straw covering about 10% of EU arable land – aiming to:
• Mitigate ozone air pollution extremes during drought: by providing a strategy of air phytoremediation through the modulation of stomatal conductivity for ozone without a negative effect on drought tolerance and yield;
• Address the global food security crisis: by delivering highly productive barley breeding lines thanks to optimized photosynthesis features. Furthermore, barley represents an optimal model species for other cereals with a view to project medium-term replicability;
• Boost the growth of the circular bioeconomy: tailoring of barley straw for efficient transformation into high-value bio-based compounds and materials that replace products currently obtained from high-polluting industrial sectors with high dependency on non-renewable energy sources, with a focus on the feed and building sectors.
Acknowledging and respecting the current position of EU legislation on genetically engineered crops, BEST-CROP will drive forward based on highly innovative biotechnology and science that exploits natural- and induced-genetic variation. Nevertheless, BEST-CROP also exploits gene editing techniques providing barley genetic materials that could be exploited directly in breeding programs soon, or serve as proof-of-concept of gene function.
With a total funding of almost 6 million €, the BEST-CROP project is expected to start in July 2023 and end in June 2028.
Project Meets After 12 Months to Assess the Progress Made During the First Year and Plan Future Activities. (Press release)
Alès, 11 July 2024
The BEST-CROP Project Meets After 12 Months to Assess the Progress Made During the First Year and Plan Future Activities.
The BEST-CROP Project, funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-02-two-stage, continues to pursue its objective of using groundbreaking technologies to improve the photosynthetic properties and ozone assimilation of barley, to develop novel crops with tailored straws for industrial use. The working group met in person at IMT Mines Alès (France) to mark the first 12 months of the project, discuss the results achieved, and outline the future project phases.
In recent months, the teams from UMIL, UNIPD and UTARTU have worked and collaborated to develop barley lines with increased photosynthetic efficiency. They have targeted various characteristics of barley plants, such as increasing chlorophyll, adjusting plant structure for better light use, speeding up light protection, reducing energy loss, and controlling how much ozone the plants absorb. These changes aim to boost the plants' growth and yield.
The teams from UNIVDUN, CREA, JHI and UP have also been engaged in the identification of genotypes with improved straw composition for different industrial purposes, focusing on lignin and protein content. They aim to increase the protein content of straw to make it suitable as an alternative feed source and to control the cellulose/lignin content and lignin properties to suit downstream applications. Additionally, the teams from UTARTU, CREA, ULUND and IMT are also working on the physiological and agronomical characterization of barley lines under greenhouse and field conditions.
Finally, a team from JHI is focusing on data management and biostatistics/bioinformatics support through the integration of two different platforms: GridScore and Germinate. The partners ITB and FRD-CODEM are taking care of the communication, dissemination, and exploitation of results obtained during the development of the project through a carefully planned communication program using social media pages, a website, and the development of communication materials. This strategy explains the benefits of creating Next Generation Barley Plants, which aim to replace non-renewable resources with renewable alternatives, thus promoting the development of the circular bioeconomy.
Green Horizons: Nurturing Innovation for a Sustainable Future
22 December 2024
Green Horizons: Nurturing Innovation for a Sustainable Future
As the world transitions toward sustainability, tackling climate change requires a holistic approach beyond clean energy. While the EU has set ambitious carbon reduction targets, other key sectors like food production, construction, and industrial lubricants also significantly impact the environment. The BEST-CROP project is addressing these challenges by innovating with Next Generation Barley Plants. By enhancing barley’s photosynthetic efficiency and optimizing its genetic properties, the project aims to increase biomass production, improve resource efficiency, and create high-value bio-based products. These innovations will contribute to more sustainable animal feed, eco-friendly lubricants, and greener construction materials.
Read the full editorial on LinkedIn.
The Future of Agriculture: Navigating Toward Sustainable and Revolutionary Farming
28 February 2024
The Future of Agriculture: Navigating Toward Sustainable and Revolutionary Farming
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, agriculture must evolve to meet rising demands for food, feed, and bioenergy. The future of farming will be shaped by technology, sustainability, and data-driven solutions to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact. Key advancements include precision and smart farming, utilizing IoT and data analytics for optimized resource use; vertical farming and controlled-environment agriculture, ensuring climate-resilient food production; and blockchain technology, enhancing supply chain transparency. Additionally, biotechnology and novel breeding techniques will lead to higher-yielding, more nutritious, and stress-tolerant crops. The BEST-CROP project is driving these innovations forward by developing next-generation barley breeding lines, contributing to the circular bioeconomy and global food security.
Read the full editorial on LinkedIn.
Deciphering Nature's Code: The Vital Role of Functional Genomics
Advancements in sequencing technologies have drastically reduced the cost of genome sequencing, making it more accessible for research. However, understanding gene function remains crucial for biological processes, disease research, drug discovery, biotechnology, and evolutionary studies. Functional genomics integrates experimental techniques and computational analysis to decode gene roles and interactions. By leveraging this approach, scientists can identify key genetic traits and enhance crop productivity.
Within the BEST-CROP project, functional genomics is applied to barley to:
• Improve photosynthetic efficiency for better CO₂ assimilation
• Enhance barley straw quality for alternative feed production
• Convert barley straw into high-value bio-based products
Read the full editorial, written by Università degli Studi di Milano, on LinkedIn
Agricultural By-Products for Materials: Current Realities and technical Steps to go to Market
01 July 2024
Agricultural By-Products for Materials: Current Realities and technical Steps to go to Market
As agriculture increasingly supports the development of biobased materials, by-products like straw, hemp, flax, and algae are being repurposed into construction panels, insulation, composites, and even sports equipment. This shift promotes sustainability, reduces waste, and creates new economic opportunities. The transformation process involves multiple steps, from collection and storage to crushing, refining, and final product formulation. In the BEST-CROP project, researchers are working on developing barley-based materials for acoustic panels, composites, and construction applications. Bringing these innovations to market requires rigorous quality control, industrial scaling, and regulatory compliance—key challenges that must be addressed for widespread adoption.
Read the full editorial, written by FDR-CODEM, on LinkedIn
The Power of Diversity: Unveiling the Genetic Treasure of Barley for a Sustainable Future
09 September 2024
The Power of Diversity: Unveiling the Genetic Treasure of Barley for a Sustainable Future
Crop plants provide over 80% of human calories, yet the varieties we cultivate today represent only a fraction of the vast genetic diversity stored in global genebanks. These genetic resources hold the key to developing more resilient, high-yielding crops capable of adapting to climate change. Barley, the focus of the BEST-CROP project, thrives in diverse environments—from deserts to the Arctic Circle—thanks to genes that control traits like frost tolerance, flowering cycles, and drought resilience. However, much remains unknown, particularly regarding its superior water-use efficiency compared to wheat. Through advanced genomic research, BEST-CROP aims to enhance photosynthesis efficiency and water utilization, ensuring a more sustainable food supply for the future.
Read the full editorial, written by CREA, on LinkedIn
Cracking the Code: Innovative Strategies to Bypass Photorespiration and Boost Plant Efficiency
28 November 2024
Cracking the Code: Innovative Strategies to Bypass Photorespiration and Boost Plant Efficiency
Plants sustain life on Earth through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food while releasing oxygen. However, this process is hindered by photorespiration, an inefficiency where plants mistakenly fix oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, reducing their ability to produce food—especially in hot and dry climates. Certain plants, like C4 species, have evolved mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, making them more efficient under stress. In the BEST-CROP project, scientists at UDUS are exploring ways to reduce photorespiration in crops, aiming to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and boost food production despite challenging climate conditions.
Read the full editorial, written by Heinrich Heine Universitaet Duesseldorf, on LinkedIn
Survival vs Productivity: Striking the Perfect Balance Between Protection and Efficiency
19 December 2024
Survival vs Productivity: Striking the Perfect Balance Between Protection and Efficiency
Oxygenic photosynthesis, which began around three billion years ago, transformed Earth’s atmosphere and enabled the biodiversity we see today. Plants rely on photosynthesis for growth, but they must also regulate light absorption to prevent damage. When excess light energy accumulates, plants activate photoprotection mechanisms, which prevent damage but also reduce efficiency. Evolution has prioritized survival over productivity, but in controlled agricultural environments, there is an opportunity to optimize this balance. The BEST-CROP project at the University of Padua is working to fine-tune this mechanism, enhancing photosynthetic efficiency while maintaining necessary protection. This breakthrough could lead to higher-yielding crops and a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Read the full editorial on LinkedIn
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
