Objectives

BEST-CROP will capitalize on very promising strategies to improve the photosynthetic properties and ozone assimilation of barley. To do so, BEST-CROP aims to exploit barley natural- and induced-genetic variability as well as gene editing and transgenic engineering. Based on precedent, BEST-CROP expects that improving targeted traits will result in increases in above-ground total biomass production by 15-20% without modification of the harvest index, and there will be added benefits in sustainability via better resource-use efficiency of water and nitrogen.

To achieve these goals, BEST-CROP will advance the state of the art by addressing the following specific objectives:

1) Increase photosynthetic efficiency by:

Decreasing leaf chlorophyll content and modifying canopy architecture to improve radiation use efficiency;

Increasing the kinetics of non-photochemical quenching;

Improve the productivity under environmental stresses;

Introducing photorespiration bypasses to reduce the yield penalty.

2) Increase O₃ uptake by:

Enhancing plant gas-exchange via modulation of stomatal opening.

3) Tailor barley straw to:

Increase straw protein content (to 8-10%) to make it suitable as an alternative feed production source;

Control cellulose/lignin contents and lignin properties to suit downstream applications.

4) Transform barley straw into high-value bio-based products for:

The feed and green chemistry sectors to convert protein-rich straw into high-quality protein for animal feed and fatty acids for bio-lubricants;

The building and composites sectors by using straw with optimised cellulose/lignin content and properties to develop construction panels with improved thermal insulation and fire retardancy, and straw-reinforced polymer composites with improved lightness and mechanical performance.

5) Implement demonstrators at pilot scale to verify the productivity of Next Generation barley Plants, the feasibility of barley straw based-products and their related value chains.

6) Assess the environmental and techno-economic sustainability and feasibility of these strategies.

7) Communicate social and environmental benefits associated with BEST-CROP innovations.

Funded by the European Union | Grant Agreement No 101082091