Our Impact
ECOBOOST will produce new knowledge, tools and services to promote functional biodiversity and maximize ecosystem services for crop production.
Knowledge
-
How to manage complex interactions that occur at the farm scale among trophic levels (microbe-crop-pest-beneficial organisms)
-
Increased understanding on the genetic bases of crops programmed for a fast response against pest attack.
Tools
-
Identification of tomato/eggplant/pepper local varieties (landraces) that are resistant to (a) salt and nitrogen-limiting stresses and (b) pests
-
Effective soil microbes that boost plant growth and defenses
-
Wild Mediterranean plants that attract (a) natural enemies and (b) pollinators.
Services
-
An online platform to inform stakeholders about the results of the project with regard to the proposed innovative tools, its long term beneficial effects on health and on agricultural productivity
-
A Mediterranean network of scientists and stakeholders working on innovative methods/tools to sustainably control pests in tomato, eggplant and pepper
-
An online platform to inform farmers about the risks associated with pesticide use, the alternative eco-friendly solutions to pesticides and the risk farmers might face in the future in relation to climate change and extreme climate events.
