19 Nov Next Level Ornamental Plant Breeding
Next Level Ornamental Plant Breeding - Collaborating on resilient ornamental crops
01/01/2019 – 31/12/2021
Project description
Problem
The market and the sector are committed to sustainability. Consumers and legislators want flowers and plants without residues of crop protection agents. The development of resilient crops is a long-term process of often 10 to 20 years. Most SME companies in the floriculture sector do not yet have access to the latest breeding techniques, as is the case for the fruit and vegetable sector. This has everything to do with financial capacity and the nature of technical challenges within floriculture. This therefore presents a challenge for the parties to work together within this POP-3 project.
Approach
The operational group develops bio-tests for plant pathogens such as Fusarium and Botrytis (fungi) and Trips (insects). A bio-test is a reliable method to select resistant or more resilient varieties against plant pathogens based on different 'parent plant varieties' such as Alstroemeria, Chrysanthemum, Lisianthus, cut shrubs and roses. With the help of these bio-tests the breeding process can be accelerated by a few years and the sector works on the accelerated reduction of the use of pesticides.
The project consists of several work packages:
- WP 1 Strengthening cooperation within the group. (Detailed elaboration of action plan).
- WP 2 Preliminary research, literature study and preparation for the development of bio-assays.
- WP 3 Execution of development of bioassays on the three plant pathogens under controlled cultivation conditions.
- WP 4 Knowledge transfer between knowledge institutions and companies.
A Novel Breeding Tools course provides further training for companies in the sector in the latest breeding techniques including the development of bio-assays.
- WP 5 Project management and communication.
LTO Glaskracht, Plantum and the Greenports are involved in internal and communication matters.
Achieved result
Concrete test methods to arrive at bioassays for Fusarium, Botrytis and Thrips. Further training on breeding techniques and concrete cooperation within the sector on pre-competitive R&D.
Partners
University of Amsterdam
Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Royal van Zanten BV
Kolster BV
Evanthia BV
De Ruiter Innovations BV
The Sunflower BV
Factsheet for print
Publications
Presentations symposium NXL ornamental horticulture on September 30, 2021:
– presentation William Quaedvlieg, head of Phytopathology at Royal Van Zanten
– presentation Mara de Sain, researcher University of Amsterdam / Wageningen University & Research
– presentation Nelleke Kreike, lecturer at Inholland University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam
– presentation Chiel van der Kooy, quality manager Greenyard Flowers
General
Amsterdam Green Campus
Contact details
Roos van Maanen
Amsterdam Green Campus
T: 06 – 41 06 56 41
r.vanmaanen@uva.nl
Current
The project was completed in 2021.
With five companies, we set up and executed bioassays in two seasons. In all cases, these tests resulted in cultivars (variants of plants) that were less or more sensitive to the pathogens (Thrips and/or Botrytis and/or Fusarium) compared to the control. Lessons learned from the first season led to adjustments in the second season. All companies learned themselves and from each other how to set up a bioassay, how to execute it and then successfully implement it within their own business operations. In total, this resulted in 12 reliable bioassays.
The results were recorded in report form and made public during a symposium with Greenport Aalsmeer on 30 September. All presentations and a publication are available via this web page.
“European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in its rural areas”.
