Interactions-focused Network-Trained Researchers For Tomorrow’s Unifying Research-Enterprise vision

The Directive 2009/128/EC sets rules in EU for the sustainable use of pesticides to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on health and the environment. Among the listed actions, there is the promotion of low pesticide-input management including non-chemical methods. In parallel, several chemical active ingredients have been banned because of toxicity concerns. The result is that growers are left with few control tools against pests. On the other hand, most of the available alternative control methods have several limitations especially in terms of efficacy. Several new ideas are not reaching the industry and are confined in the academic world. Here we propose to explore new, non-classical and bio-based approaches to identify cutting-edge solutions for pest/pathogen control and fertilization, working in strict close collaboration with industrial partners. At the same time, we will train 10 highly skilled early stage researchers (ESR) through a doctoral programme that integrates cutting-edge academic research with concept-driven product development in EU companies. This project is directed at boosting the companies’ ability to innovate in the sector of microbial biosciences for agriculture, by integrating young researchers able to translate innovative concepts into development of novel products. The main innovative aspect in this EID is the shift towards a new strategy based on microbial interactions (with microbial communities, with plants, and insects) rather than using microorganisms directly as plant protection products. The recognition of the ability of microorganisms’ ability to profoundly transform their living habitat paves the way for unexplored outlooks in the ability to use microbial-plant and microbial-insects associations as sustainable and renewable biotech tools, to improve production and quality in agriculture.