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

Tool

  • 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