The EU-funded research project BreedingValue, focusing on genetic resources in berries, has launched Open Call #4 for proposals on the development of methodological tool kits for sensorial quality assessment of berry genetic resources.
The Open Call serves as a mechanism to transfer funding and knowledge from the project to European berry breeders and companies interested in the application of state-of-the-art sensory methods for quality control of berries along the food chain, working on strawberry, raspberry or blueberry.
BreedingValue aims to address the current berry breeding challenges for strawberries, raspberries and blueberries brought on by climate change, environmental preservation and the need for new cultivation systems as well as high-quality produce. The project will identify and introduce germplasm for European berry breeding programmes, as a valuable source to develop cultivars ensuring high yields combined with high sensorial quality by sustainable production methods under different climatic environments.
Throughout the course of the project, four Open Calls funding a total of 14 projects are launched. Following the idea of co-creation, the Calls will offer the opportunity to test, further optimise and validate the tools developed within BreedingValue.
Open Call #4 has now launched and is calling on all European berry breeders and companies willing to develop their skills and knowledge about sensory-quality evaluation of berries (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry) by using professional, coordinated and scientifically sound methodology.
This aims to improve and speed up the breeding project phases closest to market. Participants will learn how to perform sensory tests for sensory panels (specially trained small groups to describe sensory quality) and consumer tests (large untrained audience events for fast acceptance testing).
Sensory methodologies are used to define the commercial potential of pre-breeding material, new cultivars and innovative production techniques by assessing sensory attributes and consumer appreciation. Sensory profiles produced by trained assessors can identify strengths and weaknesses of genotype quality, improving the efficiency of selection phases.
Advanced methods applied to consumer tests are useful for identifying preference drivers to foster the selection of pre-commercial breeding material and provide tools for decision-making about cultivar release. Participants to this Open Call will be encouraged and supported in applying these sensory techniques on the genotypes of most interest to them. Open Call #4 is coordinated by the Italian National Research Council: Institute of BioEconomy (CNR-IBE).
Open Call #4 is now open for applications until 31 October 2021 at 17:00 / 5:00 P.M. CET. Seven applications will be selected as part of the Call and funded with 13,600 EUR each.
On 17 September at 10:00 it will also be possible to participate in a webinar where the contents and objectives of Open Call # 4 will be presented.
For more details on Open Call #4 in the BreedingValue project and how to apply, please visit the official website:
breedingvalue.eu/open-calls/open-call-4
Project Key Facts
Full Name: BreedingValue – Pre-breeding strategies for obtaining new resilient and added value berries
Start date: 1 January 2021
Duration: 48 months
Budget: 6.98 Mio €
Coordinator: Università Politecnica Delle Marche (UPM), Italy
Website: www.breedingvalue.eu
Contacts
Project coordinator:
Università Politecnica Delle Marche
Bruno Mezzetti
+39 0712204933 / +39 0712204640
b.mezzetti@staff.univpm.it
linkedin.com/in/bruno-mezzetti-93897145
Twitter: @MezzettiB
https://www.univpm.it/Entra/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/3207 10013792/idsel/25/docname/BRUNO%20MEZZETTI
Project management:
EURICE GmbH
Maike Decker
+49 30 37 44 15 – 838
m.decker@eurice.eu