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Research in Crop Sciences & Consulting in Agriculture

 

 

BIOFECTOR Project



BIOFECTOR Research DocumentBIOFECTOR Final Report 

BIOFECTOR Publication List

BIOFECTOR & Universität Hohenheim

BIOFECTOR & European Commission


  

BIOFECTOR auf Youtube




BIOFECTOR is an integrated project with the aim to reduce input of mineral fertilisers in European agriculture by development of specifically adapted bio-effectors (BEs) to improve the efficiency of alternative fertilisation strategies, such as organic and low-input farming, use of fertilisers based on waste recycling products and fertiliser placement technologies.
Bio-effectors addressed comprise fungal strains of Trichoderma, Penicillium and Sebacinales, as well as bacterial strains of Bacillus and Pseudomonades with well-characterized root growth promoting and nutrient-solubilising potential. Natural extraction products of seaweed, compost and plant extracts, as well as their purified active compounds with protective potential against biotic and abiotic stresses are also tested in various combinations. These features offer perspectives for a more efficient use of nutrients by strategic combination with the alternative fertilisation strategies. Maize, wheat and tomato are chosen as representative crops. Laboratory and European-wide field experiments assure product adaptation to the various geo-climatic conditions characteristic for European agriculture.
The final goal is the development of viable alternatives to the conventional practice of mineral fertilisation as contribution to a more efficient management of the non-renewable resources of mineral nutrients, energy and water, to preserve soil fertility and to counteract the adverse environmental impact of agricultural production.
The project has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 312117 (BIOFECTOR).
Project Duration 60 Month 01.09.2012-31.08.2017
EU-Contribution €5,999,821 

 

Reducing mineral fertilizers to improve soil and produce

Conventional agriculture relies on regular and liberal applications of artificial mineral fertilisers containing essential plant nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen fertilisers are made from atmospheric nitrogen, which is converted to ammonium using the energyintensive Haber-Bosch process, while phosphorus fertiliser is made by treatingmined phosphate rock with sulphuric acid. Apart from the high energy cost of producing these fertilisers with limited natural resources, harm is also caused to the environment by their application. Only about half of nitrogen fertilisers and 20 per cent of phosphate fertilisers are taken up by crops. Most of the remainder is immobilised, runs off into waterways, isleached into groundwater or lost in gaseous form. The liquid leachate causes pollution of groundwater sources and leads to the eutrophication of rivers, lakes and coastal zones, thereby reducing biodiversity and producing toxic algal blooms. Because of these damaging effects, many regions - including Europe - are introducing legislation to reduce the use of mineral fertilisers.

 

In response to the need to maintain crop yields whilst reducing artificial inputs, a number of projects are being funded by the European Commission to investigate more natural ways of sustaining agricultural production. BIOFECTOR (Resource preservation by application of bio-effectors in European crop production) is a major project investigating the use of bio-effectors (BEs) to improve the ability of crops to utilise nutrients from both artificial and natural fertilisers. Coordinated by the University of Hohenheim in Germany and benefiting from the dedicated project management skills of consultancy company CMAST, the project comprises a consortium of 21 industrial and academic partners BIOFECTOR is now approaching the end of its five-year duration, in which it has tested the effects of 36 BEs in over 150 laboratory and field Experiments.

BIOFECTOR MOOC


 BIOFECTOR Project Structure

WP01: Product Development

This work package comprises a network of experts from science and industry with long-lasting experience in production of commercially used bio-formulations for plant growth promotion and plant protection. As a main task, partners in WP01 will provide bio-effector products based on plant growth promoting microorganisms or active natural compounds, to be tested for beneficial effects on plant growth and fertiliser savings in the different fertilisation strategies addressed in WP04-WP08.

 

The starting point is a selection of the currently best-characterized plant growth promoters under commercial use; they are able to promote root growth by interfering with plant-hormonal signalling, mobilise sparingly soluble nutrients fixed in soil particles and complex organic compounds and strengthen plant defence mechanisms against pathogens and abiotic stress factors.
Based on their performance under the test conditions investigated in WP04-WP06, the products will be further adapted and optimised by modifications e.g. of the formulation and application technology or of the biologically active ingredients. Important information required for product optimisation in WP01 is also provided by WP03 and WP02, investigating the functional mechanisms behind plant growth-promoting effects and interactions of product combinations. The final goal are bio-effector products, specifically adapted to the requirements of the different fertilisation systems investigated in WP04-WP07 with final field testing under the variable conditions in European agriculture performed in WP08.

 

 

WP02: Synergisms and Product Combinations

In many cases bio-effectors are not only applied as single products but also as product combinations to induce multiple responses of the target plants (e.g. stimulation of root growth in combination with mobilisation of sparingly available sources of phosphate and other nutrients). Therefore, the overall objective of WP02 is the development of bio-effector products based on combined or synergistic interactions of single bio-effectors identified in WP01, to combine multiple beneficial properties according to the requirements of the different alternative fertilisation systems addressed within WP04-WP07.

 

Starting point is the identification of functional combinations of promising bio-effectors based on the products, microbial strain and product collections already available from partners with expertise in bio-effector production. In a second phase, also combinations of promising bio-effectors identified in the WPs addressing the different alternative fertilisation systems (WP04-WP07) will be included. A special task is the investigation of positive synergistic interactions of bio-effectors with the native microflora (e.g. promotion of already existing symbiotic interactions).
Pilot experiments are conducted in controlled environments to characterise the conditions required for the best performance of the most promising bio-effector combinations and to dissect the detected synergistic effects as a prerequisite to elucidate the functional mechanisms behind within WP03.

 

 

WP03: Functional Mechanisms

A major problem related with high variability and often limited reproducibility of plant bio-effector responses under field conditions is the limited knowledge concerning environmental factors determining the performance of bio-effectors and the functional mechanisms behind the observed effects. Therefore, WP03 will address all aspects related with the function of the selected bio-effector products and product combinations. The major tasks comprise:

 

(i) Standardisation of new or already existing methodologies for measuring effects of bio-effectors on plants.
(ii) Tracing colonization of microbial bio-effectors along or inside the roots or even in aboveground plant parts.
(iii) characterisation of responses to bio-effector applications at the physiological and molecular level, both, in target plants and also in the applied microbial bio-effectors.
(iv) demonstrate the impact of bio-effector applications on the composition of plant-associated microbial communities especially with respect to nutrient cycling, plant pathogens, and bio-safety issues.

 

 

WP04: Abiotic Stress

The limitation of readily plant available nutrients is a common feature of many alternative fertilisation systems avoiding the use of mineral fertilisers and nutrients are frequently sequestered in complex organic or sparingly soluble inorganic compounds. Other common stress factors with increasing significance for European agriculture comprise drought and high temperatures linked with global climate change particularly in Mediterranean areas but also in Central Europe. Also low soil temperatures during early spring in Central and Northern Europe cause limitations particularly for crops of tropical origin such as maize, soybean or tomato. Apart from water limitation or temperature extremes per se, all stress factors are additionally associated with limitations in plant nutrient acquisition.

 

Therefore, the general goal of WP04 is to assess functions and benefits of bio-effectors in stress environments in order to provide specific guidelines for their effective use in resource-limited agriculture. The specific objectives of WP04 are: characterisation of bio-effectors able to improve nutrient acquisition under conditions of limited nutrient availability, low root zone temperatures, drought stress and high salt concentrations. Although, salinity is not a major stress factor in European agriculture, high salt concentrations may cause problems for the effectiveness of bio-effector application in association with local fertiliser placement strategies. Output of WP04 will further support the activities in WP05 (Organic Farming), WP06 (Recycling Fertilisers) and WP07 (Fertiliser Placement).

 

 

WP05: Organic Farming

Organic farming is the most widespread cropping system using alternatives to mineral fertilisation with continuously increasing significance in European agriculture. In organic farming systems, mineral nutrients are largely bound in complex organic compounds and exceptionally also in sparingly soluble mineral fertilisers such as rock phosphate. As compared with mineral fertilisation, this requires a more intense expression of mechanisms for nutrient mobilisation and nutrient acquisition, both, in plants and soil microorganisms.

 

WP05 investigates perspectives for the use of bio-effectors in organic farming and low-input systems for improvement of plant nutrient supply via an extended rooting with more root branching and root hairs and the stimulation of fungal symbionts (mycorrhiza). Moreover, various bio-effectors have the potential to mobilize sparingly available sources of mineral nutrients, such as phosphate and micronutrients and liberate bound forms of P, N and other essential elements from organic fertilisers. WP05 will unravel the capacity of candidate bio-effectors from WP01-04 to improve plant growth and nutrient uptake in greenhouse and small scale field experiments and addresses also the efficiency of bio-effectors in combination with organic amendments based on recycling products (WP06), green manure, and mineral recycling fertilizers (WP06) to promote plant growth and nutrient uptake in various soils of different European regions used for organic agriculture.

 

 

WP06: Recycling Fertilisers

WP06 addresses perspectives for bio-effector applications to improve plant nutrient supply from fertilisers based on recycling products. The recycled waste products to be investigated comprise sewage sludge, solid fibre, fractions of separated animal slurry, biogas digestates, municipal household waste and incineration slags. These wastes are abundant in Europe and are currently not widely used as nutrient sources for agricultural production.

 

Research is focused on:
(i) Increased bioavailability and minimised losses of essential plant nutrients in organic wastes by additions of bio-effectors during storage or processing.
(ii) Increased fertiliser value of organic and mineral wastes added to agricultural soils by combination with bio-effectors and placed application close to the plant roots (link to WP07).
(iii) Increased survival and (root) colonisation of bio-effectors by using organic waste substrates for soil application.
(iv) Quantifying effects of bio-effectors in combination with organic wastes on native soil and soil-microbial nutrient pools.

 

 

WP07: Fertiliser Placement

Fertiliser placement and application of fertilizers and plant protectants by drip irrigation (fertigation) are approaches with the aim to reduce inputs of fertilisers, water, pesticides and labour by localised application of fertilisers close to the root system of crops. Several mineral nutrients, such as phosphate, nitrate and ammonium are able to stimulate root growth for exploitation of nutrient-rich patches. Therefore, fertiliser placement close to crop roots is expected to reduce nutrient competition with other plants. However, under real agricultural production conditions, intense localized root proliferation is not frequently observed. This may be attributed to the absence of steep nutrient concentration gradients in many agricultural soils due comparatively high background concentrations of nutrients even outside the local patch of fertilisers. Therefore, WP07 investigates perspectives to increase the efficiency of crops to exploit fertilizer patches by application of bio-effectors with the ability to stimulate root growth. Additionally also the possibility to use fertilizers based on organic or inorganic waste recycling products for fertilizer placement will be tested including options to integrate bio-effectors for improved nutrient solubilisation within the fertilizer patches (link to WP06). Fertiliser depots are frequently characterized by high local salt concentrations and pH extremes to be tolerated by microbial bio-effectors selected for application in fertilizer placement strategies (link to WP04).

 

WP08: International Field Testing Network

The general objective of WP08 is validation of the agronomic effectiveness and the economic value of innovative bio-effector-based plant nutrition strategies developed within WP04-07. This requires field testing under the different geographical situations and crop management systems, representing the current practice in European agriculture. Plant performance, yield and product quality obtained within the novel fertilisation strategies will be compared with standard fertilization regimes in farmers practice. The international field testing network comprises field sites in Northern Ireland, Denmark, Central and South Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Southern Italy and Israel to cover the different climatic and geographical conditions in Europe. Although, the different characteristics, stress factors and agricultural practices in the different regions of Europe are considered, setup and evaluation of the field trials follows a standardised protocol to ensure comparability of the results for the final economic evaluation (link to WP09). Another important task of WP08 is the organisation of demonstration trials to promote implementation of the novel fertilisation strategies into agricultural practice.

 

WP09: Economic Evaluation

The overall objective of this work package is the economic analysis of new plant nutrition strategies in comparison with current approaches. This implies the investigation of economic viability and sustainability of proposed alternative plant nutrition approaches. Thus, standardised field experiments considering different plant nutrition strategies under different climatic and soil conditions characteristic for European agriculture have to be conducted (link to WP08) and analysed to allow a comparative cost benefit analysis between new and conventional strategies. Further scenario and/or simulation analyses of representative approaches will be conducted to depict the economic efficiency under varying (world) market and price conditions to approve their economic viability and sustainability. The economic results will support WP10 in terms of implementing the results into marketing, training and public dissemination strategies.

 

WP10: Training and Public Dissemination

All aspects concerning the dissemination of project results and activities are covered by WP10, starting with installation and regular updating of an open project homepage, press releases, information and networking with relevant target groups and potential users. Promising approaches identified in WP08 and WP09 will be presented by organisation and contributions to public field days. Perspectives for patenting, registration, and international marketing of novel BIOFECTOR products in different countries are investigated and developed in close cooperation of all contributing project partners. Training activities comprise organisation training of courses on application technology for BIOFECTOR products for extension service as well as student workshops on bio-effector research. Apart from developing public dissemination structures for the project, one of the first activities is the installation of a public web-based data base; collecting the current knowledge on perspectives for application of bio-effector products in agricultural practice as an information guide for farmers and scientists and a platform for producers of bio-effectors to present products with a proven record of Efficiency.

WP11: Project Management

 

The major tasks of this work package comprise the administrative management of the project and supporting the coordinator and participants in all aspects regarding the scientific management of the project according to the EC regulations, including reporting, contractual duties, management of financial resources, publication plan, capture and protection of intellectual property. The WP will provide an efficient web-based communication infrastructure to foster the integrative activities within the consortium and to facilitate reporting and administrative processes. Linked with WP10, an additional field of activities is the dissemination of knowledge produced within the project to the relevant target Groups.


BIOFECTOR Participants:  


P 01: University of Hohenheim (UHOH)

 The research lines covered by this group comprise molecular characterisation of nutrient uptake and regulatory aspects of root growth and root physiology. The rhizosphere research team lead by Prof. Dr. Günter Neumann has an outstanding reputation in the characterisation of root secretions and adaptive root-induced modifications of the root-soil interface (rhizosphere) as key factors for plant nutrient acquisition, with special emphasis on phosphate and micronutrients. Competence in bio-effector research is reflected by a long-lasting 20-years history of industrial research co-operations, with focus on the fate and function of bio-effectors to reduce fertilizer input.

 

Tasks: Scientific coordination and management of the project as a whole; leadership of WP08 (international field testing network); focus on measurements of root growth, rhizosphere chemistry and  root physiology.

 P 02: Julius Kuehn-Institute Federal Research Centre (JKI)

The “Julius Kuehn-Institute (JKI)” is an independent research institution subordinated to the “Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection”. Its main task is to advise the German Federal Government concerning issues of crop production, soil science, plant breeding, plant protection, plant health and biological safety.

 

The group has long-term expertise in the field of microbial ecology of agro-ecosystems and pioneered DNA-based methods for studying complex interactions between plants and microorganisms in the root-soil interface (rhizosphere). These novel tools were applied to study the diversity of microorganisms depending on the soil type, the plant species and cultivar, agricultural practice and their response to bio-effectors and pathogens.

 

Tasks: Main contribution to WP01 and WP03 by characterizing the composition of microbial communities in the rhizosphere, influenced by the application of bio-effectors.

P 03: Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) 

 

 

Tasks:The major field of expertise of the working group headed by Prof. Dr. Pavel Tlustos is the production and testing of plant-growth promoting bio-effectors based on compost extracts and humic acids as a contribution to WP01 (product development), as well as compost production technology. In WP06 the respective composts will be tested as recycling fertilisers based on organic waste products, including in combination with microbial and non-microbial bio-effector products, to increase the fertiliser quality of the composts and plant nutrient availability. The application potential of the newly developed bio-effector-recycling fertiliser combinations will be tested in organic farming Systems (WP05) and also for fertiliser placement close to the roots to increase their utilisation Efficiency (WP07). The working group is also partner of the BIOFCTOR International Field Testing Network (WP08) providing field sites for standardised testing of the most promising bio-effector products developed within the Project.

P 04: Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences Timisoara (BUAS)

Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Timisoara is a state higher education institution that has the didactic mission to train specialists for scientific research in agricultural sciences and consultancy through the university extension. The second mission of our institution for experimental research in agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine. The research infrastructure of the group comprises experimental field sites as well as large scale protected cultural areas (greenhouses and solariums), agricultural machines and equipment for testing bio-effector products under realistic conditions for agricultural production.
Tasks: The working group is a main partner of the International BIOFECTOR Field testing Network (WP08).

P 05: Corvinus University Budapest, Hungary (CUB)

The Corvinus University of Budapest, Faculty of Horticulture, Departments of Ecological and Sustainable Farming Systems and Soil Sciences and Water Management has its main activities in research in national and international projects on organic and sustainable agriculture and are currently studying the role of soil-properties and the various management/soil tillage practices on the growth of tomato, green bean and several other horticultural crops.
Tasks: The CUB will provide combination products based on bacteria, plant extracts and humic acids, suggested and available for the organic agricultural practice in Hungary, to the consortium Partners (WP01). In own research activities, the group will test these bio-effector combinations for applications in organic tomato production in model and field experiments (WP02, WP05) with special emphasis on elucidation of mechanisms behind interactive effects (WP03). Moreover, the group contributes to the International Field Testing Network” (WP08), providing field sites for commercial tomato production in organic farming systems.

P 06: WUR Plant Research International (DLO)

Plant Research International is part of the Wageningen University and Research Centre. Participating research group is member of the business unit “Bio-interactions and Plant Health”. In this business unit, the interactions between arthropods, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses with plants are investigated.
Tasks: Leadership of WP03, and specifically investigating the functional mechanisms behind bio-effector-plant interactions in relation to plant-associated (endophytic) microbial populations. Research activities comprise the development of novel tools to measure endophyte densities in bio-effector-treated plants and to monitor the fate of microbial bio-effectors inside plants (WP03), as well as synergistic effects on endophytic communities upon application of combined bio-effectors to plants (WP02). The group also contributes to WP08 by technical support and sample analysis in the “International Field Testing Network” for final evaluation of BE products (WP08).


P 07: University of Naples, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy (DIAAT-UNUNA7a) & The Università of Napoli Federico II (DIAAT-UNUNA7b)

The Università of Napoli Federico II is the second largest University in Italy, involved in all disciplines of scientific research. The BIOFECTOR team consists of two research groups, focused respectively on plant responses to environmental stresses and agricultural microbiology, belonging to the Department of Agricultural-Science. The research groups operate as true interdisciplinary teams to address complex issues, such as sustainable crop production under stress environments.
Tasks: Leadership of WP04, investigating perspectives or bio-effector applications to increase crop tolerance against environmental stress factors, such as limited nutrient availability, low soil temperature during early growth, drought or high salt concentrations. As a contribution to WP01 (Product Development) the group provides screening and production of bio-effectors adapted for salt-stress environments, based on microorganisms and plant extracts in close cooperation with the SME partners AGRIGES and BIOATLANTIS. Products and product combinations are tested in model experiments and small greenhouse trials (WP02), including also the investigation of functional mechanisms (WP03). Within the International Field Testing Network (WP08), the group provides field sites for validation and demonstration of the agronomic effectiveness and economic value of bio-effector strategies under real production conditions, characteristic for the Mediterranean agriculture.
P 08: University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

The Plant and Soil Science research group at UCPH has a strong tradition of research on biological soil fertility and the influence of organic matter decomposition processes on nutrient turnover in temperate and tropical agro-ecosystems. Particular focus areas have been the interactions at the root-soil interface, the role of soil microorganisms in determining nutrient availability and nutrient release from various agricultural and urban wastes.
Tasks: With their outstanding expertise in fertilisers based on organic waste products. the team provides the leadership of WP06. The main focus of the research activities is the investigation of bio-effector-recycling fertilizer combinations to increase the plant nutrient availability of the recycling products in pot and small field trials for the development of fertilizer strategies adapted to the requirements of low-input systems (WP04), organic farming (WP05) and fertiliser placement techniques close to the plant roots. For the International Field Testing Network (WP08) the group provides field sites with contrasting properties concerning phosphate levels and organic matter content.
P 09: Agri-Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

AFBI is a non-departmental public institution. More than 800 experienced and internationally trained scientists are engaged in basic, applied and strategic research on plant and animal sciences with focus on low-input and organic arable crop production to minimise the use of mineral fertilizer and crop protection agents.
Tasks : The core competencies of the research group led by Prof. Sharma are rapid compositional analyses of plant materials and monitoring of signalling factors ( WP03 ) bio-stimulant formulation efficiency testing of the products ( WP01 ). Special emphasis is placed on the development and function of combination products based on seaweed extracts and microbial bio-effectors for improving cold tolerance of wheat ( WP02 , WP04 ) in close cooperation with the SME partners BIOATLANTIS, AGRIGES and ABITEP. As a member of the International Field Testing Network ( WP08 ), the group provides field testing sites for; assessing the agronomic effectiveness and economic value of the developed bio-effector strategies under the climatic conditions of Northern Europe.
P 10: Bioatlantis Ltd. (BIAT)

BIOATLANTIS is a biotechnology company specializing in the provision of sustainable solutions to problems caused by stress in crops, both Abiotic and Biotic, and those prevalent in systems of intensive monogastric animal production.
BioAtlantis Ltd. work in close collaboration with universities across the world and have developed a range of extracts derived from raw materials including Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria sp. The company markets its products in over 30 countries, providing products for use in enhancing yield and marketable grade in major commercial crops. In addition to BioFector, BioAtlantis also act as the coordinators of an  EU-wide FP-7 consortium, which aims to validate the functionality and effectiveness of naturally-derived products for use in solving problems facing modern systems of monogastric animal production (THRIVE-RITE, Grant Agreement n°315198; http://www.thriverite.eu/).
Tasks: Responsibilities include development and delivery of bio-effector products, based on seaweed, large-scale production and adaptation of bio-effectors to improve stress resistance of crops and acquisition of mineral nutrients. In turn, this will provide a means of increasing biomass and yield in crops. (WP01, WP04).
P 11: Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) 

AUAS offers degree courses in Agriculture, Ecotrophology, Farm Management, Food- and Agribusiness, Landscape Architecture and Plant Biotechnology and is the domicile of the German Agronomical Society (DLG).
The research team of Dr. Joerg Geistlinger provides expertise in production and characterization of bio-effectors based on plant and fungal extracts with potential to stimulate plant growth and root colonization with symbiontic microorganisms. Geistlinger is the  leader of WP02
PD Dr. Helmut Baltruschat is an outstanding specialist for Sebacinales, a novel group of ubiquitous, potentially plant-growth promoting fungi.
Tasks: AUAS is the leader of WP02 (product combinations). the group investigates the effects and the function of combined bio-effector products, based on natural extraction products and various bacteria and fungi as well as the potential of sebacinales as bio-effctors (WP02, WP03). successful product combinations are delivered to other project partners for further testing (WP01). as a member of the international field testing network (WP08), auas provides field testing sides for validation of bio-effector products on fertile soils in central germany, supported by a small unmanned aircraft system for remote sensing of soil quality, especially phosphate content and plant population development.   
P 12: Research Institute of Organic Farming (FiBL) 

FIBL is one of the world’s leading organic farming research centers, dedicated to sustainable agriculture. Two of its divisions (Soil Sciences and Crop Protection & Biodiversity) combine research and farm-scale dissemination activities with focus on nutrient use efficiency, bio-effector research and assessment of soil microbial community structures.
Tasks: Adaptation and testing of bio-effectors at various scales with special emphasis on applications in low-input and organic farming systems (WP05); developing molecular tools to trace inoculated Pseudomonas strains (WP03); testing the P solubilising effects of bioeffectors in combination with P recycling fertilizers  (WP 06);  investigation of the ecology of microbial bio-effector strains and their interactions with the native soil microflora, particularly with fungal plant-symbionts (mycorrhiza). As a contribution to the International Field Testing network (WP08), FIBL has access to fields with various soil conditions. The unique long-term DOK system comparison experiment will serve as a reference for bio-effector testing.
P 13: madora gmbh (madora)  

Madora manages international trading with Eastern Europe and central Asia as trader and consultant, organising projects and creating marketing and staff training plans. Madora scientifically tests the ability of liposomes, microorganisms, plant extracts and natural minerals to induce plant resistance to disease and pests, as well as researching plant activators for their ecological and yield potential.
Tasks: Leader of WP10 with Expertise in bio-effector patent and marketing issues. Responsibilities are training and public dissemination of BIOFECTOR outputs; collection, exchange, arrangement, linkage and dissemination of new information from current BIOFECTOR research activities and the general web-presentation of the project; development of new channels for public dissemination and marketing of BIOFECTOR project outcomes. Installation of an open information data-base on application fields and effectiveness of bio-effectors in agricultural production in close cooperation with FIBL Projekte.
P 14: ABitep GmbH (ABI)

ABI is a private company, producing agents for plant strengthening and growth promotion, based on naturally occurring soil bacteria. It also offers a sound service of production technology. ABI owns research laboratories and bioreactors and is well equipped for extraction and formulation of a wide range of bio-formulations. The company provides a large collection of defined Bacillus mutants and Bacillus strains of different ecological origin.
Tasks: As leader of WP01, ABI will develop and deliver bio-effector products, with special emphasis on collection, fermentation and formulation of Bacillus strains. Application fields comprise soils with limited nutrient availability, tolerance to low temperature, drought and high salt concentrations (WP04). Based on the experiences in WP02, the company will provide also production and development of combination products with synergistic interactions.

P 15: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Huettenkalk e.V. (HKKalke) 

The “Association for Liming Fertilisers from Iron and Steel Slags” encompasses all fertiliser-producing steelworks in Germany and Austria. It works on research, development and testing of fertilizers, based on recycling products from steel production and has long experience in vegetation experiments for nutrient research with special emphasis on  phosphate and liming fertilisers.  Moreover, HKKalke has been engaged in the development of technologies for phosphate recovery from residues and wastes from bone meal and sewage sludge incineration to produce fertilisers with high phosphate efficiency.
Tasks: Responsible for production and delivery of fertilizers, based on industrial waste products (WP01). Contributes to WP05 (Organic Farming) and WP06 (Recycling Fertilizers), by testing the respective fertilizers with respect to nutrient efficiency and environmental characteristics. In WP06, strategies to improve plant nutrient supply from industrial recycling fertilizers by application of bio-effectors are developed, including the investigation of perspectives for fertiliser placement (WP07).
P 17: Bayer Crop Science Biologics /Prophyta GmbH (PROPH)

Prophyta is a German-based bio-control company which develops, produces and markets biological products, processes and services for integrated crop protection. The products are based on living fungal microorganisms and the company has developed a patented solid state technology for the mass production of filamentous fungi.
Prophyta was acquired by Bayer CropScience in January 2013.
Tasks: As contribution to WP01, PROPH will develop and deliver bio-effector products, based on collection, fermentation and formulation of filamentous fungi. Moreover, compatibility studies on the effects of single and multiple combinations of promising bio-effectors on model plants will be conducted as a contribution to WP02 with the final goal to produce combination products with synergistic properties.
P 18: Sourcon Padena GmbH & Co. KG (SP)

Sourcon Padena is a medium-sized biotechnology company as a spin-off from the Universities Hohenheim and Tuebingen. The company develops and produces biological plant protection products. Over the past few years the company has collected valuable experience in the field of biological plant protectors, especially bacterial pathogen antagonists based on Pseudomonades (resp. non spore forming bacteria) with a wide range of additional plant growth promoting properties.
Tasks: Contribution to WP01, especially production of bacterial bio-effector products based on pseudomonas strains with a unique fermentation and formulation technology.
P 19: FIBL Projekte GmbH (FIBL-Projekte)

FIBL-Projekte provides scientific services to organic agriculture at the interface between research and agricultural practice. From this mandate it derives the four pillars of its work for organic agriculture and the organic food industry: Knowledge transfer, drawing up concepts to strengthen organic agriculture, scientific support for actors in the field and promotion of actor networks. Key activities are the co-ordination of actors within the organic movement as well as the development and distribution of information about organic agriculture to a broad range of players from science, consultancy and practice.
Tasks: FIBL-Projekte will contribute to the public dissemination of BIOFECTOR project results (WP10), create a public data-base on applications of bio-effectors for information of farmers and agricultural advisors across Europe, and apply their experience of organizing workshops, field days, conferences, symposia and exhibitions.
P 20: The Agricultural Research Organisation of Israel – the Volcani Centr e

ARO is the research institute of the ministry of agriculture and rural development of Israel and is responsible for research and development in the areas of agriculture and the environment, to further the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the public.. Focuses are basic and applied research  with special emphasis on arid zone agriculture, enabling Israel - a country short of all the resources required for agriculture - to achieve among the highest levels of agricultural output in the world..
Tasks: Leading WP07 (Utilization of bio-effectors (BEs) in combination with localised fertilizer application technologies), the centre will adapt bio-effectors for integration into strategies of fertilizer placement or combined application of water and fertilisers by drip irrigation close to the target plants. The final goal is a more efficient use of the applied fertilisers and of water (particularly under Mediterranean conditions) and assessing functions and benefits of bio-effectors under abiotic stress (WP04). The site-specific adaptation of bio-effectors combined with placed fertilization and drip fertigation will be tested under real production conditions as a contribution to the International Field Testing network (WP08). 

 (ARO)P 21: Agriges s.r.l (AGRIGES)

AGRIGES is a company, operating in the area of biological and integrated crop nutrition with strong interest in developing new products for sustainable agriculture. Currently, the company produces a broad range of fertilizers including algal derivatives, containing various organic compounds with plant growth regulator activity.
Tasks: As contribution to WP01, the company will develop and deliver fertilisers and bio-effector products based on seaweed extracts, including combination products and synergistic mixtures (WP02) and will assess functions and benefits of bio-effectors under abiotic stress conditions (WP04).
P 26: CMAST bvba (CMAST) 

CMAST delivers Project Management, Consulting and Business Solutions services to its life science clients, with >50 experienced project managers and consultants, specialized in 4 business areas. With our Strategic Collaborations business unit / team, services range from facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration platforms to advisory services on funding opportunities and on-site project management of large multi-stakeholder or consortia projects.  Our recent project engagements summarize as follows:
* IMI projects (ND4BB, Predict TB, EBOVAC, EMIF, RADAR, EPAD, PHAGO)
* 3 large consortium H2020/FP7 projects (MSCA-IAPP, SPIRE)
* Other funding agencies (BARDA, NIH, BMGF, WHO, BioAster, VLAIO, IWT)
With thorough understanding of academic as well as industrial Life Sciences research environments, CMAST is able to form a neutral “bridge” between the various stakeholders’ needs and facilitate the joint effort towards high quality project outcomes.
Tasks: As leader of WP11, CMAST has the general task of administrative project management to support the coordinator to accomplish all tasks except scientific coordination and management of the scientific activities. To organise communication within the project and to ensure punctual and error-free submission of reports and financial statements, CMAST provides a specifically developed web-based project management tool solely for the use of FP6/7 consortia.
 

Publications

BIOFECTOR Publications List

BIOFECTOR Research Document

BIOFECTOR Final Report

European Commission about BIOFECTOR


Related projects

greenerde- Education and Research in the context of the digital and ecological transformation of agriculture in the Banat Region and Baden-Württemberg: Feldversuche (farm-and-food.com)


BIOFAIR Investigation which climatic conditions will affect wheat cultivation in the next 50 years and which soil microorganisms will have positive effects here. In field tests, it is investigated which cultivation measures and bioeffectors can make the soil microorganisms and their interactions fit for the climate of the future.


PPHI: Biostimulants, soil improvers, bioprotectants: promoters of bio-intensification in plant production?”
X. Symposium "Plant Protection and Plant Health International" ; Save the date: 23 November 2021, 11:00-17:00 (MEZ, UTC +1)


landsupport - eu project - Soil must be managed sustainably


SoLACE - Solutions for improving Agroecosystem and Crop Efficiency for water and nutrient use: Combined Application
(solace-eu.net)


NoCsPs: LaNdwirtschaft 4.0
Ohne chemisch-synthetischen PflanzenSchutz


AMAIZE-P: Adaptation of maize-based food-feed-energy systems to limited phosphate resources


DiControl, Auswirkungen des pflanzenbaulichen Managements sowie der Anwendung mikrobieller Biokontrollstämme auf Bodengesundheit und Suppressivität gegenüber Pathogenen im Rahmen einer nachhaltigen Pflanzenproduktion


KeraSan – Entwicklung eines neuartigen Zusatzmittels für die Agrarwirtschaft auf Basis von nachwachsenden Rohstoffen.

Prague

Timisoara