Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LIVESEEDING (Organic seed and plant breeding to accelerate sustainable and diverse food systems in Europe)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-04-01 bis 2025-09-30
LiveSeeding contributes to the upscaling of organic production in Europe through (i) improving availability of organic plant reproductive material of organic cultivars (Organic Heterogeneous Material, Organic Varieties, landraces) of a large range of crops, bred for improved diversity and adaptation to local conditions, and (ii) strengthening and diversifying the organic seed sector informed by market demands. LiveSeeding contributes to the transition towards environmentally-friendly, climate-neutral, healthy and fair food systems through further developing (i) cultivars suited for organic and low external input production, (ii) novel governance models linking breeders with value chain actors and citizens with local food production, and (iii) awareness around the importance of biodiversity for our food and health. LiveSeeding focuses on the main drivers for (i) the supply and demand of organic seed and cultivars, (ii) the supply and demand of food products derived from them, and (iii) enabling frameworks and roadmaps through active policy dialogue with national and European authorities and policymakers by providing science-based evidence and best practice solutions to achieve 100% organic seed. LiveSeeding addresses the topics in a holistic multi-actor, multi-stakeholder participatory approach involving organic and public research institutes (with proven competencies in breeding, seed multiplication and health, socio-economics, extension and outreach), variety examination offices, private breeders and seed companies, organic production and civil society associations. Additional stakeholders along the value chain are involved in the local Living Labs (LLs) and the established networks of organic breeders (ECO-PB), seed savers (ECLLD) and Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP). 16 European countries cover the different pedoclimatic zones and socio-economic contexts, including countries with a low level of development in organic seed and breeding in East and South Europe.
LiveSeeding achieved substantial scientific and technical advances to strengthen organic seed and plant breeding systems in Europe. Building on previous EU projects (LIVESEED, ECOBREED, BRESOV, ReMIX), it progressed from methodological set-up to large-scale implementation and consolidation through 17 Living Labs, integrating breeding, on-farm experimentation, digital tools, seed quality research and regulatory-oriented technical work. It created a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange among scientific coordinators from 13 relevant Horizon funded projects, including InnoBreed sister project, with a Scientific conference on “Breeding to meet environmental and societal challenges”.
LiveSeeding expanded the use of plant genetic resources under organic conditions through on-farm screening, evaluation and multiplication of more than 20 crop species in eight countries. Breeding and selection activities for Organic Heterogeneous Material (OHM) and Organic Varieties (OV) were implemented for 15 crops in 11 countries, advancing populations, composite cross populations and landraces from early development to advanced selection stages. As a concrete outcome, notification or registration processes were completed or initiated for wheat (eight OHM), broad bean (two OHM), maize (one conservation variety and one open-pollinated variety) and rice (one OHM). Trait-based selection approaches adapted to organic systems were strengthened through the application of genomic tools. Marker-assisted and genomic-informed selection was applied in wheat, buckwheat and common bean, while new markers and a novel QTL for low alkaloid content were identified and validated in white lupin. Trait combinations relevant for organic and diversified systems, including disease resistance, quality traits and adaptation to agroforestry, were systematically investigated.
LiveSeeding advanced pre- and post-registration cultivar testing dedicated to organic farming through 18 participatory and decentralised on-farm case studies across Europe. These activities generated comparative performance data for OHM, OV, populations and landraces under organic conditions. Key technical outputs include guidelines for OHM notification and the development of adapted DUS and VCU testing protocols for Organic Varieties under the EU temporary experiment. SeedLinked digital platform for participatory on-farm cultivar testing was localised for use in Europe, thus supporting hundreds of trials across multiple crops and countries.
Significant progress was achieved in seed quality, health and traceability. Interactions between seed microbiome, seedling vigour and plant health were investigated in wheat and soybean, and new vigour testing approaches were developed. Physical and biological seed treatments were validated against multiple seed-borne pathogens, demonstrating applicability at both on-farm and industrial scales. SHiNeMaS was enhanced for managing complex seed lot histories, and OHMTrack was developed as an interoperable digital tool supporting OHM notification and traceability.
To support transparency and implementation of organic seed regulations, LiveSeeding monitored organic seed demand and supply and developed an updated technical roadmap towards 100% organic seed use. 2 policy briefs provided recommendations to policy makers at European and national level and informed science-policy dialogue. The European Router Database was technically expanded to improve cross-country visibility of organic seed availability. Finally, the project analysed governance and financing models for organic breeding initiatives, identifying technical conditions for sustainable seed enterprises, and generated structured knowledge linking organic breeding, cultivated biodiversity and food systems, including a manual and a manifesto for integrating cultivated biodiversity into urban food policies (Granollers Manifesto).
LiveSeeding expanded the use of plant genetic resources under organic conditions through on-farm screening, evaluation and multiplication of more than 20 crop species in eight countries. Breeding and selection activities for Organic Heterogeneous Material (OHM) and Organic Varieties (OV) were implemented for 15 crops in 11 countries, advancing populations, composite cross populations and landraces from early development to advanced selection stages. As a concrete outcome, notification or registration processes were completed or initiated for wheat (eight OHM), broad bean (two OHM), maize (one conservation variety and one open-pollinated variety) and rice (one OHM). Trait-based selection approaches adapted to organic systems were strengthened through the application of genomic tools. Marker-assisted and genomic-informed selection was applied in wheat, buckwheat and common bean, while new markers and a novel QTL for low alkaloid content were identified and validated in white lupin. Trait combinations relevant for organic and diversified systems, including disease resistance, quality traits and adaptation to agroforestry, were systematically investigated.
LiveSeeding advanced pre- and post-registration cultivar testing dedicated to organic farming through 18 participatory and decentralised on-farm case studies across Europe. These activities generated comparative performance data for OHM, OV, populations and landraces under organic conditions. Key technical outputs include guidelines for OHM notification and the development of adapted DUS and VCU testing protocols for Organic Varieties under the EU temporary experiment. SeedLinked digital platform for participatory on-farm cultivar testing was localised for use in Europe, thus supporting hundreds of trials across multiple crops and countries.
Significant progress was achieved in seed quality, health and traceability. Interactions between seed microbiome, seedling vigour and plant health were investigated in wheat and soybean, and new vigour testing approaches were developed. Physical and biological seed treatments were validated against multiple seed-borne pathogens, demonstrating applicability at both on-farm and industrial scales. SHiNeMaS was enhanced for managing complex seed lot histories, and OHMTrack was developed as an interoperable digital tool supporting OHM notification and traceability.
To support transparency and implementation of organic seed regulations, LiveSeeding monitored organic seed demand and supply and developed an updated technical roadmap towards 100% organic seed use. 2 policy briefs provided recommendations to policy makers at European and national level and informed science-policy dialogue. The European Router Database was technically expanded to improve cross-country visibility of organic seed availability. Finally, the project analysed governance and financing models for organic breeding initiatives, identifying technical conditions for sustainable seed enterprises, and generated structured knowledge linking organic breeding, cultivated biodiversity and food systems, including a manual and a manifesto for integrating cultivated biodiversity into urban food policies (Granollers Manifesto).
LiveSeeding aims to achieve a step change in the development of a viable organic breeding and seed sector in Europe through a supply–demand–based PUSH-PULL-ENABLE strategy. Key innovations include KASP markers for novel crop–trait combinations, breeding for agroforestry systems, advanced analysis of seed microbiome and vigour, and the assessment of environmental and social benefits of OHM and OV, including their integration into urban food policies.