The first line of research of TOMRES was the selection of resilient tomato lines and resilience-linked alleles. After a preliminary literature-based selection, TOMRES screened 219 accessions that were tested to give the TOMRES Collection (TC), which was screened under combined stress for several and often less-investigated traits such as root architecture and arbuscular mycorrhization. Two resilience QTLs under combined stress were identified from a tomato x pennelli population, and 95 alleles of resilience-linked genes were identified and phenotyped in tomato.
A second focus of TOMRES was the investigation of the role of strigolactones (SL) and root-linked traits in combined stress resilience. Here, the effects of SL on WUE and NUE were assessed using treatments and genetic depletion. SL increased root exudation and P use efficiency under P starvation. Furthermore, SL enhance drought stress memory and affect expression of selected miRNAs. The use of SL as components of agricultural biostimulants was established. Root phenotyping of TC accessions was performed with advanced techniques, and genetic control of mycorrhizal infection was studied. Hundreds of genes and epigenes involved in responses to combined stress were studied by use of transcriptomics, q-RT-PCR, and chromatin-targeted omic techniques.
TOMRES approach included an important focus of crop management research. Multi-cropping with legumes (bean, cowpea, faba bean) was optimized, and the project selected novel wild indigenous rhizobia strains. Application of biostimulants to increase WUE and NUE was addressed, in particular focusing on two products developed by TOMRES partners, which displayed very promising results. Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria was tested. Two TC accessions showed promise as rootstocks. Finally, variable rate treatment technologies for precision agriculture were optimised and tested in field trials under water stress.
Centrally-collected data from TOMRES flew into an open-access repository. An environmental impact analysis was completed: TOMRES innovative solutions showed encouraging results as soil nutrient loss, accumulation of heavy metals, and microbial contamination were reduced. An economic and social impact analysis was performed, based on field data and on two separate (Italian and EU-wide) surveys. Two decision support systems were set up using data from TOMRES, and are available to farmers, policymakers and consumers to help their decisions toward resilient tomato cultivation.
TOMRES implemented an ambitious programme of field trials and demonstration activities. More than 15 on-farm trials, concentrating on testing TOMRES accessions, biostimulants, and field management techniques, were performed within the TOMRES Farmers Network. Field tests confirm that TOMRES innovation can support the farmers’ need to cope with combined stress, provided attention is given to local environment and techniques. Participatory field training was organised by TOMRES partners at the sites of field testing.
Media and social media releases, together with a regular newsletter, targeted the general public. Participatory events for farmers were performed and farmers were also addressed via technical publications and EIP-Agri Practice Abstracts. Scientific communication was based in particular on scientific papers, workshops, and a summer school.
