In the realm of agricultural innovation, legumes are emerging as a cornerstone for sustainable practices, offering a dual benefit of nutritional richness for both human and animal diets alongside environmental advantages via their capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Despite their undeniable potential, the cultivation of legumes within Europe has experienced stagnation, primarily due to the unavailability of high-yielding and resilient varieties. The resulting dependency on imported legume grains, alongside substantial nitrogen fertilizer usage, underscores a significant gap in regional production capacity. To address these challenges, the BELIS project, formally known as “Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability,” was launched under the auspices of the Horizon Europe program in October 2023, signaling a renewed commitment to fostering legume breeding in the continent.
The BELIS initiative has forged an impressive consortium of 34 partners across 18 countries, integrating the diverse expertise of research institutes, plant breeders, seed companies, and regulatory bodies. This collaborative effort is designed to tackle the pressing challenges that have historically hindered the breeding of legumes, which comprise not only vital forage crops like lucerne and clover but also essential grain varieties such as peas, faba beans, and lentils, collectively representing a significant fraction of the legume diversity cultivated across Europe. Through strategic collaboration, BELIS aims to increase the availability and performance of legume varieties, ultimately leading to enhanced food security and sustainability within agricultural systems.
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to innovative research and the integration of advanced breeding techniques that optimize genetic progress in developing new legume varieties. Among the cutting-edge methodologies being explored are KASP (K allele-specific PCR), which provides a streamlined approach to genotyping specific genetic markers, particularly in chickpeas. The BELIS consortium is also pioneering new protocols that enhance the assessment of critical traits such as disease resistance, pest tolerance, and overall quality metrics. The application of drone technology for phenotypic evaluation in breeding trials represents yet another leap forward in the field, allowing for precise monitoring of forage legumes under various conditions.
As the project unfolds, significant strides are being made towards the creation of a multi-species SNP array, which will serve as a powerful tool for researchers and plant breeders in the coming years. This development is complemented by ongoing work to refine both the phenotyping and genotyping protocols applicable to a broader range of crops and stress scenarios, including drought and waterlogging, as well as mitigating the impacts of diverse pests and diseases. Furthermore, a focus on quality traits related to the nutritional value and technological properties of legume grains for processing industries is driving further advancements in breeding methodologies, fostering the development of robust and market-ready varieties.
In parallel with breeding innovations, the BELIS project is committed to ensuring that the genetic advancements achieved are effectively communicated and made accessible to farmers across Europe. This entails an overhaul of the variety testing and registration processes currently in place, with a focus on enhancing the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) metrics. By adapting and standardizing the criteria used for official variety testing, BELIS seeks to establish multi-country testing regimes that deliver actionable insights to farmers regarding the practicality and benefits of various seed types. Preliminary outcomes, including the comparison of VCU protocols between nations, reflect the project’s dedication to fostering transparency and collaboration.
A key facet of the BELIS initiative is the emphasis on the organization and collaboration of various stakeholders engaged in legume research and breeding. By analyzing existing cooperative models through case studies in several countries, BELIS is identifying best practices that can enhance collective efforts in research and development, accelerating the path to market for new legume varieties. Exciting preliminary results from studies, such as those in the German white lupin sector, highlight the potential for improved collaborative frameworks that bring together diverse actors to support the legume breeding community.
At the core of the BELIS network is a commitment to fostering knowledge sharing and collaborative partnerships that span public and private sectors, including researchers, extension services, registration offices, and industries encompassing seed, food, and feed production. This collective approach is envisioned to facilitate meaningful business collaborations and provide essential technical training, thus advocating for policies that promote robust legume breeding activities. The interactive nature of the BELIS initiative is exemplified by scheduled meetings that allow local Serbian stakeholders to engage directly with project advancements while offering opportunities for international participants to connect via live sessions.
The Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVCNS) in Serbia plays a pivotal role in the BELIS project, leveraging its expertise to enhance legume breeding initiatives. By developing protocols that address abiotic stresses and refining phenotypic and molecular breeding approaches, the institute is contributing significantly to the establishment of effective VCU testing methods. The collaborative efforts of IFVCNS are set within a broader framework that supports variety recommendations for various legume crops at the European level, aligning with the overarching goals of the BELIS project.
As BELIS continues to progress, the project aspires to generate actionable recommendations based on collated information from registration and post-registration tests. One striking example includes a modeling approach utilized to estimate the forage yield potential of various lucerne varieties across Europe, a projection that takes into account current and future climate scenarios alongside different management practices. Although findings in this area are ongoing, they hold the promise of advancing understanding and improving decision-making for growers.
In conclusion, the BELIS project embodies a comprehensive response to the challenges faced by the legume breeding sector in Europe, combining innovative research, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to enhancing the overall sustainability of agricultural practices. By uniting diverse stakeholders and leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, BELIS is poised to reshape the landscape of legume cultivation in Europe, ultimately aiding farmers in accessing high-quality, resilient varieties that can thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
As this ambitious project unfolds, all those involved—from farmers to researchers to policy makers—are encouraged to stay connected and engaged with developments. The vision for a more sustainable agricultural future relies on the active participation and collaboration of the entire legume community, and BELIS seeks to empower all actors within this network as they work towards a common goal of promoting legume cultivation and addressing food security challenges across Europe.
Subject of Research: BREEDING EUROPEAN LEGUMES FOR INCREASED SUSTAINABILITY
Article Title: A Unified Approach to Legume Breeding
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: BELIS project website
References: Not applicable
Image Credits: Not applicable
Keywords
Legumes, Breeding, Sustainability, Agriculture, Horizon Europe, Genetic Progress, Varieties, Collaboration, Research, Farming, Food Security.
