HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage: Emerging and future risks to plant health (RIA)

What we can offer as a partner:

Selection and characterization ofbioactive compounds against target pests:

• Selection of natural extracts, secondary metabolites derived from bacteria and fungi, and bioactive compounds—including their synergistic interactions—to identify candidates with preventive or curative activity against the target pest(s) of the project.

• Design and validation of screening protocols for biological assays of the compounds.

• Development and optimization of formulations such as suspension concentrates (liquid formulations where solid active ingredient particles are suspended in water) and emulsifiable concentrates (liquid formulations where the active ingredient is dissolved in an organic solvent and forms an emulsion when mixed with water), ensuring compatibility with fertigation systems and suitability for application by drones, among other methods. The objective is to have two to three prototypes ready for agronomic validation.

• Experimental validation of the efficacy of the prototypes at the laboratory level against the target pest(s) selected in the project; including assessments of phytotoxicity, compatibility with other inputs, effects on bees, and related factors.

• Experimental validation of efficacy under controlled environment chambers and semi-field conditions.

• Evaluation of modes of action through transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses.

• Scale-up testing and pre-industrialization trials.

• Design of integrated pest management strategies.

• Training for farmers.