HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09: Genomics-Assisted Breeding and Genetic Resources for Intercropping-Adapted Crop Varieties

Research expertise and potential contribution

I am Assoc. Prof. Muhammad Azhar Nadeem, Associate Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Mersin University, Türkiye, with extensive research experience in plant genomics, genetic diversity, molecular breeding, and crop improvement, particularly in cereals and legumes.

My research expertise includes next-generation sequencing (NGS), DNA molecular markers, germplasm characterization, genetic diversity and population structure analysis, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), identification of marker–trait associations (MTAs), and development and validation of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Within the Horizon Europe topic HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09, I am interested in contributing genomic and molecular breeding approaches to enhance the competitiveness of organic crop breeding through the identification and development of varieties adapted to intercropping systems.

Potential contributions to the project include:

• Characterization and evaluation of diverse cereal and legume germplasm to identify promising genetic resources for organic intercropping systems.

• Identification of genetic variation associated with intercropping performance, competitive ability, resource-use efficiency, plant architecture, flowering time, maturity, biomass production, and yield-related traits.

• Application of GWAS and next-generation sequencing approaches to identify genomic regions and marker–trait associations underlying important agronomic and adaptive traits.

• Investigation of complementary traits in cereal–legume combinations, particularly those contributing to efficient utilization of light, water, and soil nutrients.

• Development and validation of KASP and other molecular markers for selecting promising genotypes adapted to intercropping environments.

• Evaluation of genotype-by-environment interactions (G×E) and agronomic performance under different intercropping combinations and environmental conditions.

• Integration of molecular, genomic, and field-based phenotypic information to support genomics-assisted breeding and the development of competitive varieties for organic farming systems.

Research experience and collaboration capacity

I have participated in several national and international research projects, including ERA-NET SusCrop, COST Actions, TÜBİTAK 1001, 1003 and 1007 programmes, TAGEM-funded projects, and university-funded research projects.

My scientific contributions include more than 100 SCI/SCIE-indexed publications, over 4,700 citations, an h-index of 34, and seven edited books published by Springer. I have also been recognized among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier (2023–2026).

Expected collaboration

I am interested in joining an international Horizon Europe consortium as a research partner, particularly in work packages related to plant genetic resources, crop genetic diversity, genomic-assisted breeding, molecular marker development, field evaluation, and identification of intercropping-adapted varieties.

I welcome collaboration with European universities, agricultural research institutes, organic crop breeders, seed companies, and organizations working on intercropping systems, crop diversification, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient food production.

My objective is to contribute advanced genomic and molecular breeding approaches to accelerate the identification and development of productive, competitive, and complementary crop varieties for diversified organic farming systems.