Characterization of genetic variation for the development of diverse and resilient crops for the organic sector

Summary

The DIVERSILIENCE project investigated strategies to enhance crop diversity and resilience for organic farming across Europe. Given the varied starting points for organic plant breeding depending on crop and region, the project applied approaches ranging from farmer-led mass selection using local landraces to advanced genomic and proteomic analyses.
In Norway, evaluations of European lucerne material alongside local varieties highlighted opportunities to improve nitrogen supply while maintaining climate adaptation. In Finland, participatory selection of buckwheat and its cultivation in mixtures with peas demonstrated the potential to increase yield stability and weed suppression in organic systems.
White lupin breeding programs in Italy and Denmark developed frost-tolerant lines using evolutionary participatory breeding and genomic selection tools, supporting expansion of this high-protein crop in colder climates. Wheat trials in Denmark and Romania identified and pyramided resistance genes against common bunt, facilitating disease management without pesticides in organic systems. Work on common beans in Slovenia and Bulgaria identified lines with improved drought tolerance, protein content, and disease resistance while preserving local crop diversity.
Cowpea and soybean were assessed for their potential to expand protein supply in Europe, with breeding efforts focusing on photoperiod adaptation and growth habits suitable for different end uses. Participatory improvement of local maize landraces in Romania aimed to maintain genetic diversity and local food cultures under changing conditions.
Overall, the project demonstrated that significant improvements in crop resilience and diversity can be achieved within a short timeframe. Strengthening organic plant breeding across all stages of the breeding value chain is essential to increase the availability of adapted germplasm, reduce bottlenecks, and enable the scaling of organic farming in Europe.