Needs and knowledge gaps in organic fruit breeding and variety testing across Europe: A survey study

Summary

Organic fruit breeding faces significant challenges across all stages of the breeding process. To better understand these issues, the Horizon Europe project ‘InnOBreed’ conducted the first European wide survey on organic fruit breeding, gathering insights from breeders and variety testers across 11 countries. Key challenges include evaluating and maintaining genetic resources, accessing genetic material and data on genetic material, the establishment of screening methods, and testing under organic and/or low-input conditions. Additionally, evaluating cultivar-rootstock combinations and integrating climate-resilient traits remain critical hurdles. This study highlights the importance of fostering strong networks among genetic resources curators, breeders, and scientific institutes to enhance collaboration and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and genetic material. Promoting participatory approaches, such as participatory breeding and on-farm testing, are essential for ensuring varieties meet growers’ needs while being adapted to diverse climates and farming systems. Multi-site testing across different regions is crucial for evaluating varieties under varied climatic conditions and addressing challenges posed by climate change.