Improving flower attractiveness for pollinators: Study of developmental, morphological and chemical cues in relation to bee foraging
The ForBees project aims to enhance bee-pollinator relationships in melon and other Cucurbitaceae crops by investigating flower traits to improve food security and agricultural yields.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Animal pollinators are vital for life on earth. While the human population keeps growing, pollinator populations are dropping, thus threatening food security. In agriculture, the main insect pollinators are bees, by far.
Problem Statement
The lack of knowledge on how domesticated plants attract and reward bees has hampered the selection of varieties with improved and mutually beneficial crop-pollinator relationships.
Research Proposal
We propose to investigate flower features, including developmental, morphological, and chemical cues, in relation to bee foraging. Elucidating the molecular basis of these processes would not only help sustain yields, but it is key to understanding the co-evolution of plants and pollinators.
Model System
We chose melon as a model system because it is a strictly entomophilous crop and provides all flower sexual morphs useful to probe plant-insect interactions.
Project Overview
ForBees is a multidisciplinary project that integrates molecular genetic analysis and precise phenotyping.
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Genetic Biodiversity Study
First, we will study melon genetic biodiversity with the aim to identify alleles that control nectar-related traits and bee attraction. The comparative analysis of wild accessions, landraces, and breeding lines will further test whether domestication led to the loss of useful traits affecting insect visits. -
Gene Network Analysis
Second, we will analyze the gene networks that drive nectar gland development and nectar production. -
Validation of Key Regulators
Finally, potential key regulators will be validated genetically. Through this work, we aim to develop a toolbox to tailor the morphology and chemistry of the flowers towards improved bee foraging activities.
Broader Impact
In addition to research in melon, results from this project, and from previous works, will be translated into neglected crops of the Cucurbitaceae family. These are major food crops in many developing countries, ensuring food security and generating income for poor farmers. Yet, these crops suffer from low fruit set because of partial pollination and would greatly benefit from enhanced breeding tools.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
Subsidiebedrag | € 2.500.000 |
Totale projectbegroting | € 2.500.000 |
Tijdlijn
Startdatum | 1-1-2024 |
Einddatum | 31-12-2028 |
Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENTpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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MountBuzz: relating context-dependent bee-flower interactions to macroevolutionMountBuzz aims to explore how environmental contexts influence flower evolution and diversity through plant-pollinator interactions and predictive modeling across tropical elevational gradients. | ERC Starting... | € 1.498.634 | 2024 | Details |
Sex determination genes as a toolbox for F1 hybrid seed production and yield increaseThe HybridSeed project aims to engineer Cucurbitaceae plants for cost-effective F1 hybrid seed production, improved yields, and simplified cultivation processes to enhance global food security. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2024 | Details |
Asexual reproduction through clonal seeds: mechanisms to applicationThis project aims to develop synthetic apomixis in hybrid lettuce and tomato by deciphering a parthenogenesis gene, enabling stable inheritance of hybrid traits for sustainable agriculture. | ERC Starting... | € 1.500.000 | 2023 | Details |
Plant adaptation in a changing pollination climateThe POLLCLIM project aims to analyze how changes in pollinator populations affect plant adaptation and evolution through empirical studies and statistical modeling of wildflower traits. | ERC Starting... | € 1.500.000 | 2024 | Details |
If you are not healthy you are out: how honey bees develop resilience towards invasive species events with an immune system at the colony levelThe BEE HEALTHY project aims to uncover the mechanisms of collective behavioral defenses in honey bee colonies against the Varroa destructor mite to enhance colony resilience and sustainable agriculture. | ERC Starting... | € 1.499.993 | 2024 | Details |
MountBuzz: relating context-dependent bee-flower interactions to macroevolution
MountBuzz aims to explore how environmental contexts influence flower evolution and diversity through plant-pollinator interactions and predictive modeling across tropical elevational gradients.
Sex determination genes as a toolbox for F1 hybrid seed production and yield increase
The HybridSeed project aims to engineer Cucurbitaceae plants for cost-effective F1 hybrid seed production, improved yields, and simplified cultivation processes to enhance global food security.
Asexual reproduction through clonal seeds: mechanisms to application
This project aims to develop synthetic apomixis in hybrid lettuce and tomato by deciphering a parthenogenesis gene, enabling stable inheritance of hybrid traits for sustainable agriculture.
Plant adaptation in a changing pollination climate
The POLLCLIM project aims to analyze how changes in pollinator populations affect plant adaptation and evolution through empirical studies and statistical modeling of wildflower traits.
If you are not healthy you are out: how honey bees develop resilience towards invasive species events with an immune system at the colony level
The BEE HEALTHY project aims to uncover the mechanisms of collective behavioral defenses in honey bee colonies against the Varroa destructor mite to enhance colony resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
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Pollinator-assisted plant natural selection and breeding under climate change pressureDARkWIN aims to enhance tomato crop resilience to climate change by developing a pollinator-assisted selection platform that links floral traits and pollinator preferences through advanced phenotyping. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.911.722 | 2023 | Details |
Sensorbees are ENhanced Self-ORganizing Bio-hybrids for Ecological and Environmental SurveillanceSENSORBEES utilizes honeybee colonies as a sensor network to monitor pollination services and plant diversity, enhancing ecological health through robotic inspection and data analysis. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.359.068 | 2024 | Details |
Developing best practices in butterfly conservation in Central and Eastern EuropeThe Metamorphosis project aims to conserve 15 butterfly species and restore their habitats in Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, enhancing biodiversity and engaging local stakeholders in sustainable practices. | LIFE Standar... | € 3.299.109 | 2022 | Details |
Hoverflies as a new class of managed pollinators for better quantitative and qualitative yields of vegetable, fruit and seed cropsPolyfly develops and sells natural pollination solutions using efficient Syrphid flies to enhance seed production in varying climates. | EIC Accelerator | € 1.257.836 | 2023 | Details |
LIFE BEEadapt: a pact for pollinator adaptation to climate changeLIFE BEEadapt aims to enhance pollinator resilience by improving landscape connectivity and habitat diversity through targeted governance and Green Infrastructure practices across Italy. | LIFE Standar... | € 1.942.114 | 2022 | Details |
Pollinator-assisted plant natural selection and breeding under climate change pressure
DARkWIN aims to enhance tomato crop resilience to climate change by developing a pollinator-assisted selection platform that links floral traits and pollinator preferences through advanced phenotyping.
Sensorbees are ENhanced Self-ORganizing Bio-hybrids for Ecological and Environmental Surveillance
SENSORBEES utilizes honeybee colonies as a sensor network to monitor pollination services and plant diversity, enhancing ecological health through robotic inspection and data analysis.
Developing best practices in butterfly conservation in Central and Eastern Europe
The Metamorphosis project aims to conserve 15 butterfly species and restore their habitats in Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, enhancing biodiversity and engaging local stakeholders in sustainable practices.
Hoverflies as a new class of managed pollinators for better quantitative and qualitative yields of vegetable, fruit and seed crops
Polyfly develops and sells natural pollination solutions using efficient Syrphid flies to enhance seed production in varying climates.
LIFE BEEadapt: a pact for pollinator adaptation to climate change
LIFE BEEadapt aims to enhance pollinator resilience by improving landscape connectivity and habitat diversity through targeted governance and Green Infrastructure practices across Italy.