ReCROP

ReCROP Bioinocula and CROPping systems: an integrated biotechnological approach forimproving crop yield, biodiversity and REsilience of Mediterranean agro-ecosystems  

The Mediterranean economy, heavily dependent on agriculture, is threatened by climate change and inefficient management of water resources, exacerbated by unsustainable agricultural practices. ReCROP aims to redesign the region’s agrosystems, improving their resilience and productivity through sustainable production systems that integrate advanced biotechnologies and environmentally sound agronomic practices. A key element of the project is the use of bioinocules, innovative tools for enhancing soil biodiversity and fertility.

The project involves Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain, experimenting with agricultural practices in different soil and climate contexts on strategic crops such as vines, cereals and aromatic plants. The main objectives include:

• The implementation of agro-ecological techniques adaptable to different environmental conditions.
• The development and use of bioinocules to improve soil health and agricultural productivity.
• The use of omics technologies to support farmers’ decisions.

Through a collaborative approach, ReCROP aims to provide practical and innovative solutions to address the agricultural challenges of the Mediterranean region by promoting the adoption of sustainable practices and monitoring their effects on Mediterranean agro-ecosystems.

Researchers involved:

Paula Castro – UCP – Universidade Católica Portuguesa –Portugal

Carlos Garbisu – NEIKER – Spain

Jérôme Cortet – UPVM-CEFE – Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 – Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive – France

Sébastien Roussel – UM-CEE-M – University of Montpellier – Center for Environmental Economics – Montpellier – France

Ángeles Prieto Fernández – CSIC – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Spain

Luigi P. D’Acqui – IRET-CNR – Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri – Italy

Ali Boularbah – FSTG – Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cadi Ayyad – Morocco

Mahmoud M. Shendi – FOAFU – Fayoum University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water Department – Egypt

Cristina Carlos – ADVID – Associação Desenvolvimento da Viticultura Duriense – Portugal

Rosário Alves – IDARN-Instituto para o Desenvolvimento Agrário da Região Norte – Portugal

Javier Gamboa – BIOGEN – BIOGENETICS, S.L. – Spain

Taoufik Bettaieb – INAT-National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University -Tunisia