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European Union Agriculture Programmes AIR and FAIR, 1992-98. Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD & D) projects in Horticulture

By Basilio Donini
Italian delegate ofBasilio Donini
Italian delegate of E.U, FAIR, Programme.
Division of Biotechnology and Agriculture, Department of Innovation, ENEA, Roma, Italy.

Introduction

European Community objectives are to promote and harmonise research in the major European primary production sectors of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and its links with inputs and processing industry.

The Community policy and approach of the Programme for RTD & D in the field of Agriculture and Agro-industry (including Fisheries) "AIR (1990-94)" and in Agriculture and Fisheries (including Agro-industry, Food technologies, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural development) "FAIR (1994-98) are based on the keywords: (i) "market led" the fulfil of quantitative and qualitative demands of the market and consumer, (ii) "qualitative" the research goals directed towards the quality of production rather than quantity, (iii) "innovative" the projects aim towards a remarked high innovation potential of products and systems.

In Horticulture, the EU programme concerns with the aspects of (i) optimisation of methods, systems and primary production chain (more economically and ecologically sustainable production, quality production, etc.); (ii) development and application of advanced breeding methods to develop improved varieties resistant to pests, diseases and weeds and (i varieties resistant to pests, diseases and weeds and (iii) application of advanced and optimised technologies and processes leading to improved quality of products.

The EU research programme are open to public and private research institutes, industrial firms, small and medium enterprises established in the Member States and the projects are transnational and involve at least participants two from different Member State.

Most of the RTD project are carried out through "shared cost" actions carried out by research centres, university, private companies etc. and with the Community participation in the cost of the RTD (50%) and through "concerted actions" consisting in the co-ordination of RTD project and with the Community participation (only for the co-ordination up to 100%).

The project, which must fall within the scope and the objectives of the programme, should be of precompetitive character with scientific and technical excellence and novelty and the results should require further development to produce marketable products or processes.

This presentation underlines some of the projects financed by the EU in the major topics and subarea of the horticultural sectors.

A. Horticultural Production Systems

1. Economically and ecologically sustainable production systems

The researches in this area aim to adapt primary production to quantitative and qualiea aim to adapt primary production to quantitative and qualitative demand of the market and consumers and to increase efficiency and international competitiveness of European horticultural production open to word trade.

Accordingly to the EU policies emphasis is directed to research towards qualitative goals rather than quantitative production increase; quality refers both the production methods, industrial transformation processes and final products. In all the cases a proper protection of the environment by friendly horticultural systems was the prime criterion of concern.

A number of projects deals with the development of economically and ecologically sustainable production systems and adoption of crop production techniques and methods which permit a reduction of chemicals and better protection of the environment.

The development of alternatives to methyl bromide for disinfestation of several horticultural crops was the objective of several European projects due to the restriction imposed by EU on the use of this chemical. Fumigation with methyl bromide, which is one of the most widely used method of disinfesting of a range of plants and products, has recently rise the concern over its role as an ozone depleting chemical (Montreal protocol). As a consequence of international restriction and phytosanitary legislation in the EU, which requires that plant material be free of dangerous pest and diseases, effective treatment alternatipest and diseases, effective treatment alternatives to methyl bromide should urgently be made available.

• The project (1), FAIR 4259, investigates the efficacy of alternative to the use of methyl bromide for quarantine treatment of a number of crops and pests. These alternative are: heat treatment, hot water deep, controlled atmosphere, other fumigants and a combination of the above.
• Substitution of methyl bromide fumigation and disease management in strawberry crops by Integrated Pest/Pathogen Management-based systems (IPM) centred on biocontrol of pathogens using Trichoderma agents are under studies in the project (2), FAIR 4140, Trichoderma strains have beneficial effects in agriculture systems other than pathogen control, principally by increasing soil fertility and active breakdown of the organic matter. Combination of selected Trichoderma strain will be explored as soil and foliar additives to increase the effectiveness and range of pathogen control. Biocontrol strains will be integrated with solarisation techniques for partially soil sterilisation.
• Alternatives to methyl bromide by using resistant Prunus rootstock to root-knot nematodes -RKN- (Meloidogyne spp.) which severely affect under Mediterranean conditions prunus cultivation, are under studies in the project (3) FAIR 4139. The RKN are now exclusively controlled by soil treatN are now exclusively controlled by soil treatment involving the toxic E. bromide. The genetic improvement of the rootstock, particularly for disease resistance to RKN, is important and constitute a sound and realistic alternative to the chemical control practices for all Prunus fruit bearing species (stone fruit- peach, apricot, almond, plum, etc.). The Ma gene from Mirabolan plum completely suppress RKN multiplication, by conferring a complete spectrum, high and stable resistance to Meloidogyne.
• Moreover with the same objectives the approaches of the project (4), AIR 312, are to sample and characterise the RKN population and to have a representative range of nematodes pathogenic variability; to screen prunus species and clones either in experimental and commercial stocks or in the germoplasm collection for the identification of resistant sources in peach, almond, apricot, myrabolan and "polizzo" plums or in intespecific hybrids,

A sustainable system for the prevention of root diseases (Phytopthora cryptogea and Phytium aphanidermatum) by microbial optimisation, as a replacement for methyl bromide, is developed in the project (5), FAIR 4309. A closed soilless growing system has significant advantages in comparison with open air cultivation because the is advantage of natural suppressiveness of the resident microflora against tressiveness of the resident microflora against the colonisation of the pathogen.

• The development of a sustainable strategy based on integrate procedures that combine the use of biological control agents (fungus), the granular nematocides and crop rotation, is studied in the project (6), FAIR 3444, for the management of root-knot nematodes in vegetable crops which is alternative to the use of methyl bromide.
• Potato brown rot (Ralstonia solanacearum) is a serious emerging problem in Europe with severe loss recorded in recent years in potato cropping. The effects of simple no-chemical practical methods consisting in applying stressful conditions (effect of solarization, inundation, covering of the field with plastics and addition of organic material on the response of potato brow rot, is investigated in the project (7), FAIR 3632.
• The pear industry suffers from a lack of quality traceable to orchard management practices and organisation of market supply. Poor tree efficiency, rootstock disaffinity, high overhead and ineffectiveness of plant protection and nutrient inputs strategies, are the industry main shortcoming. The objectives of the project (8), FAIR 1803, are: setting the criteria which define product quality, developing environmentally and economically sustainable orchard management protocol and enhancing fruit quality to meet consumer demands.
• Replacement of chemiceet consumer demands.
• Replacement of chemical growth regulators: the growth regulators are frequently used to treat many pot plants and flowers in order to improve the quality. Nevertheless by the manipulation of the primary growth factors: light, temperature,water and nutrition, the plant habitus can be altered. An innovative method of cultivation of ornamental plants based on the application of spectral filters (spectral filters selectively transmit and reflect specific wavelength region of the spectrum, between 400 and 800 nm), and which are environmentally friendly, aims at replace the use of chemical growth inhibitors (9), FAIR 4117.
  
  
  

2. Improved application and utilisation of plant nutrients: water, fertilisers and other inputs and methods for enhancing product quality and protecting the environment.

Several projects deal with the optimisation of use of horticultural inputs to give farmer tools and methods for crop management in different European conditions. The overall objectives are the production raw material with good hygiene quality (absence of compound harmful to health and good technological quality, dry matter content, pH, etc.) and the preservation of the environment (by minimising the use of chemicals for crop protection and the release of nitrate).

• In the project (10) FAIR 1507 investigations are directed towards the construction of technical itiare directed towards the construction of technical itineraries to grow open field tomato based on echo-physiological models according to the local constraints.

High concentration of nitrates in leafy vegetable such as lattuce, spinach, et, constitute a health hazard. Attempts are made (11), FAIR 4362 to establish cultivation methods for accurate control of nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetable; such cultivation methods are based on the understanding that the level of soluble sugars in the plant is determined by the balance between carbohydrates supply (photosynthesis, mobilisation) and demand (growth, respiration, storage) rather than by the photosynthesis alone. The project envisages to establish time constants for the dominant physiological processes about the effects of variables conditions on crop nitrate accumulation and optimal cultivation management.

• Among the irrigated crops, fruit trees are of high economical value and can suffer the most from poor water management because of the carry over effects into subsequent year. At present, methods used for irrigation management of the tree crops are inadequate to meet the needs of irrigated agriculture, Under the increasing pressure to conserve water, to enhance fruit quality and to reduce the environmental impacts caused by nitrogen leaching, new innovative methods have to be developed. The project (12), FAIR 30, aims to develop sensors fo, FAIR 30, aims to develop sensors for monitoring tree growth and transpiration: sup flow sensor and trunk diameter fluctuation are the proposed parameters to detect changes in tree water status with greater precision that provided by indicators of the plant water potential, stomatal conductance, etc.
  
  
  

3. New strategies of controlling insects, diseases and weeds

Insect pest control relies heavily on chemicals, the current trend is for a reduction of such chemicals by implementing strategies of integrated pest management and the development of more friendly agriculture practices.

The use of chemicals to control insect pest generates many drawbacks concerning horticultural crops, environment and human health. These drawbacks could be greatly reduced by using different approach of insect control: integrated and biological control for insect pests, natural enemies, insect predators, parassitoids, etc.

• The objectives of the project (13), FAIR 4322, are to define an artificial diet for the production in laboratory of some important predators and parassitoids to be used in the control of greenhouse insects. The attempts of the project (14) AIR 386 are (i) the development, on a large laboratory scale at low cost, of a system (bioreactor) for the production of insect viruses (baculovirus) and (ii) the development of techniques for formulation aand (ii) the development of techniques for formulation and application (micro-incapsulation, feeding stimulants, photoprotectants, etc.) of baculovirus to major horticultural crops.
• The grape moths, Lobesia botrana, and Eupoecilia ambiguella are the most important pests of the vineyard in Europe. To control these insects the project (15), FAIR 1459, intends to investigate the effectiveness of a new biotechnical control method based on the mating disruption of males by synthesised pheromone formulates. The mating disruption constitutes an alternative to the chemical control method and answers to the demand of consumers for the quality of the products and the reduction of residues. The studies intend to evaluate the impact of mating disruption in time on the target species L. botrana and E. ambiguella and to evaluate the impact of the method on other pests as well as on the beneficial fauna.
• Another approach is to develop a novel way to control insect pest attack by expressing natural occurring insect signaling peptides in plants. These pectides control different physiological process, such as inhibition of ecdysone synthesis, inhibition of juvenile hormone synthesis, stimulation of cardiac muscle activity, inhibition of gut motility, etc. The project (16), FAIR 1648, intends, among the others, to study and select signaling insect peptides which enter the hemolymph upon oral admes which enter the hemolymph upon oral administration and design and synthesize peptide analogous for improved stability and gut transition.
• Fungi show particular promise as environmentallly-friendy biocontrol agents for nematodes and insects, moreover, the exploitation is constrained by slow speed of kill. The project (17), FAIR 1674, intends to increase genetically fungal virulence by parasexual hybridisation between selected strains (non-GMO technology). Molecular markers will be used to monitor hybridisation and to control the quality of formulate strains in field trials.
• Since females of medfly (Ceratitis capitata) are damaging a wide numbers of fruit tree (orange, peach, fig, apricot, etc.) the goal of the project (18) FAIR 4441, is the development of a new female specific attracts more powerful than the currently used poison bait-spays mixture of protein hydrolisate.
• The other approach of controlling medfly is the development of an environmentally safe integrated system based on selective lure for monitoring and kill the insect and improving the existing sexual trapping and on create a male efficient sexing lines and release of sterilised genetic sexing males, project (19),AIR 300.
• The Bacillus thuringiensis-based products are environmentally safe and highly specific. However, owing this high specificity, the insecticidal spectrum of individual strains e insecticidal spectrum of individual strains is very limited. The project (20) FAIR 3513 intends to augment B. thuringiensis-based product use and novel sprayable formulation against targeted pest and to identify novel naturally-occurring insecticidal Cry-protein to be used in future generation of insect-resistant plants.
• The Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.sepedonicus (CMS) the causal organism of bacterial ring spot of potato poses serious economic risk to the potato industry within EU. Measure has been taken by plant authorities and farmers to eradicate the organism, to prevent its establishment and to avoid dissemination. In the project (21), FAIR 4366, the scientific basis for the development and improvement of measure for control and eradication of the CMS are investigated. Those measure are based on detailed epidemiological studies, genetical and phenotypical characterisation of CMS strains, DNA fingerprinting methods and test of the aggressiveness. Complementary studies and field experiments will be done, determining the persistance, growth and dissemination of CMS in the potato cropping ecosystems under various environmental conditions.
  
  
  

4. Exploitation of the potentialities of new horticultural plants or new utilisation of the cultivated ones

A limited number of projects deal with the exploitation of new horticultural crops or the altexploitation of new horticultural crops or the alternative uses of the cultivated ones.

• The project (22), FAIR 4102, deals with basic studies on self-and cross pollination of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit production. Despite profusely flowering, yields of most of the commercial mango cultivars are low. Little is known about the effect of cross-pollination on fruit set and yield of the commercial mango cultivars. The general objective of this project is to elucidate the role of self- and cross-pollination in mango fruit set in order to increase mango production.
• In the project (23),AIR 325, expanding the adaptation and production area of Rubus in Europe, the aims are to increase dessert Rubus production in Europe outside the traditional summer season by obtaining primocane fruiting rasberries and other rubus crops adapted to areas with mild winters. Annual cropping primocane fruiting trait actually exists only in raspberry and needs to be transferred to blackberry in order to obtain annual cropping primocane fruiting types which can be pruned back to ground level every year as the new cans, emerging in the spring from the ground, will flower and bear fruit. The project aims to transfer through conventional breeding and the use of biotechnology (in vitro culture, protoplast fusion) the primocane fruiting trait existing in raspberry to blackberry and raspberry x blackberry hyry to blackberry and raspberry x blackberry hybrids.
• The project (24), FAIR 3894, aims to exploit the Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) originated from East Asia and which is at present, to minor extent, cultivated in the Baltic countries. The plant, a dwarf shrub, has very firm fruit, with a high content of fibre, and cannot consumed fresh but need to be processed. A valuable sugarjuce concentrate is produced and used as an appreciated aroma, preferably for the manufacture of beverages. The project aims at carrying out necessary fundamental and applied research to develop the Japanese quince to a profitable fruit crop and to establish relevant knowledge and potentials from biological, industrial and economic point of view.
  
  
  

4. Methods for the optimisation and simplification of existing diagnostic techniques and assessment of plant variety identification

• The project (25), FAIR 725, primary aims is the development of diagnostic methods and a rapid field Kit for monitoring Monilinia rot of stone and pome fruit especially M. Fructicola.
• The three species of Monilinia are the most important diseases of stone fruit (Prunus spp. especially plum, peach, apricot, and cherry) and pome fruit (Malus-apple and Pyrus -pear). The risk of importing M. fructicola in Europe by fruit or plantingng M. fructicola in Europe by fruit or planting material is high, and so it is listed as a quarantine organism (IAI) by the European Union. The studies undertaken aim to: (i) investigate and develop new identification and detection methods, (ii) the development and validation of rapid detection and identification kits to enable plant health inspectors, growers, and traders to monitor all Monilinia brown rot.
• Investigation on distribution of mycoplasma like organisms in fruit plants and methods for their detection are studied in the project (26), AIR 659. In Europe all pome and stone fruit species are affected by micoplasma diseases which are of considerable importance. In this project objectives are to develop methods for detection, differentiation and characterisation of the organisms. Particular emphasis will be given to the methods of DNA (PCR) and the most appropriate method will be applied to detect the pathogens in propagation stocks, nurseries and the insect vectors.
• In the project (27) FAIR 897, the development of practical tools to characterise the phytoparasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and possible related species, recently discovered in Europe, will be studied. M. chitwoodi is newly discovered in Europe (NL, BE, DE) and is particular harmful to potatoes, but it can also infect many other crops.
• The first objective will be to evaluate techniques for differentiation of sevaluate techniques for differentiation of species and populations using morphometric, morphology, isoenzymatic and protein electrophoresis, RFLP markers, RAPDs, ribosomal DNA (rDNA), mithocondrial DNA (mtDNA) and host range. The second objective is the characterisation of the virulence of different populations, which, in turn, can be used to search for resistant genotypes.
• The FAIR 2069 project (28) intends to develop, optimise and evaluate the use of DNA profiling methods (microsatelites and AFLP) for plant variety identification and registration and for hybrid purity assessment in a number of crops of interest to European agriculture.
• Fraud on varietal identity has important consequences on the ornamental market and the application is of great interest for the European growers and methodologies for detection of illegal vegetative multiplication of the crops to fight this kind of fraud and defending breeders claims are urgently needed. The project (29), FAIR 1796, investigations are directed to develop molecular methods as a rapid and cheap tool for controlling varieties in propagation and could be also an efficient tool to evidence cases of essentially derived varieties.
  
  
  

5. EU network on some aspects of primary production systems

Concerted action involving a number of Institutes of Member States in Europe are undergoing on major common problems affecting Horticulture ing on major common problems affecting Horticulture Production.

• The project (30), FAIR 4303, deals with an European Studies Network on whitefly, their associated plants pathogens and disorders.
• The overall objectives of this concerted action are: (i) to establish and formalise links between whitefly researches within Europe, (ii) to collate information on European whitefly related problems and current research, (iii) to improve exchange of information between researchers.
• The project (31), FAIR 206, is an European network for the development of an integrated control strategy of potato late blight. The primary objective of this project is to establish a network for communication between scientists in the UE who are working on development of an integrated control strategy of potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans). These studies are aiming at the use of low chemical crop production systems which permit a reduction of inputs, better protection of the Environment and a improvement of the product quality.
• The, FAIR1932, project (32) is an European network for the improvement and evaluation of rootstock and interstock used for pome and stone fruits. It intends to co-ordinate studies undergoing on breeding, physiology aspects of pome and stone fruit rootstock/interstocks as well as the use of new in vitro and other novel propagation techniques for rootstock.
• The l propagation techniques for rootstock.
• The concerted action project (33), FAIR 2024, will provide, for the first time in Europe, a forum for the open exchange and dissemination of data on the incidence of resistance, the transfer of techniques for diagnosing resistance and the toxicological, biochemical and molecular levels, and the promotion of control strategies that prevent or delay resistance development of arthropod.
  
  
  

B. Development and application of advanced breeding methods to develop improved varieties resistant to pests, diseases and weeds.

1.a. Transgenic plants: diseases, insects and virus resistance

The overall objectives are the development of crops conferring improved yield and quality, more efficient in using inputs, better resistant to stress, reduced requirement for pest and disease control, better adaptation to the Environment, better storage characteristics and improved content of particular products.

• Fungal pathogens impose inefficiencies on grain legumes production through both directed damage to crops and the requirement for fungicides. Technologies for transformation of legumes has advanced to the stage where application can now be considered. The project (34), FAIR 1529, aims to build new pathogen resistance in the major European grain legumes and to test the effectiveness in biomolecular, glasshouse and field tests. Genes will in biomolecular, glasshouse and field tests. Genes will be introduced into the major European grain legumes from three types of potential useful anti-fungal plant-derived protein. The first type is the gene for the phytoalexin-sinthesising enzyme stilbene synthase which is an inhibitor of an important cell wall degrading enzyme of fungal pathogens (polygalacturonase inhibiting protein,PGIP), and a combination of genes for osmotin and endo-chitinase. Studies will be made on the effect of the expression of these transgene on major pathogens of peas, faba bean, chickpea and lupins.
• A strategy is proposed (35), FAIR 4103, for the introduction of new resistance factors into the genetic background of present day rose varieties against the most important pathogens of roses. This should lead to a clear reduction in the use of pesticides and methylbromide and would promote a more environmentally friendly, integrated management approach to rose production.
• This strategies relies on the combination of several approaches which includes: (i) the essential refinement of phytopathological tests in order to identify sources of resistance in roses, (ii) the creation of transgenic plants expressing antifungal and antimicrobial genes, (iii) the protoplast fusion between wild, resistant species, and cultivated roses, parthenogenic diploid plant material from tetraploid cultivated varieties for easy crossing with diploid wild species,
• Lettuce i with diploid wild species,
• Lettuce is sensitive to attack by virus, fungi, and insect, current practice for the lettuce culture needs massive chemical inputs. Such measure are undesirable because of the negative environmental impact and risk of the residues in the final product. In addition, it is well documented that winter-grown greenhouse lettuce causes health constrains, due to high nitrate content. The project (36), AIR 250, aims at the exploration and exploitation of genetic engineering technology to introduce new genes to achieve a fast genetic improvement of lattuce.
• Plant pathogenic nematodes form one of the most serious threat to modern agriculture practice. Almost all the crop species can be attacked by nematodes, and losses in European potato and sugar beet production already exceed 110.000 KEcu per year. The overall objectives of this project (37), FAIR 4235, are:
  1. to realise a substantial reduction in the use of pesticides/nematocides by increasing the natural resistance in major European crops against nematodes,
  2. to isolate of a set of plant genes, referred to as" second generation" resistance genes, which will be used to endow sugar beet and potato varieties with resistance against plant pathogenic nematodes,
  3. to utilise these crops in agriculture to accomplish a significant reduction in the use of pesticides in Europe, as well as to a lowering of the production costs well as to a lowering of the production costs for the farmers.
• Fire blight (Erwilia amylovora) of Maloideae is a widespread disease in Europe which infects both pip-fruit (pear and apple), ornamentals (Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, etc ) as well as plants belonging to the natural landscape and forest (Crataegus, Sorbus). The classic techniques of controlling this disease were based on the suitable use of chemicals, choice of the varieties among the less susceptible, however there are now clear evidences that this type of solutions tends to limit the competitiveness of European growers beside the fact that the use of chemicals are hazardous for environment and human health, the cost of the chemicals, necessity to follow the regulation restricting exchange of plants, and fruit, eradication, etc.

Solving all these problems will be relevant particularly for pears and will allow make again possible the use of well known high quality pear varieties. The project (38), FAIR 3966, aims to achieve decisive steps towards the long-term management of the disease: the target is to decrease sharply the need of chemical control. For this purposes two direction will be followed: (i) detection methods of Ervilia amylovora and their application to management of epidemic, profilaxy, quarantene, protection zone regulation, (ii) improvement of the defence capacity of the plant by irovement of the defence capacity of the plant by introduction of suitable genes by genetic transformation of some pear genotypes. Pseudomonas solanacearum infection results in the development of bacterial wilt which is a devastating disease and Erwilia carotovora is the causal agent for soft rot of potato tubers and black leg of potato stem. The classical breeding techniques cannot be successful because of the lack of resistance traits, genetic engineering for the first time allow efficient resistance breeding. In this project (39), FAIR 3676, the basic scientific aspects of a highly specific and adapted interaction using the broad potential of antibodies and enzymes will be investigated and exploited for application in plant resistance breeding.

• Antibodies have an enormous potential to enrich plants with new properties . The exploitation of the vast immune repertoire of animals will lead to new strategies in plant breeding. This project (40), FAIR 905, aims at applying the technology to express and target an molecules in plants to obtain resistance against two polyphagous pathogens: tom spotted wilt virus (TSWv) and root-knot nematode (RKN). Immunoglobuline inhibiting the development of TSWv and RKN for each pathogen a different route, will be studied.
  
  
  

1.b. Transgenic plant for abiotic environmental stresses

Tomato is chosen as a model plant because there are i Tomato is chosen as a model plant because there are indications that this high input crop is sensitive to environmental stresses such as ozone and high light, it is amenable to transgenic technology. The project (41), FAIR 3493, "engineering tomato against Environment stresses" aims to assess whether reduced susceptibility to air pollution and other oxidative stress conditions can be attained through genetic engineering of antioxidant enzymes.

1.c. Transgenic plant for quality

• Texture is one of the major quality parameters associated with both consumer selection of fruit and for quality in fruit processing. Softening is a major contributor to fruit loss during transportation, storage and marketing. Texture of fruit is determined by some factors such as cell turgor, starch content, but specially by the nature of cell walls. Pectin components of the wall appear to undergo the most important modifications and these are particularly important for determining the quality of processed products such as puree and ketchup. Although changes in other wall polymers such as hemicellulose may also be significant. The structural and chemical changes of the pectin can be correlate with cell wall hydrolases in the fruit.

It has been suggested that polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin-methylesterase (PME) were the main enzyme responsible for pectin degradation and hence softening esponsible for pectin degradation and hence softening in fruit. Indeed the down regulation of these enzymes in tomato fruit does result in improved handling and processing characteristics. However PG action alone and even PG and PME in combination cannot account for the softening of fruit, since transgenic tomato fruit with reduced levels of these enzymes still fail to significantly prevent softening. Similarly some commercial important fruit such strawberry does not appear to express any PG activity. Thus other enzymes within fruit may be having a major effect on softening. These enzymes could include pectate lygase (PEL) or cellulase. The action of PEL is similar to that of PG and cellulase maybe involved in modification of other cell wall polymers such as hemicellulose.

Preliminary work has identified cDNA clones for the enzymes PEL and cellulase and the objectives of this project (42), FAIR 4352, are:

(i) to determine the effect of reduced PEL and cellulase activity on fruit quality and cell wall biochemistry. This will be achieved by generation of transgenic tomato and strawberry fruit. Transgenic plants will be produced in which levels of these enzymes have been reduced using antisense technology,

(ii) the commercial relevance of these studies will be examined by field testing of the Transgenic plants for yield, pathogen resistance and for the storage and processing quality of the fruit.

• In recent yearsing quality of the fruit.
  • In recent years, methods based on the genetic manipulation of fruit ripening have been developed with the aim of increasing the storage life and improving the quality of fruits. For instance, the down regulation of tomato polygalacturonase (PG) gene expression by antisense RNA prevented pectin degradation and gave an improved shelf-life and thus technological qualities. The commercial feasibility of this strategy has up to the present been demonstrated only in the US by the release in US market of antisense PG tomatoes (1994). In this project aims to develop these technologies at the pre-competitive level for another type of fruit the melon. Two pure lines of melon expressing an antisense ACC oxidase gene have been generate. These exhibit a strong reduction of ethylene production and a delayed ripening.

  The project (43), FAIR 95, aims at releasing new commercial genotypes with improved postharvest handling qualities. The studies concern: (i) the characterisation of the agronomical traits of two transgenic melons expressing an ACC oxidase-antisense gene, (ii) the creation of commercial F1 hybrids by crossing these new genotypes with other genitors harbouring appropriate agronomical characteristics such as precocity and resistance to pathogens, and (iii) the evaluation of the effect of transgene on the gronomical performance of the new commercial F1 hybrids (physiology of the plant, yielcial F1 hybrids (physiology of the plant, yield under various environmental conditions, stress and pest resistance).

  • The trade of fruit and vegetable is of considerable importance and currently the EU is the biggest world market for this products. However production is both local and seasonal and thus requires extensive transportation and storage. The loss of quality during prolonged shipment and storage of these perishable commodities represent a major problem to EU fruit and vegetable growers. The onset of ripening predisposes fruit to losses due to advanced senescence and decay through microbial attacks. This is especially a problem in so-called climateric products in which ripening is controlled by the gaseous plant hormone ethylene. Ethylene causes great loses in commercial horticultural and limits transport and shelf life of many commercially interesting fruit and vegetables species.

  Control of endogenous ethylene production in food crops by means of the correctly available chemical inhibitors (e.g. silver salts, diaminozide compounds) is unacceptable both from an environmental as well as a consumer point of view.

  Genetic engineering of food crops aiming to improve the post-harvest life is currently applied to a very limited number of cases. The project (44), FAIR 225, aims to increase plant quality in particular the post harvest life of the fruits and vegetables by: (i) suppression fe of the fruits and vegetables by: (i) suppression or over-expression of genes or gene-products in transgenic plants to block undesirable effects of ethylene, (ii) development a novel, environmentally friendly ripening inhibitors.

  Results are expected which will provide new ways to improve quality and, thereby storability and transportability, of horticultural crops (mainly fruit and vegetables) through the manipulation and control of ethylene biosynthesis and action in a environmentally friendly way.
  
  
  

  1.d. Transgenic plant with modified utilisation of the plant/products

  • Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a biennial crop native in Europe, which is traditionally grown for use as a coffee substitute or chicory drink or for use in sugar industry. The tap root contain inuline a fructose polymer, that is used for non food products or as a starting material for fructose syrup. The main obstacle is the low degree of polymerization (DP) of the native chicory inuline. This project (45), FAIR 3585, aims to upgrade the quality and volume of chicory inuline through genotype improvement focusing on increase of the mean degree of polymerisation from the current value of 10 (low) to a value between 20 and 100 (high DP). By introducing into native chicory a set of three genes originating from the same asteraceae plant family, inulin metabolism will be induced to produce the targeted high DP inuline.
    nduced to produce the targeted high DP inuline.
    
    
    

  B.2. Methods for variety identification and diagnosis

  Research is necessary to validate the application of diagnostics development for plant application in vivo as well as in vitro propagated material. Many diseases affecting rosaceous species are of unknown aetiology, thus are only detectable in length and cumbersome field tests using indicator plants. On the other hand even for better investigated pathogens (virus, phytoplasma) there exists a lack of rapid, reliable, sensitive and user-friendly laboratory methods for routine large-scale application to detect the harmful organisms. In the project (46), FAIR 3889," Health certificate of rosaceous species based on disease-indexing of in vitro plant: validation of diagnostics and diagnostic strategies" the objectives are to develop and asses broad spectrum and specificity assays for the detection of filamentous, bacilliform and nematode-transmitted virus.
  

  B.3. Basic studies on molecular genetics

  The five producing Mediterranean countries of the European Union account for 40%of apricot production (close to 1 million tons). Considering the current situation and state of the art, an improvement of our basic knowledge on the inheritance of the main traits of agronomic and quality interest appears necessary to optimise the breeding programs development in Europeanmise the breeding programs development in European countries.

  • The project (47), FAIR 4345, "Optimisation of the apricot genetic improvement by a joint conventional and molecular approach applied to the main agronomical traits" aimed at the practical goal of creating a range of cultivars: (i) with a gradual period of ripening, (ii) well adapted to different production regions, (iii) resistant to the major pests and diseases and (iv) producing tasty and aromatic fruits with increased shelf life when ripen.

  In order to achieve the above objectives the research undertaken will mainly focus on:

  1. inheritance of the major agronomic traits,
  2. analysis of the genetic linkage between traits,
  3. the identification of molecular markers associated with the detection of QTL (agronomic traits, resistance to diseases, quality of fruit).
  • The objectives of this project (48), FAIR 689, are to survey and develop an understanding of olive genome diversity and to initiate the development of a highly informative molecular genetic map of olive. This map will serve as fundamental tool for the manipulation of olive genome to determine a significative advance of the crop products quality, oil and tables olives. Utilising the marker systems which optimise detection of genome variation at inter- or intraspecies level, a more comprehensive study of olive diversity in the different accemprehensive study of olive diversity in the different accessions of olive germoplasm (variety, wild ecotypes, related species) will be done. This includes a comprehensive analysis of DNA content, karyotipe and study of molecular markers systems which highlight variability in specific genomic elements (cp DNA, nuclear low copy, CDNA and repeated sequences).
  • The genetic variation, also at the level of virulence, of population of potato cyst nematodes in Europe predominantly results from the genetic structure of the initial introductions from South America, the random genetic drift and gene flow. The project (49), AIR 62, aims at better identification of the range of virulence against which resistant cultivars have to be bred and the risk analysis with respect to the potential danger of introducing new genes for virulence via species hybridisation .

  A team of molecular biologists, immunologists, plants breeders and nematodologists are linked togheter with the aim of:

  1. using molecular and serological techniques in cladistic or phenetic ways to identify the distinct introductions of potato cyst nematodes from South America into Europe;
  2. assessing their subsequent dissemination, effect on their degree of heterogeneity on basis of variation in protein (e.g. isoenzymes, 2D gel electrophoresis) DNA (e.g. RFLP'S, RAPD'S) and their specific virulescence characteristics,
  3. controlling the development of monoclonal antib
  4. controlling the development of monoclonal antibodies and DNA-probes for rapid identification of the two species (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) and their different introductions;
  5. assessing the risk of introduction of new genes for virulence in Europe of potato cyst nematodes via species hybrids of PCN with other round cyst nematode species;
  6. exploring the genetic background of resistance and virulence using inbred of homogeneous lines of potato Cyst nematodes and genotypes of potato for different screening.
  • Demand from the fruit industry, consumers and governments for high quality apples produced with minimum use of chemicals. Breeding for new varieties of apple is time-consuming and carried out in state funded institutions. Molecular markers make it possible to shorten the time needed to develop varieties and improve breeding efficiency. Mapped markers are linked to agronomically important traits on a genetic map. This information can be exploited rapidly in modern breeding programmes directly linked to market demand.

  The final breeding goals of this project in apple (50), AIR 473, are: to improve resistance to the most important fungus diseases and pests, the fruit quality with emphasis on market demand for taste and storage ability, the reduction of time to fruiting, and very compact growth type.

  Approaches: establishment of database management and ex Approaches: establishment of database management and exploitation, establishing a set of genetic markers by using molecular markers and linkage analysis, characterisation of genetic components .

  • Molecular markers are indispensable tools for generating linkage maps and have provide a major contribution to the genetic knowledge of many cultivated plant species. In addition to being of basic importance to genetic and evolutionary studies, molecular markers are useful to localise monogenic and polygenic traits and allow the efficient introgression and selection of individuals with specific characteristics by Marker Assisted Selection. Moreover, molecular markers play a crucial role in the isolation of plant genes by map-based cloning. Currently the combined RFLP maps of the potato and tomato genome comprise approximately 1000 markers representing an average spacing of approximately of 1.2 CM (ca 900 kb). This map has proven useful for several research applications, but has serious shortcomings for many routine purposes, which hinders its wide spread application in commercial breeding programmes. The RFLP, however, is too laborious and tracing informative polymorphisms in new potato genotypes is a time consuming process.

  In this project (51), FAIR 3565, objectives are to construct an ultra-high density linkage map (UHD-map) of potato comprising more than 16000 AFLP markers. This will serve multiple purposes ranging from. This will serve multiple purposes ranging from the dissection of simple and complex phenotypes (including quantitative trait loci (QTLs), marker assisted breeding to positional gene cloning. To exploit UHD-map . here ,seven potato genotypes expressing high levels of quantitative resistance to potato cyst nematodes will be analysed by QTL of specially constructed segregating populations. Dissection of the existent phenotypes into their single genetic components will allow the identification of a set of genes conferring durable and broad spectrum resistance against potato cyst nematode.

  • The European concerted action project (52), FAIR 3730 aimed at introducing and controlling asexual reproduction through seeds (apomixis) in apomictic and sexual crop plants. The general aim is to understand the genetic regulation of the various apomictic process in apomictic species and subsequently the transfer of apomixis from natural apomictic grasses to important crop plant that normally reproduce sexually.
  • The project (53), FAIR 465, overall objective is the development of high quality fresh and processed onions to meet the demand of the EU market.
  • The studies foreseen to: (i) evaluate the Allium germoplasm to reveal those parts of the gene pool that harbour maximum diversity for flavour and carbohydrate content, (ii) analyse of flavour and carbohydrate pathways, from molecular genetical, biochemical, and physrom molecular genetical, biochemical, and physiological point of view, (iii) apply a new processing technology to onions, (iv) apply new molecular markers and develop a high density genetic linkage map for onions to speed up breeding of better varieties.
  • The overall objectives of the project (54), FAIR 66, are to increase our understanding of the relationship between carbohydrates and nitrogen metabolism in the seed of the temperate European grain legumes pea and fababean; the long term objectives being the improvement via directed manipulation. of the seed composition for agriculture, including food and non-food uses.
    
    
    

  B.4. E.U. network on horticultural plants and conservatory gene bank co-operation

  • Objectives of the project (55), AIR 1670, are: (i) the establishment of a European network of Centres for testing of varieties newly registered in Europe to verify accurately and rapidly their level of agro-physiological adaptation in the pedo-climatic situation existing in the large strawberry-producing areas of Europe, (ii) the organisation of a conservatory/gene-bank to garantee the conservation and availability of old varieties for use as genetic source materia, (iii) the perfection of data -processing and analysis software at European level. Expected benefit are: a) given the genetic and physiological complexity of the strawberry plant, a more rapid growth in knowledge of the pote plant, a more rapid growth in knowledge of the potential of new varieties and the risks involved, to enable crossing programmes to be better directed, b) removing of the risk of losing the genetic heritage and the organisation of a gene-bank, permitting a rational and more rapid exchange of new varieties between different countries.
  • The project (56), AIR 463, " The location and exploitation of genes for pest and disease resistance in European gene bank collections of horticultural brassicas " is carried out by the co-operation of four EU countries.

  Two large internationally collections of Brassica oleracea germplasm in Wageningen, Netherlands, and in Willesbourne, England, togheter with the new collection of "land race" of cabbage from Lisbon, Portugal will provide the basic genetic resource for a programme of evaluation designed to locate new genes for resistance to pest and pathogens and to indicate where in the B. oleracea gene pool diversity is greatest.
  
  
  

  C. Application of advanced and optimised technologies and processes leading to improve quality of the products
  

  C.1. Optimisation of existing processing

  • The project titled "Quality improvement of pears by predictive and adaptive technology", (57), FAIR 1803, attempts to solve one important disorder of Conference pear , the most important pear cultivar gf Conference pear , the most important pear cultivar grown in the Europe, the so called brown heart, which is synonym for browning of the flesh, especially the core region, and the subsequent development of cavities.

  The main objectives of the project are the optimisation of "Conference" pear quality and the reduction of losses by preventing the development of brown heart. The kew element is the development of technology which predict the susceptibility of pears to the disorder. This technology aims at development of a predictive model based on cultivation methods in different climatic zone, on rapid assessment of pear physiology, including gas exchange rates, fermentation rates, ATP production rates and resistance to gas diffusion. The models enable a rapid decision on adaptations in post harvest treatments and optimal storage conditions.

  • The aim of this project (58), FAIR 60, is to develop an innovative non-invasive techniques capable to provide reliable information on the internal quality of fruit and vegetable. The techniques will be based on a novel optical methodology, recently developed for the study of living tissue, which is named Diffuse Reflectance Spettroscopy (DRS). DRS allows a completely non-invasive assessment of the bulk optical properties of diffusive media such as fruit and vegetables. This will be achieved through the simultaneous evaluation of two parameters: the scattering and absorpion of two parameters: the scattering and absorption coefficients. The interest is therefore to study the internal quality of fruit and vegetables by means of these optical parameters, which are judged to be able to assess structural and compositional quality independly.

  The targets of the project will be: (i) establish the links between optical properties (absorption and scattering coefficients) and the internal quality of fruit and vegetables (stage of ripening, sugar content, acidity, firmness, et), (ii) development and testing of prototype optical systems, based on DRS, able to predict, in a non-invasive way, the quality of fruit and/or vegetables.
  
  
  

  C2. Improvement of traditional storage techniques

  • The project (59), AIR 278, studies are directed to the development of a model for optimisation of storage and processing regimes. The model will relate parameters which are easily measured by non-destructive techniques (e.g. NIR) to the final quality of fruit and vegetable products after they have been subjected to controlled storage and/or processing regimes.
  • Large part of the fruit harvested must be stored for more or less extended periods of time and are sold to the consumers. Such storage causes considerable losses due to pathogen attacks and natural senescence. The traditional solutions to those problems have been storage under controlled or modified atmospheres aeen storage under controlled or modified atmospheres and the use of synthetic pesticides.

  The project (60), FAIR 4211, proposes to develop a remedy both by improved monitoring of fruit quality and by the reduction of fruit spoilage through enhancement of natural plant resistance. The strategy is based on two breakthroughs in basic science, which can now be exploited for the benefit of European agriculture. The first is the identification of components of the natural defence response in plants which can be used not only as early and sensitive indicators for spoilage, but which can also be optimised in order to enhance resistance. The second is the enormous advance in laser technology which makes it possible to detect natural defence molecules with unprecedented sensitivity, versatility and reliability.

  Objectives 1. On-line detection by laser techniques of the production of natural plant stress-signal and defence molecules such as ethylene, acetaldehyde, ethane, hexenal;.

  Objectives 2. Exogenous application of natural pesticides and the enhancement of the endogenous concentration of such compounds, to enhance shelf-life of fruit.
  
  
  

  C3. Development of advanced technologies (processing and storage)

  The development of advanced technologies (processing and storage, modified atmosphere, high pressure treatment and ultrasound or heat and specific and sensitivity sensors) are invest or heat and specific and sensitivity sensors) are investigated in the projects of this sub-area.

  • Because of the health benefits, much effort nowadays is directed towards increasing the consumption of fruits. The attractiveness of fruit with respect to the purchasing behaviour of consumers is affected by visual appearance, but the expected internal quality is of equal importance . Mealiness is such an important internal quality parameter, which is characterised by texture deterioration of the fruits during inappropriate storage resulting in soft, dry and mealy fruit. This phenomenon is of particular significance for fruits such as apples, peaches, nectarines, and tomatoes,

  The overall objectives of this project "Mealiness of fruits, consumer perception and means for detection", (61), FAIR 302, are to enhance the consumer's quality of fresh fruits by prevention or elimination of mealy products through respectively improved treatment, and the use of instrumental, measurement and monitoring techniques. The studies are directed to: the assessment of the factors influencing the development and intensity of mealiness and the development of instrumental monitoring techniques for mealines for use in optimal storage of mealiness,
  
  
  

  C.4. Packaging and packaging processing

  • The main way to maintain a sustainable and competitive fruit production in Europe is to improve and gupetitive fruit production in Europe is to improve and guarantee a high level of quality to the consumers, especially through development and implementation of labelling of products by national or EC marks of quality using organoleptic criteria. This project (62), FAIR 3399, aims at developing a feasibility prototype of an instrumented glove, equipped with non destructive miniaturised sensors and artificial intelligence, able to measure, control and certify the quality of handed fruits. This glove is more accurate than a classical on-line sorting because it more flexible, it increase the efficiency of manual sorters very used for fragile fruit (peach and apricot) or big fruit (melon), and by its neuro-fuzzy artificial intelligence it can learn rapidly a new specification sheet for a particular customer or a new label or certification
    
    
    

  Conclusions and perspectives

  In the European Common Agricultural policies of the Fifth UE framework programme (1998-2002) (65) research activities in Horticultural crops are considered of keen interest by the EU Member States and this is particularly relevant for the Southern European Countries where Horticulture play an economical important role. Research strategies and approaches adopted in the previous programmes (63), (64), will be continued. Moreover more emphasis will be given to the multidisciplinar research approaches and integrated chain apprinar research approaches and integrated chain approaches (from the production to processing, agro-industrial transformation and consumers) (66). Special attention will be given to product quality in order to fulfil the demand of the market and consumers and to increase the competitiveness of international trade of the products.
  
  
  

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  References
  

  1. Development of alternatives to methil bromide for the disinfestation of horticultural and forestry products.
  

  2. Substitution of methyl bromide fumigation and disease management in starwberry crops by IPM strategy Strawberry/Methyl bromide
  

  3. Alternative to methyl bromide using resistant prunus rootstocks to root-knot nemathodes.
  

  4. Research and use of resistant sources to nematodes Meloidogyne spp. in order to create Prunus rootstocks allowing a reduction of soil treatment and a crop deversification in Mediterranean areas.
  

  5. Prevention of root diseases in closed soilless growing systems by microbial optimization, a replacement for methyl bromide.
  

  6. Development of a sustainable strategy for the management o root-knot nematodes in vegetable crops in Southern Europe. An alternative to the use of methyl bromide
  

  7. Fate, activity and threat of Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of potato brownrot, in european soil, rhizospheres and water systems.
  

  8.wnrot, in european soil, rhizospheres and water systems.
  

  8. Quality improvement of pears by predictive and adaptive technology.
  

  9. Environment friendly integarted growth regulation of ornamental plants.
  

  10. Construction and test of technical itineraries to grow field processing tomato of sound quality with limited cost and respect of the environment.
  

  11. Optimal control of nitrate accumulation in greenhouse lettuce and other leafy vegetables.
  

  12. Innovative biological indicators to improve the efficiency of water and nitrogen use and the fruit quality in tree crops.
  

  13. Artificial diets for the production of natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of greenhouse pest insects.
  

  14. Large scale production of viral biopesticides in insect cell cultures to reduce wide-spectrum insecticide use.
  

  15. Developement de la confusion sexuelle en Europe, une nouvelle methode de lutte, non insecticide, contre les vers de la grappe.
  

  16. Signaling insect peptides as natural insecticides for crop protection insect peptides as insecticides.
  

  17. Novel biocontrol agents for nematode and insect crop pest novel biocontrol agents.
  

  18. New female-selective attractants for medfly.
  

  19. Environmentally safe integrated system for the control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata W.
  

  20. Cooperative effort for the dly, Ceratitis capitata W.
  

  20. Cooperative effort for the development of improved biopesticides
  

  21. Epidemiological studies for control of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the causative agent of bacterial ring rot in potato
  

  22. Self-and cross pollination in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit production
  

  23. Expanding the adaptation and production area of Rubus in Europe.
  

  24. Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) -A new European fruit crop for the production of novel juce, flavour and fibre.

  25. Development of diagnostic methods and a rapid field Kit for monitoring monilinia rot of stone and pome fruit especially M. Fructicola.
  

  26. Investigation on distribution of mycoplasma like organisms in fruit plants and methods for their detection.
  

  27. Development of practical tools to characterise the phytoparasitic Nematodes (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and possible related species, recently discovered in Europe.
  

  28. The assessment of genetic purity in hybrid varieties of crops.

  30. European Studies Network on whitefly, their associated plants pathogens and disorders.

  31. European network for the development of an integrated control strategy of potato late blight
  

  32. European network for the improvement and evaluation of rootstocks and interstocks used for pome and stone fruits. ,
  

  d evaluation of rootstocks and interstocks used for pome and stone fruits. ,
  

  33. European network for management of arthropod resistance to insecticides and acaricides.
  

  34. Pathogen resistant grain legumes using gene transfer methods.
  

  35. Biotechnology for pest control in roses.
  

  36.Lettuce for the next century: improved culture and product though genetic engineering.
  

  37. Reduction of nematocide use by introducing 2nd generations resistance genes in major european crops.
  

  38. Advanced detection methods and palnt mterial to improve fire blight control in Europe.
  

  39. Development of transgenic potato resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum and Erwilia carotovora using binding antibody and degrading enzyme for inhibition of the HSL signal molecule.
  

  40. Plantibodies: versatile resistance genes against the polyphagous pathogens tomato spotted wilt virus and root-knot nematodes.
  

  41. Engineering tomato against environment stresses
  

  42. Improvement of fruit quality and shelf life through manipulation of texture.
  

  43. Commercial feasibility of controlling melon ripening through genetic manipulation of ethylene biosynthesis.
  

  44.Controlled ripening and icreased storage life of fruit and vegetable through ethylen control
  

  45.Transformation of chicory into a high value non-food crop
  

  46.Health certificatio of rosaceous species based on disease-i
  

  46.Health certificatio of rosaceous species based on disease-indexing of in vitro plant: validation of diagnostics and diagnostic strategies
  

  47. Optimisation of the apricot genetic improvement by a joint conventional and molecular approach applied to the main agronomical traits.
  

  48, Evaluation of olive diversity and identification of molecular markers related to the aspects of fodd products, oil and olive, their mapping for marker assisted breeding.
  

  49. Genetic variation of population of potato cyst nemetodes in Europe: A research after the initial introductions.
  

  50. Development of the European apple crop by integrating demand for high quality disease resistant varieties suited to regional circumstances with advanced breeding methods.
  

  51. Construction and application of a multifunctional ultra-dense genetic map of potato.
  

  52. Introducing and controlling asexual reproduction through seeds in apomictic systems and sexual crops plants.
  

  53. Tailoring the onion crop for the 21 th century the development of high quality fresh and processed onions.
  

  54. Understanding nitrogen and carbohydrates metabolism for legume engineering
  

  55. Organization and establishement of a Eurpean network for monitoring strawberry varieties and conservatory/gene-bank for the European genetic programmes for strawberries.
  

  56. The location and exploitation og geneor strawberries.
  

  56. The location and exploitation og genes for pest and disease resistance in European gene bank collections of horticultural brassicas.
  

  57. Quality improvement of pears by predictive and adaptive technology.
  

  58. Diffuse reflectance spettroscopy for the evaluation of fruit and vegetables internal quality.
  

  59. The biochemistry and archestructure of fruit and vegetable tissue as quality predictors for optimizing storage and processing regimes: basic research leading to applicable models and rules.
  

  60. Improvement of natural resistance in fruit

  61. Mealiness of fruits, consumer perception and means for detection
  

  62. Development of an instrumented glove to assist quality control and pickers in selected fruits according to their maturity.
  

  63. EU, Third Research Programme: A specific Programme for Research, technological Development and Demonstration in the field of Agriculture and agro-industry (including Fishery), AIR: 1991-1994

  64. EU. Four Research Programme: Agriculture and Fisheries (including agro-industry, food-technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development). FAIR: 1994-98.

  65. EU, Fifth RTD Framework Programme: Theme 1. Improving the quality of the life and management of living resources (1998-2002).
  

  66. Donini, B. La ricerca scientifica nell'Unione Europea del settore agricolo e agro-indust, B. La ricerca scientifica nell'Unione Europea del settore agricolo e agro-industriale, Estratto da "Riorganizzazione della ricerca scientifica pubblica nel settore delle scienze agrarie, Atti della Giornata di Studio (Firenze, 30 Aprile 1997). I Georgofili. Quaderni, III, 1997
  
  
  

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