From 23 to 25 March 2022, the first annual meeting of the Horizon2020 - BreedingValue project took place at the University of Malaga, during which the research activities started in this year of work were discussed.
Among other goals, the setting of multiple experimental tests is aimed at genomic studies for the analysis of allelic variability existing in the germplasm of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry present in Europe; the identification of molecular and phenotypic markers to evaluate the variability obtained from genetic improvement programs; the development of new phenotyping tools based on the application of new technologies (NIR, image analyzes, metabolomics) to facilitate the selection phase of the new improved varieties; the development of protocols for the application of Life Cycle Analyzes (LCA) to define the real sustainability of new cultivars.
Alongside this, particular attention was paid to studies on the sensory quality of the fruits, defining common parameters and planning a training activity, coordinated by the CNR-IBE, to harmonize the qualitative evaluation of the fruits of the new varieties, through professional panel tests.
In addition, the preparation of a questionnaire aimed at gathering the opinion of experts and consumers on the perception of the quality of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry fruits was of considerable importance. Specifically, the survey will aim to explore the market potential, inclination, needs and expectations of consumers for new resilient berries and to assess the current state of fruit quality.
The tool, translated into eight languages, was prepared thanks to the collaboration of the partners of the eight countries (Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey and United Kingdom) involved in the project.
Here is the link to fill in the questionnaire, which will remain accessible until June 30, 2022 (the available languages are: French, Italian, Spanish, German, Finnish, Turkish and Chinese): https://survey.cnr.it/index.php?r=survey/index&sid=567822&lang=en
The organizers requested the widest dissemination of the survey, including through social networks, ensuring the subsequent sharing of the results with the community, to provide an updated overview of the overall perception of the quality of soft fruits.
Contacts:
Bruno Mezzetti - Project coordinator (b.mezzetti@staff.univpm.it)
Saila Karhu - WP - Fruit quality coordinator (saila.karhu@luke.fi)
Stefano Predieri - Task - Consumer study coordinator (stefano.predieri@ibe.cnr.it)