Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2012
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| 4.06.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Biotechnology |
|
| 4.02.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Animal production |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
Researchers (22)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
The research programme is designed multidisciplinary and inter departmentally. This approach helps to interconnect and build up different fields of research to a better understanding and solving problems related to the agrobiodiversity. Research is important in a wider sense due to the extreme biodiversity of the Slovenian environment, specific habitats and connection to the European space. With the work on Plant gene bank we will not provide only preservation of Slovene gene resources. The goal and mission of the programme is to collect, evaluate, map, conserve and multiply Slovene autochthonous genetic resources and their wild relatives. Within the research part of the programme we evaluate and study autochthonous varieties, old varieties and wild relatives of species important for agriculture that are stored in the central gene bank. The coexistence studies of gene flow between cultivated plants, feral populations, volunteer plants or other cross-compatible plants along with transgenic plants will implement similar researches due to the complex approach (genetics, spatial, environmental, and economic). Sampling approach that was developed for determination of GMO at the field level represents scientific novelty because it address also other threshold levels beside the currently prescribed labelling threshold of 0.9 % for food and feed. New knowledge will be included into models for prediction of gene-flow from transgenic plants to conventional plants. An appropriate response to external stimuli at the cellular level is of fundamental importance to the continuing existence of plants, particularly in the case of stress from adverse environmental conditions. Although the main thrust of the present project is towards creating plants that are more resistant to drought, the biochemical and genetic investigations that are necessary to achieve this end will lead to important basic understanding of elements of the mechanisms of plant resistance. Correlation of the responses to stress of species and cultivars with different sensitivities at the whole organism and gene expression levels will provide a more detailed understanding of the cellular mechanisms of resistance. Investigations of this type are fundamental to a deeper understanding of plant growth and development. The research on plant pests, pathogenes, beneficial organisms and invasive alien plant species is relevant for the knowledge of biodiversity in Slovenia and Europe. Development of modern methods for species identification of harmful organisms will enable more precise in inaccurate diagnostic. Maintaining collections of organisms, specimens, strains etc., surveying biodiversity, exact identifications of organisms, specifically pathogens are basic requirements for biological sciences. Results of biodiversity studies and analyses of taxa and their characters or pathogenicity factors etc. allow understanding consequences of climatic changes, disease etiologies and resistance processes and present highly relevant long-term values for science. In the field of animal production the resarch work is focused to the quality of agricultural products as food components in dependancy on the factors of the primary production. This includes genetic parameters (breed, hybrids, genetic markers, etc) as well as other factors of primary production (the mode of breeding, stress factors prior to slaughter), that all, individual or inter related influence agrobiodiversity and subsequently the quality of products. The resarch in the field of animal production and processing is focused towards improvement of meat quaility as a food component for consumers and to its suitability for further processing.
Significance for the country
The purpose of the proposed research programme is to solve complex questions in the field of agrobiodiversity by applying interdisciplinary and complex approach. This will result in basic knowledge for further cooperation in the field of sustainable socio-economic development of Slovenia. Research in biodiversity will contribute new knowledge to preservation of genetic resources of agricultural crops and to preservation of Slovenian cultural heritage. Knowledge on biodiversity of autochthonous plant varieties, animal breeds and transboundary dissemination of the knowledge will contribute to strengthening of national identity. Research programme will prepare basis for Slovene food producers to survive the severe international competiveness. The programme will point to advantages of Slovene natural conditions, analysing them with the purpose to make Slovene agriculture competitive and recognizable in the EU market. In the Developmental Strategy of Slovene Agriculture and other related developmental documents direction towards stable food production and insurance of nutritional safety are given. In the National Program for Environmental Protection and in the National Strategic Plan for the Development of the Countryside for 2007-2013 the programs for environmental friendly agricultural practices and preservation of Slovene national rural environment are defined. Actions for reducing the use of phytopharmaceutical agents and mineral nutrients are defined. Only durable and long-term plant breeding programmes will enable development of new varieties of agricultural crops that will easily respond to changes in the environment, will be resistant against major pathogens and pests and will reduce the use of phytopharmaceutical substances. This will enable crop producers in assuring yield of high quality that will be competitive on the market. Varieties, bred from Slovene autochthonous genetic resources, old varieties, populations and traditional species of agricultural crops will contribute to preservation of biotic diversity and with this to preservation of Slovene national countryside. The introduction of genetically modified plants in agricultural crop production will have an impact on agroecosystem, their presence will also have an impact on the future farming practices. Slovene agricultural area has certain specific in the EU; therefore additional research is needed in this field. Results of the research on coexistence will also form a basis for making national legislation and acts in the field of coexistence. The development and introduction of new methods for ensuring quality of agricultural seed material will contribute to promoting economic and competitive agricultural crop production, preservation of natural habitat and consumer protection. The results of research in the field of plant protection are significant for the practice for development and selection of appropriate plant production technologies and development of new strategies against plant pests and pathogens. Investigated nematodes are of great importance especially in horticulture and agriculture, therefore, the results of the research contribute to a safer, cheaper and more healthy production of vegetables and other crops in Slovenia and Europe. The results of the effectiveness of the Mi resistance gene and the influence of certain chemical products and natural plant extracts can be directly used in the production of vegetables in the case over-multiplication of nematodes. Results of scientific research in the field of quality of agricultural products are used in execution of recognized animal breeding programs and in making legally prescribed procedure for assessment of meat fleshiness. With this the results contribute to development of Slovene professional knowledge and to the development of agriculture as economic branch. Efficiency of scientific research and expert work reflects also in collaboration of researchers in the pedagogical work at universities.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
