Prof. Aziz AZIZ, University of Reims, France
coordinate and validate the project development and results, and ensure that financial and administrative procedures are respected. This WP will ensure an efficient communication and coordination between all partners of this project with the organisation of project meetings (at least every 6 months). Ensure that the project progresses in agreement with the work plan, with regard to implementation of activities, overall progress, milestones, deliverables, and use of resources, monitor identified research risks and manage contingency planning. Management of the results as well as of the Intellectual Properties and further commercial exploitations (in agreement with the consortium). This WP will be finely linked with the scientific strategy to coordinate annual and final activitiy reports, and also to guarantee the publication of the results.
Prof. Mounira HARBI, INRAT, Tunisia
This WP aims to exploit grapevine genetic diversity to identify the most tolerant cultivars in association with the different components of their environment (microbial diversity, soil types, and practices). More resilient cultivars to diseases and drought stress are required, thus a screening of various cultivars or clones of cultivars is envisaged. Thermal and hyperspectral imaging will be used as a non-destructive tool for early diagnosis of biotic and abiotic stresses.
Prof. Nikolaos TZORTZAKIS, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus
This WP aims to examine and improve the current agricultural practices in Mediterranean vineyards (including specific covers and service plants) and provide adaptation strategies at the vineyard level for water use efficiency and disease managements. These strategies will enhance soil restoration and fertility while maintaining grape and wine quality standards.
Prof. Ana Margarida FORTES, FcienciasID, University of Lisbon, Portugal
This WP aims to characterize plant microbial diversity adapted to various environmental conditions and cultivars and to develop microbial assemblage associated to tolerant/resistant cultivars and beneficial practices. There is emerging evidence for the contention that the presence of a particular microbiome can affect not only the growth and plant health, but also their ability to cope with environmental stresses, thus enhancing plant fitness. In this WP we will characterize the grapevine microbiome from selected cultivars provided by WP1 with selected beneficial practices from WP2, with the aim to unravel the plethora of functions that are expressed by this microbiome in vineyard.
Prof. El-Hassan ACHBANI, INRA Meknes, Morocco
This WP aims to characterize functional microbial diversity (FMD) according to its plant benefits in improving growth, tolerance to drought stress and protection against pathogens.
Prof. Aziz AZIZ, University of Reims, France
This WP aims to understand mechanisms involved in microbiome efficiency towards grapevine diseases under selected agro-ecological conditions in order to mitigate the undesirable effect of biotic and abiotic stresses. The ultimate objective is to provide winegrowers and farmers with short-term sustainable viticultural practices to promote a functional microbial diversity and thus to cope with pathogens under water shortage scenario, with respect of environmental quality.
Dr. Alicia POU, Institute of Grapevine and Wine Sciences, Spain
This WP aims to evaluate the selected functional microbial diversity (FMD) derived from previous WPs and applied in situ for plant growth benefits and improved adaptation to drought stress and pathogenic attack.
Dr. Vassilios LITSKAS, Sustainability Metrics, Cyprus
This WP aims to evaluate the impacts of selected functional microbial diversity (FMD) derived from previous WPs when applied on grapevines cultivars subjected to abiotic or biotic stress and their effects on socio economic and environmental aspects
Prof. Nikolaos TZORTZAKIS, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus
This WP aims to produce a sound dissemination plan to involve farmer organizations, SMEs and others stakeholders to provide secure technology transfer and best viticultural practices and guidelines. In order to reach these objectives, the Coordinator will engage a Dissemination and Technology Manager (DTM), who will act in collaboration with the Coordinator and the WP8 Leader.