Innovar Project

Work Packages

Innovar > Work Packages

WP 1 | Project coordination and management

The overall aim is to ensure proper management and coordination of project activities, including internal communications, enabling delivery of the project within the requirements of the grant agreement.
Specific objectives are:
● Coordination of project activities, ensuring good communication and scientific management is maintained so that all project objectives can be met
● Management of the project, including project administration, financial management and reporting, and legal agreements.
● Organisation of consortium meetings, scientific meetings and those with external bodies.
● Exploration of synergies and collaboration with the INVITE project.

WP 2 | Identifying characters and their genes

The overall aim of this work package is to establish a database of EU-wide DUS and VCU related data. This work package will provide the baseline data for WP3-5.
Specific objectives are:
● Create an integrative phenotypic and genotypic database of wheat characters and environmental data from trials locations across EU, integrated through statistical and computer science algorithms.
● Standardise protocols for use in other WPs.
● Generate de-novo genetic profile data for integration into the database.
● Define models to test characters for use in DUS and VCU.

WP 2 | Identifying characters and their genes

The overall aim of this work package is to establish a database of EU-wide DUS and VCU related data. This work package will provide the baseline data for WP3-5.
Specific objectives are:
● Create an integrative phenotypic and genotypic database of wheat characters and environmental data from trials locations across EU, integrated through statistical and computer science algorithms.
● Standardise protocols for use in other WPs.
● Generate de-novo genetic profile data for integration into the database.
● Define models to test characters for use in DUS and VCU.

WP 3 | Innovation in DUS testing

WP3 will test the ability of the genomic and enviro-genomic models developed in WP2 to enhance the precision and efficiency of DUS testing and evaluate the potential of genomics to define DUS characters.
Specific objectives are:
● Determine how genetic profiling will refine the selection of reference genotypes for distinctness testing in DUS and inform assessment of uniformity and stability for candidate varieties.
● Determine if field-based phenomics, genomic analysis (genome-wide association studies), as well as machine learning using enviro-genomic datasets can help select new DUS characters and refine DUS testing.
● Determine if genomic markers have value as DUS characters contributing to VCU assessment of disease and stress resistance.
● Advise regarding new DUS testing protocols, adapted to include the genomic and enviro-genomic characters and tests that refine and expedite DUS testing.

WP 4 | Innovation in VCU evaluation

The purpose of this work package is to explore innovations in VCU through a series of trials that examine the impact of plant protection products, drought and organic practice on varietal performance across the EU in a range of environments. In this work package, the existing approach to VCU trialling of new varieties will be critically evaluated and the options for introducing new characters carefully considered. Alternative methods, such as using new phenotyping and genotyping techniques to identify genes contributing to sustainability and resilience, will also be investigated.
Specific objectives are:
● Explore the potential for phenomics and DUS characters to be used as VCU characters.
● Determine the performance of varieties under different ‘growing scenarios’ and develop HPLR categorisation processes.
● Determine if field-based phenomics, genomic analysis and machine learning, using enviro-genomic datasets, can refine and extend VCU testing.
● Revise and develop EU-wide VCU trialling protocols.

WP 4 | Innovation in VCU evaluation

The purpose of this work package is to explore innovations in VCU through a series of trials that examine the impact of plant protection products, drought and organic practice on varietal performance across the EU in a range of environments. In this work package, the existing approach to VCU trialling of new varieties will be critically evaluated and the options for introducing new characters carefully considered. Alternative methods, such as using new phenotyping and genotyping techniques to identify genes contributing to sustainability and resilience, will also be investigated.
Specific objectives are:
● Explore the potential for phenomics and DUS characters to be used as VCU characters.
● Determine the performance of varieties under different ‘growing scenarios’ and develop HPLR categorisation processes.
● Determine if field-based phenomics, genomic analysis and machine learning, using enviro-genomic datasets, can refine and extend VCU testing.
● Revise and develop EU-wide VCU trialling protocols.

WP 5 | Translating knowledge to other crops

The main objective of this WP is to determine how the InnoVar approach used in wheat can be translated to other crops.
Specific objectives are:
● Collate and assess the current state of knowledge of variety testing in the InnoVar crop sub-set: oilseed, legume, brassica, maize, tuber crops and grass.
● Assess through testing of InnoVar methods where the knowledge gained in this project can be translated to other crops and provision of road maps to show how this can be achieved.

WP 6 | Synergies and Future Development

The overall objective in this WP is to consider the broad and specific needs of the plant variety testing community in
Europe during and after the completion of InnoVar.
Specific objectives are:
● Ensure InnoVar meets the current needs of EU plant variety testing as far as is practicable.
● Ensure methods and characters considered separately for DUS and VCU are examined for cross-over synergies and incorporated where appropriate.
● Consider the future direction of EU plant variety testing with respect to emerging technologies.

WP 6 | Synergies and Future Development

The overall objective in this WP is to consider the broad and specific needs of the plant variety testing community in
Europe during and after the completion of InnoVar.
Specific objectives are:
● Ensure InnoVar meets the current needs of EU plant variety testing as far as is practicable.
● Ensure methods and characters considered separately for DUS and VCU are examined for cross-over synergies and incorporated where appropriate.
● Consider the future direction of EU plant variety testing with respect to emerging technologies.

WP 7 | Variety recommendations and decision support

WP7 aims to integrate project knowledge and best practice into a variety decision making system using the new HPLR categorisation. Furthermore, the engagement of end users (farmers) will be sought to maximise the usefulness of the updated testing systems.
Specific objectives are:
● Define a new variety decision-making/recommendation system using results from the updated DUS/VCU methodologies to incorporate HPLR categorisation
● Provide farmers with the tools to best utilise variety information on their farm

WP 8 | Impact – Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation

The overall aim of WP8 is to increase the visibility of the project, ensure that appropriate dissemination to stakeholders and end users is achieved and manage the exploitation of IP.
Specific objectives are:
● Develop and implement an appropriately targeted communication strategy.
● Develop a website and implement a social media strategy ensuring communication of project information and activities are targeted to stakeholders.
● Ensure excellent dissemination of project results and outputs.
● Ensure pro-active IP and exploitation management and support.

WP 8 | Impact – Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation

The overall aim of WP8 is to increase the visibility of the project, ensure that appropriate dissemination to stakeholders and end users is achieved and manage the exploitation of IP.
Specific objectives are:
● Develop and implement an appropriately targeted communication strategy.
● Develop a website and implement a social media strategy ensuring communication of project information and activities are targeted to stakeholders.
● Ensure excellent dissemination of project results and outputs.
● Ensure pro-active IP and exploitation management and support.

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