Work Packages

CNR-IBBA & UNIBO are closely cooperating in Task 1.1 (Evaluation of the LOW_GLS and LOW_LA seed lines for the field trials), that is basically the starting point of the activities then carried out in WPs 2,3 & 4. CNR-IBBA is then carrying out Tasks 1.2 (Identification of glucosinolate synthesis genes in camelina) & 1.3 (Reduction of antinutritional GLS in camelina by genome editing technology) with the aim of increasing our knowledge on the key genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway and in the reallocation of GLSs from vegetative organs to seeds. This basic information is of vital importance for further reducing the GLS content, less influenced by the environment, in the seed of camelina by CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

• Methodology

UNIPI &UNIBO are closely cooperating in running similar field experiments (Task 2.1. Plot trials to test the effect of sowing dates on yield and seed quality of the new camelina lines) under different environmental conditions in order to demonstrate the wide adaptability of camelina; the obtained results, integrated with those deriving from WP 1, 3, 4 & 5 will permit to draw the guidelines (Task 2.3 Definition of guidelines for optimizing camelina agronomic management in relation to seed yield and quality) for the optimization of camelina cultivation in Italy for the use in poultry feeding. In addition to that UNIBO will also establish ad hoc strip trials to provide enough seeds for the animal feeding tests (Task 2.2. Large scale camelina seed production for quail feeding tests), in WP3.

• Project

All the studies focusing on animal feeding are carried out with the cooperation of UNIPD & UNIBO, the latter being involved in Task 3.1 (Camelina cake production and quails diet formulation), by processing camelina seed produced in Task 2.2. into cold pressed camelina cake (by adopting a seed press which will be buy within the ARGENTO project) timely according to the needs of Tasks 3.2 (Broiler tests: nutrients’ apparent digestibility, feed choice and live performance) and 3.3. (Laying quails tests: live performance, egg production and quality). The animal diet formulation as well as all the whole experimental set up of poultry feeding tests are under the responsibility of UNIPD.

• Quails

All Argento partners are cooperating with different roles and all the analytical determinations on any type of origin (seeds, cakes, experimental diets, quails dropping, quails meat and egg, etc) are carried out. Valorizing the expertise of the each Argento partner: UNIPD runs all the analytical determination in Tasks 4.1., in cooperation with UNIBO, (Chemical analyses on camelina seed, cake, quail droppings, and experimental diets for quails’ trials) & Task 4.4. (Physicochemical and sensory analysis of quails’ meat and egg), and also the oxidation rate of produced eggs and meat in Task 4.3; CNR-IBBA is carrying out all the determinations on antinutritional compounds present in the different types of matrix (Task 4.2. Analysis of antinutritional factors of camelina cake, experimental diets and produced eggs and meat) and tocopherol determination; UNIPI is working on the determinations of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity with CNR-IBBA & UNIPD.

• Applications

The environmental and socio-economic assessments of camelina production and animal feeding are carried out, in particular in Task 5.1. (Environmental assessment) UNIPI & UNIBO are cooperating by using date derived from WP2’s activities, in particular UNIBO is running the chemical-physical determinations on soils and UNIPI is working on the soil and nutrient balance of the cropping systems including camelina. Tasks 5.2 (Economic assessment) and 5.3 (Social assessment), led by UNIBO, are focused on the evaluation of the new farming systems (crops & animals) enclosing camelina and data will derive from the activities run in WPs 2&3 but also from market and consumers surveys.

• Camelina Sativa

All partners are cooperating to disseminate the results obtained in the Argento project to the general public, students, stakeholders, policy makers, civil society organizations, end-users and scientific community by visual and oral presentations at conferences, seminars, exhibitions, workshops and scientific papers. Several meetings will be organized, both formally and informally, within the Argento consortium. UNIBO, with the cooperation of all partners, will also assure a continuous monitoring of the working-plan progress, integrating the results of all research units and providing solutions in case of problems.

• Events