Internationals

Project “Implementation of a sustainable and transborder agro-ecosystem exploiting the root microbiome biodiversity - CEDRIC”, in the contest of the call INTERREG Italy - Oesterreich 2021-2027. Scientific coordinator: Nicola Tomasi 2024-2026. The project aims to strengthen the biodiversity of those areas/soils that have lost fertility by restoring their microbiological biodiversity, which is essential for soil fertility. Inspired by the success of human microbiome transplantation, CEDRIC aims to transplant, in poor and/or exploited soils, root microbiomes and/or exudates from resilient plants.
The success of this approach will also allow for a lower use of chemical fertilizers, reducing the environmental impact of traditional agricultural practices. 

Project funded by AgroInnovation International srl. Principal investigator: Laura Zanin. 2023-2025 

Nationals

Project PRIN 2022 - Prot. n. 2022MCEJP2. Title: “Identification and functional analysis of best candidate genes with a role in the response of the grapevine phloem to phytoplasma”. Scientific coordinator: Simonetta Santi 2023-2025. The plant phloem plays a crucial role in the response to various stresses. In the case of phytoplasma diseases, known as ‘yellows’ in grapevine, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction at the site of infection (phloem) are still poorly understood.
The project is tailored around the analysis of two patho-systems in parallel (grapevine and tomato as a model plant), both infected by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'. In order to identify candidate genes to play a key role in the interaction, the study involves the integrated analysis of the transcriptome of phloem tissue isolated from grapevine leaves and the proteomic profile, and the functional study of these genes in tomato, which could also be transformed with the phytoplasma effectors possibly identified. 

Project PRIN 2022 PNRR - Prot. n. P20222XJKY. Title: “Spatial characterization of molecular responses to water deficit and nitrogen limitation in grapevine roots” (SPATIAL VINE).
Principal investigator: Laura Zanin. 2023-2025. To mitigate the impact of irrigation on fresh-water resources and their associated ecosystems, the SPATIAL VINE project aspires to decipher and spatially localize the molecular mechanisms activated by roots to promote water and N acquisition in grapevine through innovative, multidisciplinary and high-tech technologies. Results will be used to devise a more sustainable and rational use of fertilizers to enhance water and N acquisition in grapevine. 

Department and interdepartment projects: 

Interdisciplinary and interdepartment project “AI applied for quality agri-food supply chain” as a work package of the project Artificial Intelligence. Principal investigator: Prof. Gian Luca Foresti; Scientific coordinator for Di4A: Laura Zanin. 2021-2025.
In this WP, the application of AI is aimed at optimizing agricultural and food production. The integration of collected data and food transformation processes will allow predicting biological responses in order to optimize the inputs required for production and minimize the environmental impact caused by cultivation, breeding, and food processing systems, as well as eliminating the use of antibiotics and food additives potentially harmful to human health (while ensuring the safety and security of food products and providing real-time insight into the impact of technological factors on food safety) 

Department project “Evaluation of Fe-P nanoparticles effects as innovative iron fertilizers and biostimulants”, nell'ambito del Decreto Ministeriale n. 737 del 25/06/2021 “Criteri di riparto e utilizzazione del Fondo per la promozione e lo sviluppo delle politiche del Programma Nazionale per la Ricerca (PNR)”, University of Udine, with Rector’s Decree n. 574 del 31/07/2023, issued the call for funding research activities in collaboration on topics consistent with the research and innovation areas of the National Research Program (PNR) 2021-2027. Scientific coordinator: Nicola Tomasi 2024-2025.
In calcareous soils, high amounts of carbonates and the high pH values significantly lower the bioavailability of the micronutrient iron (Fe), thus limiting the growth of agricultural crops in these soils and lowering yield and quality of the production. To solve this problem, farmers can utilize Fe fertilizers, but these are often of synthetic origin and have a high economic and environmental cost (easily leached). In this project, Fe phosphate nanoparticles will be used to test the ability of this fertilizer to efficiently supply the micronutrient to crops. 

Project PRIN 2022 - Prot. n. 20228PPXBN – “Environmental and temperature effects on carbohydrate export in grapevine leaves in the frame of climate change (TEXPOVINE)”. Scientific coordinator: Rachele Falchi. Sugar export, along with photosynthesis and respiration, plays a crucial role in determining productivity in agriculture. Recently, the temperature was indicated to influence sugar transport, potentially impacting plants’ productivity and their ability to adapt to climate change. The project's objective is to characterize the impact of temperature on the export of carbohydrates from grapevine leaves and to identify the physiological and molecular mechanisms that limit carbohydrate export as affected by temperature.
The experimental design includes phenotyping sugar export capacity during both day and night at various temperatures across 10 grapevine cultivars.
The identification of temperature-affected pathways will be carried out through RNA-seq. Subsequently, the analysis will be narrowed down to two cultivars, chosen for their distinct carbohydrate export capabilities, with a focus on exploring the effects of varying irradiance levels and water potential. Ultimately, our goal is to unravel the physiological and molecular pathways governing this phenomenon, paving the way for the development of techniques to mitigate the impact of climate change on grapevine production.