-to maintain the integrity in organic farming through production of high-quality GMO-free seed of plant species and varieties that are of particular value in organic farming.
Preliminary results
One of the basic principles of organic farming is to increase the diversity at all levels including the biodiversity at field level and the genetic diversity at crop level. The project has shown that:
Varieties of triticale and in particular spring triticale exist, which are resistant to common bunt
Intercropping of cereals and grain legumes has a tendency to reduce fungal infestations at moderate infection rates
Quality parameters in spring wheat, barley, oat, and spring triticale are affected to different extents when intercropped with pea, faba bean and lupin respectively
White clover flower heads in grazing fields can contain quite a number of seeds, which may be problematic if GM varieties are used in the conventional farming.
The results obtained in the project show that access to healthy seed of plant species and varieties suitable for organic production is essential for the continued development of organic farming. Furthermore, the results of the project contribute to the identification of crops which are of particular value to organic farming.
