BioPestBOOST : A new project supported by the TULIP 2021/2022 Innovation Call

Named BioPestBOOST, this project consists in studing of the Genetic Diversity and the Production of Biofungicidal Compound from Different Dittrichia viscosa Mediterranean Rim Populations

In a global context of reducing the use of conventional pesticides, AkiNaO, a Perpignan-based company specializing in natural substances has developed two bio-inputs: a bio-fungicide and a plant mulch (byproduct), based on a single raw material: Dittrichia viscosa. This ruderal plant, endemic to the Mediterranean rim, is particularly present in agricultural wastelands, abundant in Occitanie and in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They constitute abundant land resources not currently valued and that farm owners have to eliminate.

After the identification of the biofungicide’s active compound, and validation of the products’ proof-ofconcept AkiNaO is now starting to structure the Dittrichia viscosa supply chain, starting upstream by mobilizing wastelands and by scaling up the plant cultivation (FOLIVARDE project – “Friches à Olivarda” - Catalan name of Dittrichia viscosa - 2019-2023, trophée de la bioéconomie, Occitanie). However, to optimize the plant supply and cultivation, a better knowledge of its genetics and its different populations is required.

In this context, a first collaboration between AkiNaO and the LGDP has started on this theme as part of the TULIP Master, with the aim of initiating a first transversal research work on this plant. BioPestBOOST project aims at bringing new knowledge by combining approaches of genomics and chemotyping of Dittrichia viscosa populations.

The main objectives of the project are:
1) The obtention of a reference genome for Dittrichia viscosa
2) The screening of Dittrichia viscosa genomic diversity in the Mediterranean basin, in correlation with its chemical profile (active compound production).

This project will allow, in the short term, the optimization of active extract production for the biofungicide supply chain, by selecting natural populations with the highest content in active substances, for harvest and cultivation.