CITRUSBUSTERS proposes an ambitious and efficient R&I initiative aimed at developing solutions tailored to address Citrus pests with devastating impacts worldwide: Candidatus Liberibacter (CL), its associated insect vector (T. erytreae) and Phyllostycta citricarpa (PC), considered priority and quarantine pest in the EU. With an approach prioritising prevention, CITRUSBUSTERS will enlarge the IPM toolbox for high-value citrus crops by: (i) demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of smart tools for pathogen observation and early detection, enabling the prediction of future outbreak risks, based on co-culture models for CL and PC to provide solid knowledge on their spatiotemporal dynamics, technologies based on hyperspectral and LIDAR imaging, and predictive models through MLA linking soil health, vectors and plant parameters; ii) developing innovative tools, substances and agroecological practices to enhance plant resilience against biotic stresses by means of DNA-free and genetic changes for breeding purposes and innovative extraction technologies for active molecules triggering immune responses in plants; and (iii) developing sustainable and safe biocontrol active formulations for improving crop health during cultivation, by means of encapsulated endolysins for CL, microbial antifungal substances for PC and dsRNA targeting T.erytreae. CITRUSBUSTERS will strenghten the abilities of stakeholders to respond to pest outbreaks relying on a solid multiactor approach for the co-creation of solutions and the assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts of the pests of the solutions, developing policy recommendations and best practices guidelines. This will ensure the adequacy of the proposed solutions and the wider acceptance of IPM strategies contributing to promote fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption and to restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Solanaceae family, encompassing economically significant genera like Solanum, plays a vital role in global agriculture, particularly through crops. The Solanaceae family, encompassing economically significant genera like Solanum, plays a vital role in global agriculture, particularly through crops like potatoes and tomatoes. These crops, crucial for human consumption and nutrition, face significant threats from pest diseases, with annual losses amounting to billions of euros. Notably, the bacteria Clavibacter sepedonicus – Cs (ring rot in potato) and Ralstonia solanacearum - Rs (bacterial wilt in potato and tomato) pose severe economic and environmental risks, warranting stringent regulatory measures in EU and globally being included in Part B Annex of the Regulation 2019/2072 and are classified as EPPO A2 quarantine pests. In response, the POMATO project aims to safeguard potato and tomato health by focusing on four key pillars: isolation and molecular characterization of resistance genes of potato and tomato native and wild varieties against Cs and Rs, early detection using advanced technologies like AI and digital predictive platforms, development of natural bio-control solutions, and field validation at TRL 5 of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. This collaborative 48-month initiative involves a multi-actor approach of the potato/tomato value chain, including academic research institutions, agrochemical companies, farmers, and international partners from affected regions like Latin America. By leveraging expertise and resources, POMATO seeks to mitigate the spread of these quarantine pests and enhance food security sustainably by aiming to decrease between 40-60% the incidence of Cs/Rs. Sharing IPM POMATO’s strategies among relevant stakeholders in the policy and decision-making cycle will ensure economic sustainability of EU potato/tomato production, increase farm competitiveness as well as replicate the outcomes of the project to other crops.

Potato is a key crop in Europe (€12.4 billion, 2020). However, it is considered vulnerable to a variety of pests and soil-borne pathogen diseases. One of the most important pests is caused by bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), causing a disease known as zebra chip (ZC). The introduction of CLso bacterium on potato is mainly linked to the presence of the vector psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (BC) causing severe damage, both in terms of yield losses and quality. Main potato postharvest diseases as dry rot, black dot and silver scurf, are caused by soil-borne pathogens that have incidence in both field and storage. All these potential threats may result. in significant economic losses in the potato industry and food losses. The European regulatory framework for potato’s imports and production is very strict. However, globalisation, climate change, economical drivers, as well as the political context (EU Green Deal target of 50% pesticides reduction) are threatening the entrance of emerging potato pests and the incidence of soil-borne pathogen disease in postharvest storage. PataFEST and its 18 complementary partners, including the international cooperation with Ecuador, aims: 1) to characterise at molecular level the ecological pest spread pathway and identify potato disease resistance varieties against CLso and postharvest pathogens, 2) provide effective preharvest plant and soil treatments against CLso vector and soil-borne pathogens combined with other cutting-edge digital technologies such as image analysis tools (mobile app) and artificial intelligence predictive models; 3) develop postharvest technologies (biocontrol coating solution, controlled atmosphere storage and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensors) to control the incidence of soil pathogens and maintain the quality of potato tubers stored. These strategies and technologies will be incorporated into an Integrated Pest Management approach to evaluate their performance at final TRL5.