Imagine trying to bake a cake but only having old, unreliable recipes. This project updates those recipes by using high-tech tools to create better versions of peas, beans, and soy. It connects the people who grow the crops with the scientists who study them to make sure the plants grow better in European weather. The goal is to get these improved seeds from the lab and directly into the farmers' fields.
European legume production is hindered by a gap between laboratory research and practical field breeding, leading to crops that are not optimized for local environments or industrial end-use.
A Knowledge Centre for legume traits and methods, and six species-specific innovation communities that produce and test new germplasm on farms.
If you are a seed breeder dealing with low crop yields in European climates — this project developed a Knowledge Centre and new genotypes that accelerate the production of high-performing cultivars. This allows you to bring competitive legume seeds to market faster.
If you are a feed producer dealing with a reliance on imported soy — this project developed improved European soya bean and lupin varieties. This provides a more stable, local source of high-quality protein for livestock feed.
If you are a food processor dealing with inconsistent raw material quality — this project developed breeding objectives for improved end-use quality in lentils and peas. This ensures a more reliable supply of high-protein ingredients for plant-based products.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost structures for the resulting seeds are not provided.
Yes, the project involves 43 breeding and pre-breeding programmes and focuses on proving new cultivars on-farm to ensure they work at scale.
Based on available project data, the project uses business plans and governance models to ensure the sustainability and inclusive nature of the breeding work, though specific licensing terms are not listed.
The project runs from September 2023 to February 2028, with the goal of innovating up to the point where cultivars are proven on farm.
Integration is managed through six species-oriented innovation communities and the European Legume Hub, which shares knowledge and tests germplasm in different regions.
The consortium is highly diversified with 32 partners across 16 countries, showing strong international cooperation. With a 31% industry ratio (10 industrial partners, including 5 SMEs), there is a significant commercial drive to ensure research translates into marketable seeds. The balance between 9 universities and 10 research institutes suggests a tight link between fundamental science and applied breeding.
Contact the Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung in Germany.
Contact us to identify which of the 43 breeding programmes aligns with your crop portfolio.
