The relationship between functional traits (such as body size), community composition and environmental variables are starting to be studied systematically, but Scherotheca, Octodrilus and Hormogastridae are yet to be included in those studies. To sum up, how are those giant earthworms evolutionarily related to other species, how they evolved their large body size (and associated traits) and how they interact with their ecosystem (including the physical habitat and other soil fauna) are still poorly known. This project will test the following hypothesis: European giant earthworms which have evolved in parallel within different genera may have evolved as a response to similar environmental pressures, relying on different molecular mechanisms and could exert different impacts on their ecosystems. Interdisciplinary research on soil invertebrate macroevolution is scarce, but such an approach to the evolutionary novelty of gigantism in earthworms and its ecological significance is unprecedented. Combination of targeted phylogenomics, differential gene expression analyses, burrow scanning and community ecology represent an original and innovative approach in soil biology.

Soil BON supports the development of a global community for the observation, understanding, and prediction of soil biodiversity, being a forum to network groups to advance methods for observing soil biodiversity including integration of information across spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales. This includes addressing capacity building needs from observations to informatics, helping to integrate existing and new field data following agreed international standards.

To deliver open, comprehensive, and globally representative methods and harmonised datasets on soil micro-, meso-, and macrofauna in conjunction with soil functions. To explore effects of climate, land use, and other environmental variables on soil animal communities, soil food web structure, and resistance. To assess the efficiency of current nature conservation approaches in protecting soil animal communities. To relate soil animal communities and food webs with soil functioning across climates, soil and land use types. To establish a global soil fauna expert network for soil biodiversity monitoring and other collaborative projects. To reinforce local collaboration networks and local expertise in soil zoology.

The subject of the project is organotin compounds as pollutants in the marine environment, in particular tributyltin (TBT), which is used as a biocide in antifouling paints and is considered one of the most harmful compounds ever introduced into the marine environment. Despite bans, it is still present in the environment, particularly in sediments. Based on current knowledge, it is not possible to estimate how long it will be a problem or how to solve it. On the other hand, methyltin (MeT) compounds are not only of anthropogenic origin, but can also be formed naturally by methylation of inorganic tin. Although this alters the biological activity and mobility of tin, the effectiveness of methylation and behavior of MeT compounds are not yet known.The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to explain the behavior, transformation, and persistence of BuT and MeT compounds in the marine environment using an innovative and comprehensive approach. The project will integrate in situ research and advanced analytical techniques, as well as biological-molecular and sedimentological analyzes to explain the processes that these compounds undergo in the environment and the factors that influence these processes. The project will explain the persistence of TBT in polluted sediments and determine its possible role in the pollution of the water column. The project also aims to identify the microbial community that plays an active role in the degradation of TBT in sediments. The knowledge gained will make an important contribution to further research aimed at defining biotechnological processes for the bioremediation of polluted sediments. A further aim is to determine the efficiency of tin methylation and the fate and transfer of MeT compounds in the marine environment.In addition to answering current scientific questions, the proposed project will also contribute to the development of action strategies within the framework of programs for the protection of the marine environment.

To fully understand a plant disease, beyond the host and the pathogen, other abiotic and biotic factors that may influence their interactions should be considered. The fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight is one of the most famous pathogens of trees worldwide. It infects susceptible chestnut species causing lethal bark lesions (cankers). After its introduction and an initial epidemic spread, chestnut blight in Europe took a milder course due to the emergence of a virus – CHV1, that reduces virulence of the infected fungus making the cankers no longer lethal, providing the basis for biocontrol of the disease. Thus, we aim to investigate both mycobiome and virome within chestnut blight cankers and specific fungus-fungus and fungus-virus interactions. As no study to date has tested other factors beyond the CHV1 that could lead to healing of cankers, other viruses potentially present in C. parasitica may be responsible for additional hypovirulent effect, improving the biocontrol efficiency, while other fungi could act as competitors against C. parasitica as well.The study consists of two working packages, led by a different project partner. In WP1, we will characterize the diversity of the mycobiome and the virome in bark cankers by conducting field sampling of natural and artificially initiated cankers using both classical and state-of-the-art HTS methods to characterize fungal and viral communities. In WP2, we will investigate interactions between the fungus C. parasitica, other bark-inhabiting fungi, and mycoviruses. This will be done by co-culturing selected strains of C. parasitica and other fungal species detected in WP1 and assessing the outcome of this interaction.Our project will significantly increase general knowledge on the sweet chestnut bark mycobiome and virome, providing novel information about its diversity, changes following an infection by C. parasitica and its eventual contribution to the biocontrol of chestnut blight.

Soil is a vital yet sensitive natural resource whose health is essential for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and sustainable agriculture. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the conservation of soil biodiversity at both scientific and policy levels. In addition to traditional pollutants such as pesticides, microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) represent a growing concern due to their widespread presence in agricultural soils and their potential ecotoxicological effects, further exacerbated by climate change. The aim of this project is to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on soil-dwelling organisms, with a particular focus on soil microorganisms and soil invertebrates. The research will be conducted in agricultural soils of the Pannonian Plain, where microplastics will be extracted and characterised using standardised methods. The effects of microplastics will be assessed through changes in microbial activity and soil functional diversity, as well as through biological responses of standard test organisms (Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus albidus, and Tetrahymena pyriformis), using a range of ecotoxicological endpoints. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the risks posed by microplastics to soil health and provide a scientific basis for future soil management and protection measures.

Diabetes type 2 (T2D) is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Both conditions share common pathophysiological mechanisms. Knowledge gaps in the development of both diseases include: lack of understanding on the role of diet, sex-specific factors, and biomarkers of early diagnosis and follow-up. This study aims to investigate the role of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in response to aging and diet. Objective 1 is to determine sex and age-specific differences in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism using the Sprague-Dawley rat model by comparing young and middle-aged animals of both sexes. Objective 2 is to identify sex and tissue-specific responses to standard diet (StD), keto diet (KD), and a high-fat high-sugar diet (HFHSD), as well as to identify potential biomarkers (bile acids/oxysterols) for monitoring the severity of metabolic disorder in serum, urine, and feces. StD and KD will be used as protective diets compared to HFHSD. The development of T2D will be monitored through known indicators of metabolic disorder and spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis of serum, urine, and fecal samples. The dysregulation of the cholesterol-bile acid axis will be assessed using mitochondrial function tests, immunohistochemical, and metabolomics (LC-MS, MALDI-TOF, IMS) of target organs. Cellular membrane structure will be analyzed at the level of lipid raft composition. Cognitive functions will be evaluated using behavioral, metabolomics and immunohistochemical analyses of molecules related to brain plasticity. The comprehensive analysis will identify pathophysiological mechanisms of metabolic imbalance contributing to cognitive impairment. Sex-specific biomarkers of cholesterol and bile metabolism will serve as better predictors of the early onset of AD and form the basis for personalized diagnostics and therapy. Given that both T2D and AD are multifactorial diseases, the research team includes biologists, chemists, neuroscientists, medical biochemists, and clinicians.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth. Due to the impact of climate change, there is an increase in mosquito populations and the incidence of diseases associated with them worldwide. Therefore, controlling the number of mosquitoes is becoming an increasing challenge, and optimizing mosquito population control measures is becoming more necessary. The CADAPTi software platform is a unique global innovation to support more precise and sustainable mosquito population control. CADAPTi is based on predictive models of mosquito population dynamics that, in conjunction with AI algorithms based on supported learning, enable temporal and spatial optimization of mosquito population control measures, reducing their ecological and economic footprint. The goal of the project is to validate and demonstrate the functionality of the CADAPTi software platform in a relevant environment in the Osijek-Baranja County area and to assess its market potential. During the project implementation, close cooperation with the NZZJZ Osijek-Baranja County will be established.

Sustainable development requires close cooperation between the scientific and educational communities, as the education of younger generations shapes the social values and practices of the future. At the same time, mosquitoes represent an increasingly significant ecological and public-health challenge, particularly in the need for sustainable, natural solutions. The project is based on developing, testing, and establishing an interdisciplinary scientific-research and educational model for sustainable development by linking research on natural mosquito repellents with the strengthening of scientific literacy. The project is structured into two interconnected segments: a scientific-research segment and an educational segment. The first includes interdisciplinary research (entomological, chemical, and neurobiological) aimed at developing natural repellents and identifying their potential biochemical mechanisms of action. In parallel, an educational program with integrated citizen-science activities is being developed for science teachers, enabling them to enhance their own competencies and foster scientific literacy among students through authentic content derived from scientific research. The expected outcomes include establishing a scientific-research and educational model applicable across various scientific and educational contexts. The effectiveness of the model will be evaluated through its implementation in practice, and by the end of the project it will be made publicly available via a digital platform, scientific publications, and educational materials.

Restore4Life demonstrates the multiple socio-economic benefits generated by a holistic and transdisciplinary approach for the restoration of freshwater and coastal wetlands in the Danube basin that will contribute to new blue-green infrastructure supporting regional climate change resilience and mitigation. Restore4Life engages in 4 demonstration sites and 6 monitoring sites all across the Danube basin to make evident that increased delivery of key ecosystem services, as water and pollutant retention, carbon sequestration and tourism opportunities as well as improved resilience of water-dependent habitats will produce multiple socio-economic synergies that also provide opportunities for sustainable businesses and investments. Implementation of activities basically aiming to restore lateral connectivity in riverine corridors will be supported by a Restore4Life long term wetland restoration service/ Restore4Life Wetland Reconstruction Accelerator that combines timely integrative wetland management with a novel level of societal engagement. The Accelerator will provide tested indicators, monitoring approaches and decision support to identify adapted and future-oriented restoration goals, techniques and holistic road maps. Citizens and stakeholders will be empowered to engage in the co-design of projects by establishing stakeholder communities of practice, by twinning of similar projects at different realization stage, citizen science, thematic mobile apps and the use of multiple communication channels with special focus on visual, hands-on interactive information flow that promotes emotional links to water shaped environment. The various tools generated by Restore4Life also including handbooks for business audiences and targeted restoration roadmaps will secure the efficient replication of restoration activities in associated regions. In collaboration with similar mission activities, Restore4Life thus efficiently supports integrative social and economic. /p>

https://restore4life.eu/

This project aims to explore the possibility of transforming existing vegetable oil industries (VOI) into biorefineries by converting process residues into new value-added products and energy, whereas creating the circularity in the life cycle of resources. The motivation for this research lays in the fact that the vegetable oil industry (VOI) in the EU produced approximately 16 million metric tons of oils in 2022 and this amount is expected to increase to 17.5 million metric tons by 2031. During the oil production and refining, various types of process residues are produced, such as oil seeds cakes (OC), spent bleaching earth (SBE), soapstocks, fatty acid distillates, acid oil, and others. Those materials are mostly unutilized. First, mapping of the VOI in the Europe will be performed, where the data on availability, quantity and current management of residues will be collected. Different scenarios for the transition of VOI into integrated biorefinery will be studied by optimisation approach and process modelling. Then, an experimental research on a) advanced thermo-chemical methods, b) fungal-based biological methods, and c) synergy of two methods will be done using residual materials from the production of hemp, pumpkin, and flax oil, particularly oil cakes, as a model materials. During the treatment, a variety of the products will be produced and characterized. To close the loop, the advanced use of obtained products for various applications will be investigated. At the end, a life cycle assessment (LCA) of obtained products will be performed and the environmental impacts of the used technologies will be analysed and quantified.

Floodplains are complex ecosystems and rank among the most productive and biologically diverse systems on Earth. However, anthropogenic impacts and climate change, increasingly evident in rising temperatures and unpredictable hydrological events (such as extreme floods and prolonged droughts), contribute to habitat loss and declining biodiversity. One of the best-preserved floodplains in the middle reaches of the Danube is the natural floodplain of Kopački rit, noted for its high phytoplankton diversity and well-developed zooplankton and fouling communities on various submerged substrates. Cyanobacterial blooms occasionally occur in this dynamic ecosystem, and some potentially invasive algal species have been recorded, all of which pose additional threats to organisms in the aquatic biotopes of this area. Due to their impact on the food web, these factors can also negatively affect human health. The aim of this research is to determine the diversity of phytoplankton, algae, and cyanobacteria in the sediment of Lake Kopački rit using results obtained by sequencing 16S and 18S environmental DNA amplicons, and to confirm these findings through morphological identification of species. The research also aims to determine zooplankton diversity based on morphological analysis and to investigate the trophic relationships of these communities under different hydrological and seasonal conditions, thereby improving understanding of how to maintain a functional food web at lower trophic levels. The purpose of the research is to ensure more effective and timely protection of the ecological status of the waters not only of this floodplain but also of the connected water systems, by acquiring new knowledge about biodiversity and the presence of potentially toxic and/or invasive taxa in the Kopački rit floodplain. The research is in accordance with the Water Framework Directive, the Nature Protection Act, and the Strategy and Action Plan for Nature Protection of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2017 to 2025, and will contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and protected natural values.

By carrying out this project, the SPIN consortium aims to develop an innovative, environmentally friendly laundry care product with additional repellent properties. This product has the potential for significant market success due to its unique formulation, its environmental friendliness and the use of advanced technologies. The innovative potential of this project lies in its ability to meet the growing demand for sustainable and functional products and to offer consumers added value through mosquito protection.

Plastics are everywhere. While considered largely inert and therefore lacking the urgency that a lethal toxicant would entail, recent research shows substantial sublethal effects of exposure to plastics. This is particularly alarming because production and use of plastics is increasing. (Micro)plastics also act as a vector for xenobiotics and pollutants, and often degrade physico-chemical properties of habitats. Accounting for such diverse impacts of plastics requires process-based approaches able to link exposure to plastics and the related pollutants, to organismal effects - including sublethal ones. While recent research provides data on plastic and the related pollutant exposure, tools quantifying the resulting organismal effects have not been developed. Models based on Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory track energy and mass acquisition and utilization, thus providing a framework for development of such tools. DEB models can also include toxicokinetics (uptake and elimination of toxicants) and toxicodynamics (effects of toxicants), thus quantifying interdependencies between energy acquisition, toxicant exposure, and organismal life history.QPlast will utilize DEB approaches to develop a set of tools to quantify (sub)lethal effects of exposure to plastics and the related pollutants. It will: • use the approach for estimating energy deficiency resulting from plastics ingestion (approach developed by the project applicant) to quantify effects of the exposure on species of special conservation or commercial interest, • develop an ecotoxicological module accounting for effects of organic and inorganic pollutants leaching from ingested plastics, and • investigate behavioral consequences of the exposure, using experiments on earthworms to guide model development. QPlast will develop new quantifying tools, and will make use of the growing body of knowledge on sub-organismal and organism-level effects of exposure to plastics and plastics-related pollutants.

Ticks are currently recognized as the main arthropod vectors in animals globally and the number of annual tick-borne infections (TBI) is expected to increase in the future due to climate change as the warmer weather favors tick spread and activity. We detected pathogens/genotypes of veterinary importance in an earlier GENOTICKTRECK project in ticks: Anaplasma ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia sp., “Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris”, B. canis, B. vulpes, B. microti, B. venatorum, Babesia sp. “Badger type A”, “Badger type B”, B. ovis, Babesia cf. crassa, Babesia sp. ''tavsan'', Theileria ovis, T. orientalis, T. equi, T. capreoli, H. canis, H. felis, Hepatozoon „Badger type''. Diseases that used to be limited only to tropical areas are now increasingly emerging in previously unaffected regions. As such anaplasmosis and piroplasmosis are associated with large economic losses in animal production worldwide and animal welfare. Moreover, in the last decade, haemotrophic Mycoplasma are emerging pathogens that affect numerous animal species. The lethal outcome of A. marginale infection and T. orientalis/A. bovis in Croatian cattle opened new questions on the presence, infection rate, distribution, impact on health, and genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogens and their vectors. There is a lack of information on the presence, infection rate, and distribution of these pathogens in small ruminants, cattle, and horses despite the negative economic impact on livestock production. Since transmission with arthropod vectors is poorly understood, additional studies are needed to clarify whether hematophagous vectors play a role in transmission. Our proposed work will address the gaps in knowledge of these still neglected pathogens in small ruminants, cattle, and horses. Additionally, we will explore their impact on animal health and presence in ticks and other hematophagous insects using a multidisciplinary approach from clinical examination to phylogeny.

Soil protection, restoration and revitalisation are becoming a priority in European Union strategies. Soil protection to date has been based mainly on the measurement and use of soil physical and chemical properties and research into the ecology and ecotoxicology of individual species or taxonomic groups. Until now, the biotic factors of the pedosphere have rarely been considered as distinguishing features for soil characterisations and classifications. In the last twenty years, the importance of ecological functions as crucial components of ecological services and as important factors for the stability of ecological soil systems has been recognised. The primary hypothesis of this proposal is that soils may differ from each other in terms of their taxonomic and functional biodiversity. Furthermore, we hypothesise that differences in these biodiversities are also highly correlated with the biotic potential of individual soils and that ecological stability is related to the range of ecotoxicological tolerance. A special focus of the research is on arsenic, a naturally occurring element in the soils of Croatia. In addition to new knowledge, this proposal includes an innovative approach to research methodology, using high-performance scientific computing to conduct in silico experiments. Such a research methodology enables the optimisation and fully adaptive design of experiments, ensuring predictability of the research process and results yield. The expected results will make a scientific contribution to ecology and ecotoxicology in terms of quantification and research methodology of ecological functions in soils. The applied significance of the results will be in agriculture and forestry, in the part that deals with maximum soil conservation. An exceptional contribution of the planned research is expected in the recommended methods and measured parameters, which will serve as a basis for harmonisation of Croatian legislation within the legal framework of the EU.

Pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PAHs, PCBs, and micro- and nanoplastics enter the environment through natural processes and human activities. Because they persist in the environment, they accumulate and build up in organisms, disrupting ecological balance. Their effects can cause changes at the molecular, biochemical, physiological, and behavioural levels, which in turn influence the stability and regeneration capacity of ecosystems. Monitoring the presence and effects of pollutants can be carried out through chemical analysis and biological methods, with a combination of both approaches providing the most reliable data. Choosing appropriate model organisms is essential, including aquatic insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Birds are especially useful because they enable non-invasive sampling (feathers, eggshells), in line with the 3R principle. At present, Croatia lacks systematic research on pollutant bioaccumulation. The proposed research focuses on establishing biomonitoring based on analysing pollutant accumulation and biomarker responses in different species. The data obtained will improve understanding of pollutant impacts and support the development of effective environmental policies and ecosystem protection measures.

The project “Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles: New Opportunities for Microgreen Biofortification and Aquatic System Remediation” is focused on the development of environmentally friendly solutions based on the green synthesis of selenium and iron nanoparticles using extracts of the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. The aim is to investigate their potential for plant biofortification and the removal of pesticides from aquatic systems. The project encompasses the synthesis and characterization of green nanoparticles, comparison with commercial analogues, and evaluation of their effects on duckweed (Lemna gibba) as a model organism. Effects on growth, physiological functions, and oxidative stress will be monitored, and the resulting biomass will be utilized for the green fertilization of microgreens. The experimental design also includes the assessment of the combined effects of nanoparticles and plants in the phytoremediation of pesticides from water. In addition, studies will be conducted on transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana to gain deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms of metal uptake, as well as in vitro testing of the antitumor potential of green-synthesized nanoparticles and biofortified microgreens. The project contributes to the green and digital transition through the development of sustainable technologies and the establishment of a digital database for research data management. Its innovation lies in the integration of green nanotechnology, biofortification, and phytoremediation within the context of environmental protection, functional food production, and sustainable agriculture.

The project aims to investigate the diversity of planktonic and periphytic communities in freshwater ecosystems of the UNESCO R Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, with the goal of understanding the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on their structure and function. Field research will be conducted during spring and summer under different hydrological conditions. The physicochemical parameters of the water, as well as planktonic and periphytic communities, will be analysed using standard species identification methods and modern molecular analysis techniques. The stable isotope method will be used to monitor food web interactions, carbon and nitrogen sources, and the impact of organic matter input from land on aquatic ecosystems. The experimental part of the research will be conducted under controlled conditions and will enable assessment of the effects of anthropogenic pollutants on the target communities. The project will foster international cooperation and provide professional training for doctoral and postdoctoral students. All collected data will be consolidated in a structured digital database. The project results will contribute to strengthening research capacities, and improving understanding of ecological changes in freshwater ecosystems. The results will also enable long-term and effective management of natural resources, with the aim of preserving ecological balance and promoting the sustainable development of the world’s first transboundary biosphere reserve, which extends across the territory of five countries and is under UNESCO protection.

The project investigates the effects of drought and soil degradation on key ecosystem components through an integrated approach combining physiological, microbial, and faunal analyses. Soil degradation refers to the process of declining soil quality and functionality, which negatively affects its capacity to support plant growth, regulate water, store carbon, and maintain biodiversity. In short, it represents a loss of soil productivity and ecological functions. The main objective is to understand how stress caused by drought and soil degradation affects plant physiology, soil microbial activity, and the structure of soil invertebrate communities (with a particular focus on earthworms), as well as selected groups of terrestrial fauna. The research is conducted through controlled experiments in mesocosm systems and field studies at sites with different degrees of soil degradation. Expected outcomes include the identification of key bioindicators of soil degradation, the development of simple predictive models, and recommendations for soil management under climate change conditions. The project will contribute to a better understanding of terrestrial ecosystem functioning under drought stress and provide a scientific basis for the development of climate change adaptation strategies.

The study investigates platelet function, inflammatory markers, vasculogenesis, and placental vascularization in pregnant women, focusing on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), obesity, preeclampsia, and related disorders. It aims to link blood coagulation changes, inflammation, and placental pathology to fetal risks, using prior RECOOP findings on platelet hyper-reactivity during pregnancy. Key methods include recruiting 80+ third-trimester women into four groups (normal/obese BMI, with/without GDM) for platelet aggregometry, blood plasma analysis (coagulation via D-dimer, fibrinogen; Western blots), 3D ultrasound in Szeged, and placenta tissue studies in Osijek (immunohistochemistry for fibrin, mass spectrometry metabolomics). Outcomes aim to clarify platelet roles in placental pathology, inflammation, and fetal distress, informing precise clinical guidelines for maternal-fetal health.

Through a total of four work packages, the project aims to find methods for accelerating and more precisely implementing the selection process by using modern multispectral aerial imaging technology to record phenotypic traits of soybean (WP 1) and by screening wheat genotypes for drought tolerance in the seedling stage by simulating drought stress in laboratory conditions (WP 2). The aim is also to investigate the impact of virus infection on the yield and quality of tubers of traditional potato cultivars and the plant's response to virus infection at the physiological, biochemical and epigenetic levels, which can serve as a basis for the development of varieties more resistant to viruses (WP 3). The possibility of growing camelina (Camelina sativa) as an alternative crop in different agro-ecological conditions and sowing dates will also be investigated and its production values will be determined (WP 4). This multidisciplinary research brings new knowledge necessary for the selection of genotypes more resistant to abiotic/biotic stresses and the introduction of sustainable and innovative solutions in the selection process and agricultural production. In addition to its scientific value, the project also has significant practical potential in terms of increasing the competitiveness of Croatian agriculture and sustainable food production. The emphasis is on an integrated approach that combines the latest scientific methods with practical testing in different conditions, thus encouraging the transfer of knowledge and technology from the laboratory to the field.

One of the most widely grown crops in the world is wheat. According to population growth, the wheat genetic gain should be increased. One of the solutions is the production of wheat hybrid varieties that should have increased yield and improved grain quality. Hybrid wheat has been investigated and tested for almost 90 years, but large-scale adoption is yet to come. Wheat is a self-pollinated crop, where in the development of hybrid seed it needs to make sure the ‘mother’ (female) line does not self-pollinate and in fact receives pollen from the intended ‘father’ (male) line. Hybrid wheat seed was produced using chemical hybridizing agents that selectively interfere with the pollen development. Prior to project, parental lines according to pollination ability and floral biology, heading date, flowering date and plant height were selected to obtain synchrony between ‘mothers’ and ‘fathers’. In the current project, newly formed hybrids will be tested for agronomical and quality traits at two different locations together with heterosis, general and specific combining abilities of parents. As hybrids should have competitive advantage, compared to varietal wheat under stress, simultaneously, investigated hybrids will be tested in the greenhouse under non-lethal drought stress during anthesis and under Fusarium head blight stress. Further, the role of crosstalk between antioxidative metabolism, chlorophyll a flouroscence, stomatal conductance, abscisic and salicylic acid signaling in regulating stress response with emphasis on drought tolerance should be elucidated between hybrids and their parental lines. In stress induced by Fusarium head blight, the molecular response associated with abscisic and salicylic acid signalling will be also examined. One of the general aims of this project is to test hybrids abilities that will speed up biotic and abiotic resistance due to novel technologies and methods, as classical procedure for obtaining wheat varieties is lasting for few years (10-12), to meet the requirements for increased grain yield. Hybrids usage by growers should significantly reduce the risk of growing wheat and the losses associated with biotic and abiotic stress. During project, dissemination of the results will be fullfiled through 7 conferences, symposiums or congresses, by publication at least 2 scientific papers in WoS, by organizing a workshop at the Osijek Agricultural Institute, and organization of a research workshop for team members with the invitation of a foreign researcher and the training of one team member.

Innovative technologies, such as ultrasound (sonication), despite their high efficiency in extracting phenolic, aromatic and nutritional compounds, are rarely used in winemaking. Therefore, their application in wine production could become an important technological innovation for speeding up relatively slow processes such as grape maceration. Wine production inevitably generates vinification by-products, which are usually considered waste, although due to the high content of polyphenols, fiber, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential, they can be effectively used in the food sector as functional food. The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of innovative vinification technologies when producing wines from autochthonous Croatian varieties Malvazija istarska and Teran, and introduced varieties Graševina and Merlot, on the bioactive, antimicrobial and nutritional potential of the resulting wines and by-products. Moreover, the aim is to explore the possibilities of their application in protective and nutritional purposes. Sonication treatments of different frequencies and durations of ultrasonic waves will be applied in the production of wines of the mentioned varieties. Aromatic and phenolic compounds, antioxidant and nutritional potential and sensory profile of the produced wines will be analysed. Data on chemical, bioactive and nutritional composition of wine and by-products will enable a better understanding of the chemical and biochemical processes that occur through the application of certain vinification techniques, while the sensory analysis of the produced wines and vinification by-products will confirm their organoleptic acceptability and safety with the aim of obtaining a new product. Since inadequately managed grape pomace is considered an ecological problem, the possibility of using vinification by-products for nutritional and protective purposes would provide products with added value in the context of a circular, sustainable economy.