Modern viticulture in Croatia and the world is based mainly on varieties that are sensitive to various diseases and pests, which results in the unsustainably large amounts of pesticides used in grape production. The sustainable development of viticulture in the future will only be possible by increasing the resistance of the grapevine through the development of new varieties resistant to diseases and abiotic stresses caused by climate change. Breeding programs have been launched in the leading wine-growing countries to develop new varieties with resistance to diseases (resistant varieties), which at the same time show a high level of quality. New resistant varieties were most often created based on international varieties (mainly French and German) using classical breeding and selection supported by genetic markers (MAS - Marker Assisted selection). Croatia is rich in autochthonous grape varieties that are the basis of wine production, and are not present in the breeding programs of other countries. In 2015, the applicant started a breeding program whose long-term goal is the development of resistant varieties of grapevines with stable and durable resistance, using autochthonous germplasm in combination with different sources of resistance that are present in the resistant varieties developed so far suitable for growing in Croatia. This project has a goal to improve the process of grapevine breeding through the development of the application of metabolomic biomarkers associated with disease resistance or reduced sensitivity to water stress and high temperatures, high-throughput phenotyping, the application of existing selection methods based on molecular markers with the aim of pyramiding resistance, and the development of the method for early assessment of grape quality in the selection process. This way breeding process can be improved concerning speed and efficiency for the development of cultivars with permanent and stable resistance to diseases.

As a consequence of the implementation of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, the number of biomass plant facilities continues to grow in Croatia, and their by-product (waste) biomass ash (bioash) needs to be stored adequately. Based on our recent studies it is assumed that due to its specific physicochemical properties (pH >12.5; huge active/adsorption interface; significant content of P, K, Ca, Mg) bioash could have a range of positive impacts in amelioration of metal-contaminated soils. Metal contamination of arable land is a rising anthropogenic degradation that causes negative economic and ecological consequences in food production. The main objectives of the project are: 1) to characterize physicochemical properties of bioashes from several biomass plants, and to determine the effects of different bioash levels on 2) chemical and 3) microbial changes in metal-contaminated soils, 4) vegetative parameters and mineral content of agricultural test crops grown in such contaminated soils. The Faculty has all the infrastructure and most laboratory resources needed, accredited with modern instruments (ICP-OES, HPLC, SFA) for the successful accomplishment of all planned activities, with some advanced microscopy and mineralogy analyses (SEM-EDS, SIMS, XPS, XRD) which will be done in external labs. This project will contribute to postdoc. researcher competencies, educate PhD/Masters graduates, and will enhance international recognition of the research work by delivering project website, workshops/round tables and scientific meetings, and by disseminating the project results at conferences and publishing at least 5 papers in Q1/Q2 journals. Finally, the project is expected to provide novel and more sustainable solutions for managing bioash materials and metal-contaminated soils, which represent an increasing environmental issue at national, European and global levels.

The project plans to establish an Ampelographic and Pomological Research Center and prepare project documentation for the renovation and furnishing of the building where it will be located. The tasks of the Ampelographic and Pomological Research Center are research in the field of viticulture, fruit growing and grape and fruit processing. Special emphasis will be placed on research into ampelographic properties of grapes, pomological properties of fruits, microbiological and oenological processes of grape and fruit processing, and sensory properties of fruits and processed products.

Viticulture in Croatia has a long tradition and is characterised by at least 125 autochthonous grapevine cultivars, of witch Plavac mali is one of the most popular. About 15% of Criatian inhabitants are directly or indirectly connected with viticulture. At the same time grapevine viruses are considered a global problem and control strategies are based on preventive measures. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about alternative hosts, the behaviour of vectors, and the impact of climate change on the entire ecosystem. Croatian autochthonous grapevines, especially in coastal areas, are highly infected with viruses, particularly those of the leafroll (grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, GLRaV-3) and rugose wood comlexes. The Kaštela region (Central Dalmatia) is characterised by various autochthonous cultivars, but also by grapevines frequently infected with more than 10 viruses, which provides an ideal natural platform for studying various aspects of grapevine virology. The first objective of the project is to screen perennial plants as potential alternative hosts in vineyards and surrounding areas for the presence of viruses using nanopore sequencing technology. Since limited data on the impact of the viruses on Croatian autochthonous cultivars, climate change and prolonged drought periods, the second objective is to determine the impact of GLRaV-3 on Plavac mali exposed to different levels of water stress. Various physiological parameters will be measured and analysed, including quantification of glrav-3. The third objective is to determine the effect of watter stress and glrav-3 on the behavioural patterns (activity, movement, host selection) of vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus), a common pest in vineyards and glrav-3 vector. the results of the project will contribute to the development of new control strategies and provide valuable data on the impact of climate change and virus infection on plavac mali production.