Modern plant phenotyping in breeding programs of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad (IFVCNS)

Abstract

The Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia has more than 85 years long tradition of plant phenotyping work, but first projects related to use of modern phenotyping platforms were established a decade ago. From these first steps till now, the IFVCNS become one of the leading institutions in this research area in Serbia. So far, the Institute’s researchers finalised four Transnational Access to European Plant Phenotyping Network projects. In these studies, some wheat and sunflower genotypes were identified as potential sources for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Thus, it was found that wheat cvs. NS 40S, Subotičanka and NS Avangarda have relatively high levels of drought and salt tolerance. Use of Flower Colour Image Analysis (FloCIA) software enhanced ray florets colour determination and paved the way to more objective and accurate sunflower phenotyping, while thermal imaging was used for screening of sunflower for tolerance to Sclerotinia head and stem rot. Also, a collaborative work with the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, Italy have shown a good tolerance of camelina to drought at the germination stage. The Institute has a strategy for more intensive use of modern phenotyping technologies in its future research and practice. Recently approved projects: SmartSun (7732457), CROPINNO (101059784), EMPHASIS-GO (101079772) and AgroServ (101058020), funded by the National Science Foundation of Serbia and EU Commission, are aimed at institutional capacity building in the application of phenomics in crop improvement.