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 Rationale and background
The main goal of the project is improving food and feed safety by increasing the levels of essential micronutrients and reducing those of toxic metals and other pollutants, especially fungal toxins in the staple food wheat and in the fodder crop, alfalfa.
The interrelationship between the accumulation of microelements and toxins will also be investigated. This aim is in agreement with the Lisbon Strategy, the Göteborg Decision and the Operative Program of the Region. Added values are the better understanding of food chain safety; experience for beneficiaries; dissemination of knowledge and improvements of partner laboratories.
Innovative elements are the interdisciplinary and complex approach. Risk factors are considered low since this joint project has stable institutional background. Cross border effects follow from the similar environmental conditions in the neighbour area of the Region. Multiplying, mid- and long term effects are ensured by the target groups.
Objectives (general and specific)
General objective: determination of factors for improvement of food and feed nutrient safety, in general, food chain safety.
Specific objectives: establishment and improvement of infrastructure; implementation of thematic research; increase of knowledge and experience of junior experts in food chain science.
Cross-border character and impact
The climatic, edaphic and biotic characters of the Romanian Western Plain and the south-eastern part of the South Hungarian plain are very similar and these factors make this environment one continuous region that influence the life of individuals and communities. (average temperatures and precipitation in Szeged and Timisoara!) Soil is chernozem. In crop production similar conditions may affect or limit yield quality and quantity: drought, wet early summer (microbial, fungal infections, e.g. Fusarium in wheat and maize) or soil pollution (heavy metals). The main goal of our project is the food and feed security and to search for cultivars for healthier food chain. As the result of decade-long cooperation in higher education and R+D activity between LP and P, already the initials of joint departmental and laboratory activity is observed in Szeged and Timisoara. In this project 13 + 10 experts will work together with a secondary effect on 300 graduate students on the two sides of the border. Regarding the number of plant species these are 3, wheat, maize and alfalfa, important crops on both sides. The number of samples to be investigated is atleast 400, the number of toxins and heavy metals cannot be exactly stated (this is research!) but depending on the sensitivity of the analytical methods, they can be large number in both cases.
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