Scientific article. Evaluation of oat genotypes for species-specific and cross-resistance to Fusarium head blight species and the role of trichomes in susceptibility

(Selma Schurack, Charlotte Rodemann, Klaus Oldach, Steffen Beuch, Sophie Brodführer, Andreas von Tiedemann & Matthias Heinrich Herrmann)

This study evaluated 25 oat genotypes under field trials to assess resistance against three Fusarium species. By combining species-specific qPCR and microscopic analysis of hull trichomes (size and density), the authors show that resistance is mostly species-specific and suggest a role of trichome traits in susceptibility — providing useful insights for breeding Fusarium-resistant oat varieties.

Scientific article. Photothermal Integration of Multi-Spectral Imaging Data via UAS Improves Prediction of Target Traits in Oat Breeding Trials

(D. Evershed, J. Brook, S. Cowan, I. Griffiths, S. Tudor, M. Loosley, J.H. Doonan & C.J. Howarth)

This study shows that integrating thermal and multispectral aerial imagery via UAS improves prediction accuracy for key agronomic traits in oat breeding trials — offering a scalable tool for high-throughput phenotyping and precision agriculture.

Scientific article. Potential for Enhancing Seed Yield and Quality of Spring Oat and Hull-Less Barley Through Intercropping with Pea Under the Pannonian Climate

(Radivoje Jevtić, Vesna Župunski, Ljiljana Brbaklić, Dragan Živančev, Anja Dolapčev Rakić, Vladimir Aćin, Sanja Mikić & Branka Orbović)

Field trials under the Pannonian climate tested spring oat and hull-less barley intercropped with pea in different years and cropping systems. The study shows that intercropping can match pure-stand yields while shifting seed quality traits such as protein content, thousand kernel weight and hectoliter weight, offering crop- and year-specific trade-offs that farmers and breeders need to consider.

Scientific article. Fibre-like structure formation in faba bean protein-based extrudates: effects of moisture content, formulation, and processing conditions

(Clara Barnés-Calle, Grau Matas, Anna Claret, Lluis Guerrero, Elena Fulladosa & Pere Gou)

This study investigates how formulation (protein composition, moisture content) and processing conditions influence the formation of fibre-like structures in faba bean-based extrudates — with implications for plant-based meat/texture applications and ingredient optimisation.

Scientific article. Powdered oat drink production by pulse spray drying

(A. Dantas, M. Piella-Rifà, Diogo Pontes Costa, Xavier Felipe & Pere Gou)

This study explores how pulse spray drying (PSD), combined with maltodextrin, can be used to produce stable powdered oat-based drinks — offering a potentially efficient route for plant-based beverage processing in low-resource or industrial settings.

Scientific article. A Framework to Evaluate Food Safety Hazards Emerging from Change(s) in the Primary Production System – A Case Study Involving Intercropping

(Rosa A. Safitri, Esther D. van Asselt, Judith Müller-Maatsch, Susanne Vogelgsang, Tamara Dapcevic-Hadnadev & Monique de Nijs)

This paper presents a “Generic Food Safety Assessment” (GFSA) framework — based on HACCP principles — that helps evaluate hazards (toxins, allergens, contamination) when switching from monoculture to intercropping. The GFSA aims to guide farmers and supply-chain actors in identifying risks and defining control measures when cropping systems change.

Scientific article. Harnessing monocrop-breeding strategies for intercrops: a pathway to optimize resource-use and yield stability

(Reena Dubey, Riccardo Zustovi, Sofie Landschoot, Kevin Dewitte, Greet Verlinden, Geert Haesaert & Steven Maenhout)

This paper investigates how minimal adaptations to conventional monocrop breeding schemes can facilitate development of intercrop-compatible varieties. Through simulation of cereal-legume intercropping systems, the authors assess when to introduce intercrop testing to maximize genetic gain while retaining resource efficiency — offering a practical bridge for breeders interested in mixed-cropping systems.

Scientific article. Genome-wide association study for in vitro digestibility and related traits in triticale forage

(Anneleen De Zutter, Maria Chiara Piro, Steven Maenhout, Hans Peter Maurer, Johan De Boever, Hilde Muylle, Isabel Roldán-Ruiz & Geert Haesaert)

GWAS on a panel of 118 winter triticale genotypes identified 53 significant SNP-trait associations, revealing candidate genomic regions that influence in vitro digestibility and cell-wall traits — useful insights for breeding improved forage quality.

Scientific article. Effects of genotype, nitrogen, and sulfur fertilization on faba bean composition

(L. Gao, F. Van Bockstaele, G. Haesaert, P. Vermeir, A. Skirtach & M. Eeckhout)

This study evaluates how genotype together with nitrogen and sulfur fertilization strategies influence the nutritional composition and quality parameters of faba bean. Findings support optimized fertilization and variety selection to meet food and feed quality demands.

Scientific article. High moisture extrusion of pea protein isolate to mimic chicken texture

(Clara Barnés-Calle, Grau Matas, Anna Claret, Lluis Guerrero, Elena Fulladosa, Pere Gou)

This study explored how extrusion parameters — water feed rate, barrel temperature and screw speed — affect the texture and moisture of pea protein isolates processed with high-moisture extrusion, providing instrumental and sensory insights.

Scientific article. Combined effects of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers on chemical composition, structure and physicochemical properties of buckwheat starch

(Licheng Gao, Geert Haesaert, Filip Van Bockstaele, Pieter Vermeir, Andre G. Skirtach & Mia Eeckhout)

This Food Chemistry paper examines how different nitrogen and sulfur fertiliser regimes and genotypes shape the chemical composition, granular structure and functional properties of buckwheat starch, offering guidance for tailoring grain quality to processing needs.

Scientific article. Genetic mapping of the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm13 in oat

(Selma Schurack, Steffen Beuch, Sandy Cowan, Irene Griffiths, Magdalena Lunzer, Laura Morales, Sara Tudor, Hermann Buerstmayr, Catherine J. Howarth, Nicholas A. Tinker & Matthias H. Herrmann)

Powdery mildew is a major oat disease in Europe. This study confirmed the adult plant resistance gene Pm13 on chromosome 1D and identified linked markers to support breeding for mildew-resistant varieties.

Scientific article. Innovations in spray drying technology for liquid food processing

(Adriana Dantas, Marc Piella-Rifà, Diogo Pontes Costa, Xavier Felipe & Pere Gou)

This review highlights pulse combustion (PC), electrostatic spray drying (ESD), nano spray drying (NSD) and extrusion porosification (EP). Each technique offers unique potential, from energy savings to processing sensitive compounds, though most remain at pilot or lab scale.

Scientific article. Cereal-legume intercropping: a review using topic modelling

(Sofie Landschoot, Riccardo Zustovi, Kevin Dewitte, Nicola P. Randall, Steven Maenhout & Geert Haesaert)

Using bibliometric and text-mining methods, 4732 papers were analyzed on cereal-legume intercropping. The study identifies research gaps and highlights both common crops (wheat, soybean) and underutilized crops (buckwheat, lupin, triticale).

Scientific article. Intercropping indices: a critical meta-analysis

(Riccardo Zustovi, Sofie Landschoot, Kevin Dewitte, Greet Verlinden, Reena Dubey, Steven Maenhout & Geert Haesaert)

Over 20 indices were assessed across intercropping experiments. Results show many fail to capture whole-system performance, highlighting the need for a standardized evaluation protocol.

Scientific article. Evidence of development of underutilised crops in Europe

(Todd Jenkins, Sofie Landschoot, Kevin Dewitte, Geert Haesaert, John Reade & Nicola Randall)

This systematic mapping reviewed ecosystem services and economic value of underutilised crops like oats, triticale, hull-less barley, lupin, buckwheat and faba beans. Research gaps were identified in breeding, agronomics and socioeconomics.

Scientific article. Impact of rising temperatures on historical wheat yield, phenology, and grain size in Catalonia

(Davide Gulino, Roser Sayeras, Joan Serra, Josep Betbese, Jordi Doltra, Adrián Gracia-Romero & Marta S. Lopes)

Using long-term field data from Catalonia, this study quantifies how rising temperatures affect wheat yield, development timing and grain size. The results highlight critical temperature thresholds and help breeders and farmers anticipate how future warming may impact regional wheat production.

Scientific article. Potential use of faba bean in plant-based spreads

(Dubravka Škrobot, Milica Pojić, Jelena Tomić, Predrag Ikonić, Miloš Županjac, Vojislav Banjac & Mladenka Pestorić)

Faba beans, once widely used, are now underutilized. This study formulated and characterized plant-based spreads from faba beans as alternatives to meat/liver pâté, showing potential in the growing market for meat alternatives.

Scientific article. In vitro digestibility as screening tool for triticale forage

(Anneleen De Zutter, Johan De Boever, Hilde Muylle, Isabel Roldán-Ruiz & Geert Haesaert)

Triticale forage can widen maize rotations and improve biodiversity. This study evaluated digestibility traits and identified promising genotypes with high yield and good nutritional quality for future breeding.

Article. From Niche Crop to Mainstream Success

(Clémence S., Alexander Zorn)

Switzerland plans to promote grain legumes cultivation from 2023. Agroscope experts analyzed value chains for oats, triticale, faba beans and lupin, identifying opportunities and challenges for bringing these crops to consumers’ plates.

Scientific article. Variation in feeding value of triticale forage

(Anneleen De Zutter, Sofie Landschoot, Pieter Vermeir, Chris Van Waes, Hilde Muylle, Isabel Roldán-Ruiz, Laid Douidah, Johan De Boever & Geert Haesaert)

This study analyzed feeding value variation in triticale forage by maturity, season and genotype. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a rapid screening tool for breeding purposes.

Scientific article. Identification of new powdery mildew resistance loci in wheat

(Zuzana Korchanová, Miroslav Svec, Eva Janáková, Adam Lapar, Maciej Majka, Katerina Holusová, Georgi Bonchev, Jakub Juracka, Petr Cápal & Miroslav Valárik)

Two new resistance loci were identified in emmer wheat landrace GZ1, conferring broad resistance to powdery mildew at seedling and adult stages. This provides valuable resources for wheat breeding programs.

Scientific article. The Potential of Small Landscape Features in Farmland

(Todd Jenkins, John Reade & Nicola Randall — Harper Adams University)

Findings support the use of multifunctional, annual mixes as an option for farmers. They provide multiple ecosystem services without significant trade-offs compared to single-focus mixes.

Scientific article. Exploration and exploitation of the GxGxE space in intercropping

(Reena Dubey & Steven Maenhout, Ghent University & Progeno)

Traditional breeding explores only a fraction of the genotype × environment × genotype space. This study develops methods combining ecophysiological modelling and intercrop-specific breeding strategies.

Scientific article. Exploration of intercrop breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture

(Reena Dubey)

Intercrop breeding requires strategies to explore the vast genotype × genotype × environment (GxGxE) space. This PhD research develops data analysis methods to efficiently exploit that space for sustainable agriculture.