General

Within the BELIS project, four plant breeding companies are collaborating with INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement — French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) to compare two approaches to lucerne (Medicago sativa) breeding: the traditional method, based on phenotypic evaluation, and an innovative method in which plant selection is guided by traits predicted using a genomic prediction equation developed by INRAE

Experimental design

The breeders from Barenbrug, Cérience, DLF (Dansk Landbrugs Frøforsyning) Seeds, and RAGT-2N (the research subsidiary of RAGT Semences) have each independently selected their preferred plants within their own nurseries and crossed them to produce the first SYN1 (first synthetic generation) — the initial generation of a synthetic variety, obtained by intercrossing a defined set of selected parent plants.

All experimental populations, along with control varieties, have been sown at INRAE’s URP3F (Unité de Recherche Pluridisciplinaire Prairies et Plantes Fourragères — Multidisciplinary Research Unit on Grasslands and Forage Crops) in Lusignan, France. In parallel, each breeder has sown their own material at their respective locations, enabling evaluation across multiple environments.

What comes next

The seeds are now emerging. Results on forage yield and biochemical composition are expected within the next two years, at which point a conclusion can be drawn on this proof of concept — and on the potential of genomic prediction to complement or enhance traditional phenotypic selection in lucerne breeding.

As part of the collaborative framework of the BELIS project, researchers from ITQB NOVA (Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier — Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology António Xavier, part of NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal) once again joined colleagues at IAS-CSIC (Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas — Institute for Sustainable Agriculture of the Spanish National Research Council) in Córdoba, Spain, during April, to evaluate approximately 300 accessions of vetch (Vicia sativa) using the Portable Spectroradiometer FieldSpec4 (Malvern Panalytical).

This was already the third consecutive year of joint measurements using this technology, reflecting a well-established and productive collaboration between the two teams. The FieldSpec4 enables detailed characterisation of spectral signatures across the VIS–NIR–SWIR range — spanning the Visible (350–700 nm), Near-Infrared (700–1300 nm), and Short-Wave Infrared (1300–2500 nm) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum — providing a comprehensive picture of plant optical properties.

A rich source of plant trait data

The spectral data collected will support the calculation of a wide array of plant indices linked to key physiological and biochemical traits. These include photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, as well as nitrogen and water content, and structural components such as cellulose and lignin. The dataset also captures indicators of plant stress responses, biomass, and overall plant greenness.

The continued development of this large-scale dataset reinforces the potential of spectroscopy-based approaches for rapid, non-destructive assessment of plant performance — an increasingly valuable capability in high-throughput breeding contexts.

Complementing agronomic characterisation for vetch breeding

The FieldSpec4-based plant indices will complement the ongoing agronomic, disease, and pest resistance characterisation carried out by the Spanish team at IAS-CSIC, providing additional layers of information to support vetch breeding within the BELIS project.

The  BELIS Project is hosting a webinar on the use of image processing technologies to advance legume breeding.

Taking place on 22 June 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. CET, the session will explore how high-resolution UAV imagery — combined with spectral analysis, spatial data, and artificial intelligence — enables non-destructive, time-efficient extraction of quantitative phenotypic information from crops. Presentations will cover core remote sensing concepts, the translation of pixel-level data into plot-level phenotypic traits, and the growing role of automation and vision-based AI in modern plant phenotyping. Practical case studies in lucerne, red clover, and pea will also be presented, comparing drone-based predictions with conventional manual phenotyping methods.

The webinar will likewise serve as an opportunity to learn more about the BELIS project, which focuses on 14 legume species across forage and grain crops, with the overarching goals of developing cost-effective breeding tools, improving the regulatory environment for legume breeding, and fostering innovation transfer among a broad network of stakeholders — from breeders and researchers to farmers and the feed and food industry.

The session is particularly relevant for plant breeders, phenotyping researchers, agronomists, remote sensing specialists, and data scientists working in agriculture and plant improvement, as well as for professionals involved in field trials, crop breeding programmes, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Registration deadline: 18 June 2026

Access the programme and register here

Satisfactory seed production is increasingly important for red clover cultivars to remain economically viable. Variable weather events, declining bumblebee populations, and difficulties in controlling insect pests are placing growing pressure on seed yields. To identify candidate varieties with good seed yield potential, breeders evaluate material in dedicated seed production trials — a process that is highly labour-intensive.

Flower head number per plot has been identified as a key factor influencing seed yield. Quick and reliable estimates of this trait could allow breeders to screen larger amounts of material without the need to harvest seeds on every plot. Within BELIS, ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and Agroscope are jointly optimising a model to estimate flower head numbers using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) imagery.

Data collection and model development

UAV time series of flowering red clover fields were collected by Agroscope, ILVO, DLF (Dansk Landbrugs Frøforsyning) Seeds, and DSV (Deutsche Saatveredelung). Using these data, two models were developed and optimised to detect both open (pink) and senescent (brown) flower heads: a baseline image analysis model and an AI-based model.

The AI model was built using YOLO (You Only Look Once), an open-source deep learning object detection framework. The model follows an active learning approach, whereby each training cycle incorporates new images to progressively improve predictive performance. The YOLO model currently achieves an F1 score of 92%, with remaining errors largely attributable to background confusion.

Validation against expert scoring

To further validate both models, an independent test set is being compiled, on which expert scoring will be conducted. Breeders from Agroscope, ILVO, Barenbrug, DLF Seeds, and DSV will score the images and assign flower density ratings on a 1-to-5 scale. These expert scores will be compared against the predictions of both models. The YOLO model is expected to outperform the baseline model, particularly in the detection of senescent flowers.

Towards practical application

In the final phase of the project, ILVO and Agroscope will support DLF Seeds, DSV, and any other interested partners in applying the model in practice, with the aim of increasing efficiency in their breeding programmes.

Authors: Arno Kasprzak (ILVO), Peter Lootens (ILVO), Tim Vleugels (ILVO), Michelle Nay (Agroscope), Ralph Stoop (Agroscope), Michael Simmler (Agroscope)

In April 2026, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (FH-SWF) participated in the event «Towards a Legume Renaissance in Europe: A discussion on how to support protein crops for food & feed in Europe» at the European Parliament — an ocassion to highlight the growing strategic importance of protein crops for Europe.

The event brought together policy-makers, researchers and representatives from the agricultural and processing sectors to discuss future support for grain legumes in Europe.

Key issues from BELIS WP7 were directly addressed. These include the economic and institutional conditions for the development of functioning legume value chains in Europe. Reducing dependence on soybean imports from the Americas was clearly identified as the overarching policy objective. Existing barriers in the European legume sector were discussed constructively, including short-term supply contracts in the food sector, fragmented markets and insufficient investment in breeding and processing.

Of particular interest were also practical examples from farmers in Germany, Norway and Spain, who presented innovative business models relating to legume cultivation and primary processing on their farms. Examples mentioned included the processing of faba beans into falafel, and the dual use of indeterminate faba bean varieties. Overall, the event clearly demonstrated that scientific findings and project work on legumes are increasingly being taken on board by policymakers, who are sending clear signals of stronger future support for pulses.

On 18 May, the global scientific community marks the Fascination of Plants Day, an initiative highlighting the essential role of plants in our lives, from food and feed to environmental sustainability and innovation.

EU-funded sister projects Legume Generation and BELIS take this opportunity to celebrate legumes: a diverse group of crops that have shaped European agriculture and diets for centuries and remain key to building a more sustainable future.

Legumes such as lentils and faba beans have long been part of European farming systems. As exploration and trade expanded, new species like common bean from America and soybean from Asia were introduced, enriching both agriculture and nutrition across the continent.

Beyond their nutritional value, legumes have historically played a crucial role in improving farming systems.

This dual benefit — enhancing soils while producing food and feed — remains just as relevant today. However, as Legume Generation coordinators emphasise, maintaining legume cultivation requires continuous effort: “despite the benefits of legumes for human diet and for agriculture, constant efforts are necessary to keep legume cultivation agronomically competitive.”

Projects such as Legume Generation and BELIS are working to address this challenge by advancing breeding, improving crop performance, and supporting the wider adoption of legumes in European agriculture.

On this Fascination of Plants Day, we celebrate not only the remarkable biology of plants, but also the enduring contribution of legumes to Europe’s food systems.

Paolo Annicchiarico, researcher at CREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria — Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), delivered two invited speeches at major international conferences, both of which drew in part on results from the BELIS project relating to lucerne genomic selection for drought tolerance. CREA is Italy’s foremost research organisation dedicated to the agri-food sector, employing a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses agricultural crops, livestock, fishery, forestry, agro-industry, food science, and socio-economics. As an Italian national public institution with 47 research stations spread throughout the country, CREA focuses on both theoretical and applied research, including public plant breeding, for the agri-food and forestry sector. Within BELIS, CREA contributes expertise in lucerne (Medicago sativa) breeding, with a particular focus on developing genomic selection models to improve drought tolerance and forage yield — a priority for the sustainability of crop-livestock systems in southern Europe under a changing climate.

World Alfalfa Congress — Reims, France (3–6 November 2025)

The speech titled «Breeding alfalfa for adaptation to the changing climate» and authored by P. Annicchiarico, N. Nazzicari, M. Laouar, N. Franguelli, and L. Pecetti was presented at the 4th World Alfalfa Congress, held in Reims and Châlons-en-Champagne, France, from 3 to 6 November 2025. Organised by the Inter-union Commission of European Dehydrators (CIDE), the event brought together scientists, experts, and professionals from around the world to share experiences and discuss future challenges in the sector. It was the first edition of the World Alfalfa Congress to be held in Europe. The overarching theme of the congress was «Alfalfa to return to planetary limits», addressing boundaries relevant to alfalfa-based production systems and the overall economic viability for farmers and markets.

European Grassland Federation General Meeting — Évora, Portugal (12–16 April 2026)

The keynote speech titled «Grass and legume breeding matching the future needs of European grassland farming» authored by P. Annicchiarico, P. Barre, and O.A. Rognli was delivered at the 31st General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (EGF), held in Évora, Portugal, from 12 to 16 April 2026. The meeting focused on the theme «Challenges and Innovations for Grasslands Resilience», providing a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation bringing together perspectives from research, practice, and policy. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Évora offered a setting combining history, culture, and innovation for this international scientific meeting.

As part of the Horizon Europe research project BELIS (Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability N°101081878), South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences is conducting a Europe-wide survey of those who produce, process, use or consume legumes. The aim is to identify which characteristics are particularly relevant from the perspective of the various stakeholders, in order to provide practical information for legume breeding and develop varieties that offer real added value to all actors along the value chain. The more feedback received, the more precisely research and breeding activities can be tailored to actual needs, thereby making a major contribution to the further development of the European protein sector.

Participation from all stakeholders along the legume value chain is welcomed, from seed production, agriculture, feed and food processing, and trade to the end consumer of legume products. The questionnaire can be completed without any special knowledge and takes about 5 minutes to complete.

Participation contributes to ensuring that future breeding activities are more closely aligned with the actual requirements of each sector — for example through more suitable varieties, more differentiated raw material qualities, more efficient processing processes, more stable market conditions or the availability of high-protein plant-based foods.

The intention of the BELIS project is to increase the importance of legumes in Europe through innovations in plant breeding. Breeding progress is a key lever for improving the market situation and competitiveness of European legumes. A viable value chain, in turn, is the lever for further innovations in plant breeding.

The research question of the survey is: What are the specific requirements and expectations of legume breeding customers in Europe with regard to plant and grain characteristics of legumes? The survey can be accessed

Those interested in the results of the study are welcome to contact Lars Wernze (wernze.lars@fh-swf.de).

BELIS is pleased to co-organise a dedicated satellite workshop at the 5th International Legume Society Conference (ILS5), taking place on 8 June 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Held on the opening afternoon of the conference (14:30–17:00), this event brings together four EU-funded projects — BELIS, LEGUME GENERATION, INCREASE and PROSPER — to share results, compare approaches and open new collaboration pathways in legume research.

Four projects, one shared ambition

Although each project has its own focus and consortium, BELIS, LEGUME GENERATION, INCREASE and PROSPER are united by a common goal: strengthening the diversity, resilience and competitiveness of legumes within European agricultural systems. This workshop is an opportunity to step back and consider what has collectively been achieved, and what can be built together going forward. After a short introduction from each project, the programme unfolds across two thematic sessions.

Session 1 — Tools and data for legume innovation

The first session showcases the genomic and bioinformatic infrastructure that the four projects have developed to accelerate legume breeding. BELIS will present two of its flagship contributions: the multi-species 60K SNP array platform covering pea, faba bean, white lupin, lentil and chickpea, and the BELIS legume database, a tool designed to store and query multi-species genetic and omic data and to support translational research across species. LEGUME GENERATION will contribute two presentations on applied genomics, including the LegGen Soy 5K Trait-Specific Marker Panel developed to unlock genetic variation for soybean breeding at northern latitudes. PROSPER will address molecular phenotyping and multi-omics integration as a means of elucidating and predicting seed traits and plant ecosystem services. INCREASE will close the session with an overview of innovative genomic approaches and sequencing strategies developed within its consortium.

Together, these contributions paint a picture of a rapidly maturing toolkit for legume genomics — one that is increasingly practical, multi-species and open to the wider research and breeding community.

Session 2 — Connecting stakeholders across the legume value chain

The second session shifts the focus from data and tools to people and partnerships. Legume research only delivers its full potential when it reaches breeders, processors, farmers and policymakers — and building those connections requires deliberate effort. BELIS will share its experience of developing productive relationships with breeders and processors, drawing on lessons learned throughout the project. The session will also feature a joint contribution from BELIS and INCREASE reflecting on their respective approaches to stakeholder engagement, the challenges encountered and the models that have proven most effective.

This session is designed to be genuinely interactive. Participants are encouraged to bring their own perspectives on what it takes to bridge the gap between scientific research and the realities of the legume value chain.

Join us in Dubrovnik

The workshop welcomes up to 40 participants and is primarily aimed at researchers, breeders, value chain actors and European policymakers. Full programme details are available on the ILS5 conference website.

On 4^th May 2026, the Horizon Europe BELIS Project (Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability) will be organising a Webinar on “KASP markers linked to key agronomic traits for chickpea breeding”.

Webinar objectives

This webinar will address the use of KASP markers for marker-assisted selection in chickpea breeding, as well as the status of the breeding and seed production in southern Spain.

It will also introduce the European project BELIS – Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability, focusing on 14 legume species, including 7 forage legumes (red clover, white clover, annual clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, bird’s-foot trefoil, and vetches) and 7 grain legumes (pea, faba bean, soybean, white lupin, lentil, chickpea, and common bean).

The main objectives of BELIS are:

• Developing cost-effective breeding tools.
• Improving the economic and regulatory environment for legume breeding.
• Ensuring effective innovation transfer through a network of stakeholders, including breeders and seed industry, researchers, registration offices, extension services, feed and food industry, farmers.

The webinar will also introduce the stakeholder network being established within the BELIS project, including its goals, activities, benefits of joining, and the steps to become a member.
 

Target Audience

This webinar is specifically designed for professionals involved chickpea breeding, as well as in forage and grain legume breeding and utilization in Europe, including breeders and seed industry, researchers, registration offices, extension services, feed and food industry, farmers.

Access the programme and all the information about the webinar here.

• Date of the webinar: 4 May 2026, 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. CET
• Application deadline: 28 April 2026