The ZELDA project aims to decipher the mechanisms of innate immunity in plants, using molecules derived from biorefineries that are often overlooked in lignocellulose transformation processes. Thanks to these 100% biobased biosolutions, a pathogenic attack is mimicked, alerting crops and activating their own immune systems for self-defense before pathogens arrive in the field. In practice, this works like a plant vaccine, preventing the emergence of biological resistance in microbial pathogens. What’s more, we help reduce the use of chemical pesticides and environmental pollution by treating only the plants that need it, rather than the whole field.
By returning recycled products from biorefineries to farmers, ZELDA represents a bridge to strengthen the European bioeconomy loop.
The ZELDA project is coordinated by David Cannella, Laboratory of Production and Biostimulation of Cultivated Plants (LPBP), Faculty of Science, ULB.
Key figures on ZELDA:
