b'2 0 2 120 MOST CLIMATEFRIENDLY COMPANIESENVIRONMENTALLYCLIMACONTROL3 IN CORN EVEN GREENERINCREASING CLIMATE FRIENDLY SEEDKWS Saat, Germany CALCULATORRESILIENCETREATMENT HZPC, The NetherlandsNIAB, UK MORAVOSEED CZ a.s. Czechia Under the CLIMACONTROL3 (CC3) label, KWS offers inno- As a crop, the potato is a sustain- NIAB has been very active in its Higher temperatures andvative, drought-tolerant hybridable choice. It has a very smallefforts to mitigate climate change. weather extremes create moregrain corn varieties, specificallycarbon footprint, compared toNIABs plant-microbe interaction favourable conditions for thetargeted for south-easternrice or wheat. And it gets evenspecialists are working to reduce development of diseases, pestsEurope where drought risks aresmaller now. HZPC is presentingchemical inputs by using beneficial and weed species. MoravoSeedimminent. The number 3 in theEven Greener, a selection ofmicrobes to improve growing tech-has developed a procedurelabel stands for the three growthextra sustainable varieties with aniques, such as N-fixing bacteria aimed at the ecological destruc- phases in which CC3 protectslower impact on the environment.and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in tion of bacteria, fungi and insectsthe corn plant from droughtTogether with their custom- production systems. Soil biologists in seeds, including the removal ofstress: before, during and afterers they have looked at whatwithin NIAB are expanding the admixtures of quarantine invasiveflowering. Phase one shows arequirements are truly importantunderstanding of carbon seques-weeds. This involves heat treat- faster vegetative development,for sustainable varieties. And thetration within farming systems, ment of seeds in combinationand an early determination ofcompany came up with five sus- investigating the use of low tillage with ozone treatment. The seedthe number of kernel rows. Thistainable traits: marketable yield,production systems to capture is subjected to laboratory testingincreases chances for a higherfertilizer, storability, crop protec- more carbon, retaining it in the using molecular detection meth- yield potential at harvest. Phasetion and freshwater use. Now it isground longer and reducing soil ods. Depending on the results, atwo has a focus on the pollinationfinally possibly to measure andgreenhouse gas emissions. Not suitable procedure is designedcapabilities. CC3 hybrids demon- determine whether a variety isonly does NIAB drive innovation with subsequent control of itsstrate a high level of synchroni- sustainable. Not defining by onethrough its research, but it also effectiveness. The company iszation between pollen shed andsingle trait but by a balanced setstrives to adopt best practices also involved in the manage- silk exertion, thereby securing aof five. In the Even Greener calcu- for minimizing its own footprint. ment of the INTERREG V-A CZ SKsuccessful fecundation. In phaselator, the customers can indicateBuilt in 2010, the Sophi Taylor 304011X035 project, which aimsthree, hybrids must be very effec- which traits are most importantConference facility is state-of-to create a regional network oftive when allocating availableto them and HZPC provides athe-art and remains a beacon of cooperating laboratories in theresources to grain filling. Here,potato variety that meets thesesustainability. All building works Czech Republic and Slovakia.kernel weight stability and stayrequirements. This gives themat NIAB since have incorporated The aim is to provide growersgreen play a major role. CC3access to the best sustainableelements from this building to with the possibility of rapid andhybrids demonstrate an abovepotato varieties. The calculatorenhance their green credentials. accessible detection of possibleaverage capability to cope withprovides access to research dataIntegral to addressing climate symptoms or preventive controlvarious stress occurrences, result- in an very accessible manner.change is the development of next of seeds and seedlings beforeing from an extensively devel- The five sustainable traits are ageneration expertise by investing sowing, as a prevention againstoped root system, higher watersummary of a large set of potatoin training for technical staff at further spread of problematicaccumulation capacities, betterattributes which are measuredall levels within the organisation pathogens, including viruses. Alltranspiration control and finallyper potato variety, every growthalong with providing industry-fac-of this ensures maximum controland longer assimilation activityseason and on many locationsing Continuing Professional of seed and crops, avoidingand grain filling capabilities. in the world. In this way the EvenDevelopment courses. NIAB have excessive use of chemicals andGreener model is very robust. joined with partners to establish machinery traverses, saving time,a 3.6M, industry-led, doctoral money and the environment. training programme that pro-vides a platform for training and learning for sustainable agriculture innovation.14IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'