This is the first in a series of newsletters, which aim to outline the activities of the SOLIBAM consortium. The overall objective of SOLIBAM is to develop specific and novel breeding approaches integrated with management practices to improve the performance, quality, sustainability and stability of crops adapted to organic and low-input systems. The project is founded on the concept of diversity. Our research hypothesis is that developing diversity at all levels is the best strategy for improving the capacity for crops to adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions and for increasing yields and yield stability in organic and low-input systems. Diversity is also a characteristic of the consortium members, who bring a wide range of competencies and scientific approaches, farming systems experience, climatic conditions and cultural backgrounds. The partners come from 12 countries, representing many different regions from the North of Europe to Africa and our consortium represents most of the disciplines needed to explore and sustain diversity in the field. 

During this first stage of the project, we have succeeded in building a cohesive team approach.  The diversity of members has led to the development of what we may call: “the SOLIBAM strategy”. From the first annual meeting, the definition of our strategy incorporated both scientific and organisational viewpoints: In SOLIBAM we are combining many disciplines and values with the aim of increasing system diversity and participatory methods. In addition to developing techniques and assessing quantitative and qualitative data, transdisciplinary thinking is central to the success of SOLIBAM. 

In this first newsletter, we offer an overview of all the disciplines involved in the development of an innovative sustainable strategy for producing quality crops and appropriate processes for the food supply system based on PPBM (Participatory Plant Breeding and Management) and diversity at all levels.

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