Background & objectives

The TreeD-RESIST project aims to revolutionise the design of agroecological orchards by utilising 3D phenotyping and AI modelling to quantify and predict the immunity and resilience of apple, apricot, peach and citrus trees, thereby balancing productivity with ecological functionality.

Outcomes

The project’s expected outcomes are:

• Open-access datasets and ontologies to support research into the sustainability of perennial fruit crops.
• New indicators of agroecological immunity and resilience.
• Operational prototypes of digital phenotyping tools to aid decision-making and the diversification of orchards managed using agroecological practices.

Organisation

The project is structured into 4 work packages (WP):

• WP1: establishes interoperable data standards and ontologies to harmonise heterogeneous datasets.
• WP2: develops a digital phenotyping workflow, involving 3D modelling, AI-based root analysis, sensor measurements, and multispectral drone imagery to extract architectural and physiological traits of trees.
• WP3: conducts an in-depth characterisation of immunity and resilience in agroecological experimental orchards, evaluating genetic resources and cultivation practices.
• WP4: links the GxExM triad to phenotypic performance via multimodal AI modelling, for early stress detection and decision support.