PROJECT R&D+I

TITLE
PREVINU - NUTRITIONAL FORECAST: MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
NUTRITION OF LEGUMES

HIGHLIGHTS
Evaluation of the combined impact of high CO2 content with the restricted supply of Fe in
the quality of legume production

ABSTRACT
Our planet is experiencing some dramatic shifts in local environments, and in order to ensure that
we maintain a nutritious food supply in the future, it is imperative that we are mindful of the
potential negative impacts of climate change phenomena on crop quality. The Horizon2020 for
2015-2016 prioritizes studies addressing the mitigation of the impact of climate change on food
security. Parallel to high CO2, it is also now incontestable that restricted soil Fe supply will impact
the nutrition of the foods which we will consume in the future, as low Fe uptake restricts Fe
content and plant fitness.
Scientists are starting to assess these issues independently, but studies linking these two
important aspects are few, and more targeted analyses are required.

Thus, this project will focus on assessing the impact of high CO 2 combined with restricted Fe
supply in legume production. Iron was chosen for three main reasons: 1) an estimated 30% of total
arable land is Fe deficient, 2) from a climate-change associated perspective, there is concern that
altered bulk water flow in soils, such as in response to reduced stomatal conductance, might
lower the amount of readily available, exchangeable Fe in the root zone; 3) no studies are
available linking high CO2 and restricted Fe supply, two conditions which are likely to interplay in
the future.

KEYWORDS
Climate Change, CO2, Iron, Legumes, Quality

PROMOTERS / PARTNERS
Escola Superior de Biotecnologia Universidade Catlica Portuguesa (coordinator)

FINANCING PROGRAM EXECUTION DATE GLOBAL BUDGET

PTDC/AGR-PRO/3972/2014 2016-2019 199 496,00

CONTACTS E-MAIL PHONE

Marta Vasconcelos mvasconcelos @porto.ucp.pt +351 22 558 0001