CITRUSBUSTERS is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) project funded by Horizon Europe. It addresses the global challenge of citrus pests with devastating impact on agriculture and biodiversity. The project targets three high-priority threats: Candidatus Liberibacter (CL), its insect vector Trioza erytreae, and Phyllosticta citricarpa (PC).

The goal

The project aims to integrate advanced detection technologies, resilient plant strategies, and sustainable biocontrol methods to strengthen Europe’s citrus sector. Moreover, it plans to contribute to a fairer, healthier, and environmentally friendly food system.

Main objectives

• Enlarge the Integrated Pest Management toolbox for high-value crops to allow farmers, researchers, and policymakers to manage pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.
• Establish a multidisciplinary research program to answer the urgent need to improve prevention, early detection and control of main citrus diseases caused by Candidatus Liberibacter (CL) and Phyllosticta citricarpa (PC).
• Develop and validate early detection technologies and smart surveillance systems, contributing to the understanding of the drivers of plant pest introduction, spread and establishment.
• Strengthen plant resilience through non-GMO breeding and agroecological innovations.
• Deploy safe and effective biopesticides for target vector incorporating advanced RNA delivery systems from bio-based materials and maximise wider uptake of the results.

Key activities

• Use hyperspectral and LIDAR imaging with AI-based predictive models for pathogen detection.
• Apply co-culture models to understand pest dynamics and outbreak risks.
• Develop biocontrol solutions: endolysins, microbial antifungals, and dsRNA for vector suppression.
• Test DNA-free breeding methods and novel plant immune triggers.
• Assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of proposed pest control strategies.

The project will address the following areas

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT
Smart surveillance systems, preventive strategies, new biocontrol agents, and advanced breeding techniques, enlarging the IPM toolbox.

ADOPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental, economic and social sustainability assessment.

VALIDATION OF SOLUTIONS AND POTENTIAL FOR SCALE-UP
Interlaboratory analysis for validation, demonstrations, in vitro validation and field testing.

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Capacity building activities and farmer-focused training for resilient citrus production.

EU AND GLOBAL OUTREACH
Targeted communication, dissemination, and policy alignment across Europe and Brazil.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for Integrated Pest Management policy integration and ecosystem restoration.

Project consortium

The CITRUSBUSTERS consortium consists of 12 partners from Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Greece, and Brazil. The project is coordinated by AINIA (Spain).

PEDAL Consulting leads the Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation activities, including:

• Communication strategy, visual identity, and social media management.
• Creation of the project website and outreach materials.
• Stakeholder engagement and event organisation.
• Exploitation planning and policy dialogue facilitation.