OBSIDIAN is an interdisciplinary research project carried out as part of the Priority Research Area (PRA) ‘Nature-based Solutions, Biodiversity and Climate Change (NatBio)’ at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. The team focuses on the creation and implementation of Organic Biodiversity Solutions (OBS) – solutions compatible with organic and regenerative agriculture, combining resilient crops (NUCS – Neglected and Underutilised Crop Species) with native, patent-ready bioinoculants as scalable Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The aim is to restore soil function, rebuild biodiversity and provide safer, more nutritious and functional food in conditions of climate stress and ecosystem degradation, and in practice – strengthening the resilience of local food production systems, which is essential for food security in times of increasing climate variability and supply chain disruptions.
In OBSIDIAN, the ‘discovery to deployment’ approach is key: new strains of microorganisms are identified, intellectual property rights are secured, and then the inoculants undergo verification from controlled conditions to field trials. The project includes the harmonisation of monitoring in the soil-plant-food chain, combined with artificial intelligence tools and open ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) indicators.

Digitisation of research enables the integration of biological, chemical, soil and climate data, translating it into location-specific recommendations and transparent reporting for farmers, local authorities and institutions. Meteorological data and geospatial layers support the selection of pilot locations and the assessment of environmental stress risks, and in subsequent stages, broader integration of remote sensing data for AI models and implementation monitoring is possible.

The project pursues the following objectives: development of OBS/NbS packages (NUCS + bioinoculants) improving soil functioning and water retention while reducing intensive inputs; strengthening food safety and quality through monitoring of key contaminants (e.g. micro-/nanoplastics, heavy metals, pesticides); building measurable benefits for biodiversity and transferring results into practice and public policy (training, recommendations for decision-makers, implementation materials). AI plays a particularly important role: the integration of multi-source data allows for the development of predictive models of stress, plant-microbiome matching and environmental risks, as well as the creation of open indicators and interactive tools to support decisions based on ESG standards.

The core of the project consists of six interrelated research topics: selection of resistant and valuable NUCS (biomarkers, genomic and transcriptomic profiles, compatibility with the microbiome and adaptation to soil conditions), development of bioinoculants (isolation, phenotyping, formulations, validation and IP protection), monitoring and modelling of safety in the soil-plant-food chain (including the impact of extreme events), field trials on soils such as saline, degraded and technogenic soils (monitoring + SOP and cost-benefit analyses), and implementation and educational activities. AI is the glue here, combining results from laboratories and pilot studies into a decision-making system that supports the selection of plants, bioinoculants and management practices in specific habitat conditions.

OBSIDIAN is also a development environment for young researchers: doctoral students and young scientists are involved in the preparation of grant applications (including European ones), activities in COST networks, and the development of organisational and communication skills through the co-organisation of the international OBSIDIAN conference. The OBSIDIAN Lab-to-Lab Exchange Week programme (OLLEW) supports short-term exchanges and methodological training, while the ‘OBSIDIAN Journal Club’ supports publication skills through regular meetings on work in progress. As a result, OBSIDIAN is a platform supporting international cooperation, career development and the implementation of biodiversity-friendly solutions – from laboratories and field pilots to agricultural practice and public decisions, with an emphasis on solutions important for the quality of life and consumer safety in a changing society.