Call: Center for the Promotion of Science

Period: 2023-2024

Project leader: Dr. Mirko Đorđević, Department of evolutionary biology IBISS

Participants:

Dr. Mirko Đorđević, Department of evolutionary biology

Dr. Uroš Savković, Department of evolutionary biology

Dr. Sanja Budečević, Department of evolutionary biology

Abstract

Citizen Science, the participation of citizens in scientific research, holds great potential for improving scientific literacy and democratizing engagement in science. However, citizen science projects in Serbia, especially in the field of plant sciences, are rare. The main goal of the citizen science project "Bean Watchers" is to collect common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds from local gardens, evaluate morphological characterization in collaboration with teachers and students from five secondary schools, and identify genotypes at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. Through participation in the "Bean Watchers" project, students, plant breeders and the general public will be informed about the importance of agrobiodiversity and sustainable agriculture. In addition, participants will learn more about the multiple benefits of bean cultivation for environmental protection, limitation of climate change, and the health benefits of a diet rich in grain legumes.