Scots scientists have joined a consortium from across Europe who aim to secure the long-term future of the important soft fruit industry.
The project, called ClimaFruit, has a budget of six million euros - around £5.2million.
SCRI in Invergowrie, Scotland's leading centre for crop research, is taking the lead role for the UK.
SCRI and its commercial subsidiary, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd, have a proven track record in soft fruit research and breeding.
The "Glen Ample" raspberry bred at SCRI is the most popular in the UK, while 50% of the world's blackcurrant varieties were also bred in Invergowrie.
The project, which runs for four years, aims to find ways of reducing chemical use and the carbon footprint of horticultural production systems, provide long term economical and ecological solutions for the best use of water, nutrients and chemicals and secure the production of locally grown fruit, providing fresh healthy food products and natural ingredients for foods with reduced chemical residues.
The ambition is also to create a world-leading berry fruit team focussed on delivering sustainable and healthy solutions.
The Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: "Scientific research is hugely important to our rural industries, our drive to grow the food and drink sector and our efforts to tackle global issues such as climate change and food security.
"The Scottish Government supports SCRI in its ambitions to secure the long-term future of the soft fruit industry, reduce its environmental impact and encourage greater production of locally grown, natural healthy fruits.
"Scottish science is already renowned worldwide and by SCRI joining this international consortium, it will further enhance its reputation for excellence. It will also provide a valuable boost to Scottish soft fruit production which is a major contributor to the agricultural sector."
SCRI's lead scientist, Dr Derek Stewart, added: "A recent external review described the soft fruit team here as 'world leaders'. To be involved in this North European/North Sea Region consortium is a huge boost for us. It's also evidence that Scotland's vital berry industry has got first-rate research and development capability on its doorstep."
