This Season with CrackSense
There has been plenty happening across CrackSense this summer. Four seasons of fieldwork are now covered, new research has been published, and the project conti ...
AI and Decision Support Systems in Agriculture
In this edition of Data Stories 360°, we speak with Georgia Nikolakopoulou, Associate Researcher and Project Manager at the Agricultural University of Athens an ...
Farmtopia’s Legacy for Digital Farming
After more than three years of collaboration, innovation, and hands-on testing, the Farmtopia project is concluding with a clear message: digital farming can be ...
Can AI Help Farmers Stay One Step Ahead?
The third episode of the CrackSense project’s Data Stories 360° podcast features Nikos Arvanitis, a Machine Learning Engineer at Synelixis S.A.In this episode, ...
Inside the Life of a Pomegranate: Growth and Fruit Cracking
Every pomegranate begins its development as a flower and passes through several stages before becoming the ripe fruit found at harvest. Flowering, fertilisation ...
Precision Horticulture for Fruit Cracking Prediction
The second episode of the CrackSense project's Data Stories 360° podcast features Dr Helene Fotouo, a horticultural plant physiologist at The Leibniz Institute ...
Grape Cracking: Inside the CrackSense Open Day
How can vineyard technologies and water management help researchers better understand grape cracking? This was one of the questions explored during the CrackSen ...
Fruit Cracking in Citrus: Pilot Insights
What can pilot activities reveal about reducing fruit cracking in citrus orchards? And how can research carried out in different growing conditions help growers ...
Inside the Life of a Table Grape: Growth and Berry Cracking
Every bunch of table grapes goes through a remarkable journey before reaching our tables. From the first blossoms in spring to ripe, sweet berries at harvest, g ...
Keeping You Updated: Highlights From Across the Project
The CrackSense team has been active across many areas! New tech briefs, conference presentations, pilot findings, and fresh articles...Here is a roundup of our ...
CrackSense at the Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad
CrackSense participated at the 93rd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, held from May 16th to May 21st, as part of a joint activity implemented togethe ...
Fruit Cracking In Grape 2025 Pilot Progress
Fruit cracking in grape production remains a concern for growers across different climate zones. Weather conditions, irrigation practices, and vineyard manageme ...
Tech Briefs Bringing Orchard Research Closer to Practice
Fruit cracking remains one of the most difficult challenges in orchard production. Losses can appear quickly, vary from one tree to another, and reduce both yie ...
Fruit Cracking in Pomegranate 2025: Pilot Findings
Fruit cracking in pomegranate is one of the biggest concerns for pomegranate growers. A single cracking event close to harvest can reduce market quality, affect ...
How Citrus Develops and Why Cracking Happens
Have you ever wondered how a citrus fruit develops from a single flower into the fruit we recognise on supermarket shelves? And why do some fruits suddenly spli ...
The Final Year Begins: A Look at Our Recent Work
With the final year now in motion, we look back at the scientific contributions, stories, and outreach that have defined this period. From a dynamic consortium ...
What Causes Grape Cracking? Key Factors and Prevention
Dr. Amnon Lichter, Researcher at the Volcani Institute and expert in post-harvest viticulture, joins this feature of our Spotlight series to discuss his role in ...
Using Engineering and Sensors to Study Fruit Cracking
In this feature of our Spotlight series, Dr. Nicolas Tapia Zapata, Researcher in Precision Horticulture at The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and ...
The Future of Cherry Orchards Starts with Data
The CrackSense project’s Data Stories 360° series explores how data and technology are transforming agriculture in practice. In this feature, the focus turns to ...
Mitigating Fruit Cracking in Sweet Cherries
This episode of our Spotlight series presents Dr. José Quero Garcia, Researcher at INRAE in Bordeaux, France, and partner in the CrackSense project. He shares i ...
Fruit Cracking Unpacked: Lessons from a Sweet Cherry Pilot
The 2025 sweet cherry pilot under the CrackSense project brought together two case studies to investigate the environmental and agronomic drivers of fruit crack ...
Consortium Meeting 2026: Advancing Solutions for Fruit Cracking
The third CrackSense Consortium Meeting brought together partners from across Europe to review progress, share insights, and plan the next steps in tackling fru ...
Fruit Cracking: Can We Predict It and Prevent It?
As the CrackSense project enters its final year, we are gathering for the third CrackSense Consortium Meeting, this time in Novi Sad, from February 23–25. With ...
From Flower to Harvest: Sweet Cherry Development Explained
Sweet cherry development is a fascinating process that determines the size, structure, and quality of the fruit we harvest. By understanding the stages of sweet ...
Spotlight On: Exploring the Work of the Agricultural University of Athens
In this Spotlight On feature, we speak with Georgia Nikolakopoulou from the Agricultural University of Athens, one of the academic partners involved in the Crac ...
Growing Knowledge, Reducing Cracks: CrackSense Progress in 2025
As CrackSense approaches the end of its third year, we are entering an important phase of the project. The period ahead will be dedicated to reviewing our progr ...
Spotlight on: Thanos Dritsopoulos and His Work on Tackling Fruit Cracking
This article presents the perspective of Pegasus Agrifood Coop on fruit cracking and other challenges facing table grape production in Greece, as shared by Than ...
Spotlight on Marcos Legas: Discover How CrackSense Supports Growers
In this episode of our Spotlight series, you will hear from Marcos Legas, President of Pegasus Agrifood Coop and partner in the CrackSense project. Speaking fro ...
Citrus Open Day: Where Orchards Tell Their Story
The Citrus Open Day took place on 2 December 2025 in Kfar Habad, Israel. The event was part of the CrackSense project’s commitment to organising Open Days that ...
CrackSense Spotlight On: A Word From the Coordinators
Welcome to the CrackSense Spotlight Series, where we speak with experts working at the intersection of fruit production, technology, and innovation. In this edi ...
Pomegranate Open Day in Greece: Field Insights Uncovered
Pomegranate Open Day in Greece was held on 29 October 2025 at the CrackSense project’s experimental field in Argoliko. The event brought together researchers, f ...
Pomegranate Open Day: Secrets of the Orchard
The CrackSense Pomegranate Open Day took place on 22 October 2025 at Kibbutz Tsor’a, Israel. The event gathered researchers, growers, and project partners to ex ...
Seasons of Innovation: From Summer Fields to Autumn Insights
Over the past period, CrackSense has been buzzing with activity - from hands-on field visits and Open Days to international conferences, training events, and a ...
STELAR Project Reaches its Conclusion – Delivering FAIR Data and AI-Ready Solutions for Agrifood
The STELAR project will officially conclude on 31 August 2025, marking the end of three years of innovation in FAIR data management and data preparation for the ...
Open Day in Greece Showcases Fruit Cracking Solutions
On 4 August 2025, the Horizon Europe CrackSense project hosted an Open Day in the Local Community Evangelistria, Vocha, in Kiato, Greece. The event welcomed far ...
Webinar Highlights: Smart Sensing Strategies for Precision Farming and Fruit Monitoring
On 24 July at 12 PM CET, the CrackSense and STELAR projects co-hosted a joint webinar titled From Orchards to Orbits: Sensing Strategies in Agriculture. The on ...
Open Day in France: Tackling Cherry Cracking Together
The CrackSense Open Day in France took place at CTIFL, gathering growers, technicians, breeders, and researchers to explore practical approaches to reducing fru ...
CrackSense Open Day at the Cherry Orchard in Lithuania
The Open Day at the cherry orchard brought together farmers, researchers, and innovators to see CrackSense technologies in action. Hosted at “Šarmingas sodas”, ...
What’s Happening at CrackSense This Season
This period has been full of activity for CrackSense - from interesting events and open days to hands-on pilot trials and collaboration with other projects. In ...
CrackSense Open Day at Novi Sad Agri Fair
The 92nd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, held from 17 to 22 May 2025, brought together innovators, farmers, researchers, and businesses from across ...
CrackSense Joins NESTLER to Explore Remote Sensing Innovations
On 27 May 2025, researchers and innovators will gather at OTEAcademy in Athens, Greece, for the NESTLER event, a Horizon Europe initiative focused on sustainabl ...
Europe Day 2025: From Vision to Action
Europe Day is held each year on 9 May, marking a symbolic step in Europe’s journey towards cooperation and shared progress. In 2025, the day carries added meani ...
CrackSense: Moving Forward in Year Three
As we enter the third year of the CrackSense project, it is a great moment to reflect on the progress we have made and plan the next steps. This year, we are pr ...
Meteorological Day 2025: Strengthening Early Warnings
World Meteorological Day is celebrated annually on March 23. In 2025, it serves as a reminder of the importance of meteorology in safeguarding lives and livelih ...
Smart Crop Insurance for a Changing Climate
Crop insurance has become an essential tool for managing agricultural risks under growing climate uncertainty. Extreme weather events - such as storms, droughts ...
Open Data Day 2025: Celebrating Transparency and Development
Open Data Day is an annual event that takes place around the world, bringing together communities, policymakers, and developers to advocate for the importance o ...
CrackSense Consortium Meeting in Athens: Paving the Way for Pilots
The second CrackSense Consortium meeting took place at the Agricultural University of Athens, bringing together project partners to discuss progress, refine str ...
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025
Every year on February 11, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day highlights the vital role women play in scientific ...
Understanding the CrackSense Journey Through an Infographic
Infographics have a unique way of transforming complex projects into visually engaging stories. They allow us to digest data, methodologies, and key takeaways a ...
Spotlight on: Celebrating the Fruit of the Year 2024
Expert in the spotlight: Dr Idit Ginzberg is a researcher in the Department of Vegetable and Field Crops at the Institute o ...