O InnovPlantProtect (InPP) recebeu, esta quarta-feira, a visita da Vice-Presidente da Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Alentejo (CCDR Alentejo), Helena Cavaco, numa oportunidade para apresentar a missão, as infraestruturas e o trabalho que o CoLAB desenvolve em prol da inovação e da competitividade do setor agroalimentar.
A visita teve início com uma apresentação institucional conduzida pelo Diretor Executivo do InPP, António Saraiva, onde foram apresentados o modelo colaborativo do CoLAB, as suas principais áreas de atuação e o contributo que tem vindo a dar para aproximar a ciência das necessidades das empresas e dos produtores agrícolas.
Seguiu-se um percurso pelas instalações de investigação e experimentação do InPP, incluindo os laboratórios, as câmaras climáticas e a estufa, permitindo dar a conhecer algumas das capacidades técnico-científicas da organização e os projetos atualmente em desenvolvimento em colaboração com empresas, produtores e restantes parceiros do ecossistema de inovação.
Sediado em Elvas, no Alto Alentejo, o InPP afirma-se como um exemplo de como é possível desenvolver investigação e desenvolvimento (I&D) de excelência, atrair investimento e gerar inovação a partir de um território do interior de baixa densidade. A proximidade às empresas, aos produtores e ao território constitui um dos principais fatores diferenciadores do CoLAB, permitindo desenvolver soluções com aplicação prática que respondem aos desafios da agricultura e contribuem para um setor mais resiliente, sustentável e competitivo.
A visita constituiu também uma oportunidade para refletir sobre o papel que centros de inovação sediados no interior desempenham na dinamização do tecido económico regional, na atração e retenção de talento qualificado, na valorização do conhecimento e no reforço da competitividade das cadeias de valor agroalimentares, gerando impacto económico e social na região e no país.
O InPP agradece à Vice-Presidente da CCDR Alentejo a visita, o interesse demonstrado e a oportunidade de partilhar a visão e o trabalho que tem vindo a desenvolver ao serviço da inovação, da transferência de conhecimento e da competitividade do setor agroalimentar.
O InnovPlantProtect disponibiliza uma nova página de Press Kit, criada para facilitar o acesso da comunicação social a informação institucional e promover uma comunicação mais próxima, rigorosa e acessível sobre os desafios e a inovação na agricultura.
Num contexto em que temas como as alterações climáticas, as pragas e doenças emergentes, as biosoluções ou a agricultura digital assumem uma importância crescente, o InPP pretende contribuir para que o debate público seja sustentado por conhecimento científico sólido e informação baseada na evidência.
A nova área reúne diversos recursos destinados a jornalistas e profissionais da comunicação, incluindo uma apresentação institucional do InnovPlantProtect, materiais de identidade visual, informação sobre a organização e os contactos da equipa de comunicação.
Para além destes recursos, o InnovPlantProtect disponibiliza a sua equipa multidisciplinar para colaborar com os órgãos de comunicação social através de entrevistas, comentários especializados e esclarecimentos sobre temas relacionados com a proteção de culturas, inovação agrícola, soluções biológicas e digitais e investigação aplicada.
Esta iniciativa reforça o compromisso do InPP com uma comunicação científica clara e acessível, aproximando o conhecimento desenvolvido no laboratório colaborativo da sociedade e contribuindo para uma maior literacia sobre os desafios e oportunidades da agricultura.
O InnovPlantProtect (InPP) acaba de lançar o seu novo vídeo institucional, uma peça que reflete a identidade do CoLAB, a sua missão e a visão que orienta o desenvolvimento de soluções biológicas e digitais para uma agricultura mais sustentável, resiliente e preparada para responder aos desafios atuais e do futuro.
Mais do que uma apresentação institucional, o vídeo destaca as pessoas que fazem parte do InPP, a cultura de colaboração que caracteriza a organização e o compromisso diário com a inovação, a transferência de conhecimento e a criação de valor para o setor agroalimentar.
Enquanto CoLAB, o InPP promove a aproximação entre ciência e indústria, reunindo empresas, instituições científicas e outros parceiros em torno do desenvolvimento de soluções inovadoras que respondam às necessidades reais da agricultura. O novo vídeo traduz esse posicionamento e evidencia a forma como o conhecimento científico é transformado em soluções com impacto para a competitividade, a sustentabilidade e a digitalização do setor.
Este lançamento integra a estratégia de reforço da comunicação institucional do InPP, iniciada no início deste ano com a renovação do website. O novo vídeo representa mais um passo na afirmação da identidade da organização e na forma como comunica com empresas, parceiros, clientes, investidores e instituições, e toda a comunidade ligada ao setor agrícola e agroalimentar.
Assista ao vídeo já disponível no canal de YouTube do InnovPlantProtect here e descobra a história, os valores e a visão que impulsionam o trabalho desenvolvido pelo InPP.
The InnovPlantProtect team looking for a solution to pyriculariosis was at the Open Day for Rice Growing in Baixo Mondego. The infected rice samples taken afterwards are already being analyzed in the laboratory.
Cristina Azevedo, Tiago Amaro e Pedro Rosa are researchers at InnovPlantProtect (InPP) and are working on the development of biopesticides against rice pyriculariosis, one of the most common diseases of this cereal worldwide and also in Portugal. As a result of the be present at the Open Day of Rice Culture in Baixo Mondego, organized by the DRAP Centro, On September 14, they subsequently made two field trips to collect samples of infected rice.
The team carried out the harvests in the Mondego area in Montemor-o-Velho, with the support of António Jordão, from DRAP Centro, and in the Tejo area in Salvaterra de Magos, with the support of Lourenço Palha, from the COTArroz, after a contact initiated by the INIAV Ana Sofia Almeida. The aim of these collections is to isolate and genetically characterize the isolates (cultures of microorganisms) of Magnaporthe oryzae, the fungus that causes the disease, present in Portugal today.
The Open Day showcased “the excellent work carried out by the INIAV team in the national rice improvement program and by Lusosem in various field trials,” says Cristina Azevedo, director of the InPP's New Biopesticides Department.
Rice Culture Open Day in Baixo Mondego
In the laboratory, the researchers are now trying to isolate the fungi from rice samples collected in the field; the next step will be to characterize them from a genetic and infectivity point of view - the ability of a pathogen to invade an organism and cause an infection - in order to know the current genetic diversity of the fungi. Magnaporthe oryzae in Portugal.
In 2021, there will be a higher incidence of rice pyriculariosis in Portugal, especially in Baixo Mondego, due to fewer hours of sunlight (more days with less open skies), among other climatic conditions, explains António Jordão, from DRAP Centro.
The European Rice Meeting will be held on September 7, starting at 10 a.m., in the Auditorium of the Companhia das Lezírias fairground Agroglobal 2021. The director of InnovPlantProtect will speak at 12 noon about the contribution of the Elvas CoLAB to the control of pyriculariosis.
Under the motto “A more sustainable European rice sector”, the ANIA - The National Association of Rice Producers and Casa do Arroz - Interprofessional Rice Association are organizing a meeting of the rice sector next Tuesday, September 7, at the National Association of Rice Producers. Agroglobal 2021. At 12 noon, Pedro Fevereiro, executive director of InnovPlantProtect, will talk about the contribution of the Elvas CoLAB to the control of pyriculariosis, one of the diseases that most affects this cereal.
The agricultural fair, where InnovPlantProtect will be present with its own stand and program, runs until the 9th in Valada do Ribatejo (Cartaxo, Santarém).
The European Rice Meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium of Companhia das Lezírias, with the presentation of the project to promote European rice “Sustainable European Rice - Don't Think Twice”. At 11am, the INIAV and COTARROZThe National Program for the Genetic Improvement of Rice will be highlighted. Trace-rice - European Innovation Project for the Traceability and Valorization of Rice will be presented at 11:30.
The event ends at 12.30pm with a rice tasting.
Feature image: Donald Groth, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Bugwood.org
The collaborative laboratory (CoLAB) InnovPlantProtect (InPP) is present in Agroglobal 2021, The CoLAB will also have its own stand and a series of activities and initiatives aimed at publicizing CoLAB and the bio-based services and products it already offers and can offer to different sectors for protecting crops against pests and diseases (see details below).
A Agroglobal 2021 takes place on September 7, 8 and 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Valada do Ribatejo (Cartaxo, Santarém). It is considered the major trade fair for the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of Innovation & Development. InPP is at Stand 119:
A InPP programming has:
Demos and presentations short and interactive presentations by each department of the InPP, with time for dialog with visitors
InPP ComVida... – flash happenings with invited partners and associates (see below)
Flavors of Elvas in Valada: raffle of Elvas plums among the visitors (with the support of elvense Artisanal Fruit)
among other surprises...
InPP PROGRAM (currently being updated):
HIGHLIGHTING 7/9, TUESDAY:
12pm: InPP participation in the European Rice Meeting, in the Auditorium of Companhia das Lezírias, with the speech by CEO Pedro Fevereiro “The contribution of CoLAB InnovPlantProtect to the control of pyriculariosis”
Xylella fastidiosaMeet XfSTOP - a combat strategy being developed by the InPP.
Chestnut trees, education and the Internet of Things: why are we putting sensors in trees?
Combating cork oak decline: find out what our AI-based remote detection and early warning can do for your production
Geolocated pests and diseases, for optimal/unparalleled online management, planning and visualization, right after sampling
HIGHLIGHTING 8/9, WEDNESDAY:
10am: Are diseases causing damage? We identify the pathogen and suggested ways of biological control. Do you want a product developed just for you? We do that too!
Xylella fastidiousMeet XfSTOP - a combat strategy being developed by the InPP.
Chestnut trees, education and the Internet of Things: why are we putting sensors in trees?
Cicadas in the vineyard: what can we offer to remote sensing, monitoring and diagnostics in the field pests and diseases
Risk models: climate at the service of agriculture: “The clouds that hang in the air / Drawn by the wind / Fetch water from the sea / To water in any weather” * Pathogens have long since learned the same tune and quickly respond to the weather. We develop and validate models and computer applications for predicting the risk of different diseases based on climate data
O microbiomethe importance ofunraveling the secrets of the microbial ecosystem that inhabits soils and plants
From 14:30: InPP ComVida... CEPAAL: olive oil tasting - because only healthy olives produce quality oil without defects
At 17:30,InPP ComVida... CEPAAL: signing ceremony of a partnership protocol between InPP and the Center for the Study and Promotion of Alentejo Olive Oil
From 10am: InPP ComVida... GREEN-IT: phenotyping and plant health/ cut protection + demonstration of phenotyping equipment in the field
Want to know a biological control agent?
11:30 a.m: Presentation of the ‘DIMAP: A digital ecosystem for integrated disease management in pear orchards‘ (SmartAgriHubs), which aims to add a consortium to evaluate the integration of methodologies for Rocha pear disease detection
We develop genomic prediction based on machine learning, which can accelerate the achievement of more resistant varieties diseases or with higher yield
I knew that biopesticides innovative and sustainable are only effective thanks to specifically designed formulations? InPP has an entire department dedicated to this discipline - see what we can offer you
Experience it live and in color: smart hydrogels based on natural polymers to facilitate the application/effectiveness of biological control agents
12pm:InPP ComVida... AHSA - Association of Horticulturists, Fruit Growers and Flower Growers of the Counties of Odemira and Aljezur (subject to confirmation)
3pm: InPP ComVida...Ambitrevo(subject to confirmation)
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) is a collaborative laboratory (CoLAB) dedicated to developing bio-based products and services for protecting crops against pests and diseases.
We are a private non-profit association with 12 founding members, This includes companies, universities, a municipality, an R&D center, a national research institute and producer associations.
Headquartered at INIAV's Elvas Campus and 150 m2 laboratories, we have a team with 38 highly qualified human resources (16 PhD, 17 MSc, 5 undergraduates), with the following skills:
Molecular Biology of Plants, Diseases and Pests
Biochemistry and Microbiology
Biotechnology and Molecular Improvement
Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
Formulations and Nano-/Micro-technology
Product Development
Geographic Information Systems
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Project and Communication Management
OUR MISSION: Developing innovative bio-inspired products and services to protect Mediterranean crops
OUR VISION: Use the latest scientific knowledge to collaborate with stakeholders national and international, to solve the problems posed to Mediterranean agriculture by the emergence of new pests and diseases and the reduced availability of active ingredients
OUR OBJECTIVES - To produce: - New biopesticides for pests and diseases - New [plant] varieties resistant to pests and diseases - New monitoring and diagnostic methods - New risk analysis models
WHAT WE PRODUCE: New biopesticides (oligopeptide/ dsRNA-based)
Produced by GRAS microorganisms or from the phytomicrobiome
Formulated with biocompatible micro/nanoparticles
New plant varieties
Through molecular marker-assisted selection
Through genome editing
Detection and early warning systems
Based on remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence
Genomic prediction tools
Based on high-throughput sequencing and genotyping
Risk analysis models
Agricultural formulations
COLLABORATION WITH COMPANIES:
1. Exclusive contracts 2. Cooperation with funding from different programs 3. Services 3.1 Laboratories 3.1.1 Identification and molecular diagnosis of pests and diseases 3.1.2 Characterization of matrices using FT-NIR 3.1.3 Molecular identification of plant varieties 3.1.4 Development of agricultural formulations 3.1.5 Micropropagation of elite plants 3.2 Digital 3.2.1 Digital monitoring of pests and diseases 3.2.2 Models for predicting the spread of pests and diseases based on remote sensing and AI data 3.2.3 Risk models for emerging pests and diseases 3.2.4 Microbiome analysis 3.2.5 Comparative genomics 4. Agreements 5. Contracts with startups: product functionality screening; toxicological profile assessment; pre-development
*InPP is a recognized entity SIFIDE (System of Tax Incentives for Corporate R&D) - in other words, companies that invest their R&D expenses in us (part d’) will be able to deduct a percentage from their corporate income tax (IRC).