InnovPlantProtect (InPP) was present at the conference “Building value together”, organized by our associate FNOP - National Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers' Organizations.
InPP's executive director, António Saraiva, moderated the panel “Sustainability that generates value: The role of ESG in the future of the sector”, which included interventions from Catarina Pinto Correia (VdA), Cristina Câmara (APED), Filipa Saldanha (Crédito Agrícola), Joana Oom de Sousa (Sovena) and Rui Veríssimo Baptista (Companhia das Lezírias).
The opening session was given by Domingos dos Santos, president of FNOP and a member of CoLAB's Board of Directors of our CoLAB.
The meeting brought together producer organizations, farmers, companies, experts and political decision-makers to discuss the current challenges and look to the future of the national fruit and vegetable sector.
With the participation of national and international experts, the conference was a privileged space for sharing experiences and strategic reflection, focusing on the organization of production and the role of public policies in promoting sustainable growth.
Congratulations to FNOP for the initiative and the ability to bring together a panel of excellent speakers, making this conference a relevant and topical milestone for the sector.
In viticulture, every little decision has an impact: on the soil, on the health of the plants and on the quality of the grapes that form the basis of the wine that reaches our table. The future of viticulture may depend on a single biosolution. Or a hundred. In VINNY, an ambitious European project of which InPP is a part, researchers from ten countries are looking for bioactives capable of curbing vine diseases - and, at the same time, reducing dependence on synthetic agrochemicals. What's at stake is not just science: it's the sustainability of this industry.
The aim of the VINNY project is simple but transformative: develop and implement effective, sustainable solutions and adaptable to the needs of winegrowers in various European countries, creating environmentally friendly biopesticides and biofertilizers, and advanced nano-encapsulation technologies, to reduce dependence on conventional chemicals and promote a healthier ecosystem and a better environment and a circular viticulture.
And at the heart of this mission is an essential cog in the wheel: the daily work of the researchers who search for answers invisible to the human eye - as is the case with Tiago Amaro, a researcher at InPP.
Image credits: VINNY Project
Searching for the Guardians of the Vine
The road to these new biosolutions begins in the field, with the vine. The initial work of Tiago Amaro, started in September 2024 and focuses on identifying and isolating microorganisms naturally present in the vines themselves, in samples received from partners in Portugal, Spain, Austria and Denmark.
From grapes, sticks or woody fragments, small microscopic worlds arrive in the laboratory that may contain the natural weapons needed to fighting three major threats to the vineyard, with a direct impact on farm profitability: - A gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) and blue mold (Penicillium expansum): Fungi that cause post-harvest diseases, In the case of wine grapes, this affects the quality of the wine and makes it completely impossible to sell table grapes. - The vine tumors: Caused by bacteria Allorhizobium vitis, This disease affects the plant in the field, causing leaf fall and reduced grape production.
Tiago Amaro, InnovPlantProtect researcher, identifying and isolating bacteria as part of the VINNY project. Image credits: InnovPlantProtect - Inês Ferreira
After isolating the microorganisms, Tiago dedicated himself to creating libraries of bacteria. What is a ‘Bacteria Library’? In the context of the investigation, a bacteria library is an organized and catalogued collection of bacteria isolated from different sources. It allows scientists to test each strain of bacteria against specific pathogens, constituting a vast catalog of potential biological ‘superheroes’ for plant protection.
This rigorous screening, which has already led to the analysis of more than 190 bacteria of this library is the first line of defense. The team selects the best candidates with the potential to be used as biological control agents against the diseases under study.
The Power of European Collaboration
What if the solution to protecting Portuguese vineyards is hidden in a Danish grape? Or in a bacterium isolated in Spain? One of the most exciting aspects of the project is its truly collaborative dimension, where researchers from ten countries are working in parallel, sharing answers, challenges and microorganisms in search of effective biosolutions for the whole of Europe.
“All the solutions found will be shared, all the solutions will be tested by all the partners and it will be possible to build a ‘library of solutions’ against the various vine diseases“ emphasizes researcher Tiago Amaro.
The sharing of bacteria and extracts from different ecosystems (Portugal, Spain, Denmark and Austria) is crucial. An effective bacterium in Denmark could be the key to protecting Portuguese vineyards, and vice versa. This exchange of biological solutions, one of the innovative pillars of the project, makes it possible to exploit the microbial biodiversity beyond national borders. InPP has the fundamental role of testing, in grapes, the solutions discovered by our team as well as by other national and European partners.
This diversity of tests is a bet on the future: microorganisms that don't prove effective against vine diseases could be the solution for pathologies in other crops.
Left photo: Tiago Amaro, InPP researcher, observing a grapevine leaf, the target crop of the VINNY project, Right photo: Potted grapevine plants in the InPP greenhouse, ready to test the solutions found by the various VINNY partners. Image credits: InnovPlantProtect - Inês Ferreira
The Real Test: From the Lab to the Field
After selection in the laboratory, the next step - the formulation of the most promising bacteria - will be carried out in Portugal and Spain, at the University of Minho and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. But it is in the field-testing phase that the greatest challenge of plant protection science lies, because even brilliant results in the laboratory can fail in the field. Formulation is the process that turns a bacterium into a product - stable, applicable and compatible with the farmer's needs.
Tiago Amaro emphasizes necessary resilience:
Field Uncertainty: Often, promising solutions in the laboratory or greenhouse are not as effective when applied in the field, due to environmental variables (climate, soil, etc.).
The Time Factor: Diseases such as Allorhizobium vitis may take a long time to develop, or the infection may not be relevant in certain years, which makes it difficult to obtain robust conclusions.
The Agricultural Cycle: It is necessary to test the formulation in the field during three to five consecutive years, and recording all the variations observed. With only one harvest a year, this process requires patience and persistence.
In total, from the discovery of a promising bacterium to the creation of a formulated product, proven to be effective and ready for the market, it can take around 10 years - a real test of any scientist's resilience.
Customized solutions: the new requirement of modern agriculture
The final challenge is to ensure that the tests are relevant to the producer's reality. The current trend in the agricultural sector is the search for customized solutions, adapted to the specific conditions of the farms: “There has to be a solution for every field and every farmer”, says the researcher.
This personalized approach requires more science, more rigor and more local knowledge - exactly what VINNY seeks to build.
A Europe united by science and the vine
InPP is part of this consortium, made up of 19 partners from ten countries, The project is led by the University of Minho and funded by the Horizon Europe program.
Together, they seek to answer a question that could shape the future of European viticulture: Will it be possible to find effective biosolutions for all partner countries?
The answer is still being written - in laboratories, in experimental vineyards, in fields in different climates and geographies. And it's made up of small discoveries, many frustrations and a huge commitment to science.
Because protecting the vineyard of the future is not just a technical ambition. It is a cultural, economic and environmental commitment. And VINNY is helping to design that future - one microorganism at a time.
The final workshop highlighted three years of research dedicated to the early detection of pathogens in crops such as wheat and olive groves.
The project AlViGen has reached its final stretch, concluding three years of research focused on the genomic surveillance of agricultural diseases. The results now presented promise to strengthen the Alentejo agricultural sector's ability to respond to emerging phytosanitary threats.
On the day October 23rd, The final project workshop, The event brought together researchers, producers and technicians to share results and reflect on the future of genomic surveillance in Portuguese agriculture.
A pioneering genomic surveillance center
During AlViGen, the Alentejo's first genomic surveillance center, an infrastructure with capacity for early detection of diseases in strategic crops such as wheat and olive grove. This breakthrough marks a decisive step towards a more precise, sustainable and science-based agriculture.
Results and scientific contributions
Using innovative molecular tools, the project team succeeded:
Identify pathogenic fungi before visible symptoms appear on the plants;
Characterizing yellow rust strains, genetically linking them to others known at a global level;
Detecting resistance genes in wheat to the strains currently present in Portugal;
Developing diagnostic methods able to distinguish the different species of the fungus that causes gafa in olive groves.
During the workshop, the potential of the analysis of the airborne fungi community as a tool for early warning for multiple pathogens, allowing for more effective and preventive management of crop diseases.
From research to practical application
The event ended with a debate on how transform AlViGen results in a detection and warning service accessible to the agricultural sector. The initiative reflects the joint commitment between science, innovation and production, with a view to protecting national agriculture from the challenges of the future.
Partnerships and thanks
InnovPlantProtect would like to thank all the partners and funders of the project: University of Évora, John Innes Centre, INIAV, De Prado, CERSUL, Eugénio de Almeida Foundation, Torre das Figueiras Estate, Almojanda, Malheiro Estate, Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV), la Caixa“ Foundation”, BPI Bank e Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
Elvas, in the heart of the Alentejo, is preparing to welcome a new entomology laboratory. This specialized facility will help improve our understanding of the world of insects, small giants that are vital to ecosystems. More than a scientific research center, this laboratory aims to develop innovative strategies for pest management and control and support more sustainable agricultural practices, fostering collaboration between researchers, farmers and companies in the region and beyond.
Hadi Sheikhnejad, one of InnovPlantProtect's entomologists, shares his enthusiasm and vision for this project. “The entomology lab is a space where we can study, breed and exhibit insects, unlocking their secrets and applying that knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and the environment,” explains Hadi.
The installation of the laboratory, already underway since 2024, faces complex challenges, from finding funding to creating specialized infrastructures that simulate the insects“ natural habitats. ”Every detail is crucial and meticulously planned,“ reveals Hadi. ”We need to control the temperature, humidity and lighting to create an ideal environment and to ensure the well-being of the various species of insects that will reside here."
Hadi Sheikhnejad, an entomologist at InnovPlantProtect, engaged in the observation and study of insects in the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, which is yet to be set up.
And what species will these be? The laboratory will house an impressive diversity of insects, from beneficial predators such as ladybugs and parasitoid wasps, responsible for natural pest control, to agricultural pest species such as leafhoppers, aphids and whiteflies, and decomposers, important for maintaining soil health, such as soldier flies. “Each insect has a role to play in the balance of ecosystems,” says the entomologist. “By studying them, we can develop more effective and sustainable pest control methods, reducing our dependence on synthetic pesticides.”
Technology is a fundamental pillar of the laboratory. “We are integrating cutting-edge technologies such as image analysis using Artificial Intelligence (AI), automated traps and sensors and even climate-controlled breeding cameras,” Hadi reveals. “These technologies allow us to monitor insect behaviour in real time, detect pests early and diagnose infestations accurately, revolutionizing the way we deal with pest management.”
The laboratory will not be limited to research. It will offer consultancy services to farmers and companies that will include pest identification and, over time, the development of pest management strategies, the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), training workshops on insect monitoring and access to auxiliary insects, which will act as biological pest control agents to help farmers control infestations naturally.
Looking to the future, Hadi shares his vision for the laboratory: “We would like to be a reference laboratory for sustainable agriculture”. “By sharing our knowledge and experience gained in the entomology lab, we can help promote more ecological and efficient agricultural practices,” he adds.
Left photo: Hadi Sheikhnejad observing an insect under a magnifying glass, revealing essential details for entomological study, Right photo: Facilities of the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, a space dedicated to research, innovation and pest management.
Collaboration is another key aspect of this project. “We are open to partnerships with companies in the agricultural sector, research institutes, universities, other CoLABs and governmental or non-governmental organizations,” says Hadi. “We believe that these collaborations are essential for driving innovation and finding sustainable insect-based solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges. Ultimately, we can shape a future where agriculture and nature coexist in harmony.”
The entomology laboratory in Elvas is a step towards a more sustainable future, where the small world of insects plays a fundamental role in building a healthier planet. In Elvas, innovation crawls, flies, jumps and reveals a promising future for entomology and pest management.
What are the main diseases affecting olive trees in Portugal, and how do they impact olive oil production? Why does the bacterium 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 pose such a threat to olive groves and olive growers? What prevention and control measures are recommended to prevent the spread of this bacterium? How are we innovating in the monitoring and management of diseases in olive groves and of 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢?
These are some of the questions that will be answered in the webinar “Olive Tree Diseases and 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢”, promoted by the Center for the Study and Promotion of Olive Oil in Alentejo (CEPAAL), which will take place next Tuesday, April 1, starting at 10:30 a.m., and where these and many other topics will be discussed!
The director of InnovPlantProtect's Monitoring and Diagnostics Department, iLaria Marengo, will be one of the speakers at the webinar that will present the platform for monitoring the bacterium 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢, developed by our team, which is being used nationwide by the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV).
Participation in the session is free, but prior registration is required. You can register here.
See the full program in the image below.
This is an initiative developed under the Da Oliveira à Mesa project, promoted by CEPAAL and funded by the PDR 2020. The monitoring platform was developed as part of the SNM_XylellaVt - Sistema Nacional de Monitorização de Insetos Vetores da 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 project, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
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