Já está disponível a iCountPests, uma nova aplicação desenvolvida pelo InnovPlantProtect para apoiar a monitorização de pragas agrícolas através da análise automática de imagens captadas em campo.
A app utiliza inteligência artificial para contabilizar automaticamente pragas presentes em armadilhas adesivas, permitindo obter resultados rápidos e fiáveis diretamente no telemóvel.
Pensada para produtores e técnicos agrícolas, a iCountPests contribui para uma monitorização mais eficiente e precisa, reduzindo o tempo associado às contagens manuais e apoiando a tomada de decisão na proteção das culturas.
O funcionamento é simples:
Captar uma imagem da armadilha
Analisar automaticamente
Consultar resultados organizados e acessíveis
A app permite ainda acompanhar a evolução das pragas ao longo do tempo, facilitando a gestão e o registo da informação no terreno.
A monitorização de pragas é uma tarefa essencial na gestão agrícola, mas continua a depender, em muitos casos, de processos manuais demorados e sujeitos a erro.
A pensar nesta realidade, o InnovPlantProtect irá lançar brevemente a iCountPests, uma aplicação inovadora que utiliza inteligência artificial para automatizar a contagem de pragas a partir de imagens captadas no campo.
Com a iCountPests, será possível obter resultados rápidos e fiáveis, contribuindo para uma tomada de decisão mais informada e eficiente na proteção das culturas.
A aplicação estará brevemente disponível, sendo direcionada a produtores agrícolas e técnicos que procuram otimizar o tempo dedicado à monitorização e melhorar a precisão dos dados recolhidos.
Uma nova tecnologia de revestimento biológico de sementes desenvolvida pelo InnovPlantProtect (InPP), em colaboração com a Fertiprado, poderá vir a transformar o desempenho de pastagens e forragens, contribuindo para sistemas agrícolas mais eficientes e sustentáveis.
Baseada em compostos derivados de algas, esta solução inovadora apresenta efeito bioestimulante e foi concebida para atuar desde as fases iniciais do desenvolvimento das plantas. Os ensaios realizados demonstraram resultados promissores ao nível da estimulação da nodulação em leguminosas, do crescimento vegetativo e da resistência das plantas a condições adversas, com impacto positivo no valor nutricional do pasto.
Este desenvolvimento resulta de um percurso de investigação conjunta que decorreu ao longo de cinco anos, refletindo o compromisso contínuo do InPP em transformar conhecimento científico em soluções com aplicação prática no setor agrícola. A tecnologia encontra-se atualmente em processo de patenteamento e representa um marco relevante no pipeline de inovação do laboratório.
Para a Fertiprado, parceiro estratégico neste projeto, esta tecnologia constitui uma alternativa aos revestimentos tradicionais baseados em compostos sintéticos, reforçando a aposta em soluções mais sustentáveis e alinhadas com as necessidades futuras da agricultura.
O desenvolvimento desta solução insere-se na Agenda Mobilizadora Pacto da Bioeconomia Azul, financiada pelo Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR), iniciativa que promove a valorização de recursos marinhos através da criação de novos produtos e tecnologias. Como parte do processo de valorização da tecnologia, foi assinado um memorando de entendimento com vista à sua futura exploração comercial.
Num contexto em que a procura por biosoluções agrícolas continua a crescer, iniciativas colaborativas como esta demonstram o papel fundamental da investigação aplicada na resposta aos desafios da sustentabilidade e da produtividade agrícola.
Investigação com impacto no setor agrícola
O trabalho desenvolvido pelo InPP evidencia o valor da colaboração entre ciência e indústria, permitindo acelerar processos de inovação e criar soluções ajustadas às necessidades reais do setor agrícola.
A parceria com empresas constitui um dos pilares estratégicos do InPP, promovendo a transferência de conhecimento científico e o desenvolvimento de tecnologias que contribuem para sistemas agrícolas mais resilientes e sustentáveis.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) took part in the National Olive Growing Fair (FNO 25) in Campo Maior, from May 23 to 25, presenting its latest biological and digital innovations for crop protection, including projects focused on biopesticides for olive diseases and early detection of fungi that cause gafa, and monitoring insect vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which attacks olive groves. The Elvas CoLAB was present with its own stand to demonstrate its strengths and the impact of its research on agricultural sustainability, inviting producers, technicians and researchers to learn about its innovative bio-based and digital solutions and to actively participate in the discussion of the sector's challenges.
The collaborative laboratory (CoLAB) welcomed visitors at the stand no. 14, located at thematic area at the Campo Maior Municipal Garden, to showcase their activity, the ongoing projects that are developing solutions to the main olive diseases, the patents already submitted, the apps for agricultural management and the bio-based and digital products and services they have to offer the agricultural sector and the market. Throughout the three days of the fair, some of InPP's researchers were at the stand to demonstrate to visitors the various features of the Elvas CoLAB, which has been developing innovation that it hopes will contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems.
InPP announced ValorCannBio project, which is processing biomass that is not used in the medical cannabis industry to develop effective and sustainable biopesticides against gafa and tuberculosis, The project will be carried out in the municipality of Elvas, which is responsible for decimating entire harvests, leading to severe economic losses and compromising food quality. The impact of this project will be felt in the municipality of Elvas, where the project is being developed, but it is expected that it will extend to the entire olive-growing region from Trás-os-Montes to the Algarve, where production losses are increasing due to these diseases. O AlViGen project was also one of the protagonists and is using cutting-edge technology to detecting and identifying the strains of fungi that cause gafa, long before the symptoms become visible. The project team has used traps to collect spores that circulate in the air to monitor the presence of fungi, which can give farmers an important advantage in preventing infections and protecting their crops, reducing production losses.
O SNM_XylellaVt project, The SNM_XylellaVt project, led by DRAPCENTRO and in which InPP actively participates, was also highlighted at FNO. SNM_XylellaVt is monitor the insect vectors of the bacteria Xyllela fastidiosa, in particular the foam leafhopper, the insect responsible for transmitting the bacterium, which attacks various agricultural and forestry crops, and in particular olive groves. The project team is developing new tools, such as risk prediction models which, in the presence of the bacterium, whether in plants or insect vectors, will allow the National Agricultural Warning Service (SNAA) to alert, in real time, about the economic attack levels (EAL) for these insects, thus allowing prevent infection of the main crops. As part of this project, the team has also developed an online platform where citizens can report the sighting of foams, which are signs of the presence of the insect vectors of X. fastidiosa, This will help to map its temporal and spatial distribution and to plan measures to combat this bacterium.
The FNO, organized jointly by the Campo Maior City Council and the Centre for the Study and Promotion of Olive Oil in the Alentejo (CEPAAL), is an event that aims to enhance national olive growing, and in particular Portuguese olive oil, boosting the local economy and bringing together professionals from the sector - producers, technicians, or researchers - from all over the country to discuss challenges and trends in the Portuguese olive and olive oil sector.
InPP was delighted to welcome May 15th, Maria do Carmo Pereira, Europe Insect Control & Global Biofungicides Product Manager in Syngenta, a founding member of our Institute.
The expert led an inspiring session on the “Syngenta Biologicals Strategy”, which brought together our team of researchers and technicians.
Focus on Sustainability and Portfolio
During her presentation, Maria do Carmo Pereira unveiled Syngenta's ambitious journey in the field of biosolutions, highlighting:
Team Driven Innovation: The company's strong focus on innovative research, driven by a large and talented team dedicated to finding effective and sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges, was emphasized.
Vast Biological Portfolio: The session provided an unmissable opportunity for the InPP team to get to know the extensive portfolio of biological solutions from Syngenta, which includes biostimulants (to improve crop development and resilience) to bioprotectors (for pest and disease control).
Commitment to Sustainability: The solutions presented reflect Syngenta's strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in modern agriculture.
Thank you
InPP warmly thanks Maria do Carmo Pereira for the visit and the valuable sharing of experiences and insights strategies on the future of biological solutions.
We look forward to new meetings and collaborations that will continue to strengthen research and development in crop protection.
The executive director of InnovPlantProtect (InPP), António Saraiva, took part in the conference “What are the challenges facing the national agroforestry sector over the next decade?”, which took place at the Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra (ESAC) of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra last Tuesday, April 22.
The event, which brought together more than 150 participants and was organized by 17 national Competence Centres, discussed topics such as innovation, sustainability, soil conservation, monitoring cork oak forests and efficient agricultural management.
António Saraiva was part of the panel of commentators, whose speaker was Pedro Santos, Director General of CONSULAI, and moderated by Maria Custódia Correia, Coordinator of the AKIS Portugal Network. The opening session was attended by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, who announced the publication of the Ordinance of April 21 to open the Grant for Initiatives for the creation of Operational Groups (OG).
This initiative provides a total of 11 million euros for new GOs, with a maximum of 350,000 euros per project and eligible funding of 100%.
The GOs are considered crucial structures for transferring knowledge and strengthening the AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System).
Special thanks to the 17 Competence Centers for the opportunity to participate in this productive meeting!
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