Estamos em contagem decrescente para a Feira Nacional de Agricultura (FNA), uma das maiores feiras agrícolas do país!
É já de 7 a 15 de junho que o InPP vai estar na 61ª edição da Feira Nacional de Agricultura, que se realiza no CNEMA – Centro Nacional de Exposições, em Santarém.
O tema da edição deste ano é “Biosoluções”e pretende destacar a importância das soluções e tecnologias inovadoras no setor agroalimentar e na promoção de práticas mais sustentáveis e eficientes.
A FNA reúne agricultores, empresários e especialistas dos setores agroalimentar, pecuário e agrícola e é um excelente espaço para aumentar a nossa rede de contactos, trocar conhecimentos e apresentar as mais recentes tendências e soluções agrícolas que a nossa equipa tem desenvolvido.
Vai poder encontrar-nos no stand nº.18, à entrada do Espaço dos claustros, dedicado à Agenda InsectERA, entre as 10h e as 20h.
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.
Each year, crop diseases cause devastating losses in agricultural production, threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. In the heart of Alentejo, an innovative project is harnessing the power of genomics to help combat these invisible threats. The AlViGen Project, with the participation of InnovPlantProtect researchers Rute Rego and João Bilro, is paving the way for a new era of crop surveillance and protection.
The Problem and the Solution
“Yellow rust in wheat and olive quick decline syndrome are real scourges for farmers,” explains Rute Rego, a researcher at AlViGen. “These diseases can decimate entire harvests, leading to severe economic losses and compromising food quality.”
But AlViGen is not limited to observing the problem. The team is using cutting-edge technology to detect and identify the strains of fungi that cause these diseases, long before the symptoms become visible.
“We use traps to collect spores circulating in the air,” Rute continues. “These traps allow us to monitor the presence of fungi in real-time, which gives us an important advantage in preventing infections.”
But the magic happens in the laboratory, where the team extracts the DNA from the spores and performs advanced genomic analyses, using powerful DNA sequencing technology based on the metabarcoding method, carried out with cutting-edge technology like the portable Nanopore sequencer.
Rute Rego, a researcher at InnovPlantProtect, analyzes samples of the fungus causing olive quick decline syndrome as part of the AlViGen project.
Unraveling the Genetic Code of Fungi
To better explain what metabarcoding is and its advantage in detecting the presence of species or strains of fungi that cause diseases in crops, the researcher gives the example of a bag full of different types of grains - rice, beans, corn - being analyzed by the reader. “Metabarcoding is like placing a unique label (a ‘barcode’) on each type of grain. Then, you can mix all the grains in a single sample, and by reading the labels, you can identify the quantity of each type of grain present.'”
In the case of AlViGen, this technique allows for the analysis of multiple fungal species simultaneously (in multiple samples), each with its own genetic ‘barcode,’ and to ‘identify exactly which fungi are present, even in small quantities,'” the researcher explains.
And what is the practical impact of this method for monitoring and predicting disease? The AlViGen project researcher can identify, with high precision, the moment when the pathogenic agent begins to appear in the field, which makes it possible to alert farmers in real-time about the risk of disease. Producers can adopt preventative measures and apply the necessary products to avoid infection, contributing to a rapid and effective response in disease prevention.
The Timeline of Fungal Evolution
AlViGen's research is not limited to identifying the microorganisms harmful to crops; it also seeks to understand their evolution and diversity. João Bilro, another researcher on the project, is dedicated to studying the phylogeny of the Colletotrichum fungus, a microorganism responsible for causing olive anthracnose or blight, a disease that affects olive groves in Portugal. This disease mainly affects the olives, which compromises the quality of the olive oil.
“Phylogeny is crucial for understanding how the different strains of Colletotrichum Just as a family tree traces the history of a family, showing how members are related to each other, phylogenetic trees reveal the evolutionary relationships between the different strains of this fungus. Each branch of the tree represents an evolutionary lineage, and the nodes indicate common ancestors. By comparing the DNA sequences of these strains, we can reconstruct their evolutionary history, identifying which are genetically closer or more distant, and thus infer characteristics such as virulence or resistance to fungicides,” he reveals.
This knowledge allows researchers to identify patterns of dissemination and adaptation of the fungus, which is fundamental for developing more effective strategies to contain and/or reduce the damage this fungus causes to Portuguese olive groves.
“One of the challenges of our research is the great genetic diversity of the Colletotrichum,” admits João. “However, by uncovering their evolutionary secrets, we are paving the way for the development of more precise and targeted detection and control methods.”
Left photo: João Bilro, a bioinformatician at InnovPlantProtect, studying the phylogeny of the Colletotrichum fungus within the scope of the AlViGen project; Right photo: Rute Rego and João Bilro discuss ideas about the AlViGen project.
The Future of Agriculture Starts Here
The AlViGen Project aims to have a significant impact on the agricultural landscape, especially in Alentejo, a region with a strong agricultural tradition. By providing farmers with early detection tools and precise information about the microorganisms that cause crop diseases, the project intends to aid in decision-making, allowing farmers to protect their crops and reduce production losses.
“Our ultimate goal is to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their crops sustainably,” states Rute. “We believe that genomic surveillance is a key tool for the future of crop protection.”
João Bilro agrees and adds, “Continuous research is fundamental to keep up with the evolution of harmful microorganisms and to develop new, consistently effective control strategies. In the future, we hope to expand the scope of AlViGen to include other microorganisms and crops, and to make genomic surveillance an accessible tool for all farmers.”
Science at the Service of Agriculture
The AlViGen Project, supported by the Promove Program of the “la Caixa” Foundation, in partnership with Banco BPI and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), is an inspiring example of how science and technology can be applied to solve real-world problems and transform agriculture. By unraveling the genetic secrets of crop microorganisms, Rute Rego and João Bilro are paving the way for a safer, more sustainable, and resilient agriculture.
The fight against crop diseases continues, but with AlViGen, farmers can finally see the enemy before it becomes visible.
What will be the future of Rocha pear production? This was the motto for the 10th Rocha in Bloom Meeting, InnovPlantProtect (InPP) took part in this project, which brought together technicians, researchers and companies in the March 15th, no Cadaval, to discuss and debate the problem of stenphylosis and other diseases in the Rocha pear tree.
Cristina Azevedo, director of InPP's New Biopesticides department, was one of the speakers on the panel on “Plant Health: Bacterial Fire” with a presentation entitled “A Control Solution”. The panel was moderated by the executive director of the collaborative laboratory, Pedro Fevereiro.
The panel on “Plant Health: Stenphyliosis and other enemies” featured Ricardo Ramiro, director of InPP's Data Management and Risk Analysis department, with a presentation entitled “A Roselinea and the soil microbiome”.
In addition to the problem of plant health, the issues of irrigation water and other production management technologies were also addressed.
The opening session was attended by the Chairman of the Board of the Sobrena Agricultural Producers' Association, Rui Soares, and the Mayor of Cadaval, José Bernardo Nunes.
The closing session was attended by the President of the Portuguese Farmers' Confederation, Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, and the President of the General Assembly of the Sobrena Agricultural Producers' Association, Manuel Chaveiro Soares.
The initiative was organized by the Sobrena Agricultural Producers Association (APAS), in collaboration with Cadaval Town Hall.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) was present last Tuesday, March 12, at the field session “Soil microbiology and its agronomic relevance”, promoted by the Association of Agroforestry Producers of the Sor Region (Aflosor), in collaboration with the Mediterranean Forest Union (UNAC), which took place at Herdade Margem do Sol Posto, located in Foros do Mocho, Montargil.
Soil microbiology, the fundamental role of mushrooms in forest conservation, the impact of extensive livestock farming on soil biodiversity and fertility and its agronomic relevance were some of the topics covered.
Pedro Fevereiro, executive director of InPP, Nuno Faria and João Colaço, researchers from the collaborative laboratory, took part in this session, which was accompanied by experts, and in which they had the opportunity to examine the soil in the field and take part in a debate where they exchanged experiences and knowledge.
Thanks to Aflosor and UNAC for the excellent exchange of ideas that each participant brought to the table!
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) took part in the second face-to-face meeting of the project Vertical Algae, The event, which took place this Wednesday, March 13, at the University of Aveiro, and of which the collaborative laboratory (CoLAB) is a part.
The meeting, organized by the University of Aveiro, the Portuguese Association of Algae Producers (PROALGA) and GreenCoLab, brought together more than 140 people, representing the 38 partner entities involved in Algae Vertical, with the aim of taking stock of the work carried out by the seven sub-projects and presenting the results obtained so far and the next steps to be taken to achieve the proposed objectives.
The first part of the meeting included an open session that welcomed renowned dignitaries and industry leaders. Among the guests were Miguel Marques, chairman of Inovamar's Board of Directors, João Navalho, chairman of Necton's Board of Directors, José Ribau Esteves, mayor of Aveiro, and Eduardo Anselmo Castro, vice-president of the Centro Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDRC). This was followed, in an open format to the community, by a presentation of the latest developments, results and the way forward by the respective representatives of each of the seven sub-projects covering the various industrial sectors.
The director of InPP's New Biopesticides department, Cristina Azevedo, presented the 30 algae biomasses tested as part of subproject 6 linked to agriculture, led by our CoLAB in partnership with GreenCoLab, with the aim of understanding their potential as biopesticides and biostimulants.
Last year's inaugural meeting set ambitious goals for the project, aiming to create products, processes and services using blue biotechnology by December 31, 2025.
The meeting allowed for an exchange of knowledge and ideas, with the unique insights that each participant brought to the table fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation.
The partners will continue their journey through the incredible world of algae with great motivation!
You can (re)watch the recording of the meeting on the project's YouTube channel here.
The Algae Vertical, led by Necton, is part of the Blue Bioeconomy Pact and is driven by Inovamar. It is funded by the European NextGenerationEU, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
Português 
English