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NEWS

iCountPests: nova app para monitorização automática de pragas já disponível

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:

  1. Captar uma imagem da armadilha
  2. Analisar automaticamente
  3. 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.

Saiba mais sobre a iCountPests here.

Brevemente disponível: nova app iCountPests vai transformar a monitorização de pragas

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.

Saiba mais sobre a iCountPests here.

Nova tecnologia biológica desenvolvida pelo InPP e pela Fertiprado promete reforçar sustentabilidade das pastagens

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.

EVENTS

Isolating and characterizing the fungus that attacks Portuguese rice

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.

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.

InPP at Agroglobal rice meeting

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

InnovPlantProtect at Agroglobal 2021

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:

  1. Demos and presentations short and interactive presentations by each department of the InPP, with time for dialog with visitors
  2. Coffee with CoLABsinformal chat with InPP, Food4Sustainability, FeedInov CoLAB, SFCOLAB, MORE e Colab4Food (with the support of Delta Cafés)
  3. InPP ComVida...flash happenings with invited partners and associates (see below)
  4. Flavors of Elvas in Valada: raffle of Elvas plums among the visitors (with the support of elvense Artisanal Fruit)
  5. 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.
  • Want to know a biological control agent?
  • InPP ComVida... GREEN-IT Bioresources4Sustainability - institutional presence
  • 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 of unraveling 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

4pm: Coffee with CoLABs: informal conversation with the InPP, Food4Sustainability, FeedInov CoLAB, SFCOLAB, MORE e Colab4Food - what a CoLAB is, what unites us and what sets us apart

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

*traditional Alentejo singing

HIGHLIGHTING 9/9, THURSDAY:

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)

5pm: InPP ComVida... Syngenta

ABOUT INNOVPLANTPROTECT

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).