On September 18, the executive director of InnovPlantProtect (InPP), António Saraiva, the director of the New Biopesticides Department, Cristina Azevedo, and researcher Luís Grilo attended the Open Day “The Cereals of Baixo Mondego”, promoted by the Centro Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Centro), at the Bico da Barca Experimental Unit in Montemor-o-Velho.
The event highlighted the latest innovations from the Coimbra Innovation Hub, from new technologies applied to maize and rice, to fertilization strategies, protection and the use of biostimulants on these key crops in the Baixo Mondego region.
Our team also monitored trials with biofungicides, including the product I21, developed with our collaborative laboratory to combat pyriculariosis in two rice varieties, which is being patented.
In an interview with Voice of the Countryside, Cristina Azevedo shared the work we have been doing in the area of biosolutions.
Maize continues to be the Portugal's most important arable crop, The sector has a significant impact on food safety and the national agri-food industry. Involving thousands of producers and generating tens of millions of euros a year, the sector is currently facing increasingly complex phytosanitary challenges.
Among already known pests and emerging diseases, there are risks ranging from cartridge caterpillar until Maize Rugose Dwarfism Virus (MRDV), The presence of this virus is increasing in Portugal. This virus, transmitted by the corn leafhopper, can seriously compromise production and is found in the climate change increasingly favorable conditions for its spread.
However, it's not just MRDV that's worrying. There are new threats that require vigilance, such as the coleopter Diabrotica virgifera or the MDMV virus (Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus), already detected in neighboring countries, and also toxic weeds, such as the winter fig (Datura stramonium), which in addition to impacting productivity pose public health risks.
Faced with this reality, the answer is integrated and sustainable strategies, matching:
crop rotation and good agricultural practices;
careful use of insecticides to avoid resistance and environmental impacts;
resistant or tolerant varieties, where available;
research and technological innovation, including new digital tools for early detection.
As the InnovPlantProtect researcher points out, Nuno Faria, in the article entitled “The main emerging pests and diseases of the maize crop in Portugal”, available in the August edition of Voz do Campo magazine: “The phytosanitary panorama of maize in Portugal requires continuous vigilance, investment in research and the application of integrated and sustainable strategies capable of responding to an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable reality.”
To find out more about the main current risks and mitigation measures, read the full article published in the August issue of Voz do Campo magazine (pages 88-89), available on newsstands and online.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) is pleased to announce the publication of an international patent application (PCT) for a strain of Bacillus velezensis with application as a plant biostimulant. This innovation represents a significant milestone in our research, with a direct impact on sustainable agriculture and crop resilience in the face of climate and environmental challenges.
A natural and effective solution
The biostimulant developed by our team has been carefully studied and tested on different vegetable crops, such as tomatoes and lettuce, and on cereals, such as rice. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of this technology:
Greater development in the early stages of crops, This promotes more vigorous and healthy starts.
Increased productivity, This is evidenced by greater fresh biomass in lettuce and greater fruit production in tomatoes.
Proven molecular responses, with analyses confirming the activation of genes associated with plant responses to different types of abiotic stress.
These results reinforce the effectiveness of the Bacillus velezensis as a natural biostimulation tool, capable of boosting crop performance and contributing to more sustainable agriculture.
From the lab to the field
This patent is another step in InPP's commitment to developing innovative, sustainable biotechnological solutions with industrial applicability. The aim is clear: to support farmers and companies in the sector in meeting the challenges of crop productivity, quality and resilience, in an era when agriculture needs sustainable, high-impact responses.
We are looking for strategic partnerships
We are currently looking for new partnerships with companies and entities in the agricultural sector to take this technology from the laboratory to the field. We believe that collaboration is the key to turning scientific innovation into practical solutions that benefit the entire agricultural value chain.
If you're interested in learning more about this technology or exploring opportunities for collaboration, talk to us. Together we can drive a more productive, resilient and sustainable agriculture.
Innovate together. Protect better.
Image credits: InnovPlantProtect - Inês Ferreira (Photos from left to right: Sandra Caeiro and Rui Figueiras, researchers from the Specific Crop Protection Department and Inês Mexia, researcher from the Formulations and Process Development Department.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) celebrates its 5th anniversary next week January 24th, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., at the headquarters located at National Plant Breeding Station, INIAV center in Elvas.
The commemorative date aims to celebrate the innovation in crop protection developed at InPP, showing the role of the collaborative laboratory in stimulating knowledge transfer, creating value and securing highly qualified human resources in the region.
The ceremony will bring together, in addition to InPP members, different representatives of the innovation ecosystem, representatives of CoLABs in the agri-food sector, producer associations, farmers and political decision-makers, among others, with the aim of celebrating 5 years of InPP's achievements, taking stock and exploring prospects for the future.
The opening session will be attended by Isabel Ferreira, Secretary of State for Regional Development. At 3.15pm, the session “What innovation is produced at InPP?” will take place, in which our team will present the work and scientific-technological innovation that has been developed in the various areas of activity of the collaborative laboratory (CoLAB), namely in the areas of New Biopesticides, Protection of Specific Crops, Formulations and Process Development, Data Management and Risk Analysis and Monitoring and Diagnosis.
On the day of the celebrations, the closing session will be attended by the Mayor of Elvas, José Rondão Almeida, the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Gonçalo Caleira Rodrigues, representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Maria do Céu Antunes, and the Minister for Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa.
You can register for the ceremony by filling in the form available here. here, until 12 noon on January 22nd.
Mark your calendar and join us on this commemorative date! We'd be delighted to welcome you!
PROGRAM:
Reception of participants, networking and welcome coffee | 14:00
Welcome Session | 14:30
Pedro Fevereiro | Executive Director of InPP
Opening Session | 14:35
Margarida Oliveira | Chairman of the Board of Directors
Isabel Ferreira | Secretary of State for Regional Development
Session “What innovation is produced at InPP?” | 15:15
Cristina Azevedo | Director of the New Biopesticides Department
Sandra Correia | Director of the Department for the Protection of Specific Crops
David Learmonth | Director of the Formulations and Process Development Department
Ricardo Ramiro | Director of the Data Management and Risk Analysis Department
iLaria Marengo | Director of the Monitoring and Diagnosis Department
Closing Session | 16:00
Pedro Fevereiro | Executive Director of InPP
José Rondão Almeida | Mayor of Elvas
Gonçalo Caleira Rodrigues | Secretary of State for Agriculture representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Maria do Céu Antunes
Now you can find out all about Algae Vertical on the project's website!
With a modern and intuitive design, you'll be able to get to know the innovative Algae Vertical project on this new platform that concentrates all the information, and you'll be able to discover how we and the various partners in the algae industry in Portugal are contributing to transforming sustainability.
Take the opportunity to explore the SP6 Agriculture sub-project which is part of the Algae Vertical, of which InPP is the leader, in partnership with the GreenCoLab collaborative laboratory. Our team is working hard on this sub-project!
Algae Vertical is co-funded by Next Generation EU, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and is the largest initiative in the world. Blue Bioeconomy Pact Mobilizing Agenda.
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