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.
Is it possible to detect yellow rust diseases in wheat and gafa in olive groves early, before the symptoms are visible in the field?
Ricardo Ramiro, director of the Data Management and Risk Analysis department at InnovPlantProtect (InPP), tells us more in the new episode of the radio program 90 Segundos de Ciência (90 Seconds of Science), broadcast today, Tuesday, June 11, at 5 p.m. on Antena 1 radio.
In today's broadcast, Ricardo will present the AlViGen project that the InPP team is working on, which aims to identify variants of the fungi 𝘗𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘴 and 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘮 and some important characteristics of these pathogens, such as virulence and resistance to fungicides or pesticides.
Listen to the new episode today at 5pm, with a repeat on Wednesday 12th at 11am on Antena1. The full episode is also available on RTP Play here.
Don't miss out!
The AlViGen project is led by InPP, in partnership with the University of Évora, and co-financed by the “la Caixa” foundation, in collaboration with Banco BPI and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the Promove Program.
The 90 Seconds of Science program, a spinoff of the Master's Degree in Science Communication, coordinated by ITQB NOVA and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - NOVA FCSH, shows the science being done in Portugal in just 90 seconds.
The project “AI4Leafhopper: Automatic Infestation Alert for Leafhopper using Drone Imagery”, led by InnovPlantProtect (InPP), is one of the six winners of the 1st edition of the PULL applications of the Horizon Europe ICAERUS program, in the “Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Challenges” category, focused on end users who can use drones and their services to address commercial and/or rural community challenges. The project will use advanced technologies such as drones to control infestations caused by the green leafhopper in the vineyards of the Alentejo, providing the spatial and temporal indications of the start of the infestation.
The green leafhopper (or cicada) is an emerging pest of great concern, affecting the yield and quality of wine production. However, the solutions for controlling this pest are very limited and inconsistently effective between different years, especially in organic production. In the current context of climate change in the Alentejo region, the green leafhopper represents one of the biggest challenges facing wine producers in terms of pests, with a moderate to high impact on production.
Green leafhopper, scientific name Jacobiasca lybica, one of the main pests of vineyards in the Alentejo, an insect species targeted by the AI4Leafhopper project. (Photo by Christophe Quintin | Flickr)
“AI4Leafhopper aims to develop an innovative system that uses data collected at air and ground level, combining images captured by drones with leafhopper population data collected by conventional traps,” explains iLaria Marengo, the InPP researcher responsible for the project. “The system will be designed to inform the grower about when, where and with what intensity the leafhopper is attacking their vines, predicting the risk of the critical level of symptoms up to two weeks in advance and detecting symptomatic plants in advance,” adds Manisha Sirsat, an InPP researcher also involved in AI4Leafhopper.
Drone flight in the vineyard at the Reynolds Wine Growers estate in Arronches (Photo by InnovPlantProtect)
The digital solutions proposed by AI4Leafhopper will allow wine producers to minimize the costs and environmental impact of pesticide application, reducing phytochemical applications and CO2 emissions thanks to the precise (spatial and temporal) application of these products, as well as reducing the costs of improving wine quality post-harvest. In addition, these solutions will also allow winegrowers to make better use of their working hours and resources, by reducing the time dedicated to monitoring pests and allowing faster decisions on pest control.
In addition to InPP, the AI4Leafhopper project includes the companies Reynolds Wine Growers and João Portugal Ramos, with whom the collaborative laboratory has been working since 2021 and 2023.
To find out more about AI4Leafhopper, visit the project website here.
The AI4Leafhopper project was one of six sub-projects awarded by the ICAERUS Horizon Europe program, as part of the first application focused on end users who can use drones and their services to address commercial and/or rural community challenges. The first edition of the PULL program awarded nearly 50,000 euros to a total of 6 innovative pilot projects.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) is once again taking part in the 60th National Agriculture Fair (2024 edition - FNA 24), under the central theme “Extensive livestock farming”, the form of farming that occupies the largest area of Portuguese territory and the majority of farmers, which will be held from June 8 to 16 at the National Exhibition and Agricultural Markets Center (CNEMA) in Santarém.
InPP will be at its stand in Nave B to show visitors the innovative bio-based and digital solutions it has been developing for crop protection.
The collaborative laboratory (CoLAB) will be welcoming visitors to stand no. 6, located in Nave B, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., to showcase its activities, the various projects underway, the patents already submitted, the apps for agricultural management and the bio-based and digital products and services it has to offer the agricultural sector and the market. Throughout the nine days of the fair, some of InPP's researchers will be at the stand to show visitors the various features of the Elvas CoLAB, which has developed innovation that it hopes will contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems.
“InnovPlantProtect's presence at the National Agriculture Fair is intended to be a space for communication and sharing with farmers and their families, as well as with companies and institutions in the sector, to publicize our activity and our products and to explain the importance of developing a set of bio-inspired and digital technologies in Portugal that are more efficient for crop protection, more environmentally friendly and safer for people,” says Pedro Fevereiro, InPP's executive director.
Biopesticides for the control of fire blight and pyriculariosis and for the control of various fungi and oomycetes and the biostimulant developed by CoLAB for the growth and productivity of horticultural plants, as well as the services available to agricultural producers will be highlighted. Some examples will be microbiome analysis, the development of strategies for obtaining plants that are more resistant to pests and diseases and risk models, molecular identification and diagnosis services, in vitro plant establishment and maintenance services, plant variety genotyping services, the application of artificial intelligence and drones to control infestations caused by the green leafhopper in Alentejo vineyards, as well as the Xyllela fastidiosa bacterium, or GIS-based decision support systems, among many others.
The National Agriculture Fair is one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country, held every year, and where all the players in the agricultural sector are represented. This event aims to be a space for debate, not only on the central theme of this edition of the fair, but also on the main agricultural issues of the moment. Providing interaction and contact between the players and boosting business is another of the aims of this event.
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