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.
Elvas, in the heart of the Alentejo, is preparing to welcome a new entomology laboratory. This specialized facility will help improve our understanding of the world of insects, small giants that are vital to ecosystems. More than a scientific research center, this laboratory aims to develop innovative strategies for pest management and control and support more sustainable agricultural practices, fostering collaboration between researchers, farmers and companies in the region and beyond.
Hadi Sheikhnejad, one of InnovPlantProtect's entomologists, shares his enthusiasm and vision for this project. “The entomology lab is a space where we can study, breed and exhibit insects, unlocking their secrets and applying that knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and the environment,” explains Hadi.
The installation of the laboratory, already underway since 2024, faces complex challenges, from finding funding to creating specialized infrastructures that simulate the insects“ natural habitats. ”Every detail is crucial and meticulously planned,“ reveals Hadi. ”We need to control the temperature, humidity and lighting to create an ideal environment and to ensure the well-being of the various species of insects that will reside here."
Hadi Sheikhnejad, an entomologist at InnovPlantProtect, engaged in the observation and study of insects in the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, which is yet to be set up.
And what species will these be? The laboratory will house an impressive diversity of insects, from beneficial predators such as ladybugs and parasitoid wasps, responsible for natural pest control, to agricultural pest species such as leafhoppers, aphids and whiteflies, and decomposers, important for maintaining soil health, such as soldier flies. “Each insect has a role to play in the balance of ecosystems,” says the entomologist. “By studying them, we can develop more effective and sustainable pest control methods, reducing our dependence on synthetic pesticides.”
Technology is a fundamental pillar of the laboratory. “We are integrating cutting-edge technologies such as image analysis using Artificial Intelligence (AI), automated traps and sensors and even climate-controlled breeding cameras,” Hadi reveals. “These technologies allow us to monitor insect behaviour in real time, detect pests early and diagnose infestations accurately, revolutionizing the way we deal with pest management.”
The laboratory will not be limited to research. It will offer consultancy services to farmers and companies that will include pest identification and, over time, the development of pest management strategies, the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), training workshops on insect monitoring and access to auxiliary insects, which will act as biological pest control agents to help farmers control infestations naturally.
Looking to the future, Hadi shares his vision for the laboratory: “We would like to be a reference laboratory for sustainable agriculture”. “By sharing our knowledge and experience gained in the entomology lab, we can help promote more ecological and efficient agricultural practices,” he adds.
Left photo: Hadi Sheikhnejad observing an insect under a magnifying glass, revealing essential details for entomological study, Right photo: Facilities of the new entomology laboratory in Elvas, a space dedicated to research, innovation and pest management.
Collaboration is another key aspect of this project. “We are open to partnerships with companies in the agricultural sector, research institutes, universities, other CoLABs and governmental or non-governmental organizations,” says Hadi. “We believe that these collaborations are essential for driving innovation and finding sustainable insect-based solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges. Ultimately, we can shape a future where agriculture and nature coexist in harmony.”
The entomology laboratory in Elvas is a step towards a more sustainable future, where the small world of insects plays a fundamental role in building a healthier planet. In Elvas, innovation crawls, flies, jumps and reveals a promising future for entomology and pest management.
What are the main diseases affecting olive trees in Portugal, and how do they impact olive oil production? Why does the bacterium 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 pose such a threat to olive groves and olive growers? What prevention and control measures are recommended to prevent the spread of this bacterium? How are we innovating in the monitoring and management of diseases in olive groves and of 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢?
These are some of the questions that will be answered in the webinar “Olive Tree Diseases and 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢”, promoted by the Center for the Study and Promotion of Olive Oil in Alentejo (CEPAAL), which will take place next Tuesday, April 1, starting at 10:30 a.m., and where these and many other topics will be discussed!
The director of InnovPlantProtect's Monitoring and Diagnostics Department, iLaria Marengo, will be one of the speakers at the webinar that will present the platform for monitoring the bacterium 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢, developed by our team, which is being used nationwide by the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV).
Participation in the session is free, but prior registration is required. You can register here.
See the full program in the image below.
This is an initiative developed under the Da Oliveira à Mesa project, promoted by CEPAAL and funded by the PDR 2020. The monitoring platform was developed as part of the SNM_XylellaVt - Sistema Nacional de Monitorização de Insetos Vetores da 𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 project, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
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