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 6th anniversary this Friday. January 24th, from 2:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., at the headquarters located at National Plant Breeding Station, INIAV center in Elvas.
The commemorative date will bring together, in addition to InPP members, political decision-makers, representatives of other CoLABs in the agri-food sector, producer associations and farmers, with the aim of marking a new phase for InPP, which will be guided by the growth, expansion and consolidation of the brand, as well as the development of new technologies, products and services with a strong technological and innovation component, which make a difference in meeting the various challenges of agricultural crop protection.
The welcome session will start at 3pm and will feature a speech by António Saraiva, InPP's executive director, who took office in December 2024. At 3:10 p.m., 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 Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes.
Also present to mark the date will be the Secretary of State for Agriculture, João Moura, the Vice-President of CCDR-Alentejo, Roberto Grilo, and the Mayor of Elvas, José Rondão Almeida.
You can register for the ceremony by until 5pm on January 23rd, through sending an email to inpp@iplantprotect.pt.
Mark your calendar and join us on this commemorative date! We'd be delighted to welcome you!
PROGRAM:
Reception of participants | 14h30
Welcome Session | 15h00
António Saraiva | Executive Director of InPP
Session “What innovation is produced at InPP?” | 15h10
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 | 15h40
José Manuel Fernandes | Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
As the year draws to a close, we would like to express our deep gratitude to all InnovPlantProtect's associates, partners and clients for the partnership and trust they have placed in us this year.
Together, we are succeeding in transforming the crop protection sector, fighting to combat pests and plant diseases in a smarter and more innovative way.
In 2025, we will continue to work to offer the best laboratory and digital solutions to all our current and future customers.
May next year's challenges be transformed into opportunities for growth and consolidation and may the new year bring many new journeys, achievements, discoveries and conquests.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025!
Thank you for trusting in our science and technology to transform the future of crop protection.
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