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.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on February 11, is an initiative created in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the relevant role played by women and girls in the production of scientific and technological knowledge.
“Exploring careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): her voice in science” was the theme chosen for this year, with the aim of raising awareness among civil society of the importance of breaking down the barriers imposed by inequality between men and women in access to education and careers in science and innovation, as shared in the official information on UNESCO's website.
In recent decades there has been an increase in the participation of women in science research activities, opening up and exploring new paths that have also benefited the younger generations by arousing their interest and greater attendance at higher education.
Portugal is a good example, as Portuguese women scientists represent almost 50% of the total number of researchers in our country, with remarkable work that has been fundamental to the progress that national science and technology have made in recent decades.
Since its creation, the InPP has valued and supported scientific and technological development through multiple projects in a wide variety of areas, where female leadership has had a positive track record, contributing to the expansion of the collaborative laboratory, the creation of valuable partnerships and the transfer of knowledge to the business environment.
This expansion has led to a consequent increase in scientific advances which, together with the latest technologies, improve the competitiveness of the economy and add value to the area of biotechnology and plant health, for preventing and combating pests and diseases in agricultural crops.
To mark this date, we are highlighting the 24 women who are innovating in Portugal in the biotechnology and crop protection sector, and who represent the science and innovation being developed at InPP. These are some of the women who embody the words commitment, demand, resilience, overcoming, quality, talent, excellence and creativity. But there are many more and today, as every day, we celebrate them.
InPP's innovation manager, Paulo Madeira, took part in the Meeting with rice farmers and technicians in Portugal, promoted by the Operational and Technological Center for Rice (COTArroz), which took place on February 5 at COTArroz's premises in Salvaterra de Magos.
The aim of this meeting was to provide information on the use of herbicides and solutions, such as biostimulants for rice cultivation, to help mitigate the impact of pyriculariosis, one of the diseases that most affects this cereal worldwide and also in Portugal.
Moments of sharing knowledge and experiences like these not only contribute to the evolution of the sector, but also give us hope for the future of cereal growing!
Special thanks to COTArroz for the invitation to take part in the event. We look forward to your visit to Elvas, to get to know the work of our CoLAB and to explore possibilities for collaboration.
InnovPlantProtect (InPP) celebrated its 6th anniversary this Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Auditorium of the National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV) - Elvas Pole, in Elvas, with 120 guests in attendance.
The commemorative session was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, who was accompanied by the Secretary of State for Agriculture, João Moura, the vice-president of the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Alentejo) who holds the agriculture portfolio, Roberto Grilo, and the President of INIAV, IP, Nuno Canada. Also present at the commemoration was the councillor from Elvas Municipal Council (CM), representing José Rondão Almeida, the mayor of Elvas.
The welcome session was led by António Saraiva, InPP's executive director, who began by thanking all the guests present, and especially INIAV, the Municipality of Elvas and the associates for all their support. The executive director, who took up his post in December last year, congratulated the entire InPP team, to a standing ovation from all the guests present at the celebration: “Today is our day. We're six years old!”.
After two months as CEO, António Saraiva considers CoLAB to be a “true case study”, with “training skills, professional experience and a dedicated 100% human resources team that has attracted and retained talent from the north to the south of the country and also from Madeira, but also from abroad”. InPP already has an international team of 46 employees of 10 nationalities.
The InPP “has been a very attractive option for highly qualified work for young people in the region and the Alentejo, (...) working for the benefit of the competitiveness of Agriculture”, he stressed. “We are contributing to the modernization of agriculture so that it can respond to the needs of its professionals and the expectations of society.”.
António Saraiva, executive director of the InPP, during the welcoming session for participants in the 6th Anniversary of the InPP
The InnovPlantProtect brand is already a recognized reference throughout the country, particularly in the agricultural sector and, according to António Saraiva, “the importance of InPP goes far beyond the Alentejo region”, recalling the concept behind its creation: to develop an R&D laboratory capable of responding to the lack of phytosanitary solutions that agricultural producers have been experiencing, with a focus on crops from the Mediterranean region.
For six years, CoLAB has been developing bioinspired products, such as bioprotectants and biostimulants, as well as laboratory and digital services “provided to all those who come to us. We are helping to meet the needs of the countryside and companies in the agricultural sector,” he emphasized. InPP currently has more than a hundred partners and clients, in projects and collaborations, and in the provision of technical and scientific assistance services.
The seven national and international patent applications already produced by CoLAB to protect crops against various diseases that affect them at regional and national level were also highlighted in the executive director's speech. “We hope to have three more patent applications by the end of this year. It's a lengthy and very intense process, but we're going to do it,” he said.
Another of the points addressed by the CoLAB leader was the visit by the president of the National Innovation Agency (ANI), António Grilo, on January 20th. The president of ANI “left a positive note of InPP's excellent work, materialized mainly in the results obtained with the registration of patents, but was unable to say anything about the funding model after 2025”.
The executive director ended his speech by alerting the minister to the need for CoLABs to be informed “in good time” about the funding available after 2025 “so that we can project our future activity, and so that the team can focus on what is essential and not lose its focus”.
After the welcome session, there was a session entitled “What innovation is produced at InPP?”, in which two department directors, Cristina Azevedo and Ricardo Ramiro, introduced their teams and gave examples of biopesticides that are effective against the diseases fire blight and pyriculariosis in rice, a broad-spectrum biofungicide against gray rot in tomatoes, as well as the use of drones and artificial intelligence to monitor pests in the main agricultural crops.
One of the latest innovations is the iCountPests app, which not only reduces the time invested in monitoring and creating a pest history, but also contributes to better management of the pests present in the farmer's field, democratizing access to technology.
From left to right: Cristina Azevedo, director of the New Biopesticides Department; Ricardo Ramiro, director of the Data Management and Risk Analysis Department; João Moura, Secretary of State for Agriculture; and José Manuel Fernandes, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, during the session “What innovation is produced at the InPP?”
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, was in charge of the closing session. To the words heard during the speech by the executive director of InPP, “entrepreneurship and passion”, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries chose the word “ambition” to kick off the closing session. “We have to have the ambition to make things happen, to take risks, to not be afraid, to move forward,” he added.
The minister highlighted the word ambition when referring to the seven patents that are currently underway and also stressed the “absolutely essential” role of applied research in creating real impact in the agricultural sector and local communities, giving the example of the fire blight disease that affects pear and apple trees, “a challenge that we have to overcome” and for which the InPP team has already filed the first international patent application.
During his speech, José Manuel Fernandes not only didn't forget the “other pests and diseases”, he also said that “climate change, as we all know, is here and we have to make a collaborative effort, seeking to share what is being done in European terms.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries congratulated the InPP team “not only for all their work, but for allowing me to be here with you” and was pleased that it was made up largely of young people, when in the agricultural sector at national level the average age is one of the highest in the European Union, at 64, and “what we are trying to do is generational renewal. I'm very pleased when I only see young people, and young people whose faces show joy, which means that this glow you see is a sign of hope, of confidence, and with a multicultural team, that can only add to it.”
“You can count on us, on our support, but we are also counting on you to change what is an urgent need, which is to change the perception of agriculture: an agriculture that is increasingly modern, an agriculture that needs to be rejuvenated, where the farmer's income needs to be improved and an agriculture that is essential for our food security, and for our strategic autonomy,” he concluded.
José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, during the closing session of the 6th Anniversary of the InPP
The InnovPlantProtect team with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, during the session commemorating the 6th anniversary of the InPP.
The session continued with a drink for the guests, during which InPP was congratulated with a birthday cake.
The balance of the commemorative event was positive, having been able to attract the Elven community, representatives of various companies and agricultural producers, and the academic community.
After six years, InPP promotes the transfer of knowledge, reinforces its position as a CoLAB capable of fostering the development of new technologies, products and services with a strong technological and innovation component, and strengthens its commitment to promoting solutions that make a difference in tackling the various challenges of agricultural crop protection.
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