{"id":17510,"date":"2020-03-22T21:55:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T21:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/?post_type=iplantprotect_dept&#038;p=155"},"modified":"2026-07-06T14:33:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:33:56","slug":"plant-protection","status":"publish","type":"iplantprotect_dept","link":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/iplantprotect_dept\/protecao-de-plantas\/","title":{"rendered":"Plant protection"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"17510\" class=\"elementor elementor-17510\" data-elementor-post-type=\"iplantprotect_dept\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ade8463 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2ade8463\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b428af2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b428af2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the sub-area of <strong>Plant protection<\/strong>\u00a0we focus on the development and selection of <strong>innovative molecules<\/strong> and on the use of <strong>beneficial microorganisms<\/strong> \u2014 such as bacteria and fungi \u2014 capable of controlling diseases that affect Mediterranean crops.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40f47b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40f47b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many of the active substances and formulations currently used by farmers to control pests and diseases are being withdrawn from the market due to their <strong>high toxicity<\/strong> or <strong>broad spectrum of action<\/strong>, which can negatively impact insects and other organisms essential to environmental balance \u2014 as well as human health. In addition, the <strong>increasing resistance<\/strong> of pests and pathogens is reducing the effectiveness of existing solutions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3af181 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3af181\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At the same time, <strong>new threats are emerging<\/strong> \u2014 pests and diseases for which effective control methods do not yet exist. This reality, already well established in Europe and increasingly evident worldwide, calls for<strong> safe, targeted and sustainable solutions.<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea1b40c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ea1b40c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e9dab8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9e9dab8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0835a84 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0835a84\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f5ea47 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2f5ea47\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04020c8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"04020c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;background_video_link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/iplantprotect.pt\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ImagesDestaque_Dep1.mp4&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-container elementor-hidden-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<video class=\"elementor-background-video-hosted\" role=\"presentation\" autoplay muted playsinline loop><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95698ed e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"95698ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f4da33 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f4da33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/services\/ferramentas-digitais-para-monitorizacao-de-pragas-e-doencas-e-protecao-das-culturas\/\">\"We innovate today with new pesticides to protect tomorrow\u2019s crops.\"<\/a><\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1750d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f1750d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06ca76f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06ca76f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It is in this context that our team <strong>dedicated to the development of<\/strong> <strong>new biopesticides<\/strong>\u2014 biologically based solutions composed of small molecules (such as RNA interference) or small proteins capable of blocking the interaction between plant pathogens and crops, or inhibiting the growth of these organisms.<\/p>\n<p>These biopesticides are distinguished by their <strong>high level of safety for humans and animals<\/strong>, their targeted specificity, and their <strong>lower environmental impact<\/strong> compared to currently available synthetic agrochemicals, representing an innovative and sustainable response to the challenges of modern agriculture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fc23b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2fc23b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17ada01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17ada01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e1b8be4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent e-lazyloaded\" data-id=\"5e1b8be4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45f513de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45f513de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<p>In this sub-area we also study <strong>interactions between plants and other organisms<\/strong>\u00a0in order to better understand and enhance natural resistance mechanisms against pests and diseases.  On the one hand, we are looking for,\u00a0<strong>identify genetic or phenotypic traits in plants<\/strong>\u00a0that make them more resilient and, on the other hand,\u00a0<strong>assess strategies to induce or strengthen this resistance<\/strong>, contributing to more robust and sustainable agricultural systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f646c8e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f646c8e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09b8aae e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"09b8aae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daa9dd3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"daa9dd3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b18333 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6b18333\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62c5a2a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"62c5a2a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566d5ab e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"566d5ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;background_video_link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/iplantprotect.pt\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ImagesDestaque_Dep2.mp4&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-container elementor-hidden-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<video class=\"elementor-background-video-hosted\" role=\"presentation\" autoplay muted playsinline loop><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ae921 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"44ae921\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73f5b6f elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73f5b6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/services\/ferramentas-digitais-para-monitorizacao-de-pragas-e-doencas-e-protecao-das-culturas\/\">\"We strengthen plants to naturally resist pests and diseases.\"<\/a><\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-390d9dc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"390d9dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0426196 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0426196\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In addition to this research work, we carried out\u00a0<strong>rigorous trials of biostimulant and biopesticides products<\/strong>, testing their effectiveness both in promoting plant development and in the sustainable control of pests and diseases. These trials allow us to validate and optimise innovative solutions, ensuring they perform effectively under real field conditions and deliver tangible benefits to farmers.<\/p>\n<p>Our work is particularly focused on\u00a0<strong>Mediterranean crops<\/strong>, The team is working to improve the quality of agricultural products, which are facing increased challenges due to climate change and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Through the integration of scientific knowledge, technological innovation and agricultural practices, the team contributes to <strong>protecting strategic crops<\/strong>\u00a0and supporting their long-term productivity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2100c6f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2100c6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":20136,"template":"","class_list":["post-17510","iplantprotect_dept","type-iplantprotect_dept","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/iplantprotect_dept\/17510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/iplantprotect_dept"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/iplantprotect_dept"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/iplantprotect_dept\/17510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21831,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/iplantprotect_dept\/17510\/revisions\/21831"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iplantprotect.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}