To support sustainable agriculture, we identify, enhance and develop novel products for the promotion of plant growth, tolerance of abiotic stress and control of plant diseases.
Instruments used for microbiological analysis associated to acquisition devices and software for image editing.
Thermocyclers and real time PCR
Analysis of acid nucleic for amplification and quantification of microorganisms and gene expression
Greenhouse
Eight independent chambers allow for experimentation on plant growth under controlled conditions (temperature and humidity)
Climatic chambers
700 l chambers in which leaf disks and in vitro tests are performed under controlled conditions
Rain simulator
It simulates rainfall conditions in order to test the rainfastness of a formulation under controlled conditions.
Bioreactor
Device (5 l) for the simulation of industrial production of biological control agents.
Services
Evaluation of characteristics for the development of biocontrol agents
Tests to evaluate mass production, phytotoxicity, substrate growth suitability, resistance to desiccation, UV radiation and washout.
Evaluation of biofungicide formulations in controlled conditions (no GEP)
Tests on efficacy, persistence and rainfastness of biofungicide formulations (No GEP) in vitro or in planta (leaf disk or greenhouse conditions) against the main grapevine or apple tree pathogens.
Efficacy evaluation of biofungicide formulations under semi-field and in field (no GEP)
Tests of the efficacy of biofungicide formulations subjected to the environmental factors such as rainfall, sunlight, air humidity, temperatures, under semi-field and field conditions.
Evaluation of control activity against plant pathogens
Test on 1) plant protection and induced systemic resistance, 2) defence gene induction tests, 3) biofilm formation, and production of antibiotics, volatile and non-volatile composts.
Evaluation of plant-growth-promoting activities
Test on 1) potassium and phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid and ACC-deaminase production; 2) nitrogen fixing and plant-growth-promoting under climatic chamber or greenhouse conditions.
Microbiological analysis of soil and compost
Quantification of culturable microorganisms living in soil and compost samples, including fungal and bacteria diversity, thermophilic and psychrophilic, pathogen and antagonist microorganisms. Fungal and bacterial diversity using amplicon sequencing.
Microorganisms collection
1) Isolation, identification and conservation of microorganisms isolated from diverse substrates, 2) screening of strains of interest in phytopathology, biotechnology and agro-industry.
Applications
Biological control
Development and strengthening of new biofungicides and biofertilisers that meet the needs of organic and integrated farms on the reduction of chemicals and for a more sustainable agriculture.
Soil biological management
Soil microbiome analysis as a support for the individuation of agricultural practices that promote crop productivity and maintain the balance of microbial communities and soil health.
This Unit focuses on crop protection to decrease reliance on pesticides and improve well-being and the land-based economy with the development of innovative and sustainable agricultural practices.
