Agrobiotechnology
The major challenges facing the next generations, such as climate change, population growth or food security, demand new approaches from the point of view of research that are committed to the sustainability of the ecosystem.
The Agrobiotechnology group takes advantage of the knowledge acquired in physiology, pathology, soil microbiology, molecular biology, natural products and organic chemistry, which, interacting in a transversal way, respond to these societal challenges.
The Agrobiotechnology group profile page on Digital.CSIC.
Presentation
The Agrobiotechnology Group is made up of three research lines that complement each other. In the Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition line, work is centred on crops of interest to the Canary Islands and applies sustainable cultivation models that reuse sub-products from plant and animal sources. This contributes to the development of more ecological and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Another of the Group's lines of research focuses on the use of Chemical Activators of the Natural Defences of Plants as a sustainable alternative to biotic and abiotic stress. Some of the results obtained in recent years have been protected and licensed to the industry, giving rise to formulae marketed nationally and internationally. Finally, the Macromolecule Biotechnology line uses recombinant DNA technology and synthetic biology for the production of biopharmaceuticals and other macromolecules of therapeutic, diagnostic, cosmetic, agri-food, veterinary and phytosanitary interest.
Research lines
Proteómica y Metabolómica Agroaplicada (AGROPROMS)
Esta linea de investigación tiene como base la identificación de metabolitos y proteínas, a nivel cuantitativo y/o cualitativo, de alimentos y productos agrícolas.
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
This line of research studies soil fertility and plant nutrition of numerous crops, as well as the regeneration of agricultural soils degraded and salinated by the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.
Chemical Activators of Natural Plant Defences
Biotic stress (pathogens and pests) and abiotic stress (salinity, frost, heavy metals, heat, etc.) are among the fundamental causes of crop yield loss. Knowledge of the defence mechanisms that underlie resistance or tolerance and how plants respond to stress could help us develop environmentally...
PhD & MSc. Thesis
Estudio de los efectos de un digestato, procedente de una digestión anaeróbica de residuos agroalimentarios, en un cultivo de lechuga (Lactuva sativa L.)
Influencia del IBA, SEFEL y Peróxido de Hidrógeno, en el enraizamiento de estacas de tallo apical de Leucospermum `Soleil´, `Tango´y `Succession II´
Efectos de diferentes tratamiento en la propagación por estaca de Leucospermum `Succession II´y su estudio histológico
Propagación y análisis de Beloperone guttata y Tibouchina urbilleana para planta ornamental en maceta
Influencia del medio de enraizamiento sobre la propagación por estaca de tallo apical de Leucospermum `Soleil´, `Tango´y `Succession II´
Influencia del IBA, SEFEL, Peróxido de hidrógeno en el enraizamiento de estacas de tallo apical en Proteas `Madiva´, `Susara´, P. grandicolor y `Pink Ice´
Estudio Biomolecular del Efecto de la menadiona sobre le estrés oxidativo
Estudio fisiológico y molecular del efecto del MSB sobre el crecimiento de las plantas
Estudio de dos variedades de Celosia argentea L. plumosa, para sistema convencional y ecológico
Estudio de un modelo de agricultura ecológica para el cultivo de papaya, Carica papaya, en Tenerife
Influencia del medio de enraizamiento sobre la propagación por estaca de tallo de Leucospermum `Soleil´, `Tango´y `Succession II´
Influencia del sistema de elaboración de fertilizantes ecológicos líquidos, SEFEL, sobre la producción de algunas plantas ornamentales, aromáticas y medicinales para maceta
Ensayo comparativo de tres variedades de lechuga, (Lactuca sativa L.) en sistema convencional y ecológico
Introducción del sistema de elaboración de fertilizantes ecológicos líquuidos, SEFEL, en el cultivo de Proteas, en las Islas Canarias
Máster: Caracterización molecular de la ruta de biosíntesis de la prolina
Nutrición Mineral de Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (barrilla)
Caracterización Agronómica del té de compost obtenido mediante el sistema de elaboración de fertilizantes ecológicos líquidos (SEFEL) en el cultivo de la platanera en la isla de La Palma
Viabilidad productiva, optimización y diseño del sistema de cultivo “Ecohuertos”
Efecto de la menadiona sodio bisulfito (MSB) como inductor de crecimeinto del tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Efectos de la menadiona sofiio Bisulfito (MSB) como inductor de crecimiento en las especies vegetales trigo (Triticum spp.), maíz (Zea mays) y judía (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Estudio de la Diferenciación de zonas vitícolas en la isla de La Palma
Análisis de la eficacia en la gestión de residuos agrícolas según la técnica de producción: convencional, ecológica y permacultura en Tenerife (Islas canarias)
Efectos de la fertilización con calcio en el cultivar Leucospermum Tango en la isla de La Palma
Estudio técnico-económico de la Barrila (Mesembryanthemum crystalinum L.) como hortaliza en Fuerteventura
Establecimiento de dos patosistemas para el estudio del MSB como inductores de resistencia frente a dos enfermedades fitopatógenas
Efectos de la fertilización nitrogenada y aplicación de aminoácidos en el cultivar Tango de Leucospermum en la isla de La Palma
Estudio de la Menadiona Sodio Bisulfito (MSB) en su papel como inductor de primado frente al estrés salino
Estudio de crecimiento, producción, nutrición mineral y fertilización de dos cultivares de Leucospermum plantados en suelos arcillosos sobre sus propias raíces, o injertados sobre patrón tolerante a este tipo de suelos
Estudio biomolecular y fisiológico de la Menadiona Sodio Bisulfito (MSB) en su papel como inductor del crecimiento y de la tolerencia frente al estrés oxidativo en el modelo experimental Arabidopsis thaliana
Caracterización de la familia multigénica ToFZY de Solanum lycopersicum y su implicación en el estrés biótico
Estudio biomolecular del MSB como inductor de tolerancia al estrés salino
Estudio biomolecular del MSB como inductor de resistencia frente al estrés biótico
Efecto de la concentración de fósforo en un cultivo hidropónico de Leucospermum cordifolium ‘Flame Spike’
Funding
Plan de transferencia del conocimiento para financiar la investigación científica para optimizar los cultivos en la isla de La Palma
En Ejecución
El reto de la agricultura palmera después de la erupción de "Cumbre Vieja": la coexistencia de cultivos subtropicales con ceniza volcánica
Finalizado
FRUTTMAC
Transferencia de I+D+i para el desarrollo sostenible de frutales tropicales en la Macaronesia.
FRUTTMAC es un proyecto interdisciplinar liderado por el investigador Juan Cabrera del ICIA (…
Juan Cabrera (ICIA, Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias).
Finalizado
MAC-INTERREG AHIDAGRO "Contribución al ahorro hídrico en cultivos estratégicos para el sector primario de Canarias y Madeira mediante la aplicación de productos y extractos naturales bioactivos con propiedades osmoprotectoras"
El cambio climático en curso impondrá para 2050 un aumento medio de la temperatura de 2 a 3ºC y una disminución de la vida útil y de los recursos hídricos, que puede…
Finalizado
Bioquímica Genética Mojo (BIGAMO)
“Entre pimientas anda el mojo”: tipificación genética y caracterización bioquímica de las variedades antiguas palmeras.
El objetivo principal de BIGAMO es el establecimiento de parámetros…
Finalizado
Aprovechamiento de salmueras procedentes de procesos de desalación en sistemas de cultivo sin suelo para su aplicación al sector hotelero
Finalizado
Regeneración y optimización de suelos en agricultura ecológica de plátano
Finalizado
Estudio de la sostenibilidad del cultivo de plátanos tratados con purines enriquecidos y compost
Carlos Enrique Álvarez González
Marino Fernández Falcón
Finalizado
Caracterización de la composición del mosto y el vino, obtenido de tres variedades de uva de la isla de Lanzarote: malvasía, listán negra y listán blanca, a través de la evaluación de los ácidos orgánicos, azúcares y fenoles en la variedad de tintos
María Isabel Trujillo
Jacinto del Castillo
Finalizado
Avaliação dos efeitos biológicos de vinhos tintos na prevenção de patologías ateroscleróticas, oncológicas e neurológicas- Implementação de processos tecnológicos de vinificação que maximizem o teor de antioxidantes nos vinos
Mª Isabel Trujillo
Jacinto del Castillo
Finalizado
Estudio de la fertilidad de los suelos, nutrición mineral y exportación de nutriente de plantas de protea cultivadas en la isla de La Palma
Carlos Enrique Álvarez González
Finalizado
Estudio comparativo de la nutrición mineral, capacidad fotosintética y fertilización de plantas de protea plantadas directamente e injertadas sobre patrón resistente a suelos arcillosos
Marino Jesús Fernández Falcón
Finalizado
Optimización de composiciones para inducir resistencia a patógenos y plagas en cultivos de interés económico. Estudio de los marcadores moleculares relacionados con la respuesta defensiva (resistencia sistémica inducida)
Andrés Borges Pérez
Finalizado
CDTI: DESARROLLO DE NUEVAS VARIEDADES DE PROTEAS PARA EXPORTACIÓN Y SU CULTIVO EN ZONAS DE MEDIANÍAS DE LA ISLA DE LA PALMA
Las proteas son plantas ornamentales con una gran diversidad en colores y formas, lo que las hace muy demandadas en el mercado europeo de todo el hemisferio norte. La Sociedad Cooperativa “Proteas…
Finalizado
Mitigación del cambio climático y adaptación a déficit hídrico de la agricultura mediante el uso de bioestimulantes y reguladores de la transpiración vegetal (BIOTRANS)
El principal objetivo de BIOTRANS es proporcionar una tecnología sostenible que, mediante el uso de moléculas respetuosas con el medio ambiente, permita cultivar en condiciones de…
En Ejecución
Implantación del modelo agroecológico SEFEL en el municipio de La Laguna
Finalizado
People
Jana Alonso Lorenzo
Andrés A. Borges Rodríguez
María Mercedes Hernández González
Joana Beatriz Siverio Arbelo
Publications
Root treatment with a vitamin K3 derivative: a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides against Botrytis cinerea in tomato plants
BACKGROUND Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold has a great economic impact on several important crops. This necrotrophic fungus causes disease symptoms during vegetative growth and also into postharvest stages. The current method to combat this disease is fungicide application, with high economic costs and environmentally unsustainable impacts. Moreover, there is an increasing general public health concern about these strategies of crop protection. We studied the protection of tomato plants against B. cinerea by previous root treatment with menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB), a known plant defense activator.
RESULTS Root treatment 48 h before inoculation with MSB 0.6 mmol L−1 reduced leaf lesion diameter by 30% and notably cell deaths, compared to control plants 72 h after inoculation. We studied the expression level of several pathogenesis-related (PR) genes from different defense transduction pathways, and found that MSB primes higher PR1 expression against B. cinerea. However, this stronger induced resistance was impaired in transgenic salicylic acid-deficient NahG line. Additionally, in the absence of pathogen challenge, MSB increased tomato plant growth by 28% after 10 days. Our data provide evidence that MSB protects tomato plants against B. cinerea by priming defense responses through the salicylic acid (SA)-dependent signaling pathway and reducing oxidative stress.
CONCLUSION This work confirms the efficacy of MSB as plant defense activator against B. cinerea and presents a novel alternative to combat gray mold in important crops.
García-Machado, Francisco J.; García-García, Ana L.; Borges, Andrés A.; Jiménez-Arias, David
Applying Biostimulants to Combat Water Deficit in Crop Plants: Research and Debate
Climate change has increased the severity of drought episodes by further reducing precipitation in vulnerable zones. Drought induces a substantial decrease in agricultural water, reducing crop yields. Consequently, addressing water consumption can increase farmers’ profits. This work describes lab-to-field research in Zea mays, using two biostimulants: glycine betaine (GB) and Lpyroglutamic acid (PG). The biostimulant optimal dosages were selected using a hydroponic system with 20% polyethylene glycol and nursery experiments under water-deficit irrigation. The established dosages were evaluated in field trials in which irrigation was reduced by 20%. Laboratory biostimulant optimisation showed in stressed treated seedlings (GB 0.1 mM; PG 1 mM) an increased dry weight, relative growth rate and water use efficiency, reducing seedling growth loss between 65 and 85%, respectively. Field trials using a GB-optimised dosage showed an increase in plants’ growth, grain yield and flour Ca content. In addition, grain flour carbohydrate content and protein remained similar to control well-watered plants. Finally, the economic aspects of biostimulant treatments, water consumption, water sources (ground vs. desalinated) and grain biomass were addressed. Overall, GB treatment demonstrated to be a valuable tool to reduce water consumption and improve farmers’ earnings.
Jiménez-Arias, David; Hernándiz, Alba E.; Morales-Sierra, Sarai; García-García, Ana L.; García-Machado, Francisco J.; Luis, Juan C.; Borges, Andrés A.
Mapping stressed wheat plants by soil aluminum efect using C‑band SAR images: implications for plant growth and grain quality
Under toxic aluminum (Al) levels in the soil, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sufers stress and plant growth is afected. A method for diagnosis of plants is proposed that includes the following as a strategy: to analyze total Al in the soil, employ satellite radar imagery and calculate a vegetation index. The objective of this research, conducted at the feld scale, was to explore how radar backscattering coefcients from a winter wheat canopy, combined with the normalized diference vegetation index (NDVI) and geographic information system (GIS) technology, can be used as a mapping tool for the variability of Al-stressed canopies. As a result, an analysis of covariance showed signifcant diferences, and the lowest plant height was obtained at a high level of soil Al, as well as the minimum grain weight and magnesium content. It was found that a simple model could be used to estimate plant height from the backscattering coefcient of vertical transmit-vertical receive polarization (σ°VV), with a strong correlation (r−0.84). In turn, a third-order polynomial regression model (R20.70) was proposed to estimate the NDVI from σ°VV. This model provided a good estimate of the NDVI at the stem elongation stage of growth (50 days after sowing). Detected NDVI patterns were associated with variation in canopy stress depending on polarimetric information, which, in turn, was related to soil Al levels. Thus, the maps derived from the model can monitor spatial variability, where NDVI values<0.68 indicate stressed areas. This study provides guidance for in-season stress spatial variability caused by Al.
Hernández, Mercedes; Borges, Andrés A.; Francisco‑Bethencourt, Desiderio.
Addressing the contribution of small molecule-based biostimulants to the biofortification of maize in a water restriction scenario
Biostimulants have become an asset for agriculture since they are a greener alternative to traditionally used plant protection products. Also, they have gained the farmers’ acceptance due to their effect on enhancing the plant’s natural defense system against abiotic stresses. Besides commercially available complex products, small molecule-based biostimulants are useful for industry and research. Among them, polyamines (PAs) are well-studied natural compounds that can elicit numerous positive responses in drought-stressed plants. However, the studies are merely focused on the vegetative development of the plant. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate how drenching with putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) modified the maize production and the yield quality parameters. First, a dosage optimization was performed, and then the best PA concentrations were applied by drenching the maize plants grown under well-watered (WW) conditions or water deficit (WD). Different mechanisms of action were observed for Put and Spd regarding maize production, including when both PAs similarly improved the water balance of the plants. The application of Put enhanced the quality and quantity of the yield under WW and Spd under WD. Regarding the nutritional quality of the grains, both PAs increased the carbohydrates content, whereas the contribution to the protein content changed by the interaction between compound and growth conditions. The mineral content of the grains was also greatly affected by the water condition and the PA application, with the most relevant results observed when Spd was applied, ending with flour richer in Zn, Cu, and Ca minerals that are considered important for human health. We showed that the exogenous PA application could be a highly efficient biofortification approach. Our findings open a new exciting use to be studied deep in the biostimulant research.
Hernandiz, Alba E.; Jiménez-Arias, David; Morales-Sierra, Sarai; Borges, Andres A.; De Diego, Nuria.
Abscisic acid mimic-fluorine derivative 4 alleviates water deficit stress by regulating ABA-responsive genes, proline accumulation, CO2 assimilation, water use efficiency and better nutrient uptake in tomato plants
Water deficit represents a serious limitation for agriculture and both genetic and chemical approaches are being used to cope with this stress and maintain plant yield. Next-generation agrochemicals that control stomatal aperture are promising for controlling water use efficiency. For example, chemical control of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling through ABA-receptor agonists is a powerful method to activate plant adaptation to water deficit. Such agonists are molecules able to bind and activate ABA receptors and, although their development has experienced significant advances in the last decade, few translational studies have been performed in crops. Here, we describe protection by the ABA mimic-fluorine derivative 4 (AMF4) agonist of the vegetative growth in tomato plants subjected to water restriction. Photosynthesis in mock-treated plants is markedly impaired under water deficit conditions, whereas AMF4 treatment notably improves CO2 assimilation, the relative plant water content and growth. As expected for an antitranspirant molecule, AMF4 treatment diminishes stomatal conductance and transpiration in the first phase of the experiment; however, when photosynthesis declines in mock-treated plants as stress persists, higher photosynthetic and transpiration parameters are recorded in agonist-treated plants. Additionally, AMF4 increases proline levels over those achieved in mock-treated plants in response to water deficit. Thus water deficit and AMF4 cooperate to upregulate P5CS1 through both ABA-independent and ABA-dependent pathways, and therefore, higher proline levels are produced Finally, analysis of macronutrients reveals higher levels of Ca, K and Mg in AMF4- compared to mock-treated plants subjected to water deficit. Overall, these physiological analyses reveal a protective effect of AMF4 over photosynthesis under water deficit and enhanced water use efficiency after agonist treatment. In summary, AMF4 treatment is a promising approach for farmers to protect the vegetative growth of tomatoes under water deficit stress.
Jiménez-Arias, David; Morales-Sierra, Sarai; Suárez, Emma; Lozano-Juste, Jorge; Coego, Alberto; Estevez, Juan C.; Borges, Andrés A. ; Rodriguez, Pedro L.
Biostimulant activity of Galaxaura rugosa seaweed extracts against water deficit stress in tomato seedlings involves activation of ABA signaling
Water scarcity is a serious constraint for agriculture, and global warming and climate change can exacerbate it in many areas. Therefore, sustainable approaches must be implemented to deal with current and future water scarcity scenarios. Genetic and chemical approaches are being applied to manage this limitation and maintain crop yields. In particular, biostimulants obtained from natural sources such as marine algae are promising aids for coping with water deficit stress in agriculture. Here we present a bioprospection study of extracts of the macroalgae Bonnemaisonia hamifera, Galaxaura rugosa, Dasycladus vermicularis, Ulva clathrata, Cystoseira foeniculacea, Cystoseira humilis, Lobophora dagamae, Colpomenia sinuosa and Halopteris scoparia from the north coast of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The aqueous extracts of Bonnemaisonia hamifera, Galaxaura rugosa, Dasycladus vermicularis and Cystoseira humilis show biostimulant activity against water deficit stress in tomato seedlings under controlled conditions, providing higher tolerance than the mock-treated control. The Galaxaura rugosa extract showed the highest biostimulant activity against water deficit stress. We demonstrate that this positive effect involves the activation of the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana (arabidopsis) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Application of G. rugosa extract to the root system by drenching tomato seedlings subjected to water deficit leads to improved CO2 assimilation and water use efficiency (WUEp), compared to mock-treated plants. These results highlight a new potential seaweed source of substances with osmoprotectant properties, useful for biostimulant development. Future studies may provide further insight into which components of the seaweed extract induce activation of the ABA pathway.
Morales-Sierra, Sarai; Cristo Luis, Juan; Jiménez-Arias, David; Rancel-Rodríguez, Nereida M.; Coego, Alberto; Rodriguez, Pedro L.; Cueto, Mercedes; Borges, Andrés A.
Collaborations
- Rothamsted Research (Reino Unido) https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de las Plantas (UPV-CSIC). Grupo de señalización por ABA https://ibmcp.upv.es/grupos-investigacion/abscisic-acid-signaling/
- Grupo de Investigación sobre sistemas antioxidantes y señalización molecular por especies de oxígeno y nitrógeno reactivo (ROS y RNS) en células vegetales. Estación Experimental Zaidín - CSIC, Granada, España
- https://mbg.csic.es/es/departamento-de-produccion-vegetal/grupo-de-genetica-y-mejora-de-maiz/lineas-de-investigacion/#tolerancia-a-estreses-abioticos
- https://www.cib.csic.es/es/departamentos/biotecnologia-microbiana-y-de-plantas/entomologia-aplicada-la-agricultura-y-la-salud
Jana Alonso Lorenzo
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