IRTA
Annual Report 08 Index Director General’s Report .............................................................................................4 IRTA in figures ...............................................................................................................6 IRTA ..............................................................................................................................10 Plant Production .........................................................................................................14 Animal Production .......................................................................................................44 Food Technology ........................................................................................................58 Aquaculture .................................................................................................................74 Environment ................................................................................................................82 Agrifood Economy ......................................................................................................88
Director General’s Report In the context of a global crisis, it gives me pleasure to point out that all the effort of recent years to consolidate IRTA as the reference Institute in the Catalan and State agrifood sector has allowed us to present a very satisfactory balance of activities for 2008. In 2008, IRTA reached a staff of 597 employees (53% women and 47% men) and has had a turn over of more than 6 million euros, meaning that it has grown from being a SME to being converted into a large company for tax purposes. This policy of growth and job creation has also been translated into effort for the consolidation and attraction of talent in such a way that, during the last 5 years, the number of indefinite contracts has increased by 19%. Networking in cooperation with other institutions from the scientific and technological structure of Catalonia means we can say that, by the end of 2008, IRTA and its Associated Centres were present in 19 centres and experimental stations, representing 27 different municipalities from 14 Catalan regions, as well as having three international branches in California, New Zealand and Panama. In the scientific area, it is necessary to emphasize that IRTA is coordinating a European project, ALCASDE, for a total of 1 million euros that is studying, in the area of animal welfare, alternative methods for dehorning and castration. Likewise, the MELONOMICS project of the Spanish Genome Foundation has been approved for a value of 4 million euros, and it is coordinated by the Catalonia autonomous community from the CRAG (the Agrigenomic Research Centre, of which IRTA is a founder member) with the participation of 5 domestic and multinational enterprises and the autonomous communities of Murcia, Castilla la Mancha, Madrid and AndalucĂa. One of the objectives of this project is to sequence the melon genome. In 2008, the Catalonia Government (Generalitat) approved the food and ecological agriculture Action Plan for the period 2008-2012. This plan includes a total of 105 actions and has a budget of almost 37 million euros. IRTA, which takes part in the research activities related to this Action Plan, has also been awarded the coordination of the European Inter Regional REDBIO project for ecological agriculture. IRTA has also organized the annual meeting of the Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences and the Symposium of Water Relationships for the Spanish Society of Plant Physiology during 2008. In the area of technology transfer to the sector, it is necessary to emphasize the good rate of sales for the arbequina olive clone IRTA i-18 (more than 1,600,000 plants in 2008), which has contributed to an overall accumulated quantity, since 1999, of more than 14 million plants. An important fact, during 2008, is that the market for this clone has been opened to other nurseries in California, which means it is expected that the degree of introduction of this clone in new plantations in this area will increase. The Genetic Improvement of Sweet Fruit Programme (apple, pear, peach and nectarine) has also made progress during 2008, and has begun to identify specific crosses with excellent characteristics. Attending to the priorities of the Government, IRTA has initiated a bioenergy research programme in 2008, that began work on the search for Jatropha varieties adapted to temperate climates, the sustainable production of microalgae for obtaining biodiesel, the characterization of maize and other cereal varieties for obtaining bioethanol and the utilization of the by-products from the manufacture of biofuels for animal feed. In the area of international relations, the possibilities of ties with Chinese scientists are still been explored, but beyond the areas in which we are already working (rice and animal nutrition) and, during 2008, collaborations with the University of Zheijan, in Hangzhou, and with the Jiangsu Horticulture Institute, in Nanjing, have been opened in order to strengthen the respective programmes of selection and genetic improvement of species of the Prunus genus.
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Presentation The California branch has taken an active part in the strengthening of the institutional relationships between IRTA and the University of California, especially in the Davis campus, and also for finalizing a method for the transformation and reproduction of the pepper. The Panama branch has taken an active part in the establishment of new relationships and in the maintenance of the ties already forged in recent years, which has allowed the IRTA cooperative system to be present in two of the eight FONTAGRO projects approved in Latin America during 2008 (average funding: 450,000 euros for 3 years). Among the awards and acknowledgements received by IRTA and its personnel during 2008, the following stand out: the Álvaro Altés Award at the VIII Congress of the Spanish Ecological Agriculture Society for the study presented by the research teams from IRTA’s Lleida and Girona Experimental Stations, SERIDA in Asturias and DAR entitled ‘Research as a base for the development of the ecological production of apple’; the award to the best poster at the Bologna congress for the work entitled ‘Association mapping of candidate genes for drought tolerance in Mediterranean durum wheat landrace’ whose authors were Marc Moragues, Ruyman Nazco, Dolors Villegas, Marc Sorrells and Conxita Royo; the study presented by Amparo Laviña, Jordi Sabaté and Asunción Batlle entitled ‘Identification of hosts of Phytoplasma Candidatus phytoplasma prunorum and its vector Cacopsylla pruni’ received one of the awards that the Spanish Phytopathology Society (SEF) gave to the best studies presented at the SEF Conference; the Luís Pieri Award for Technological Innovation organized by CYTED-IBEROEKA 2008 for IRTA’s participation in the project ‘Evaluation of hydrolyzed red blood cells: Utilization of the herno group in functional food and other hydrolysis products for other uses’ (HEMOCON); the award to the best article of the year in the magazine Meat International for an article entitled ‘Antimicrobial packaging for controlling listeria’, written by Margarita Garriga, Teresa Aymerich, Josep M. Monfort and Begoña Marcos. This article was already the winner of the best article for the month of May and has now won the Golden Microscope award that this publication grants to the best article of the year. From the financial perspective, although it is true that the figures at the end of 2008 show a deficit, this has been due to circumstances beyond the control of IRTA, related to the Transferences Act of the Catalonia Government (Generalitat). IRTA had 42.2 million euros of resources, of which almost 40% has been contributed by the Generalitat and 60% has been acquired by our own means. The volume of investments made during the year is very significant (more than 9 million euros, which means an increase of 60% compared to the previous year), as well as the results of the funding obtained by means of on-going projects (5.7 million euros). Throughout 2008, IRTA has supported a total of 632 current activities divided between contracts and projects. This balance allows us to confront the coming years with optimism, although also with prudence, but it forces us to be prepared, more than ever, for the implementation of measures that will allow us to reduce general expenses and control the growth in overheads, as well as look for diversification of our funding sources.
Josep Maria Monfort Director general
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IRTA in Figures The Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology was constituted in 1985 and it has a mission to contribute to the modernization, competitiveness and sustainable development of the agrarian, food, aquaculture and fishing sectors, as well as the provision of healthy quality food to consumers and, in general, to improve the welfare of the population. A group of 10 of our own Centres and Experimental Stations and 9 associated ones constitute the IRTA cooperative system, which is distributed in 27 locations across the whole region.
Own Centres
1985
19 centres
i Experimentals Stations
27 locations
93 467 40 40
irta@irta.cat
www.irta.cat
Centrals Services (HQ)
Torre Marimon
Cabrils
Sant Carles de la Ràpita
Mas de Bover
Lleida
Monells
Amposta
Monells
Alcarràs
Pg. de Gràcia, 44 3a pl. 08007 Barcelona
Ctra. de Cabrils, Km 2 08348 Cabrils (Barcelona)
Crta. De Reus - El Morell Km 4,5 43120 Constantí (Tarragona)
Food Technology Finca Camps i Armet 17121 Monells (Girona)
Pig Control and Evaluation Veïnat de Sies 17121 Monells (Girona)
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since
08140 Caldes de Montbui (Barcelona)
Ctra. Poble Nou, Km 5,5 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita (Tarragona)
Lleida Experimental Station Av. Alcalde Rovira i Roure, 191 25198 Lleida
Ebro Experimental Station Ctra. Balada, Km 1 43870 Amposta (Tarragona)
Partida Montagut s/n 25180 Alcarràs (Lleida)
IRTA in Figures Associated Centres UdL
CENTA
CREAF
CRAG
CReSA
MAS BADIA
SEMEGA
CREDA
Centre UdL-IRTA Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida Tel.: 973 70 25 00 Fax: 973 23 83 01
Centre of New Technologies and Food Processes Finca Camps i Armet s/n 17121 Monells (Girona) Tel: 972 63 00 52
Centre of Ecological Research And Forest Applications Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Facultat de Ciències-Departament d’Ecologia 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Tel.-Fax: 93 581 13 12
Centre of Agrigenomic Research Carrer Jordi Girona, 18-26 08034 Barcelona Tel.: 93 400 61 29 Fax: 93 204 59 04
Centre of Animal Health Research Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Tel.: 93 581 32 84 Fax: 93 581 44 90
Experimental Station Mas Badia Foundation Ctra. De la Tallada, s/n 17134 La Tallada (Girona) Tel.: 972 78 02 75 Fax: 972 78 05 17
Livestock Improvement Service Finca Camps i Armet s/n 17121 Monells (Girona) Tel: 972 63 02 88 Fax: 972 63 06 25
Centre of Economy and Agrifood Development Research Edifici ESAB Av. del Canal Olímpic, 15 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona) Tel: 93 552 10 00 Fax: 93 552 11 21
GIRO
Integral Management of Organic Residues - Technology Centre Pompeu Fabra, 1 08100 Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona) Tel.: 93 579 67 80 Fax: 93 579 67 85
Activitat: Plant Production Animal Production Food Technology Aquaculture Environment Agrifood Economy
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IRTA in Figures Humans Resources IRTA has 597
staff distributed in our own 10 centres, of which 225 are researchers (68% PhDs) and 372 are support personnel. In the last 5
years, we have increased the number of indefinite contracts by more than 19%. Our staff consists of 53% Our cooperative
women and 47% men.
system relies on a total of 1,027 people.
53% Women
47% Men
Finances In 2008, IRTA had 43.2
million euros of total resources available.
39.9% of the resources was provided by the Catalonia Government (Generalitat), and 61.1% was from our own funding.
A total of
During the last 3
years, IRTA has carried out investments worth a total of 19,538,000 euros.
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L’IRTA In Figures Projects and Contracts IRTA has had 632
current activities during 2008.
A total of 92
companies have signed contracts with IRTA in 2008, for a total of 5,702,000 euros, and 62 agreements have been signed with national and international organisations and institutions, 38 of which were to collaborate with institutes in the scientific field. In this financial year, IRTA applied to 15
competitive public calls, with a total success rate during the period 2003-2008 of 69.67% (UE), 87.67% (CICYT) and 67.50% (INIA).
Scientific and Technical production 323 291 49 51 20 34 3
Scientific articles Oral communications and posters at conferences Technical articles Books and articles in books Completed PhD theses and Final undergraduate project dissertations completed Patents
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IRTA A change of Director General
Reinforcing animal research by buying one of the COPAGA farms
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action, Mr Joaquim Llena, proposed the appointment of Dr. Josep M. Monfort i Bolivar to the Government as new Director General of IRTA, given the voluntary retirement of Dr. Josep Tarrag贸 who had been at the head of the Institute since its creation in 1985. The appointment ceremony of the new Director General was presided over by the Minister and took place on September 17 in IRTA headquarters.
The DAR Minister-Counsellor, Joaquim Llena, presided over the act of signing the agreement between the then Director General of IRTA, Josep Tarrag贸, and the president of Copaga, Jordi Ciuraneta. The offer and appointment of Dr. Josep M. Monfort was carried out after an extensive selection process in recent months, and was led by Minister Llena. The Minister paid attention to the special characteristics of an organisation such as IRTA, which is dedicated to research and technology transfer, since those that aspire to be the director require a specific training and a certain aptitude. Therefore, an ad hoc commission was created that assessed the Minister in this process. This commission, formed by people with recognized prestige from scientific, managerial and administrative backgrounds, evaluated the candidates that applied for the published post, and then gave its recommendations to the Minister. The outcome of this process, which endorses IRTA at the international level in this area since the procedure used is similar to that in other developed countries and, occasionally, similar research centres, has been the selection and final appointment of Dr. Monfort on behalf of the Government. Dr. Tarrag贸 expressed the great honour and privilege of having been able to serve Catalonia since the creation of IRTA, through the different posts and responsibilities he had occupied over many years, and he was grateful to all those people that had worked and collaborated with him, in the exciting and gratifying task of creating, expanding and consolidating IRTA, and of orientating it towards serving the whole society.
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IRTA has notably increased its activities with this new acquisition and now has additional facilities dedicated to animal production research. The land and buildings acquired occupy a total of nearly seven hectares, and they include six large experimental buildings (2,500 m2 in total). In these facilities, IRTA will continue to undertake research tasks on animal production (avian, pig, beef, rabbits, etc.), thus preserving a scientific infrastructure relevant to the regions around Lleida. In addition, IRTA, as reaffirmed by the minister and the IRTA Director General, offered UdL the possibility to take part in the development and management of this infrastructure, with the intention of converting the Alcarr谩s experimental farm into an important reference point for livestock research in our country, through the unification of the efforts towards these objectives. Minister Llena stressed the importance of the joint involvement of the university, the private sector and the public administrative departments. Along the same lines, Jordi Ciuraneta also referred to the importance of UdL being involved in the project in order to give Lleida the necessary capacity for research excellence, and he pointed out the fact that Copaga seeks more excellence in quality that in quantity.
IRTA Inauguration of the Experimental Cuisine Workshop The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action, Joaquim Llena, accompanied by the new Director General of IRTA, Josep M. Monfort, inaugurated the experimental cuisine workshop La VaquerĂa on 31st October. DAR, through IRTA and together with the chef Josep M. CastaĂąo, has stimulated this innovative project, located in the country property of the IRTA Gimenells Experimental Station, which brings together food research with gastronomic evaluation and culinary experimentation. An investment of 1.5 million euros is foreseen in the next six years since, besides the experimental cuisine workshop, the project will also include country accommodation for the visitors, students, researchers and teachers linked to its activities, as well as a restaurant, tasting and product sampling service. It is the first time that IRTA has stimulated research in the gastronomic field with the aim of getting closer to the final customer. The opening of this new area of research will allow IRTA to play an important role beyond basic research, in order to try and connect its activities with product potential and the requirements of the consumers, with the aim of adding value to our products. The first culinary research studies that have been started are centred on vaporized charcoal and the sensations of fruit, the latter of which has two aspects: matching with oil, and the increase of the acceptance of fruit among children and young people.
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IRTA Dr. Joan Girona i Gomis, the new Director of the UdL-IRTA Foundation The meeting of the Board of the UdL-IRTA Centre Foundation, held on the 15th September, agreed to nominate Dr. Joan Girona i Gomis as the new Director of the Foundation. The UdL-IRTA Foundation was created in 2005 as an institution that had increasing collaborations between researchers from Lleida and international centres, so that Lleida was converted into the southern European reference for agrifood innovation.
Adhesion to the National Agreement for Research and Innovation IRTA has adhered to the National Agreement for Research and Innovation (PNRI), sharing its purpose and vision, the challenges and aims, and the fulfilment of the commitments for actively contributing towards accomplishing the challenges of the agreement. In addition, by assuming the obligations that specifically affect it, IRTA’s contribution to the agreement will be more specific, through the creation of contracts-programmes with the Administration of the Government (Generalitat) and/or other instruments, as well as adequately planning the activities derived from its contribution, taking part in the monitoring of the development of the PNRI and participating in communication and diffusion activities derived from the agreement and its inauguration.
ISO 9001:2000 Certification During 2008, IRTA finalized the renovation process for ISO 9001:2000 certification for another three years, which grants Applus status in the fields of R+D and provision of technological services in the agrifood field. IRTA was a pioneer in obtaining this certification in 2005, as a research institute in the field of agrifood, and has renewed its commitment to a quality technological service under a standard such as ISO 9001, whilst at the same time reaffirming its vocation of service to institutions and companies through the application of this regulation.
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IRTA UAB joins the CSIC-IRTA Consortium At the beginning of the year, the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) joined the Consortium of the former ‘CSIC-IRTA Molecular and Plant Genetics Laboratory’ as a member with full rights which, as a result, has now been renamed the CSIC-IRTA-UAB ‘Agrigenomic Research Centre’ (CRAG).
Agreements and collaborations Apart from its own institutional activity, IRTA maintains an important number of contracts and agreements with other institutions in the country, among which stand out:
· Baix Ebre Regional Council - for the development of experimental activities.
· Ribera d’Ebre Regional Council and Mora d’Ebre
Town Council - to carry out a research and implantation project for two trials of olive tree varieties under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions in the Ribera d’Ebre region.
· Sabadell Agrarian Park - to develop integrated
control programmes for pests in horticultural cultivations based on biological control.
· Alcanar Town Council - for the agrarian development of the municipality.
· CRAM - to undertake joint research projects in the marine environment.
· Institute of Photonic Sciences - to undertake joint activities in areas such as the nanotechnologies, sensor devices, etc.
· Tenerife Council - for the conservation and charac-
terization of agrarian phytogenetic resources and their application to agrarian production.
· CCPAE - in the field of agrarian ecological production.
· Federation of Agrarian Cooperative Societies of Catalonia (FCAC).
· Montsià Regional Council - for rice, citrus fruit and olive tree material.
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Protecci贸 Vegetal
Plant Production
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16. Horticulture 20. Fruit Growing 28. Extensive Cultivation 34. Plant Protection 40. Plant Biotechnology 42. Agriforest Production
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Horticulture Increased production and quality of calรงots planted in August The improvement in the cultivation of the calรงot has been the aim of this trial commissioned by the Alt Camp Regional Council. As a result, it was possible to determine that by planting the calรงots at the end of August, the production was increased by more than 10% and their quality (length) was improved. On the other hand, planting in September led to a decrease of more than 50% in commercial production. In the latter case, the application of a small amount of fertilizer on the ground cover considerably increased the production. Although these results are favourable for bringing the planting dates forward and for avoiding phytosanitary problems, it is not advisable to bring the planting date forward any more than at present, especially in hot and humid zones such as our coastal areas.
Hydrolyzed animal proteins biostimulate strawberries and lettuces Blood from the sacrifice of animals in slaughter houses has been used traditionally as an organic fertilizer for its high nutrient content. In transplanted strawberries, the use of a biostimulant obtained by the enzymatic hydrolysis of red blood cells significantly improved the formation of roots, flowering and the weight of the fruit compared to strawberries where no biostimulant was used, evaluated against other commercial products, by 22.7%, 18.1% and 19.3%, respectively. In lettuces subjected to stress by heat and cold, treatment with the biostimulant significantly improved their fresh and dry weight.
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Microbiological quality of lettuces Different cultivation management practices, especially the contribution of organic fertilizers, irrigation water and foliar treatments, influence the microbiological quality of lettuce. This microbiological quality is fundamental for guaranteeing that they are innocuous, both when they are consumed directly and when the products are destined for class IV or minimally processed, since these are not subjected to any process of sterilization or disinfection that guarantees the total elimination of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, the microbiological quality has been studied for lettuces from both ecological and conventional agriculture. Total counts of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, psychrophiles, enterobacteria, lactic acid bacteria, pseudomonads, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes have been undertaken. The results demonstrated that the total counts of enterobacteria were high in lettuces from ecological fields, but none of the samples showed the presence of the food-borne pathogenic bacteria studied. Subsequently, it was studied whether E. coli and Listeria could pass to the lettuce with the irrigation water used in foliar treatments and compost, as well as the survival of these pathogens in the leaves and the soil under different climatic conditions. The results obtained in the autumnwinter planting demonstrated that both pathogens survived in the soil for at least 10 weeks. In the lettuce leaves treated by aspersion, the population decreased significantly. There was also pathogen transfer from the soil that contaminated the leaves.
Plant production AGRIVAL: non-food use of plant products Several technology and research centres, besides IRTA, have participated in the interregional AGRIVAL project, including CRITT-CATAR, Toulouse, France; ITAGRA, Castilla-Le贸n; LEPAE-FEUP, University of Porto, Portugal; and the Catalonian Forestry Technology Centre. The objectives and activities carried out were: 1. To promote and assess non-food crops; to disseminate between the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors the different possibilities of non-food crops; to recover historical crops taking advantage of the current extractive techniques and to stimulate the creation of new companies or lines of business from the ideas and activities developed in the project. 2. To promote the production and use of natural colourings of plant origin. 3. To optimize the use of the surplus biomass from cultivated species and the residues of pruning generated by ornamental crops and gardening, for use as biofuels, biodissolvents, antifungal agents, antioxidants or compost. 4. Cultivation and extraction of high value added aromatic-medicinal plants for their potential bactericidal, fungicidal, antioxidant and ornamental action or the reuse of their biomass following the distillation process.
Energetically sustainable greenhouses The objective of the EUPHOROS project, which began in 2008 with EU funding, is the development of a sustainable greenhouse system that does not need any direct input of fossil fuel energy and minimizes the carbon footprint of the equipment used. The greenhouse must work with innovative and powerful decision support systems that ensure the climatic conditions for high crop productivity through the optimum use of land (and other renewable energies), a reduction in the consumption of water and fertilizers to zero, optimizing their use and recycling, as well as maximizing the application of biological techniques by establishing biological control agents (natural enemies of pests) in order to minimize the use of chemical products. Finally, this system has to be attractive for commercial producers and help to improve the competitiveness of the European greenhouse industry.
Water, climate change and vulnerability This project, initiated in 2008 with a duration of three years, is financed by the Fundaci贸n Territorio y Paisaje (Land and Landscape Foundation), and is trying to establish the vulnerability of land faced with the principal effects of global change related to the excess or deficit of freshwater in order to determine the adaptation options. More specifically, the project is trying to analyze the evolution of the availability of freshwater for different climatic scenarios on soil covers and their possible evolution over a period of one century, to analyze the vulnerability of the main crops and possible alternatives, to study the consequences of urban development on the availability of freshwater and its changes, to evaluate the vulnerability of land, population and infrastructures to changes in the hydrological system and to establish the main zones that are vulnerable to an increase in the sea level, as well as to analyze the possible effects of various other scenarios on populations, infrastructures and the coast.
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Horticulture Precision agronomy with sensors Sensors for the evaluation of vegetation and its management methods in crops, gardens and landscape restoration are necessary in order to increase production and environmental efficiency. In order to develop this agronomic line, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the plant response. Ecophysiology is a precise and objective tool for understanding and evaluating plant responses to environmental factors. The subsequent step is to determine the most used ecophysiological parameters in plants that can provide better information about the water and nutritional state, as measured by more or less automatic sensors. These sensors can provide continuous measurements, such as diameter changes, soil humidity/potential matrix and electronic programming for fertirrigation or they can be detectors of environmental changes for the management of greenhouse ventilation. Also, they can provide discontinuous measurements, such as spectroradiometry, digital photography or infrared images. Once the most adequate parameters in each case are selected, it is necessary to determine the different limits that can be introduced into the management algorithms or can be used manually in order to help make ‘in situ’ decisions as objectively as possible.
Other Important Horticultural Developments IX Symposium of Water Relationships IRTA organized the IX Symposium of Water Relationships of the Sociedad Española de Fisiología Vegetal (Spanish Society of Plant Physiology) in Lloret de Mar (Girona) from 15th to 17th October 2008. The central theme of the symposium dealt with the potential effects of climate change on plant water use efficiency, by means of various thematic groups and presentations in which national and international experts participated.
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Plant production
XXXVIII Technical Seminar of Specialists in Horticulture Organized together by IRTA, DAR and the Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Resources (MARM), the XXXVIII Technical Seminar of Specialists in Horticulture took place from 17th to 21st November in Sitges (Barcelona). This seminar was aimed at Spanish horticultural technical personnel and specialists, and, among the activities undertaken, the presentation of field experiments in the different Autonomous Communities, a session on the commercialization of horticultural products and another one on the production of traditional varieties stood out.
I SPV Congress: Water and Mediterranean green spaces On the 18th and 19th of September, in the Girona Conference Centre, the I SPV Congress was held on “Water and Mediterranean green spaces” within the facilities offered by the Salón de la Planta, Jardín y Complementos organized by the Girona Fair. During the two days of the congress, numerous specialists dealt with subject matters related to plant physiology, water management in parks and gardens, the efficiency and techniques of irrigation, the utilization of regenerated water in gardening, the new models of sustainable gardening, and gardening without irrigation.
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Fruit Growing Fruit Futur: new varieties adapted to our climate
The consumers from Lleida prefer sweet “Golden” apples
Fruit Futur is an Economic Interest Group formed by four entities (Actel, Nufri, Poma de Girona and Fruits de Ponent), as well as IRTA as technical associate. It was constituted in 2003, through a joint initiative, for the purpose of obtaining new varieties of apple, pear and peach trees.
The Municipal Markets of Ronda-Fleming and Balàfia, from the capital of Lleida, were the locations from which IRTA undertook, on 28th and 29th March, respectively, a test to evaluate consumer preferences for consumption of the “Golden” apple. This study was carried out with the collaboration of Lleida Town Council.
Of these three improvement programmes, those for apple and pear trees were developed together with “Plant&Food Research, New Zealand”, and the peach tree programme with “Agro Seléction Fruits, France”. The programmes are supported by Fruit Futur, DAR and also the INIA apple and pear programmes. The aim is to obtain new varieties, which produce quality fruit, adapted to the agroclimatic conditions of the Ebro Valley.
It tried to determine the importance of applying sensory analysis to consumers of the “Golden” apple with the purpose of establishing their preferences for apples preserved in different atmospheres for different periods. This project was undertaken in various phases, in different months.
In 2008, 9,232 apple trees, 1,580 pear trees and 2,292 peach trees were planted in Gimenells. In addition, 14,046 seeds were obtained from 17 apple tree crosses, 4,102 seeds from 19 pear tree crosses and 5,588 stones from 95 peach tree crosses. Also, the evaluation of apples and pears was continued from the crosses obtained in 2002 and 2003 by means of a tasting protocol, after 10 weeks of preservation in cold storage (3ºC) and one week at ambient temperature. Thirty apple trees and 29 pear trees were selected and grafted onto a root stock. The peaches, “flat” Paraguayan peaches and nectarines were evaluated first in the field, by means of tasting, and then in the laboratory, following a set protocol. A total of 86 individuals were selected and grafted onto a standard stock. It is foreseen that the first peach and nectarine varieties could begin commercialization from 2009-2010 and those of apple and pear from 2011-2012.
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A total of 140 consumers from Lleida took part in the taste trials and the great majority preferred, first, that the apples were sweet, second, they were tasty and, finally, they were firm. With regard to the preservation conditions of “Golden” apples and for intermediate periods, the preferred atmosphere was 2.5% oxygen and 2% carbon dioxide.
New subprogramme of Olive cultivation, Oleotechnique and Dried Fruit Recently, IRTA has created a new subprogramme of Olive cultivation, Oleotechnique and Dried Fruit within the Fruit Growing programme. Dr. Joan Tous i Martí was nominated as the Director of this Subprogramme.
Plant production ISAFRUIT: a European project to increase the consumption of fruit From 25th to 27th November, in Girona, IRTA organized the 3rd General Assembly of the European research project ISAFRUIT, which brings together 40 universities and 20 research centres, that jointly provide more than 200 researchers, 150 of whom came to the meeting.
A daily total of 400 g of apples prevents cardiovascular pathologies. It is well-known that the consumption of fruit has many benefits for human health and it has been demonstrated that the daily consumption of 400 grams of apple (approximately three apples a day) has a beneficial effect on improving cardiovascular health, particularly in the people at risk or that have suffered cardiovascular problems.
The ISAFRUIT project is for 4 years and its objective is to undertake research on apples, peaches and nectarines, in order to increase the consumption of fruit in European citizens. The theme of the project is very wide and ranges from the study of the aptitudes and preferences of consumers to the relationships between fruit consumption and human health, the new ways to process fruit, the improvement of the quality at pre- and post-harvest, and research on the genetics of the fruit and its quality. This latter point of fruit quality was the one dealt with in Girona. Reduction of phytosanitary products for fruit. The application of phytosanitary products is a topic that worries both the consumers and the fruit sector. One of the lines of research has studied new application machinery that allows a reduction of phytosanitary products of up to 50%. On the other hand, and during the post-harvest process, the application of warm water to the fruit, up to 60ยบC for peach and nectarine, has been studied, which allows a reduction in the application of fungicides to the fruit.
Fruit and consumers. Having seen the benefits for health, ISAFRUIT is working to adapt the supply of fruits in order to make it more attractive to consumers. From among the many aspects studied, those that try to offer uniform fruit quality stand out, in order that consumers can obtain the same aspect, taste and a constant flavour during the whole year, the development of new products, such as plum juice, or new presentations, such as cut and packed fruit for direct consumption. Specifically, these studies are being carried out at IRTA-Monells. Also, the preferences of more than 5,000 consumers of apples, peaches and nectarines related to the preferred varieties have been studied. In this respect, fairly similar preferences have been demonstrated among all European consumers, both by regions and by age and sex. Although previously it was believed that northern European consumers preferred more acid fruits and those of the south preferred sweeter fruit, these studies have shown that there are no notable differences and consumers everywhere behave in a fairly similar way. As a result, 78% of consumers want sweet nectarines and sweet, yellow peaches. In the case of apples, 68% prefer them sweet with a slightly acid flavour. Only 22% of peach consumers and 32% of apple consumers prefer them acid.
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Fruit Growing Seed and fruit characteristics of carob trees The project on the surveying, introduction and documentation of the genetic resources of carob, hazel and walnut trees has given the following interesting results for the carob: Vigour: in January 2007, vigour data were gathered from the varieties of the collection, and they gave the following varietal classification related to the volume of top foliage (m3):
· Vigorous (> 100 m3/tree): ‘Panesca’, ‘Negra-2’,
National trials of the olive tree in Ribera d’Ebre
· Average vigour: ‘Duraió’ (65 m3/tree) and ‘Rojal’
Within the project concerning trials of olive tree varieties under dry conditions and irrigation, in the region of Ribera d’Ebre, IRTA, the Ribera d’Ebre Regional Council, and the Mora d’Ebre Town Council signed an agreement in 2008, which established the bases of collaboration in order to carry out a research project called ‘National trials of olive tree varieties’ in a private estate with an initial duration of 4 years.
‘Sfax’, ‘Santa María’, ‘Carrovelo’, ‘Albarcara’, ‘Valencià’, ‘Pere Gelabert’ (H), ‘Fornera’, ‘Gastor III’, ‘F15H’ and ‘Lindar’. (50 m3/tree).
· Slightly vigorous (< 33 m3/tree): ‘Pizarra’, ‘Tylliria’, ‘Coripe I’, ‘Banya de cabra’, ‘Banya de marrà’, ‘Bañeta’, ‘GN-4H (Gata)’, ‘A-19’ (H) and ‘Costella de bou’.
Production potential: differences were observed in:
· Entry into production (6º-8º year, in kg/tree): the
earliest varieties were: ‘Mixto Princep’ (37.5 kg/tree), ‘Duraió’ (33.4), ‘Bugadera’ (33), ‘Ralladora’ (27.6), ‘Costella de ruc’ (24.6) and ‘Rojal’ (12.41).
· Accumulated production (9º-17º year, in kg/tree):
‘Gaucín’ (385 kg/tree), ‘Negra-2’ (350), ‘Costella de ruc’ (339), ‘Pere Gelabert’ (279), ‘Panesca’ (275), ‘Costella de Mallorca’ (269), ‘Sfax’ (247), ‘Rojal’ (217) and ‘Duraió’ (200).
· Average production 4 last crops (14º-17º year, in
kg/tree): ‘Gaucín I’ (56 kg/tree), ‘Galhosa III’ (45), ‘Granja’ (41), ‘Negra-2’ (40), ‘Blanca’ (36,5), ‘Fornera’ (36), ‘Gastor III’ (35.5), ‘Mulata’ (35), ‘F15H’ (34.5), ‘V19H’ and ‘Coripe III’ (34), ‘Casuda’ and ‘Cajiz II’ (33.5), ‘Costella de ruc’ (31), ‘Ralladora’ (23) ‘Costella de Mallorca’ (22), ‘Duraió’ (20.5), ‘Sfax’ (20), ‘Rojal’ (19) and ‘Misto Princep’ (9).
Fruit and seed characteristics (carob): A large variability was observed. The average size of the carob varied from 12.3 cm for the Andalusian cultivars (‘Gaucín I’ and ‘Coripe II’) to 19 cm for those from Alicante (‘Lindar’, ‘Fornera’, ‘L-33 H’ and ‘Costella de Bou’). The number of seeds in the fruit ranged between 7.5 (‘Gata’, Alicante) and 12.7 (‘Sfax’, Tunisia). The shape of the pod was from 22
straight to curved. The carob yield changed from 5.3% (‘Punt Ingles’, Castelló) to 26% (‘Gastor I’, Màlaga), with average values of 10-14%. The highest seed percentages were for the cultivars ‘Coripe’ (16.7%), ‘Albarcara’ (16.8%), ‘Carrovelo’ (18.6%), ‘Gauzín’ (19.5%), ‘Bord Granja’ (22%) and ‘Gastor I’ (26%). The measurement and thickness of the seed was also very variable: from 0.32 cm (‘Chopa’, Valencia) to 0.49 cm (‘Bord Granja’, Mallorca). The correlation found between the thickness and the gum content of the carob seed was also worth emphasizing.
This agreement is an extension of the studies that, in this respect and under the same name, have been carried out by IRTA since 1996, within an agreement with the National Research Institute of Agrarian and Food Technology (INIA), in coordination with other Autonomous Communities.
Plant production Recommendations for hazel and walnut trees The project on the surveying, introduction and documentation of the genetic resources of carob, hazel and walnut trees has given the following interesting results for hazel nut and walnut trees: Hazel. The American selections evaluated showed characteristics that should be considered for new hazel plantations with non-industrial purposes (our market is still industrial). The Italian materials, in spite of their ease of peeling once toasted, would not be advisable given the great incidence of “black heart”. The Asturian clones surveyed have still not been sufficiently evaluated from the production point of view, but the quality of the fruit provides hope of their possible use in the areas of origin, especially for their ease of peeling once toasted and for having an interesting fruit shape and size for commercialization.
The studies undertaken on the autochthonous germoplasma have allowed adequate parent stock to be chosen for controlled crosses. In 2008, from a plantation studying the production potential of materials from this programme, after two years of production, two clones ‘H-11-2’ and ‘H-11-18’, both from the ‘Trinta’ (Californian variety) x ‘MBT-40’ (autochthonous germoplasma) cross stood out for their early maturity and reduced susceptibility to ‘bacteriosis’ than ‘Chandler’. In addition, the fruit had the quality characteristics demanded by the market, with the tree showing lateral fructification (a character associated with high productivity).
Turkey is interested in hazel nut production in Catalonia In February 2008, a Turkish delegation, formed by fifteen people belonging to the University of Ordu, the Ordu Chamber of Commerce, the Turkish National Hazelnut Council and farmers from this Turkish region, undertook a technical visit, concerning hazelnut cultivation, organized by IRTA Mas de Bover in collaboration with the ‘Unió de Pagesos’. The programme included a technical visit to IRTA Mas de Bover dealing with topics related to hazel varieties, pollination, field management of crops, fruit quality, etc., together with several field visits around Tarragona, Girona and the south of France. The programme also included visits to companies concerned with hazelnut production, such as: Unió Agrària, Morella Nuts, Coselva or Indústries Garriga. Turkey is the largest world producer of hazelnuts, with 75% of the production and almost 350,000 ha under cultivation. The production is distributed in small plantations and mountainous orography in the NE area of the country.
Walnut. The walnut, on the other hand, was interesting for the quality of its fruit. The interest in the autochthonous material was based on its potential use as a parent stock, since it had characteristics such as little susceptibility to ‘bacteriosis’ in the fruit (Xanthomonas arboricola pv. Juglandis), tolerance to drought, early ripening or lateral fructification, which are characteristics of definite interest for improving this species and its use in the Mediterranean area.
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Fruit Growing Characterization of viniferous varieties from the D.O. “Terra Alta”
PRECIRIEG: To understand the reality and contribute information to the decision
The Catalan Institute of Vineyards and Wine (INCAVI), the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin “Terra Alta” (CRDOTA) and IRTA signed a five year collaboration agreement for the characterization of viniferous varieties of interest for the Denomination of Origin “Terra Alta”.
This project was created because of the need to know the demands of the water managers and the irrigators concerning how they should receive basic information so that they can decide on the irrigation calendar, as well as simplify the procedures for obtaining the information and the way they receive it.
In order to evaluate the quality of the grape and the ideal moment of its harvest, it is necessary to monitor its phenolic potential that, together with classic analytical criteria, provides information about the moment in which the content of polyphenolic substances is at a maximum and, therefore, indicates the ideal moment for the collection of the grape. The phenolic fraction in white and rosy wines provides information about the life of the product and its tendency for oxidation. In red wines, it also allows the most suitable aging process to be gauged, as well as its potential and duration. The information about the phenolic fraction of the grape and its maturity will allow data to be obtained for undertaking practical wine-growing and oenology adapted to the quality that is expected from the wines of the D.O. “Terra Alta”.
In order to do this, surveys were planned to determine which were the information requirements of the irrigators and technical personnel involved in irrigation management, optimize the visual indicators of the water condition of the plants in peach orchards and vineyards, and to characterize the management of water indicators in the soil for managing different levels of water deficit in peach, apple and vine cultivation. The results obtained were: Survey. Only 9% of those surveyed used methods for programming irrigation, whereas the majority were based on climatic information systems and very little on data from the actual plot of land (water in the soil, water status of the plants), even when interest was shown in getting to know and use these methodologies. Visual indicators. The visual symptomatology of the water deficit for peach trees and vines has been characterized on the basis of visual parameters observable directly in the plants that allow the water status of the plant to be determined and, easily, the water status of a plantation and the spatial variability.
The chosen varieties and the conditions for the study are:
· Ull de llebre i Sirah (under irrigation) · White and black Garnatxa, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit verdot and Marselan (under dry conditions)
· White and black Garnatxa and Cabernet Sauvignon (mechanized irrigation)
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Water in the soil and water stress of the plant. The use of indicators for the water content in the soil is frequent enough in agriculture with a certain degree of modernization, although there are some difficulties for interpreting the agronomic value of the results obtained. To be able to correlate the water status of the plants with the water content of the soil it is important that only the volume of the soil covered by the roots is analyzed, since, if water is used in the whole soil profile, it does not provide the information required.
Plant production Improvement of almond and pistachio tree varieties In 1975, in Mas de Bover, a programme was started for improvement of almond tree varieties for direct crosses. A total of seven new varieties have been made available to the sector (‘Masbovera’, ‘Glorieta’ and ‘Francolí’ in 1992, and ‘Vairo’, ‘Marinada’, ‘Constantí’ and ‘Tarraco’ in 2005). A notable dissemination campaign was carried out (publications, conferences, seminars, courses, etc.) in order to promote the production potential of the new IRTA varieties, and the evaluation of the agronomic behaviour has been continued in experimental IRTA (Mas de Bover, Les Borges Blanques and Gandesa) and commercial plantations. ‘Vairo’, ‘Marianada’, ‘Constantí’ and ‘Tarraco’ have had an excellent reception in the sector, with nearly 400,000 trees having been planted already in Spain. In the selection process for subsequent generations, observations have been carried out on flowering, autofertility, vigour, production, incidence of diseases, fruit characteristics, etc., in approximately two thousand trees (crosses carried out during the period 1997-2005). In 2008, 934 more descendant generations have been obtained. On the other hand, in relation to autofertility, studies were continued for comparing autopollination and cross pollination in autofertile varieties (work related to a Predoctoral INIA Scholarship). An in-depth study has been undertaken into the characterization of tolerance to drought for important selections and varieties, using control of different physiological, anatomical and agronomical parameters. Physico-chemical characterization studies have been carried out, as well as the suitability of the fruit from the selections and varieties that are important for industrial transformation (toasting, peeling, turrón/nougat, marzipan, laminates, batons, flour, useful life, etc.). The results indicate that some varieties adapt better than others to certain technological processes.
The improvement selection programme for varieties of pistachio is smaller than that of the almond tree. In 2008, the selection process followed nine females and seven males, from crosses undertaken in 1989 and 1990, which were preserved because of their potential interest.
Optimization of water and nitrogen in peach trees The objective of this study is to investigate the effects that different strategies of irrigation and nitrogen dose have on plant and fruit growth, as well as the production and quality of the peach destined for the industry. The experiment was located on a commercial plot at Torres de Segre (Lleida). The variety being used is Andross (picking at the beginning of August) on GF 305, free cane, without thinning and planted in a shallow soil. Three irrigation treatments were evaluated, according to the growth stage of the fruit: 100% ETc during the whole survey, 70% ETc during phase II (hardening of the stone) and 30% ETc during phase III (end of growth). These were combined with three levels of nitrogenous fertilization: 0, 60 and 120 kg N/ha. The trees were harvested mechanically using a continuous trunk vibrator. After three years of trials, the quantity of water saved by reducing the irrigation in fruit growth phase II or III has been from 10 to 15% of the total quantity of water applied. The application of deficit irrigation during phase II did not affect the quality of the fruit but the vegetative growth decreased and the relationships between foliar nutrients were altered. On the other hand, water reduction during phase III led to a reduction of fruit size and final production, and an increase of the firmness of the fruit and the total soluble solids. When N was not applied, the duration of the fruit growth cycle decreased: maturity was earlier, firmness was less and the red colour of the flesh increased. Fertilization with N increased the concentrations of N in the leaf and fruit but no response was obtained for production.
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Fruit Growing The colours of anti-hail mesh and fruit
RIDECO: Controlled deficit irrigation for fruit trees and vines
The protection of farm orchards against the damage caused by hailstones is a key factor for ensuring the supply of fruit to the market. Nevertheless, the surface of fruit trees protected by anti-hail mesh is small and there is little experience of the effects on the quality of the fruit. IRTA has been studying the effect of such meshes on apple trees since 1999. More recently, in June 2007, DAR contracted IRTA to carry out demonstration trials of anti-hail mesh for peach and nectarine trees with the aim of being able to recommend to the farmer the most adequate mesh colour for protecting the orchards.
The five year project RIDECO (Controlled Deficit Irrigation; CDI) belongs to the Consolider programme and is investigating the application of Controlled Deficit Irrigation in fruit trees and vines for:
The trial on peach trees began in 2007 and it was carried out in conjunction with the collaboration of Fruits de Ponent. Three associates of this cooperative society provided a total of seven different varieties with harvest dates ranging from the end July until the beginning of September (‘Nectalady®’, ‘Nectareine®’, ‘Sweet Lady®’, ‘Summer Lady®’, ‘O’Henry®’, ‘Ryan Sun®’ and ‘Tardibelle®’). The mesh colours used in the trials were crystal, grey, black, red, green and blue, all compared with a control without a covering. The evaluation of the effects of the meshes on the crop was undertaken by considering parameters such as the production by tree, the calibre produced, the coloured surface, sweetness, acidity and firmness. Also, measurements were taken for the effects of the mesh on tree vigour and the microclimate (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation), as well as the incidence of pests, diseases and other physiopathologies. The results obtained in 2007 and 2008 showed that all the mesh colours reduced the colouration and the sugars of peaches and nectarines, and that the importance of this decrease depended on the colour of the mesh and on the variety type. As a result, black mesh most affected the colour and the sugars, whereas grey and crystal had the least effect. Therefore, with regard to the varieties, for those with sugar and/or colouration problems, crystal is recommended, whereas grey is better for the rest. Other mesh colours (red, green and blue) did not contribute to any substantial improvement compared to crystal or grey. In case of apple, it is recommended to use black mesh for varieties not coloured red (Golden and Granny), grey colours for Pink Lady®, and white or very light grey colours for bicolour variety types, such as Gala. 26
o Reducing the use of water (water saving) o Increasing the quality of the production o Reducing the risks of salinity in the soil There are five research groups participating in the project: IRTA, CITA-DGA, EEAD-CSIC in Aragón, IVIA in Valencia, CEBAS-CSIC in Murcia, and IAS-CSIC, UCO, IFAPA in Córdoba. The project has five main research lines: • The development of programmes for controlled deficit irrigation for the main crops of fruit trees and vines. • The determination of water consumption for plantations and the net saving of irrigation water derived from the application of CDI techniques. • The design of control systems and monitoring of low stress CDI. • The evaluation of CDI sustainability, as well as studying the salinity and other risks associated with the CDI techniques. • The determination of systems for automating the use of CDI techniques in irrigation management.
Plant production Cooperation in irrigation material between the Dominican Republic and IRTA IRTA and the INDRHI, Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hídricos (National Water Resources Institute), in the Dominican Republic, have established a technical cooperation agreement for irrigation research material and, also, for collaboration in the development of the centre that will be called the Centro de Investigación en Tecnología de Agua para Riego (CITAR; the Research Centre for Irrigation Technology), also in the Dominican Republic. In this respect, IRTA will undertake to train researchers from the Dominican Republic in this field, as well as promote the interchange of information and experiences, and carry out joint projects. In this agreement, the following topics of interest have been established as being relevant for mutual research projects:
· The water demand of crops · The relationship between irrigation water quality, and crop quality and yield
· The relationship between product quality and controlled deficit irrigation
With this agreement, training visits will be carried out for Dominican Republic technical personnel in the IRTA facilities dedicated to irrigation technology in Lleida, as well as organizing training courses in both the Dominican Republic and Catalonia. IRTA and the INDRHI have established a mutual assistance and cooperation agreement for this important and valuable topic concerning the improvement of irrigation technology in agriculture.
IRTA researchers give a course on efficient water management in Bolivia (TALLAR) Three irrigation technology researchers from IRTA (Drs. Joan Girona, Jordi Marsal and Josep Rufat) gave, from the 10th to 14th November, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), an international course on the efficient management of water resources in agriculture. In the course, organized by INIA (National Research Institute for Agrarian and Food Technology, of the Ministry of Science and Innovation) and AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) students from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador, among others, participated. The course was orientated towards researchers and technical personnel who wanted to improve their knowledge on the subject, in order to transfer it to other technicians and professionals from the agrarian sector of the countries involved.
Álvaro Altés award to IRTA at the VIII Congress of the SEAE A study presented by the research teams from IRTA’s Lleida and Girona Experimental Stations, SERIDA in Asturias and DAR, entitled “Research as a base for the development of the ecological production of the apple”, co-authored by E. Dapena, S. Alegre, G. Alins, Ll. Batllori, M.D. Blázquez, J. Carbó, A. Escudero, I. Iglesias, M. Miñarro, P. Vilardell and M. Vilajeliu, won the Álvaro Altés Award for the best communication in a poster format in Agriculture and Food Ecological, at the recent VIII Congress of the Spanish Society of Ecological Agriculture, which also comprised the IV Latin-American Agroecology Conference and the II International Student Meeting of Agroecology. The Congress dealt with “Ecological Agriculture: Sustainable Management of Water and Agrifood Quality” and it took place in Bullas (Murcia) from 16th to 20th September 2008.
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Extensive Cultivation Wheat resistant to Mayetiola
Evaluation of rape for producing biodiesel This activity began during 2006-2007, financed jointly by DAR, in order to evaluate the possibilities of adaptation and the production potential of the new rape plant material for its commercial cultivation in the Catalan producing areas as a raw material for the production of biodiesel.
The objective of this current project is to obtain wheat hexaploid cultivars resistant to the wheat mosquito, Mayetiola destructor, and to obtain advanced resistant lines as a result of back crossing lines H-39-33 or TR-3531 (with the resistance genes H27 or H30, from Ae. Ventricosa or Ae. Triuncialis, respectively) with commercial wheat varieties of high quality and/or production, susceptible to the mosquito and with extensive adaptation to Spain. Trials are being undertaken in five localities on their behaviour with regard to genetic uniformity, resistance to the mosquito, production in comparison with recurrent cultivars and the connection of resistance to markers. Likewise, their quality is being evaluated for bread making and their susceptibility to the most frequent wheat diseases. Finally, the homozygotic lines for H27 or H30 which obtain the best results will be reproduced.
National Improvement Programme for Durum Wheat The activities for coordinating the National Improvement Programme for Durum Wheat have continued through the Autonomous Communities-INIA cooperative system, and field trials have been undertaken for the evaluation, purification and multiplication of the germoplasma in the programme, as well as quality analyses of the whole germoplasma. The licensee companies of the Ancalei and Hispasano varieties, registered in 2006 by the National Programme, have continued increasing the quantity of available seed and, with the increase of their commercial impact, they have granted sublicences to other companies producing seed.
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Although in Catalonia rape cultivation has not stopped expanding, the varietal range available has been very limited to date. In recent years, the increase of agricultural production destined for biofuels has led to the appearance of new rape varieties with notably higher levels of productivity, as well as plant hybrid material and line-hybrid associations. The studies undertaken by IRTA consist basically of the agronomic and productive evaluation of all the new plant material and its potential adaptation to the traditional rape producing areas of Catalonia. With this aim, a small network for varietal evaluation was created by bringing together three experimental fields from the interior areas of Girona, as well as dry slightly cool and dry cool areas in Catalonia. In these experimental fields, trials were carried out in the form of microplots or demonstration strips to evaluate, besides productivity, different agronomic parameters important for the characterization of the material. In parallel, the analytical fat content of the production of this new plant material was carried out, in order to be able to detect the varieties that offered a greater yield in the extraction of oil for industrial production of biodiesel. The work undertaken during these two years has consisted, basically, of the collection of agronomic and production information for the new plant material being evaluated. After a third experimental season, it is hoped to be able to provide the farmers in the Catalan production areas with information about the possibilities of cultivating these new varieties, as well as to be able to recommend the plant material most adapted to sowing in every area.
Plant production Trithordeum, an interesting cereal in areas of severe drought
Adaptation of durum wheat to Mediterranean environments
This project has two aspects. On the one hand, the formation of the grain in the trithordeum (amphyploid of hard wheat with Hordeum chilense) and its potential as a new crop for drought conditions have been studied in comparison with wheat and triticale. On the other hand, an open code computer programme that allows vegetation indices to be obtained from digital photography is being finalized.
In this project, association analysis has been undertaken between 18 candidate genes linked to drought tolerance and the phenotypic data from field trials. Associations have been detected between the introns of sucrose synthetase and MnSOD and the yield in dry conditions, as well as between the superoxide dismutase Su/Zn intron and the weight of the grain under dry conditions and the number of ears per surface unit, both under dry conditions and irrigation.
The results indicate that trithordeum has a great tillering capacity in favourable environments, with the number of grains per ear being similar to wheat or triticale, but it also has a very small grain weight that results in a very significant reduction of the yield. In environments with severe water limitation, tillering decreases more than in wheat or triticale and the yield values are equivalent to those of other species. The fact that it is a cereal with added qualitative value would make it recommendable as a crop in very restrictive environments, since it shows agronomic characteristics comparable to those of wheat or triticale under very severe drought.
To determine the genetic structure of the population, data from 33 SSR markers have been used, revealing the presence of four subpopulations corresponding to cultivars from Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean, and modern and Turkish varieties, respectively. On the other hand, the phenotypic data have been analyzed and they grouped in agreement with the subpopulations determined for the genetic characterization. The study on the influence of the photoperiod sensitivity Ppd genes concerning the adaptation of hard wheat to diverse latitudes has allowed five genotype groups with similar adaptation patterns to be established.
The computer programme developed within the framework of this project allows the user to obtain vegetation indices related to the biomass and the foliar area from digital images taken with conventional cameras. The images can be captured quickly and easily by means of an established protocol, processing is simple and rapid, and the indices obtained have great reproducibility and a high correlation with the biomass and foliar area values measured by means of destructive sampling. Although the conditions suitable for obtaining the photographs are sunny days at midday, the use of the camera flash makes the technique applicable also in cloudy conditions. The results indicate that, up to the moment of seed ripening, the correlations between the indices obtained from photographs are extremely reliable. Once the plant has ripened with ear formation, the relationships are significant, although the correlation coefficients are less than in the first phases of crop development.
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Extensive Cultivation Improvement in the utilization of purines and manure
Creation of the Spanish Nuclear Durum Wheat Collection
This project has been developed during 2004 to 2008 and, during this time, different trials and activities have been carried out for improving the agricultural management of livestock manure. The research has centred on three prominent areas:
Once the agronomic evaluation of the collection was concluded, statistical analysis of the available data was carried out by analyzing the grain quantity of 508 samples obtained from trials at Gimenells (Lleida) and Alcal谩 de Henares (Madrid) during the 2006-2007 campaign. The parameters consisted of protein analysis, gluten strength, semolina colour, specific weight, fragility and grain humidity. The quality analyses have allowed lines with very good quality to be identified within the collection, especially with regard to the protein content, which will be able to be used by improvement programmes.
路 The continuous application of manure as fertilizer for
winter cereals, which has allowed the establishment of better fertilization strategies for optimum production and minimization of emissions to the environment (nitrogen loss, ammonia volatilization, etc.), whilst at the same time considering the combination of applications of mineral and organic fertilizers in different cereal growing areas of Catalonia.
路 Establishment of the efficiency of nitrogen applied
to manure, both in depth and as a covering for winter cereals, with regard to the application of mineral fertilizers. A covering was shown to be highly efficient and could be turned into a recommended practice, since nitrate is contributed when high mineral extraction starts in the crop and not in the period with hardly any extractions when there is a high risk of loss, as can happen when application at depth is undertaken.
路 Adjustment of different methods for the rapid
estimation and content of nutrients in purines in the field. The mineral content of livestock manure is very high, which makes it difficult to make an exact recommendation of the doses to apply to a plot. In the case of liquid manure, it was shown that measurement of electrical conductivity (EC) gave a good estimate of this content in purine N, P and K. A method for the manual measurement of the EC of purines has been refined, which allows a rapid estimation of nutrient content in the field and facilitates the recommendation of the dose of purines to apply. Also, an automatic conductimeter has been calibrated for installation in the purine application tank, which allows an exact estimate to be made of each tank used and determines the ideal dose in every case.
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The resistance to diseases was evaluated in the province of Cadiz, where there is habitually a high level of infection, by determining the reactions to powdery mildew, helminthosporiosis, Septoria, brown (leaf) rust and yellow (stripe) rust at three points during the crop cycle. The date of ear ripening and the height of the plants were also determined. All these data, together with the molecular data, will be used to select the contributions to the nuclear collection.
Plant production A computer programme for recommending nitrogenous fertilization in maize
Wheat with genetic resistance to Heterodera avenae and/or Mayetiola destructor
This programme arose from a coordinated research project with different Spanish research institutes. The programme adapts the use of the nitrogen balance method to the agroclimatic conditions of the principal maize producing zones in Spain and converts it into a practical tool for the recommendation of nitrogenous fertilization in this crop.
This project, in coordination with the Department of Biotechnology of the UPM, the Institute of Environmental Sciences of CSIC, the SIDT of the Junta de Extremadura and IRTA, had as an objective the transference of Heterodera avenae (cyst nematode of cereals) and Mayetiola destructor (wheat mosquito) resistance genes from Aegilops ventricosa and Aegilops triuncialis to flour wheat (Triticum aestivum).
The programme incorporates a large quantity of information obtained by the participant institutes based on field experiments collected during many years of experimentation. However, the actual information that needs to be introduced into the different programme windows is small, easy to obtain by the farmer or the technician who uses the programme and has rapid entry. The information required refers to the management of the crop before the maize, the management foreseen in the current crop, the general characteristics of the soil in the plot that are easy to estimate in the field, and the rainfall occurring in different periods of the crop cycle. Once the data is introduced, the programme quickly provides a result for the recommended dose of fertilizer to apply at the moments when the crop is fertilized. Data sheets have already been prepared for disseminating information about this programme.
The scientific relevance and the technological interest were based on contribution to the knowledge of the plant-parasite relationship and obtaining carrier wheat varieties for the genes mentioned; the latter ones would produce a crop that would not need the application of phytosanitary treatments against the parasites, thus contributing to better protection of the environment. In previous projects, two genes have been identified that confer resistance to H. avenae (Cre2 and Cre7) and two that confer resistance to M. destructor (H27 and H30). These four genes have been transferred to flour wheat lines. In the case of resistance to H. avenae, three varieties were obtained (one with Cre2 and two with Cre7) and registered in the Commercial Varieties Registry and in Protected Varieties. As for Mayetiola destructor, obtaining wheat varieties with genes H27 and H30 has been delayed and will finish in 2010. The carrier variety of gene Cre2 (Victorino) is registered in the name of Eurosemillas, UPM, CSIC and IRTA, and it will be commercialized by the first company. The other two (PeĂąalĂłn and MapeĂąa), which are carriers of the Cre7 gene, are registered in the name of IRTA, UPM and CSIC, and various seed producers have requested material for trials and possible marketing.
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Extensive Cultivation
Other Activities Seminars on winter cereals On 26th May, in the experimental fields of Solsona and Gimenells, a seminar took place for new varieties of winter cereals in Catalonia organized by IRTA for seed company technical personnel and advisers from all over Spain. The Winter Cereal Varieties Evaluation Network that IRTA organizes in Catalonia has the objective to provide technical personnel and producers with basic information concerning the behaviour and adaptation of new varieties in our producing areas.
Seminar on winter cereals and phytosanitary products On 14th May, a seminar was celebrated in La Tallada d’Empordà (Girona) on winter cereals (soft wheat, triticale and barley) and good phytosanitary practices. On the latter point, the LIFE project TOPPS, jointly financed by the European Union, was presented and it is trying to identify and reduce possible points of specific pollution that occur in surface and underground waters caused by the inadequate use of phytosanitary products. Subsequently, there was discussion concerning a demonstration of good practices before and after the application of phytosanitary treatments, and the day finished with a field visit to IRTA’s trial plots of barley, short cycle wheat and triticale at the Mas Badia Foundation.
Award to the best poster The study entitled “Association mapping of candidate genes for drought tolerance in Mediterranean durum wheat landrace”, co-authored by Marc Moragues, Ruyman Nazco, Dolors Villegas, Marc Sorrells and Conxita Royo, was a recent award winner of the prize for best poster at the conference “From Seed to Pasta: the Durum Wheat Chain”, that was held in Bologna between 30th June and 3rd July. The conference was organized by the “Società Produttori Sementi” company and the international centres CIMMYT and ICARDIA, and 370 researchers from 38 countries participated.
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Plant production
Visit of researchers from the Republic of Mali interested in rice cultivation On 23rd April, IRTA hosted a visit of three agronomy engineers from the Republic of Mali, who undertook a visit to the Ebro Experimental Station, and they were interested in knowing about all the research IRTA is carrying out on rice cultivation, as well as in establishing initial contact for future collaboration on agrarian development programmes and, specifically, the cultivation of this cereal in their own country.
Meeting of the national groups of rice researchers On the 9th and 10th July, in Sant Carles de la Ràpita (Tarragona), the “XI Meeting of the National Group for Rice Improvement and Agronomy” took place. This group is formed by researchers and technical personnel from the public research centres in all of Spain’s rice producing areas: IVIA (Valencia), CIFA (Seville), IMIDA (Murcia), UPV (Valencia), ITGagrícola (Navarre), Finca La Orden (Extremadura), CTTA (Government of Aragon) and IRTA (Catalonia), as well as representatives of two rice cooperative societies from Aragon. In the meeting, the participants explained all the research studies recently undertaken on rice improvement and agronomy, and it became clear that there was a will to create a thematic network for rice. In this respect, they will continue working towards requesting one from INIA.
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Plant protection Protection against the spotted wilt virus of the pepper (TSWV)
Flood on 10th April and sow the rice 20 days later
The project, financed by INIA and initiated in 2008, is designed to obtain more efficient and lasting protection against TSWV. The study has to consider the genetic diversity of the virus and the evolutionary and epidemiological factors involved in the appearance and establishment of the strains that overcome plant resistance (host range, multiplication rate and transmission rate for the main insect vector, trips Frankliniella occidentalis).
The damage caused by chironomids can be totally destructive if high populations of larvae coincide with the period of maximum crop sensitivity, such as the germination of the rice. Consequently, in 2006, various trials were developed in order to determine how the flooding date influences the chironomid life cycle, to find a flooding date that allows control over wild rice and at the same time avoids pest infestation. In addition, the wild rice control strategies that minimize the impact of damage due to chironomids have been studied and whether dry conditions combined with the use of pre-germinated seed could be sufficient to complete the crop without any application of insecticide.
Once the characterization of the genetic determinants that allow the virus to overcome resistance has been completed, sources of resistance with a larger action spectrum and, possibly, with longer duration, will be sought and an alternative control strategy will be evaluated based on RNA interference.
Project for the control and fight against chironomids in rice DAR and IRTA have signed an agreement for the evaluation of chironomid control methods in rice. The chironomids are a group of relatively primitive Diptera found in the majority of freshwater aquatic habitats that can cause serious losses in rice crops. In 2007, the DAR Plant Health Service, the Ebro Experimental Agricultural Station and the IRTA Unit of Aquatic Ecosystems developed various trials for control of chironomids in order to evaluate their effects on rice germination and to look for methods of effective pest control. As a result, it is a question of studying the crushing effect and a post-emergent herbicide on rice germination and growth, and the effect that they have on the population level of the chironomids and their biological cycle in order to determine how this influences the moment the fields are flooded, as well as the efficiency of the ‘drought’ and management of the rice seed to optimize Diptera control.
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According to the results of this year’s trials, flooding on 10th April and sowing 20 days later does not lead to chironomid damage, whereas with other flooding dates and the same duration, the damage was considerable. The ‘fangueo’ (mechanized crushing with paddling wheels), as a wild rice control technique, reduces the population and the damage due to chironomids in relation to the use of a post-emergent herbicide. However, the combination of the ‘fangueo’ with dry fields has been insufficient to control the high populations of chironomids present in the trial and the damage was produced both in germinated and pre-germinated seed.
Plant production Biological control of pests in the food industry
Phytoremediation: fungi for fighting heavy metal pollution
In 2008, the lines of work centred on the integrated control methods for the pests that affect dried fruits, cereals and their derivatives. The main treatments studied were modified atmospheres, the biological control of pests with parasitoids and predators, sampling methods and the use of bioactive compounds of plant origin as insect repellents.
The pollution of soils with heavy metals can be due to industrial and chemical processes, to uncontrolled spills and to inadequate agricultural practices, which raises both environmental and sanitary problems that have a difficult solution.
Regarding treatments and modified atmospheres rich in carbon dioxide, the studies concerned the decrease of time necessary for the control of three pests, the flour moth Plodia interpunctella, the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae and the flour beetle Tribolium confusum. It was determined that sulphur dioxide, considered to be a food additive, had a synergistic effect with carbon dioxide, leading to a significant decrease in the treatment time necessary for the control of the three species. At the same time, the effect of these modified atmospheres was evaluated on the quality of the treated products.
The utilization of plants tolerant to heavy metals is a new biotechnology that can lead to the recovery of moderately contaminated areas. The fungi that form mycorrhizas are the only soil organisms that establish a direct link between the soil and plants and, therefore, they have to play an important role in the availability, absorption and toxicity of any metals present in soil. It is being investigated whether a study methodology can be perfected that will allow, in a specific pollution situation caused by heavy metals, the determination of which plants and their symbiont fungi are the most suitable for developing a model to aid decision making.
On the possibilities of implementing biological control measures, sampling was undertaken in factories producing cereals and dried fruits in order to study their population dynamics and that of their natural enemies. This year, the study has centred on the comparison of traps for catching hymenoptera parasitoids, the evaluation of the importance of natural parasitism in the different factories and on the evolution of pest populations and their natural enemies. This year the study was also extended to the pests and natural enemies present in a grain silo. Samples were taken at different heights and the grains were isolated to determine their internal pests and parasitoids. On the other hand, trials were started for a study to evaluate the repellent effect of various composts from plant extracts, in combination with modified atmospheres, on the capacity of the pests to penetrate the plastic films used to pack food products. The trials started with both species and there was a greater capacity of film penetration by the coleoptera Rhyzopertha dominica and Lasioderma serricome. As products, two monoterpens and two fatty acids were selected and, firstly, their repellent capacity was studied once impregnated on the plastic films.
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Plant protection Biological fight against two species of Heteroptera
To develop the technology to control these symbioses and direct them towards production of mushrooms would make their exploitation more sustainable.
In this project, the reproductive behaviour has been studied for two species of Heteroptera predators, Macrolophus caliginosus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Het. Miridae), which are important in the biological control (BC) of pests in horticultural crops in the Mediterranean region. They are used in BC for both conservation in outdoor crops and for inoculation in greenhouses. The morphology and physiology of the reproductive organs of males and females has been described, as well as their development in relation to sexual maturity. In this respect, the females do not mate until they have mature eggs in their ovaries. In the case of M. caliginosus, they mature five days after the imaginal moult and they mate once during their life. The females of N. tenuis mature three days after becoming adults and they mate several times.
The general objective of this project financed by INIA is orientated towards generation of the necessary knowledge on several species of ectomycorrhĂzic fungi with high commercial interest, within the Boletus edulis group (Boletus aereus, Boletus aestivalis, Boletus edulis, Boletus pinophilus), for controlled mycorrhization of arboreal plants (Pinus spp.) and bushes (Cistus spp).
After sampling for two years and evaluating egg laying under field conditions, it has been demonstrated that the females of M. caliginousus do not reproduce during the autumn-winter period in our region, which is due mainly to the short day length and the low temperatures. Therefore, effective colonization of outdoor crops is not expected until the beginning of spring, and colonization of greenhouses will not be effective either until the same period of the year. On the other hand, a polyclonal antibody has been developed that, by means of an ELISA test, rapidly and simply distinguishes the unfertile females from those prepared for egg laying. Until now, the evaluation of fecundity was complicated, since the eggs are laid inside the plant tissues and it is difficult to see them. As a result, the previous technique was to evaluate the number of nymphs born, but it was a fairly long and laborious process. This new test will allow the reproductive state of the M. caliginosus populations to be evaluated in a rapid and less laborious way and to improve the management of these species as BC agents.
In order to achieve this, the following will be developed: 1. To establish a bank of fungal isolates of the species from the B. edulis group characterized at the ecological and molecular level. 2. To develop molecular tools for the identification and quantification of the fungal species of the B. edulis group. To perfect molecular techniques for the identification and quantification of the fungal structures in the different phases of symbiosis. 2. To adapt the production techniques of harmless fungi and controlled inoculation, under commercial conditions, to the characteristics of the different species involved in symbiosis.
Carpophores of Boletus edulis
Commercial production of mushrooms An important part of the edible fungi that are consumed world-wide form mycorrhizic symbiosis with different arboreal species and forest bushes. Among the most appreciated edible ectomycorrhizic fungi are the species belonging to the Boletus edulis group. Their collection and commercialization provides an increasingly important socioeconomic value.
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Pinus pinaster root with mycorrhiza of Boletus edulis
Plant production Distribution and control of fruit fly populations
New diffusers, attractants and traps to fight against the fruit fly
In this project, three teams from IRTA are working together to study the biology and ecology of the fruit fly in three Catalan fruit growing areas in order to compare the similarities and/or differences between the studied agroecosystems.
The private company Spanish Society of Chemical Developments S.L. and IRTA have joined forces in order to find an attractant-trap combination and an insecticide formulation, both with the maximum possible efficiency, for the optimization of the large scale catch as a control method for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata - Wiedemann). To achieve these objectives, three IRTA research teams have been working together at the Mas Badia Experimental Agricultural Station (Girona), the UdL-IRTA centre (Lleida) and the Ebro Experimental Station (Tarragona).
At the moment, it has been shown that there are differences in the population dynamics of the pest; whereas in Amposta there are two population peaks, in Girona only one is found, coinciding with the second one in Amposta, normally in October. Also, differences have been found in three provinces for the hibernation conditions of the species. Whereas in Amposta there is only one month in which flies are not captured (February or March), in Girona this situation can be prolonged for between four and five months (from January to May). In Lleida, extreme temperatures affect the biology of the pest and the winter survival of immature states is less. The greater survival of pupae has been registered in Amposta. The great influence of alternative hosts of the pest has been shown around the citrus plots in Amposta, and it is concluded that placing traps reduces the number of catches in the large catch fly traps in the plots of citrus fruits. All the large catch trials undertaken (28) in the different species of fruit and citrus trees show the same distribution of the pest at the plot level. The catches normally start in a lateral area and are distributed towards the interior from this point. Almost always, the catches have been higher in the exterior part of the plots but, according to the calculations undertaken, this situation does not necessarily justify a reduction in the number of fly traps to check, for instance, by verifying only those at the perimeter. In smaller plots of 1 ha, all the traps must be checked, whereas in larger plots, assuming a relative error of 10% in the population estimate, it is possible to check only 70% of the traps installed.
After numerous studies, it has been possible to formulate, in a single diffuser, the three most powerful compounds as food attractants, with 120 days duration and the same level of catch efficiency as the present product on the market that has three diffusers (one for each substance). This improves the application of the large scale catch, saving time, work and errors at the time of placing the attractant inside the fly trap. This unique single diffuser is in the process of obtaining a patent. Also, it has been possible to find an insecticide that could replace dichlorvos (DDVP), which has recently been prohibited. The prototype of the commercial formula is currently undergoing trials, with very good results, and it is hoped that it could be commercialized very soon. Another objective that has been fulfilled was to establish a protocol for application of the large scale catch to sweet fruit, so that technical personnel and producers could apply this method of control safely. Currently, 1,800 ha of fruit trees are being protected by this technology in the fruit growing area of Girona. Given that, in citrus fruits, the large scale catch method has shown variable levels of efficiency, it is believed convenient to undertake more trials to establish an application protocol that ensures the correct level of efficiency in this crop. Finally, it has also been established which other combinations of the different attractant-traps on the market are more effective, so that, when an application protocol is proposed, reference is always made to the best material to use for obtaining the expected results.
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Plant protection Identification and epidemiology of vine phytoplasmas One of the objectives of this project has been to determine the presence of diseases produced by phytoplasmas in the principal wine producing areas of the country, such as golden flavescence (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis) and Pierce’s disease, produced by the xylem bacteriumlike organism (BLO) Xylella fastidiosa, which is causing serious losses in the vineyards of the United States and which, at the moment, is not found in Europe. Another of the objectives was to identify the insect vectors of these diseases in the different areas studied and to determine their transmission capacity. The phytoplasmas are prokaryotic organisms similar to bacteria, but without a cell wall, that are found in the phloem and are transmitted from plant to plant by Homoptera insects belonging to the families Cicadellidae, Fulgoridae or Psyllidae. In the case of BLO located in the xylem, they are transmitted by Homoptera of the family Cercopidae. The results indicate that the most extensive phytoplasma in vineyards is called stolbur, for which the name Candidatus Phytoplasma solani has recently been proposed, that produces black wood disease. In recent years, its presence has increased and it has an incidence in affected plots of from 5 to 80%. The principal varieties and affected areas are the Chardonnay variety, in Somontano, and the varieties Garnatxa and Tempranillo in certain plots of La Rioja and Navarra. In La Rioja and in Catalonia, the incidence is much lower. In La Rioja, the affected plots are mainly of the variety Tempranillo and, in Catalonia, also of Chardonnay, especially in the Conca de Barberá (Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges) and in the Terra Alta (Caseres and Corbera). A total of up to 18 species of cicadellid and fulgorid carriers of the stolbur phytoplasma have been identified. The species that continues to be the most implicated in the dissemination of the disease in vines is the fulgorid Hyalesthes obsoletus. In the areas in which H. obsoletus has not been identified or has been found in very low populations, some of the other species might be involved in disease dissemination. As far as the vector of golden flavescence, Scaphoideus titanus, is concerned it has only been identified in Catalonia as an outbreak in 1998, in the Empordá region, and, currently, it is thought to have been eradicated.
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As vectors, the presence of species has been identified that can act as transmitters of other phytoplasmas, such as the Aster yellows (Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris) and some species of Cercopis (Philaenus sp. and Cercopis sp.), that might transmit Pierce’s disease, if it was to be introduced into our country. Nevertheless, the main vector of this disease has not been detected in the country.
Use of insectivorous plants for biological control in lettuces The purpose of this project was to contribute to the preparation of ecological infrastructures with insectivorous plants in order to ensure the conservation of key natural enemies for biological control in garden crops. The results obtained indicate that the ecological infrastructures carried out (with a mix of two plants or with only Lobularia maritima) and the reduction of insecticide treatments, allow the conservation of natural populations of syrphids and anthocorids in lettuce crops. These predators establish themselves in the crop and allow the effective biological control of the plant louse Nasonovia ribisnigri and the trips Frankliniella occidentalis, to the same level as if a conventional programme of insecticide treatments was in use. A marking technique has been developed that allows the evaluation of the role of refuges identified in the agrarian landscape for the predator Macrolophus caliginosus as sources for crop colonization. On the one hand, a biochemical method based on the incorporation of rubidium has been perfected and, on the other hand, a specific molecular marker has been developed that allows the detection of tomato DNA inside this predator. This is the first time that this methodology has been developed in order to be able to identify the plant species consumed by phytophagous arthropods or omnivores.
Plant production Control of Tylenchulus in citrus fruits
Studying revegetation of the coastal strip
Tylenchulus semipenetrans infects more than 75% of the citrus fruit plots in Catalonia; a situation similar to that of other citrus regions of the world. It is calculated that the production losses in mandarin are about 25-30%. Traditionally, the control of these nematodes has been undertaken by means of the use of soil fumigation and nematicides.
IRTA, through the FundaciĂł Territori i Paisatge and with the collaboration of Vilassar de Mar Town Council, has initiated, on the beach of the same municipality, a project financed by INIA to evaluate the importance of mycorrhization for the rehabilitation of psammophile species for coastal zones. The project aims to study the revegetation and the recovery of these zones for improving their environmental quality.
The promotion of production systems with low environmental impact, for instance, Integrated Production and Ecological Agriculture, together with restrictions in the use of phytosanitary products as a result of European Directives, has stimulated the use of other non-chemical control methods compatible with these production systems. Of these, plant resistance stands out as a potential candidate. In this project, the durability of the resistance of the rootstock Foral 5 has been verified, after 9 years of continuous cultivation in a soil infected by nematodes, and increases have been obtained in mandarin production compared with susceptible reference rootstocks. Likewise, it has been determined that the heaviest soils favour the biological control of the nematode by means of fungal antagonists, that are very abundant in the citrus fruit plots in Catalonia. Also, the population dynamics of the nematode and their antagonists have been determined. Finally, it was confirmed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;mulchingâ&#x20AC;?, covering the rows of trees with plastic or with plant remains (e.g. rice straw, almond shells, etc.), is effective for the control of weeds, but it does not have any effect on nematode population levels.
The psammophile plants are adapted to growing under these extreme conditions and help to fix the sand, forming special habitats for many species. They are plants that are tolerant to the sandy soils which are subjected to the influence of salt and wind, as well as exposure of the roots to erosion, temperature fluctuations and a low level of nutrients. The project consists of planting three different species of flat psammophiles: Ammophila arenaria, Pancratium maritimum and Lotus creticus, and to determine at what point mycorrhization is necessary, in other words, the introduction of a fungus in the roots of the plant to enable it to establish more easily. In the dune area of Vilassar de Mar, 30 plants of each species have been planted, half of which have mycorrhizas, in two different zones.
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Plant Biotechnology Obtaining pure tomato lines This work, with INIA funding, has developed a technique for the production of pure tomato lines (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) by means of obtaining dihaploid lines (DHLs) for androgenesis (in vitro culture of anthers), gynogenesis (in vitro culture of ova) or parthenogenesis (in vitro culture of parthenogenic embryos induced by means of pollination with irradiated pollen), complemented with molecular markers and flow cytometry, a technique that reduces to one and a half years the time necessary for the production of pure lines from seed, which is the previous and indispensable step for the commercial production of tomato hybrids. The three methods were studied from June 2005 to May 2008, with androgenesis being the one that offered better possibilities of regenerating haploid plants and, as a result, the studies have centred on the in vitro culture of anthers and isolated pollen. The current continuation of this INIA project centres on determining the most reliable in vitro culture technique for anthers for producing totally homozygotic haploid or double-haploid plants: 1. Evaluating the reliability and efficiency of anther culture with myocytes. 2. Evaluating the possibility of regenerating double haploids by means of the culture of anthers with mononuclear microspores. If the first objective is developed successfully, improving the yield of the chosen protocol will be studied, in such a way that it is applicable to a genetic improvement programme and the development of a population of pure lines from a hybrid.
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Studying coexistence with transgenic wheat cultures In this project, financed by ANR (France) and initiated in January 2007, IRTA and seven French research teams from INRA and GEVES are taking part. The objectives of the project are: 1. To develop an instrument for predicting the accidental content of genetically modified material in conventional crops in an extensive area of cultivation, taking into consideration the landscape and the discontinuities (roads, buildings, etc.).
2. To evaluate the various existing studies (agronomic and economic) for developing a model that allows the study of the economic impact of coexistence management and the effect that the establishment of geographical areas of exclusively conventional crops would have. In order to complete the objectives, an area in Baix EmpordĂ was chosen where maize Bt coexists with conventional maize. For two years, an area of approximately 400 ha has been monitored, and all the maize fields have been identified. From the sowing data and the observation of in situ agronomic parameters, various fields of conventional maize were chosen that showed different growth zones. An evaluation of the evolution of male and female flowering in several areas of the fields was carried out and the flowering dynamics of the closest transgenic fields were monitored. The GMO content of the conventional fields was evaluated before harvesting by means of the quantitative PCR technique. In this way, it was possible to determine how the different flowering dynamics affected the accidental GMO content due to cross pollination. The data obtained were transferred to models so that they could be validated.
Plant production Quantification of GMOs and mycotoxins in commercial maize fields
Sampling system to evaluate the percentage of GMOs in conventional fields
In this project, financed by INIA and initiated in September 2007, researchers collaborated from the CSIC laboratory for GMO detection and the aims were:
In the collaboration agreement with DAR, established last year, various simplified sampling systems were evaluated to determine accidental GMO content in a conventional field due to cross pollination. These studies were undertaken in the FoixĂ area, where the size of the fields is fairly small (1-3 ha).
1. To validate the predictive index established in previous projects (global index) in order to predict the accidental GMO content due to cross pollination under actual conditions of coexistence between fields of Bt and conventional maize. 2. To apply this index to very large fields in the Lleida area and to verify, by means of quantitative PCR analysis, the reliability of this index. 3. To evaluate the mycotoxin content in transgenic and conventional fields. The global index is being validated with registered data from the FoixĂ area, Baix EmpordĂ , where for the last 5 years coexistence studies have been undertaken. In this respect, a computer programme has been designed for an area where it is possible to predict the GMO content in the crop depending on the flowering data and the distance between fields, and ways are being studied for adapting it to any area of Catalonia.
From among the systems tested, the one which gave the better results was the perimeter technique, which consists of taking samples from the field at 8 perimeter points, at a certain distance from the margin, depending on the shape and dimensions of the field. During the 2008 campaign, this simplified sampling technique was applied to large fields (> 25 ha) in the Almacelles area (Lleida). Samples were also taken with the standard technique, as well as samples of grain during the harvest. The samples are currently being analyzed by quantitative PCR. These circular shaped fields were surrounded by large transgenic fields. In all fields, accurate monitoring of flowering both in the conventional fields and the transgenic fields was carried out.
During the 2008 campaign, two very large fields were studied (> 25 ha) in the Almacellas area. The provisional results indicate that coexistence does not present any problems when the fields have these dimensions, since the pollen produced by the field itself attenuates the effect of the pollen that could originate from neighbouring fields. With regard to the mycotoxins, only the presence of fumonisins has been detected and, occasionally, DON. The studies undertaken to date clearly demonstrate that, when there are drills, the content of mycotoxins is much lower in the transgenic varieties than in the conventional ones.
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Agroforestry Production Evergreen oaks and oaks: effects of replanting and drought
Regeneration of evergreen oak and oak forests
In adult individuals, the effects of management are more evident at the initial stage rather than for increasing drought. Even when the effects of drought are noted, management reduces the negative consequences. The difference between species shows that there are more negative effects at the individual level in ordinary oaks than in evergreen oaks, in conditions of increasing drought, although this is not as clear at the leaf level.
Evergreen oak and ordinary oak forests are present in temperate and tropical Mediterranean areas, where they have great ecological and socioeconomic importance. Paradoxically, in spite of their ascendancy, one of the main problems detected is the lack of sexual regeneration. Certainly, Quercus show a complex process of recruitment characterized by a great interannual variability in the production of acorns, increased rates of parasitism and depredation, secondary dispersion by animals, and fairly restricted conditions of germination and establishment.
The carbon flows from the soil follow a seasonal cycle depending on the combination of the temperature and humidity conditions of the soil. The effects of drought start after 2-3 years of treatment, with management being more important at this development phase, in the same way as happens with growth. In the case of the seedlings, a strong interaction has been observed between the pluviometry applied, the duration of the dry period and the species. Under the experimental conditions, the projected pluviometry (according to predicted climatic change in the Mediterranean area it will be reduced by 20% but it will last longer in summer) could help the balance between both species. After the treatments, the felling of the original seedlings favours the ordinary oak, even in the least favourable scenario. These results contrast with the case of adult individuals in field experiments, where the evergreen oak has better behaviour than the ordinary oak.
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In this context, the aims of the project have been to evaluate up to what point factors and processes related to the production of seeds or to establishment control the regeneration of Mediterranean evergreen oak and ordinary oak woods in various ecological (with and without disturbance) and climatic change (with and without drought) scenarios, and develop a model that allows regeneration to be predicted from structural and environmental variables. Researchers from CITA (Aragon), CREAF and CTFC have taken part in the project. The main results obtained indicate that the production of seeds and their pre-dispersive predation are the main limiting factors for the regeneration of evergreen oaks and ordinary oaks. Increasing drought worsens this situation, since the production of fruit decreases and becomes more erratic. To a certain extent, forest management (clearing and selection of scions) reverses these effects and increases the production of acorns and the recruitment of new individuals.
Plant production Leafy nobles: an interesting forestry alternative for the future The leafy trees called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;noblesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (walnuts, cherry trees, etc.) have considerable interest for many rural areas of Catalonia, as an economic activity or environmental and landscape alternative. The production of quality wood is a profitable activity, with good future prospects and high strategic interest. The wood of these species can obtain prices of higher than 1,000 e/m2. The profitability (as yield to maturity) of a walnut or cherry tree plantation, with suitable management, can vary between 4.62 and 7.22%. In addition, the demand for quality wood in Europe and world-wide has
been growing markedly for decades and it is expected that this trend will be maintained in the future. In view of the specific requirements of these species according to the season, one of the typologies of the areas currently more adapted to carry out this activity in Catalonia is agricultural land with moderate to low productivity, as well as high quality forest stations. In the case of agricultural areas, leafy tree plantations represent an interesting activity, since they require low management effort, which can help to avoid the abandonment of this type of land (abandonment would lead to natural colonization, homogenization of the landscape and an increase in the fire risk). Some of the most used species to date have been those from France where the experience of their use exists, and from where a large part of the commercial material still comes from. Among these species, the walnut (especially the hybrid progeny MJ-209xRa and NG-23xRa), the cherry tree clones and the large leaf ash tree material stand out. Given the peculiarities of our seasons, IRTA is currently working on the development of plant materials from these and other species, in order to offer selections better adapted to the particular needs of the area, especially the increased tolerance to drought. Other alternative leafy tree species are the service tree, the pear tree and the European nettle tree.
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Animal Production
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46. Animal Genetics 50. Animal Nutrition 54. Animal Health 56. Animal Production Systems
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Animal Genetics Lipid metabolism and the quality of pig products
quality parameters, by means of the use of microarrays that allow mRNA levels to be measured in an enormous number of genes.
Within the study line concerning the genetic determination of the characters related to lipid metabolism and pig product quality, the IRTA Genetics and Animal Improvement group is responsible for the coordination of the project “Mapping and identification of genes involved in pig lipid metabolism, meat quality and cured ham quality” (financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation), which is carried out together with the Animal Sciences group from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and, in addition, relies on the collaboration of IRTA’s Food Chemistry and Process Technology groups, as well as the Selección Batallé company.
Management of select pig breeding animals
Within the framework of this project, various structural and functional genomic studies have been approached through two main objectives: to deepen the knowledge of the genetic bases that regulate lipid and cholesterol metabolism in pigs (in view of the interest of pig species as biomedical models for the study of cardiovascular diseases related to lipidemias and arthrosclerosis in human beings), and to detect Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), as well as the study of genes involved in fat metabolism, which act on the nutritional and sensory value of fresh meat and cured products, with the final aim of being able to produce a high quality healthy meat product. Among the quality parameters studied that show the most relevance for consumer health, the contents of the polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 in monounsaturated acids (of which oleico acid is the prime example), or the concentration of cholesterol can be mentioned. The most recent relevant scientific results to date include the detection of various QTLs for serum cholesterol, lipoprotein and triglyceride concentrations in pigs, which additionally show a high positional conformity with the QTL detected in humans (unpublished results in pig species). Also, QTLs linked to the quality of intramuscular fat, the fatty acid profiles and the cholesterol content of the meat have been identified. In the light of these results, some genes involved in the lipid serum concentrations have been studied, at the structural and functional level, as well as genes that showed associations with fat quantity and the fatty acid profiles of the meat and that, therefore, appear as candidate genes for use in the genetic improvement of meat quality. Currently, an ambitious experiment is being carried out concerning differential expression among animals with extreme characteristics for lipid metabolism and product
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Within the agreement with the National Association of Select Pigs (ANPS) and the Catalan equivalent (ACPS), monitoring has been undertaken during 2008 for coverage, births, weanings, additions and deletions of the pure breeding animals of the Large White, Landrace, Landrace Belga, Duroc and Pietrain races. A total of 77,496 new animals were registered in the births record, and 6,503 new breeding animals have been qualified morphologically and added to the definitive Record, which were distributed in 35 selection nuclei and 8 insemination centres. After 20,107 evaluation tests undertaken on farms and at the experimental station, 500 elite reproductive males were selected.
DNA marking of select pig livestock From preliminary studies undertaken in previous years, a panel of microsatellite markers has been applied for the genetic identification of 1,702 breeding males. The methodology has been very useful for the determination of family relationships, the establishment of genetic traceability systems (detection of animals carrying genetic anomalies) and the analysis of the variability of select pig populations in comparison with the French pure bred pigs.
Animal Production Studies on the Black Mallorcan Pig have been selected among the most interesting 15 of the EU The European project Quality Pork Chains has selected, from among 15 production models, the black Mallorcan pig to be studied from the point of view of its sustainability, as well as the distinct genetic nature of the animal, which is catalogued as a 100% pure breed in danger of extinction according to the register of autochthonous pure breeds of Spain and the FAO. This is recognition of the work carried out in recent years on the black Mallorcan pig by the Conselleria d’Agricultura i Pesca of the Balearic Islands Government, through the Balearic Islands Animal Biology Institute (IBABSA) and IRTA, which has centred on meat quality and fattening, as well as the extensive production model of this animal in Mallorca.
An integral pig selection programme
Detection of genetic lines with low levels of androsterone and scatol The European project SABRE (Cutting Edge on Genomics for Sustainable Animal Breeding), initiated in 2006 with the participation of 33 research institutes, aims to advance the knowledge of the genetic and epigenetic aspects that make it possible to develop production systems which are more sustainable and respectful with the environment and with the welfare of animals, in order to be able to provide healthier and better quality livestock products. The participation of IRTA in this project concerns the validation of genetic probes applicable to the selection of genetic pig lines with low levels of androsterone and scatol from studies of production variables and carcass quality and the meat of the offspring of breeding animals from selection companies in the ANPS (National Association of Select Pigs). The results from the animals studied have shown a great variability in the production and hormonal levels, as well as in the behaviour patterns, and in carcass and meat quality.
The objective of this project is the definition, development and implementation of a global pig selection programme for the parental pure breeds Pietrain, Landrace and Duroc, belonging to the pig genetic improvement scheme of the Selección Batallé company, integrating the phenotypic and genealogical information from the pure breeds and the hybrid commercial products TB1 and TB2. The most important contribution of the project is the development of genetic evaluation models that allow the use of commercial hybrid animal phenotypes and pure bred animals. The incorporation of the data from commercial hybrid animals (reproduction, production and quality of the dressed carcass and the meat) provides a methodological advance of undoubted value and importance, since genetic evaluation will take into account the final product quality passed on to the consumer. Finally, the design, development, implementation and validation of an integral information system will allow all the sources of information to be connected, thus making it possible to consider in the evaluation model those characters automatically measured in the slaughter house.
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Animal Genetics The preservation of Catalan hens During 2008, IRTA has continued with the preservation and genetic improvement programme for the pure breeds of the Catalan hens Penedesenca, Empordanesa and Prat. The important events in 2008 included IRTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the preparation of the Genealogical Books for the Penedesenca and Prat breeds of cockerels and hens, which have been published in the Diario Oficial of the Government of Catalonia, together with their regulation. This has allowed a set of activities to be initiated for a genealogical registry, as well as the characterization and genetic improvement of these breeds, together with the breeder associations, by taking into account their interests (an activity financed by DAR through the Ministry of Rural and Marine Environment). In this way, it was possible to provide a greater guarantee of preservation because they do not occur in the same area and they will be used to undertake a set of studies and activities that will be of interest to the breeders.
The pure bred hens from the Balearic Islands IRTA is directing the work for the definition, characterization and genetic improvement of the pure breeds of autochthonous hens from the Balearic Islands. During 2008, the recovery, characterization and definition of a racial group specific to the island of Ibiza have been studied. In this respect, a study concerning the allele frequencies of the genes responsible for plumage colour of the Ibizan hen has been carried out, in order to be able to define it as a pure breed. The characterization studies were within a comparative study between the Ibizan hen, and hens from Menorca and Mallorca. Characterization was based on growth characteristics, consumption and production of eggs, and the Ibizan hen stood out in all aspects.
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Partridges: hybridization and purity For a few years, commissioned by the Department of Environment and Housing of the Government of Catalonia, IRTA has been undertaking studies to determine the degree of introgression (gene flow) for the chukar partridge in the Catalan hunting estates producing the red autochthonous partridge (Alectoris rufa). This is for managing the control of domestic hybridization and to release hybrids back into nature. During 2008, the Foundation for the study and defence of nature and hunting (FEDENCA) organized a national project for various invited institutes studying the genetic purity of the red partridge, including IRTA, in order to unify the genetic markers of each laboratory and develop an authorized method to certify the genetic purity produced by Spanish estates, as well as those from outside Spain. The project will continue until the middle of 2009.
Animal Production Fertility, production characteristics and seminal quality in the rabbit This INIA project is being undertaken by IRTA in conjunction with the Department of Anatomy and Animal Health of the Veterinary Faculty of the UAB. The aims of the project include: 1. To determine what genetic relationship exists between the growth characteristics and the selection criteria of the study with the reproductive characteristics of the male (fertility, prolificity and certain variables of seminal quality). 2. To study which are the sources of genetic and environmental variation for the characteristics that define production and seminal quality. 3. To find a combination of seminal quality measurements that allows the fertility of artificial insemination males to be predicted reliably and prematurely. The differential feature of this project is that fertility and prolificity are analyzed from the point of view of the male, when they are characteristics that have always traditionally been attributed to the females.
Rabbits more resistant to heat This project, funded by INIA, is trying to study the possibilities of obtaining animals less sensitive to heat through genetic improvement. The central hypothesis is that individual variation exists in the sensitivity to heat and that this can be partially determined by genes with additive action, in such a way that this character could be modified for selection in order to obtain animals that tolerate higher temperatures without the reproductive behaviour and disease resistance being affected, or at least this negative effect would be less in the animals. In addition, it is hoped to deepen the knowledge of the effects of thermal stress on the metabolism of the gametes and the embryos, since the effects of heat are expressed as an important reduction of the fertility and prolificity, and can indicate possible suffering in the animals. The project is attempting to determine when and how this develops and demonstrate the sensitivity to thermal stress, with which mechanisms it affects animal reproduction and if these effects can be reversed.
The first results have indicated that insemination in more limiting conditions makes genetic variability due to the male more pronounced, which was almost non-existent in previous studies, and a possible scale effect is also observed in the influence of the genes under different insemination conditions. The genetic correlation between fertility and prolificity, and between fertility and growth has been shown to be very high and positive in the first case and negative, but of low magnitude, in the case of growth, which indicates that the reproductive capacity of the lines selected for growth, in rabbits, would not lead to deterioration of the selection process. In parallel, the project is working towards obtaining various variables of seminal quality and their use as non-parametric models to establish a prediction equation for fertility. The conclusions obtained will allow future selection strategies to be created for improvement of the reproductive behaviour, also using information from the male, and, on the other hand, improve the efficiency of using the males in the insemination centres.
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Animal Nutrition An effective new product for the prevention of Salmonella Salmonellosis is a zoonosis that concerns humans world-wide and produces high risk intestinal disorders for certain segments of the population, such as the elderly and children. Approximately 30% of income-earning animals are considered to be carriers of the bacterium Salmonella and they can, therefore, potentially transmit the bacterium to food (meat, eggs and milk).
1. It is a 100% natural plant product obtained by means of a fractionation and purification treatment technique.
The European Union is dedicating enormous efforts to eradicate it by isolating and sacrificing the affected flocks and herds, since the use of antibiotics as preventive agents is prohibited. Consequently, there is almost no possibility of preventing it by using therapeutants at the farm level, with the only current option of prevention being the use of hygiene and management measures.
3. It produces a real and irreversible effect on Salmonella, leading to its elimination from the intestinal tract.
IRTA and the ITPSA company, have collaborated together to develop an innovative product for the prevention of Salmonella, which has been the subject of a world patent and which ITPSA will commercialize world-wide under the name of Salmosan. This new product is a very important step forward because it provides an effective prophylactic tool against salmonellosis.
In short, both the animal production sector and that of human health can congratulate themselves, since they now have a product for prevention at source, which offers specific guarantees for the fight against this important disease. Never before have we been so close to being able to really control this disease.
Salmosan is an innovative product that, added directly to the feed, will revolutionize animal nutrition and food safety, since it has managed to solve, with great efficiency, the problem of farm animals that carry Salmonella and, consequently, the transmission of this bacterium to their food products.
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Salmosan offers specific guarantees for control of Salmonella in income-earning animals, and its preventative effect is based on 5 points:
2. The technological process for obtaining the product produces a polysaccharide structure that blocks the fimbrial adhesion of the bacterium to intestinal enterocytes.
4. The product acts directly in the animal intestine, without mediation of metabolites. 5. It is an active product due to its technological manufacturing process.
The reduction of Salmonella carrier animals at source will lead to an improvement in food safety for their products (meat, eggs and milk) and, definitively, in a reduction of the incidence of salmonellosis in humans.
Animal Production Study of the factors that influence the infiltration of muscular fat in pig meat
Saturated fat in the diet produces less fat deposition than unsaturated fat
The infiltration of fat in muscle is considered to be an important factor in the sensory quality of the meat, although it is still a topic of debate. The objective of the study is to see if it is possible to modify the infiltration of intramuscular fat in pork meat on the basis of a modification of the diet. It is a question of obtaining an increase of intramuscular fat without markedly affecting productivity and without an excessive increase in fat deposition in other areas.
In chickens, it has been demonstrated that the incorporation of saturated or monounsaturated fat in the diet increases fat deposition, whereas this does not happen with the polyunsaturated fats. The objective of this hypothesis, developed by IRTA with INIA funding, has been to determine if the composition of the fat in the diet was modifying the quantity of fat laid down in the pig, irrespective of its composition.
The project being undertaken is studying the following factors: 1. Vitamin A. An unconfirmed study suggests that if the level of vitamin A in the diet decreases the percentage of intramuscular fat increases. In ruminants, there are quite a few studies of this type, but there is only one in pigs and it is still not confirmed. 2. Level of protein and amino acids. Apparently, if the level of protein decreases, it is possible to increase the intramuscular fat, but there is no study that separates the effect of the protein level and that of lysine. 3. Incorporation of conjugated linoleic acid. Conjugated linoleic acid, besides reducing the deposition of subcutaneous fat, seems to be able to increase the infiltration of fat. Once these factors have been studied, the work will try to determine the genetic effect by comparing a normal pig with little infiltration with another one that has greater infiltration, studying the effect of the factors that, in previous studies, have been shown to have some effect on infiltration. At the end of the project, a sensory study will be undertaken.
The results of the study have demonstrated that the behaviour of the pig is different from that of the chicken, in the sense that the saturated fat in the diet reduces the fat deposition in relation to the other fats studied, even in relation to a diet without fat. It has also been observed that the composition of the fat in the diet modifies the expression of genes related to lipogenesis and the composition of the de novo synthesized fat. Finally, the deposition of polyunsaturated fatty acids has been studied, which is of interest for consumer health, and it has been seen that when they are included in the diet at high levels, the rate of deposition decreases. This is especially evident in the case of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) fatty acids, present in fish and considered of interest for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, whose deposition was less than 50% of the quantity administered. On the other hand, the formation of these fatty acids from linoleic acid, their predecessor, and deposition in different fatty pig tissues have also been studied. The greatest deposition of DHA took place in the liver, but synthesis from linoleic acid was very small. On the other hand, the formation of EPA from linoleic acid was more important and deposition was more abundant in the liver.
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Animal Nutrition Research into palatability and development of new aromas In January 2008, the renovation of the collaboration between IRTA and the Lucta company was agreed for a period of four years, for the study of the palatability of animal feed and the development of new aromas. The aims of this project are to study the effect of different ingredients and additives on feed palatability for porcine and bovine species. For porcine species, the research undertaken during the previous period will be continued in order to extend the preference studies to the effects of the different sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as to different additives added to pig feed in small quantities. These studies are being carried out at IRTA Mas de Bover. For this new period, it has been decided to extend the area of the studies to bovine species, a task that will be undertaken at the Torre Marimon Ruminant Unit. For both species, trials have also been carried out for the study of the application of different aromas to the feed, on palatability, the ingestion of feed and the productivity of the animals.
Other Activities Visit of Mexican bovine farmers SAF-Agri, the American division of the Lesaffre Feed Additive (LFA) company, organized a visit of Mexican farmers, bovine meat producers, from the states of Veracruz, Quer茅taro and Nueva Le贸n to get to know the production and marketing systems in Spain. The farmers undertook a stay of two days, 10th to 11th July, and they were interested in learning about the food safety measures and conditions in the European Union, and how they are applied to the animal production chain. To satisfy the technical aims of their visit, they were welcomed at the IRTA Mas de Bover facilities, where they attended a seminar.
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Animal Production
The Brazilian Group SADIA is interested in IRTA studies on aviculture IRTA Mas de Bover received technical personnel and executives from the SADIA S.A. group, Brazil, who were interested in getting to know the studies being undertaken by IRTA on nutritional strategies to improve the yield of chickens vaccinated against coccidiosis. The objective of the studies is related to nutritional and management strategies that allow the application of the coccidiosis vaccine to be optimized for chickens reared for meat, as an alternative to the use of anticoccidian chemicals and ionophores that the IRTA Animal Nutrition Unit is undertaking in collaboration with Schering-Plough. The SADIA group is the foremost producer of chickens in Brazil and one of the largest producers and exporters world-wide, with a production volume that comprehensively exceeds the total Spanish production.
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Animal Health The infectious clone of the Torque Teno virus The single stranded DNA viruses (cDNAs) are infectious agents of great importance in the area of animal health. Recently, a new cDNA virus called Torque Teno Virus (TTV) has been detected in humans, as well as production animals and pets. Currently, TTV is not considered to be pathogenic, but results from the CReSA laboratories indicate that TTV is found in a greater proportion of pigs with porcine circovirus. Recent research has centred mainly on epidemiological studies of TTV.
S. Enteritidis bacteriophage During 2008, the isolation of bacteriophage from faecal samples of birds and pigs has been continued. This has allowed the existing collections to be extended with 14 new phages. With all the phages isolated, the study of their infection pattern and their stability at 4ºC has been completed. Based on the data, 8 phages have initially been selected that together infect 66 non-clonal strains of the serovarieties Typhimurium and Enteritidis of Salmonella enterica from the 67 used in the study. The resistance of the 8 phages to pH values of 2, 4, 6 and 9 has been studied, and they are all stable at these pHs for a minimum of 2 hours, with the exception of pH 2, at which a decrease of the phage concentration was detected after the first hour of treatment. Likewise, the parameters of the multiplication cycle and DNA measurement by PFGE have been determined for the 8 phages selected, as well as the digestion pattern of their DNA with different restriction enzymes. In parallel to these studies, the project finished by using the bacteriophage SE1 as a model for determining various effects. A computer programme has also been developed that simulates the phage-bacteria infection relationships. The results obtained in these studies have provided the experimental conditions for carrying out in vitro infection studies of the serovarieties Typhimurium and Enteritidis of S. enterica with different combinations of the 8 phages selected. Depending on the results obtained, 4 phages have been selected to form part of a phage ‘cocktail’ that has been visualized by electron microscopy. In addition, the genomic sequence of two of them has already been determined and sequencing of the genome of the other two candidate phages is currently being completed.
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The first evidence of infection by TTV was described in pigs. The most recent results indicate several routes of transmission: vertical (faecal, nasal), horizontal (calostrum, transplacental, semen). On the other hand, to date, all farms tested in the country have been positive for TTV. The prevalence of TTV on the farms increases with age, and there is almost 60% prevalence of infection at 15 weeks old. To further the research on TTV, new laboratory techniques, such as in situ hybridization, quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence have been developed.
Animal Production The fight against TSE During 2008, Priocat was commissioned by the Health Protection Agency to undertake all routine diagnosis for active monitoring of TSEs. This has meant the analysis of 13,258 samples (12,257 bovine, 578 ovine and 423 caprine). Only one positive case of TSE has been confirmed by the DAR Livestock Health laboratory in the Zona Franca.
Vaccine against circovirosis This year, two totally independent, but interrelated, tasks have been undertaken. On the one hand, the immunogenicity of the capsid protein of PCV (Cap) expressed in plants using a recombinant potyvirus (AGRENVEC) has been studied. Initial immunization studies with rCap in mice have proved disappointing, since no type of specific response to the virus was detected. Currently, the study is trying to improve the Cap expression levels in plants, as well as evaluating purification protocols that will allow rCap with sufficient quantity to be obtained for undertaking more effective immunization trials. On the other hand, two new ELISAs have been developed based on the Cap protein and the Rep of PCV2, respectively. Both proteins have been expressed in a baculovirus system and have been produced on a large scale in insect larvae (ALGENEX). In the future, the use of these two ELISAs will facilitate on-farm seroprevalence studies for PCV2, which will help to detect cases of PMWS and, very probably, will be useful for establishing DIVA diagnostic tests that allow the differentiation of vaccinated animals from naturally infected ones.
Other Activities In the research area, an MICINN project has been granted for the study of the transmission barrier in prion diseases coordinated together with CNB, Madrid and the SCRIPPS Institute, Florida, USA.
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Animal Production Systems Fibre to reduce the cost of calf feed The increase in the price of cereals, compliance with current legislation and the improvement of animal welfare make it necessary to develop a study concerning the incorporation of fibre in the diet of calves, from the second week of age, in order to reduce the cereal levels, decrease calf stereotypes and thus comply with the legislation, at the same time maximizing the efficiency of a diet containing fibrous ingredients. This INIA project, initiated in 2008, aims to recommend a management model that includes fibre in the diet of growing calves from the second week of age, to optimize ruminant development, as well as the intestinal digestive and structural function of the calves and to evaluate the long term effect of the incorporation of fibre on their development and ingestion pattern.
X Cheese Production Course The X Cheese Production Course took place in IRTA Caldes de Montbui from 5th to 9th May, and the 7th July. This course, which takes place every year, is orientated towards the training of future professionals from the sector and to the continued training of those making cheese, as well as being a revelation for restaurateurs, distributors or consumers interested professional or culturally in the world of cheeses and other milk derivatives. The course lasted for 6 days and dealt with all the phases involved in the production of cheese and fermented milk, as well as the regulations applied to manufacturing facilities. On the final day, visits to cheese production plants took place and cured cheeses made during the course were evaluated.
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Pathomilk: rapid detection of pathogens from milk The Pathomilk project is based on biosensor technology and studies the simultaneous detection of various pathogenic agents, obtaining rapid precise results and ease of use of the information. The Pathomilk project has the potential to develop an instrument that rapidly analyzes milk samples in order to detect the pathogenic bacteria responsible for infections, such as mastitis, allowing farmers to deal with each disease rapidly and economically before they manage to propagate and affect the production. This project, financed by the European Union, will help to improve the competitiveness of the small and medium dairy company, as well as safeguard the health and safety of consumers.
Technical seminar on the evaluation of porcine, avian and bovine welfare at the ExpoĂĄviga farm. In collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and IRTA, on 16th April, ExpoĂ viga organized a technical seminar as coordinator of the Welfare Quality project, financed by the European Union, which is trying to integrate animal welfare into agrifood chain quality. Welfare Quality is a project that began in May 2004 and it was conceived immediately after consumer interest was shown in the need to improve the welfare of animals and the transparency of the food production process. It relies on the participation of 44 research institutes and universities and has, as one of its main aims, the development of monitoring systems and the evaluation of the degree of welfare for farm animals. During the day, the formulae for the evaluation of welfare in birds, cattle and pigs in animal husbandry establishments, their implications and benefits were up dated.
Animal Production 15th edition of the ‘Porc d’Or’ Awards
Slow Food includes the Penedés cockerel in the Ark of Taste
The large annual meeting concerning porcine production has been held for fifteen years since its creation by IRTA, in 1994, as recognition of the professionalism of the Spanish farmers dedicated to rearing pigs. The Porc d’Or Awards represent a reference for the progress in a sector that is continually confronting new challenges for health improvement, animal welfare and respect for the environment, without losing sight of productivity.
The International Commission of the Slow Food Ark of Taste has made public the new products that, this year, enter into the Ark of Taste of the Slow Food Foundation for biodiversity. It is a list that includes, among others, the Penedés cockerel, which is obtained from the Penedés breed of hens, by means of a genetic improvement scheme developed by IRTA.
In 2008, the prize award ceremony took place on 14th November, in Pamplona, in the facilities of the Castillo de Gorraiz. The livestock farms competing for awards are those registered with BDPorc. Almost 1,000 sites are permanently evaluated under the criteria established in the database. Every year, those who receive approximately 120 nominations on the basis of parameters related to productivity and farm yield are chosen, and this is translated into 45 awards, in various categories, as well as three additional special prizes that, in 2008, were:
· Diamond Porc d’Or Award 2008: Caspe Farm, Caspe (Zaragoza). Company: Pinsos Costa.
· Maximum Productivity Award: Castellets Farm,
Taradell (Barcelona). Company: Pinsos Sant Antoni. 29.53 pigs weaned per sow in production a year.
· MARM Special Award: Fustero Ganadera S.L.,
Robres (Huesca). Company: Piensos UnzueAgronsella S.A.
The objective of the Ark of Taste is to recover and catalogue forgotten flavours and gastronomic products of excellence that are in danger of extinction. Since 1996, more than 750 products, from dozens of countries in the whole world, have been incorporated into the Ark of Taste. The Penedés cockerel is a rustic animal prepared for outdoor growth. It is usually sacrificed between 14 and 16 weeks old, the moment at which the meat is very tasty and preserves its delicacy.
Ignasi Badiola and Oriol Rafel, new members of ASESCU Ignasi Badiola, from CreSA, has been chosen as the new president of the Spanish Cuniculture Association (ASESCU) for a period of 4 years (2008-2012), in the Members Assembly that took place during the celebration of the Association’s XXXIII Symposium. In the same assembly, Oriole Rafel was named as a Committee Member of the ASESCU. Ignasi Badiola has also been nominated as vice-president of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA), for the period 2009-2013, at the recent world conference held by this association.
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Food Technology
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60. Food Technology 68. Post-harvest 72. Other Food Activities
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Food Technology Research into alternatives for pig castration and dehorning of cattle
Alternatives to castration of pigs without anaesthesia
IRTA is leading the coordination of the European project ALCASDE, in which 20 research teams from 12 European countries (Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Holland, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Ukraine and Romania) are taking part, with an approximate budget of 1 million euros. The project is trying to develop and promote alternatives to castration of pigs in order to improve the welfare of the animals without losing the quality of their meat, as well as to find alternatives to dehorning of cattle.
At the same time, IRTA has taken part in the European project PIGCAS (alternatives to surgical castration without anaesthesia), in which 24 European countries have participated, leading the study on societal attitudes to these alternative practices. The relationships of the researchers with the sector and society are fundamental for the interchange of information and opinions, and to detect the possible conflicts of interest between different societal agents. In this respect, a conflict of interest has been detected between the NGOs (defenders of animal welfare) and the pig producers, who want to support the usual practices, but with improvements in the welfare of the animals. On the other hand, the consumers and butchers prefer alternatives such as the castration of the animals with anaesthesia or spermatic selection.
Sardines: a traditional product that is being introduced Among its aims, is to obtain objective scientific information concerning consumer preferences with regard to the acceptance of these practices and the changes that could occur in meat in order to make recommendations to support European Union policy on these topics. The project is evaluating if different housing systems (males in contact with males or females) or sacrifice systems (sacrifice a whole lot or undertake the selection of animals) influence behaviour and meat quality. It will be confirmed if the levels of sexual odour decrease using some of these methods, especially in pigs that are sacrificed when they reach a high weight. Also, the welfare of non-castrated male pigs will be evaluated that also reach high weights at sacrifice. Another challenge for the project is to develop rapid detection methods for the so-called sexual odour of the meat in slaughter houses. There is not a lot of information or legislation with regard to dehorning of cattle, and therefore a study of the current situation will be carried out to understand the real situation and also to evaluate various alternatives, such as the genetic selection of animals without horns.
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IRTA Monells is carrying out a series of studies on the sardine with the main aims related to the improvement of various preservation methodologies and the development of new products based on this fish. Preservation of large volumes. In view of the considerable volume still available from the sardine fish catches in our coastal area, one of the studies is dealing with the development of wholesale packing systems, optimum processes for whole packed pieces, the effects of the time from catch to packing and the preservation temperature on the quality and the behaviour of this product during storage in a refrigerated environment. Salted sardines. Another study will try to develop salted products in order to obtain a product similar to that of the anchovy, as well as the effects of incorporating a fermented broth from the anchovy or using a texturizing treatment, and submitting the pieces to a similar process of salting-fermentation to the one used for anchovy. This process was also used for obtaining pickled or soured and marinated products of this fish, as well as for developing sardine paste to spread.
Food Technology Truefood or traditional food innovation A frequently consumed product or one associated with certain celebrations and/or specific periods of the year, which is passed from one generation to another, and obtained specifically according to gastronomic inheritance, that has characteristic sensory properties associated with a local, regional or national area, would be the definition that consumers give to a product they consider to be a traditional food. The Truefood project (Traditional United Europe Food) is an ambitious work plan initiated in 2006, with a foreseen duration of 4 years and a budget of 24 million euros, which involves 42 institutes from the whole of Europe (among them, IRTA) and almost 5,000 companies from the agrifood sector that has the main objective of improving the competitiveness in the production of traditional food through innovations that guarantee its safety and satisfy the expectations of consumers towards this type of product. In our country, FIAB (Spanish Federation of Food and Drink) is coordinating the industrial part of the project, whereas IRTA is coordinating the scientific component.
Sources of contamination in raw, minced and prepared meat products The Microbiological Criteria Regulation (EC 1441/2007) contemplates both food safety and hygiene criteria in meat processes; nevertheless, it does not consider certain microorganisms such as E. coli and L monocytogenes in meat products not destined for raw consumption.
IRTA is working, specifically, on the nutritional improvement of some products. As is the case of the research carried out for obtaining cured hams with a low salt content, that maintain their flavour and preservation. To achieve this, studies are being undertaken at the level of the raw material, looking for those that are most adapted to the new requirements and optimizing both the salting and drying processes of the hams. Another area of work concerns ecological products such as lettuces and tomatoes, which are submitted to new agronomic techniques that decrease the use of fertilizers or pesticides.
For this reason, the Directorate General of Public Health of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia signed an agreement with the National Association of Refrigerated Storage of Meats and Quartering Establishments (ANAFRIC-GREMSA), and as a result IRTA has been commissioned, on behalf of ANAFRIC-GREMSA, to undertake a study to determine the possible pollution sources in relation to the pathogens Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 throughout the production process of raw meat, minced and prepared meat products. In this study, a total of eleven companies, associated with ANAFRIC-GREMSA, from four Catalan regions, are taking part.
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Food Technology The ecological meat sector in Catalonia
ProSafeBeef: to re-define bovine production
In this DAR study, a general analysis of the ecological meat sector has been undertaken in Catalonia, evaluating the slaughter houses, quartering rooms and all those establishments related to production and marketing, as well as the distribution channels. A review has been undertaken on the existing balance between ecological production and the distribution of the slaughtering and production establishments.
The ProSafeBeef project is defined as the only opportunity to re-define the bovine production and transformation chain, adapting and generating a new and wide range of products and processes that adapt to the changing requirements of European consumers.
From the results, it has been emphasized that while the most sacrificed species are ruminants, the majority of the producers of ecological meat products work with pigs. In the case of the ruminants, the market for buying and selling is regional, whereas that for pigs receives a lot of stock from outside Catalonia, to where the product produced is also sent, although in less quantity. The companies participating in the study have indicated that 43.26% of the ecological product brought to the slaughter houses reaches the consumer as a conventional product.
This project has a budget of 10.9 million euros and relies on the participation of a total of 41 research centres, universities, companies and business organizations belonging to 15 EU countries, as well as Brazil, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The ecological meat products are commercialized principally in traditional butcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shops and specialist shops, mainly vacuum packed. To promote the consumption of local products, and indirectly that of ecological products, as a formula for improving marketing and reducing the price is one of the challenges indicated by those surveyed.
The main aims of ProSafeBeef are: 1. Development and application of quantitative risk analysis models in the meat chain. 2. Establishment of control and intervention strategies for microbiological pathogens at key points in the chain. 3. Participation with SMEs and expert collaborators interested in the exportation of bovine meat to assist in the transference of the project. On 9th September, in the facilities of IRTA-CENTA Monells, a meeting of this project took place, which included a demonstration of the applications of High Hydrostatic Pressures in different bovine meat products. With the pressurization of filleted bovine meat products, besides making them more hygienic, it has been possible to prolong the useful life to over 2 months, if they remain at temperatures of 3ÂşC, which is an aspect of great interest for meat companies, given the applications that they are used for.
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Food Technology High pressures and oxidation of cooked and cured meat products
High pressures and foie gras
The application of high pressures allows the preservation of meat products to be improved, especially in products packed in slices, which are more sensitive to contamination during their preparation, but the technique can produce modifications in the structure of the food by increasing the oxidation. To evaluate this effect, cooked and cured ham treated with high pressures of 400, 600 and 900 MPa have been studied.
IRTA collaborates, as a research organisation subcontracted by Mas Parés (Innoducky, S.L.), within the framework of the CENIT-FUTURAL project. The objective of Mas Parés is to study the application of different types of processes based on high isostatic pressure technology and how it affects the stability of foie gras and the inactivation of its microbial flora.
The results show that there is greater oxidation in the products submitted to high pressures, but the differences are cancelled out during the period of preservation at temperatures lower than 5ºC or in the dark. The formation of cholesterol oxides was lower than 1 μg/g and the antioxidant enzymic activity did not show any differences. The quantity of vitamin E was variable in the hams and the colour of the products suffered a reduction in luminosity, red and yellow colour in the treatment with high pressures at 600 MPa compared to 400 MPa. The high pressures reduced the total counts of aerobic microorganisms and enterobacteria. In cured ham, there were less total aerobic microorganisms (<2 log cfu/g). During preservation, the reduction was even larger (<1.0 cfu/g), whereas, in the untreated hams, it was 5-6 cfu/g. The pressure of 600 MPa was the one that produced the greatest decrease. The counts of enterobacteria were not notably modified by the application of high pressures. The same thing was observed in cooked ham. The sensory analysis of the ham treated at 400 MPa showed higher values for hardness, salt, plastification and iridescence and a lower value for colour. In the cooked hams, differences were shown for salt, hardness, acceptability, flavour, friability, fibrocity, mordant and juiciness. In the study, it has been shown that the sensory differences can relate to a more compact structure in the treated hams, and that the different perception of the salty flavour can be related to the reduction of the space between fibre bundles and the effects on tissue water volume.
The specific activity of IRTA, in this collaboration, is based on carrying out analyses to determine the factors that affect the stability of the emulsion, the changes in the formulation to reduce the eventual defects created under conditions of pressurization and relate them to the organoleptic properties of the product. On the other hand, IRTA is undertaking microbiological inactivation studies for the microorganisms that can alter the preservation of the product in order to prolong shelf life without altering the organoleptic characteristics.
High pressures in infant food Ordesa Laboratories is participating in the CENIT-FUTURAL project with research support from IRTA in different areas, such as the study and application of new food technologies for the improvement of the production of infant liquid and powder formulae, the development of new lactic ingredients for infant formulae and the improvement of encapsulation systems for easily oxidized functional ingredients. During 2008, the studies have centred, principally, on the application of high isostatic pressure.
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Food Technology High frequencies in precooked dishes IRTA is collaborating, as a research organisation subcontracted by Noel Alimentaria S.A.U., within the framework of the CENIT-FUTURAL project. The objective for Noel Alimentaria is the study of the application of high frequencies in the cooking-pasteurization of precooked dishes to minimize the costs of the production process, obtaining a product with improved organoleptic characteristics. The specific activity of IRTA, in this collaboration, is based on determining the composition, dielectric and thermodynamic parameters of the precooked product in order to subject it to new technology based on the application of microwaves; to determine the most adequate packaging for containing the product treated by the new technology and compare the organoleptic characteristics with traditional thermal pasteurization technology.
How can transport affect the quality of lamb meat? This is the question that this project, initiated in 2008 and with a duration of 3 years, will try to answer by contributing new knowledge relative to the effects of the various characteristics of road transport on the welfare of small ruminants and their implications on the meat quality of these species. The project will specifically study homogeneous groups of animals by age, breed and sex, submitted to transport of varying duration, in conjunction with the differences in the concentration of welfare indicators (cortisol, CK, LDH), the frequency of evident macroscopic injuries (haematomas, fractures, etc.), as well as the indicative parameters of meat quality (colour, muscular pH, etc.), in order to determine the effects on the degree of stress suffered by the animals and the influence of transport stress on the qualitative parameters of small ruminant meat.
Religious sacrifice in the EU The DIALREL project is trying to deal with the questions related to the practice of ritual sacrifice, the market and the consumers. The principal aims of the project are to explore the conditions for promoting dialogue between interested parts and those involved in the process, and facilitate the adoption of good practices of religious sacrifice. Also, the project will revise and propose a mechanism for implementing and controlling these good practices in order to be able to satisfy the welfare standards of the EU and the expectations of the market and the consumers. In this project, IRTA is coordinating the task that will determine the incidence of religious sacrifice in the different countries of the EU and will evaluate the methods of sacrifice from the point of view of animal welfare. Also, the traditional consumption pattern of the food affected and the worries of the citizens concerning the quality and safety of the food will be examined.
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Food Technology Application of NIR spectroscopy in drying longaniza sausages In this research study, it has been possible to conclude that prediction by means of NIR gives a rapid and reliable approximation of the humidity content and the aw (water activity) of the surface of longaniza sausages and gives information about the salt content in the superficial part of the product. Homogenization of the samples, by means of mincing, significantly improves the results obtained compared to the models that use the spectra of entire pieces. Nevertheless, the determination of these parameters in the entire sample is considered adequate to be used as ‘input’ into the control system in order to improve the drying process. The selection of the appropriate probe is important to guarantee a suitable prediction of humidity, the aw value and their content in the superficial surface part of the sausages.
Other Activities Adhesion to INNOVAC IRTA has joined the Catalan Association for Innovation of the Pig Meat Sector “INNOVAC” as a member with full rights, in order to contribute to the fulfilment of the aims of the association and thus promote, help and facilitate innovative practices for improved competitiveness of the Catalan pig meat sector. INNOVAC is an initiative of the Olot Municipal Institute, the Girona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, FECIC, Noel Alimentaria S.A.U., Esteban Espuña S.A. and Transports Tresserras S.A.
Molecular markers of texture in cured ham Zhen Zongyuan, a graduate of Food Sciences from the College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, China, contacted IRTA about undertaking a doctoral thesis and he has obtained a two year scholarship from the Chinese government to achieve this. Zhen Zongyuan will stay with IRTA during 2008 and 2009. The topic of his thesis is related to the study of the influence that certain genetic markers can have on the texture of cured ham and it forms one of the activities of the Truefood project.
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Food Technology
Award to the best article of the year from the magazine Meat International The article entitled “Antimicrobial packaging for controlling Listeria” by Margarita Garriga, Teresa Aymerich, Josep M. Monfort and Begoña Marcos has received the award as best article of the year from the Meat International magazine, after a vote from its readers. This article was already the winner of the best article in May and, now, it has been given the Golden Microscope award, granted to the best article of the year. Robert Vink, editor of the magazine, came to Barcelona to hand over the award.
The VII edition of the International Course in Meat Product Technology From 22nd September to 22nd October, in the IRTA Monells facilities, the VII edition of the International Course in Meat Products Technology was held. The course was organized by the Scientific Technological Competence Centre for Transformed Meat Products (CECOC-PTC), with the collaboration of INIA and AECID. The course had a duration of 169 hours and was structured in eight modules. A total of 60% of the 55 students attending were from 14 Latin America countries and Portugal. The Spanish students came from Andalucía, Aragon, Canaries, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid and Valencia. The students were, in the main, professionals from meat, auxiliary products and machinery companies. In addition, professionals from public and private technology centres, universities and public administrations were represented.
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Food Technology
Meeting of the CENIT-FUTURAL project Food and Health of the Future is the Association of Business Interest (ABI) that leads the CENIT-FUTURAL project formed by the following companies: Laboratories Ordesa, NC Hyperbaric, Llet de Catalunya, Nanobiomatters and COVAP. In addition, apart from those that form the ABI, also taking part in the CENIT-FUTURAL project are: Barrufet, Casademont, Cervezas San Miguel, Conservas Azagresa, Cryovac, Danone, Eliat, Eroski, Exxentia, Foundación Alícia, Grupo Amcor Flexible, Metalquimia, Noel, Pita Hermanos, Soria Natural, Tecnolat, Ulma Packaging and Ultracongelados Virto, that all together provide participants from 23 companies. The project is trying to adapt new production and processed food technologies in order to obtain new foods or improve their processing, storage, preservation, etc., focusing on obtaining greater competitiveness for the companies. The meeting took place at the IRTA-CENTA on 9th July. The CENIT-FUTURAL project has been structured into six groups of activities:
· High pressure sterilization of canned vegetables and fish to develop stable foods at ambient temperature, with improved quality compared to thermally treated products.
· High pressure pasteurization and combination with other preservation techniques in order to launch new foods on the market, to increase the durability and/or increase the food safety of existing foods.
· Milk and milk product processing by means of emerging processing technologies for improving the organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of existing products and to commercialize new products.
· Substitution of conventional thermal treatment (heat transfer) by high frequency treatment (internal generation of heat) to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the product subjected to heat and its preservation.
· Development of new systems of active packaging that allow the quality to be maintained, to increase the durability, decrease the use of additives and to guarantee food safety.
· New applications of supercritical fluids in the food industry as alternatives to organic solvents, disinfection, deinsectization, etc.
Others
· Seminar concerning animal cloning for production and food safety – 29th May in Monells. · Seminar concerning the control of Listeria monocytogenes in the agrifood industry – 13th November in IRTA-CENTA Monells.
· Seminar concerning protective atmosphere packaging – 2nd April in IRTA-CENTA Monells. · Seminar on international food safety standards – 12th June in Girona.
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Post-harvest Better preconditioning of peaches and nectarines There is growing interest in the Spanish peach and nectarine sector, to produce and commercialize varieties with fruits of excellent quality and good acceptance by the consumers, as well as to improve their post-harvest management and preservation processes with a view to improve the competitiveness of the various agents involved in the production and commercial chain. This project, with INIA funding, is trying to develop the best preconditioning treatment for two of the currently most important varieties of peach (Rich Lady and Sweet Fire) and nectarine (Big Top and Venus), in order to improve the sensory quality of the fruit and to determine the best preservation technology (controlled atmosphere, storage period and commercial life at 20ยบC). In addition, 18 varieties of peach and nectarine will be classified according to their organoleptic characteristics, and these sensory characteristics will be correlated with the physico-chemical characteristics measured instrumentally for establishing their cold storage potential.
Irrigation of the cherry and influence on post-harvest In this project, the possibility of applying controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) for cherry trees has been studied, during the period before harvesting, for 3 consecutive years (2005-2007). The objective has been to affect the production levels in the minimum possible way compared to those receiving ideal irrigation and, at the same time, not to harm the quality of the cherry. The results of the experiments indicate that if stress on the plant of more than -1.5 MPa is avoided during deficit irrigation before the post-harvest period, it is possible to maintain the water potential of the stem, the production and the quality. The levels of water saving with this strategy have been calculated to be 40% a year. In the case of a plot with alternating production, the reductions in production, caused by CDI, can be avoided if the treatments begin during the year of low production. This maintenance of optimum productions has been observed consistently during the 3 years of the experiment.
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Food Technology Apples preserved in controlled atmosphere The preservation of apples in controlled atmosphere with very low levels of oxygen allows the standard quality of the fruit to be maintained and diminishes the incidence of alterations with regard to those preserved in normal cold atmosphere. Nevertheless, there are studies that indicate that this method of preservation produces a decrease in the concentration of some volatile compounds, provoking an alteration of the total aroma and, consequently, of fruit flavour, as well as resultant consumer satisfaction. Consequently, the objective of this study, financed by INIA, has been to verify if the use of an additional period in normal cold atmosphere, after cold storage in a controlled atmosphere with very low levels of oxygen, of the apple varieties ‘Fuji Kiku8’ and ‘Golden Reinders’, allows an improvement in their aromatic quality, while simultaneously maintaining their standard quality. In this way, it will be possible to increase the degree of satisfaction or acceptance on the part of the consumers. The results obtained for these two varieties have been very favourable, demonstrating that if the apples remain for 4 weeks in normal cold atmosphere, after their preservation in controlled atmosphere with very low levels of oxygen, there is regeneration of some volatile compounds without detriment to their standard quality (sugars, acidity and firmness). This increase of the aroma without loss of standard quality has allowed greater satisfaction to be obtained on the part of the consumer.
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Post-harvest Biocontrol agents for grape and citrus fruits The general objective of this project has been the adaptation of the biocontrol agents Candida sake CPA-1 and Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2 under conditions of environmental stress with the purpose of improving their survival and efficiency during the processes of formulation, stabilization and useful life of the formulated product and their application in the field. The principal results obtained after three years of research can be summarized as: 1. A formulation of C. sake improved under conditions of water and thermal stress, and had an acceptably good useful life (4-6 months) that can be applied to field conditions for the control of Botrytis cinerea in grape fermentation with similar, or even better, results than a chemical strategy. 2. A formulation of P. agglomerans improved under conditions of water and thermal stress, and had a useful ideal life (one year) that, applied at preharvest in citrus fruits, is capable of controlling postharvest diseases in horticultural establishments and, in addition, survives the manipulation process of citrus fruits. These results open a great range of possibilities for amplification of the spectrum of action of these two biocontrol agents, both at the level of different hosts and different application environments (treatment in the field).
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Mitigation of water stress In a scenario in which the reserves of irrigation water become depleted, the fruit producer can ask what intervention methods can be applied in order to ensure the maximum possible production. When the water shortage becomes so severe that it forces cuts in irrigation during the development cycle of a crop, there are two possible techniques that can still be applied. These are: intensive summer pruning and the clearing of fruit trees. In cases where the survival of the tree is not compromised, there has been interest in applying and clearing the fruit during the phases of fruit development. This is due to the fact that the elimination of fruit often has the advantage of improving the water status of the tree. On the other hand, the actuation mechanisms of fruit clearing on the improvement of the water status of the tree are not known, or whether this advantage is indefinite or tends to disappear with time. The study summarized here has determined that the improvement in the water status of the tree linked to fruit clearing is not constant after the elimination of the fruits. This improvement initially appears to be progressive, from the same day of clearing, until a maximum is reached from one month after clearing. These improvements in the water status of the tree remain functional for at least 2 months. Consequently, in this study, it was recommended that the intervention by clearing, as a water stress mitigation technique, should be carried out before the appearance of irrigation restrictions. The level of clearing that should be applied would depend on the level of water stress that the tree experiences. For example, an ideal threshold of 100 fruits per tree for a level of water stress equivalent to a stem water potential of -1.5 MPa could be defined. Nevertheless, it is evident that there is a need to receive forecasts concerning the moment and duration of irrigation restrictions in order to extract the maximum benefit from fruit clearing.
Food Technology Post-harvest On 29th May, the VII Post-harvest Seminar was held with the title of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Requirements and challenges of post-harvest treatments: how to confront themâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, at ETSEA in Lleida. The seminar had a notable public presence, since there were almost one hundred people present. During the day, one of the topics was the situation of fruit growing in the European Union, which is immersed in a full process of harmonization for the active substances and phytosanitary products formulated for use in the area of post-harvest. This process will lead to important repercussions that will affect both the free circulation of agrarian products in the EU and the possible disappearance from the market of certain active substances that are currently in use for the control of some post-harvest pathologies and physiopathies. Nevertheless, the new technological developments (some of which are already available, and some are still being studied) offer viable alternatives to conventional treatments.
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Other Food Areas Analysis of hair and feathers for the detection of antibiotic residues The accumulation of antibiotics has been studied in feather and hair of production animals, demonstrating, for the first time, the accumulation of enrofloxacin residues in hen feathers and tetracycline residues in pig hair after a pharmacological treatment. The residual levels in hair and feathers have been significantly higher than in samples of muscle from the same animal. This suggests the possibility of using hair/feather analysis as a complementary technique for extending detection in residue control plans. In addition, the transformation kinetics of tetracycline residues into anhydro-tetracyclines (ATCs, that show higher toxicity than the original compound) have been studied during heat treatment for cooking muscular tissue. The results confirm that ATC formation is associated with the intensity of the heat treatment of the food (microwave and cooking in boiling water), whereas the application of high hydrostatic pressures does not induce ATC formation. In collaboration with other groups involved in the project, different measurement devices have been optimized (biosensors and ELISA with magnetic nanoparticles) and a contaminated reference material has been produced for quality control in analysis laboratories.
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National Meat Congress IRTA, the Spanish Association of Equipment and Machinery Manufacturers for the Meat Industry (AMECAEFEMAC) and the EUROCARNE magazine organized the 4th edition of the National Meat Congress, from 9th to 10th October, in Lleida. The IV National Meat Congress was supported by the Lleida Convention Bureau, the Lleida Town Council and the Llotja AgropecuĂĄria from Mercolleida.
The Russian magazine SFERA reports on the QDS process The prestigious Russian magazine SFERA that covers the meat sector has published, in its September edition, an article about the QDS (Quick-Dry-Slice) system developed by IRTA together with the MetalquĂmia and Casademont companies.
Food Technology
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Aquaculture
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76. Aquaculture
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Aquaculture Reproduction of the meagre
Rearing meagre
IRTA is employed on several projects concerning the meagre, since it is considered to be an alternative species to the sea bass for its high growth potential in cages and its filet characteristics that have high protein and low fat levels.
Continuing with the studies on this species, its rearing has been studied through a project financed by Jacumar, in which, apart from IRTA, other centres from various Autonomous Communities – Andalucía, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Murcia and Valencia – have participated. The three first centres have undertaken projects on reproduction and larval rearing, and the other two have been involved in a project related more to weaning and the use of artificial diets.
A research project that started in July 2008, with INIA funding, in collaboration with IATS-CSIC and the University of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, is being carried out to investigate the reproduction of the meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in captivity. Areas covered include the period of gametogenesis, the use of microsatellites as genetic tools for the analysis of paternity, hormone-induced development and environmental control that, together, constitute a basis for good management of broodstock animals and the production of eggs.
The project undertaken by IRTA has consisted of creating a ‘stock’ of breeding animals and obtaining spawnings by means of hormonal induction with various types of application (injection, implant), studying the factors that influence spawning in order to obtain natural spawning in the future. In addition, aspects related to larval zootechniques have been studied. To achieve this, work has been carried out on cultivation parameters, such as the density of larvae and preys, the ideal conditions of light (intensity and photoperiod), alternation of preys and distribution periods more adapted for the species, as well as nutritional requirements. The project has been undertaken over a period of 3 years (2006-2008) and has had very optimistic preliminary results, since, by means of both hormonal induction techniques, very good quality spawnings have been obtained, which have allowed some of the larval zootechnical experiments initially proposed (study of the effect of larval density and the initial density of live preys) to be carried out. In addition, spawnings have been given to the other research centres in the project, as well as to private companies with which IRTA collaborates. Currently, IRTA has a ‘stock’ of breeding animals from two different origins (wild, captured on the Portuguese coast, and reared, from cultivation facilities in the Canary Islands) that are in use for other projects created later (such as the one mentioned previously on reproduction).
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Aquaculture Vitamin A in sea bream and sole larvae
Effects of Vitamin A on the reproduction of sea bream
Studies have been undertaken on retinoid enrichment and impoverishment standards (retinol, retinyl palmitate and retinoic acid) in live preys (rotifers and Artemia), as instruments for nutritional dose-response studies in marine fish larvae, given the fact that it is impossible to feed sea bream and sole larvae with inert diets (microdiets) during the stages of initial development.
In this research study, it was observed that an excess of 10 times the recommended level of vitamin A in the diet did not significantly affect the volume or the quality of the spawnings. On the other hand, when the increase was 100 times, a significant reduction was produced in the quality (volume of floating eggs), the quantity of the spawnings and the viability of the offspring. At the end of the experiment, the group fed on the diet with the largest vitamin A content died as a result of sudden death syndrome, due to reproductive stress associated with excess vitamin A in the diet and the incapacity of sea bream to regulate its own body levels of this vitamin.
The results of the effect of vitamin A levels in the diet (rotifer feeding phase) on the appearance of skeletal malformations in sea bream have demonstrated that the different nutritional treatments affected the growth, survival and larval quality (typology and frequency of malformations), indicating that sea bream larvae are very sensitive to small increases in the vitamin A content. The great sensitivity of skeletogenesis to the levels of vitamin A used suggests that the use of diets with less vitamin A content during the first stages of larval development should be evaluated. By using only Artemia metanauplii with sole larvae, differences have been observed in the typology of skeletal malformations, their incidence and the effects of vitamin A on growth and survival of the larvae. The levels of vitamin A were not toxic, as in the case of the sea bream, and did not affect the survival, weight, development of the digestive apparatus or the process of metamorphosis, but did affect the development of the skeletal tissue. In addition, it has been shown that an excess of vitamin A, in the initial stages of development, provokes a significant decrease in larval survival in sole, whereas the same thing does not happen at more advanced ages, and also negatively affects the quality of the animal.
Intensive culture and repopulation of clams Initiated in 2008 and with 3 year funding from MARM, this study is trying to optimize the intensive culture of the clam, by determining the spawning quality criteria, undertaking larval feeding trials and identifying the microbial flora associated with current mortalities present in the different cultivation phases. Later, this study will undertake repopulation monitoring and will determine the incidence on the natural environment by means of the identification of genetic markers, as well as the characterization and genetic variability of the stock from natural beds and those from aquaculture.
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Aquaculture Preservation of the twaite shad in the River Ebro The migratory anadromous fish species, such as the twaite shad (Alosa fallax), have been one of the components of the ichthyological fauna most affected by the intense modification of the large fluvial European watercourses, up to the point that, currently, they are one of the most threatened groups of vertebrate fauna. In the final stretch of the River Ebro, the presence of the twaite shad was important, both in the Iberian context and for the fluvial Mediterranean basins, until approximately 40-50 years ago, when it was the object of fishing exploitation by means of tuna almabrabas in areas along the banks of the Baix Ebre, such as at Xerta and Tivenys. With the decrease of the catches and the decline of the fisheries, the species was almost forgotten, and it is now practically unknown among the inhabitants of the riverside villages. As for the scientific knowledge of the species, the situation is not very different.
However, a few years ago, the existence of notable populations was confirmed and this suggested a trend in the recovery of the species. The studies undertaken include the first ecobiological and genetic estimations, as well as the collection of oral testimonies in relation to the recent history of the former fisheries. Among the results, the identification and characterization of reproduction areas stands out, which are found exclusively below the Assut de Xerta-Tivenys. The biological studies, based on the catch of specimens with the participation of local fishermen, are allowing the basic morphological features of the species in the Ebro to be characterized. The results of the genetic analysis with mitochondrial (Cyt-b and ND-1) and nuclear (microsatellite) markers are facilitating genetic characterization, which has a surprising diversity and would indicate a high recovery potential, as well as a high degree of genetic differential identity with regard to other populations of the Mediterranean. The molecular biology is also demonstrating some of the serious underlying problems of preservation, such as the phenomenon of genetic introgression (hybridization) with another migratory clupeid fish of the Ebro, the allis shad (Alosa alosa), which is even more threatened that the twaite shad.
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The results highlight the serious deficiency of the Ebro for harbouring breeding populations of anadromous species, as a consequence of the loss of the fluvial continuity created by dams, reservoirs and other hydraulic installations, which add to the alteration of the natural hydrological dynamics of the river. Among the specific impact factors, the one imposed by the Assut de XertTivenys (a weir) should be emphasized, since it is an almost impenetrable barrier to migration.
Design of biosensors to detect aquatic toxins This project, which began in 2008, is trying to design new biosensors and adapt those that already exist for the detection of aquatic toxins. Firstly, the biosensors are applied to a rapid and preliminary â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;screeningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of water samples, microalgae (from cultures and from natural blooms) and bivalves in the production areas, in order to investigate their real applicability. The proposal, with INIA funding, hopes to optimize the applicability in field samples, improving the accuracy of the analyses by adapting the extraction and fractionation processes to the protocols of trials and biosensors. In addition, the proposal is aiming to exploit new biorecognition molecules, such as the enzymes obtained by genetic engineering, and aptameters for okadaic acid, yesotoxins and microcystins, with the intention of improving and introducing new sensitive configurations for generic colorimetric, fluorimetric and electrochemical platforms.
Aquaculture Control of toxic microalgae blooms
CENIT-ACUISOST Programme
Every year, large blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. are observed along the Catalan coast (P. calliantha, P. multistriata and P. delicatissima), which are species that are documented as being toxic in other locations.
The objective of CENIT-ACUISOST (“Towards Sustainable Aquaculture”) is research and innovation in the field of fish production, with the aim of obtaining aquaculture that is economically profitable, competitive, respectful with the environment, and with a clear vision of the future.
The main tools for monitoring the appearance of these blooms are optical microscopy and toxin detection analysis. Although the differentiation of the toxin producers from the non-toxin producers can help to improve the management of the potentially toxic cases, this distinction can only be obtained by means of electron microscopy or genetic sequencing. The present species in Alfacs Bay, Tarragona are: P. calliantha, P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. multistriata, and P. pungens. In this study, qPCR methods have been developed for the enumeration and identification of six species present in the bay that will be of great help for the future monitoring of the microalgae.
The industrial strategic research dealt with in this project intends to generate new knowledge useful for the creation of new products, processes and services, thus contributing to a better technological positioning of Spanish production and, therefore, its competitiveness. In order to achieve this, ACUISOST (http://www.acuisost. es) has been designed as three large subprojects, which are trying to achieve the development and evaluation of raw materials, technologies and systems applied to the aquaculture sector, dealing with aspects such as aquaculture nutrition, biosecurity, the marketing of added value products, food safety and the minimization and re-evaluation of by-products that promote a rational and sustainable production. IRTA is actively participating in the first subproject, with the final aim of the development of new aquaculture feed by means of the production of new diets for cultivated species, based on nutritional quality and food safety, with the incorporation of new raw materials. In order to achieve this, IRTA has been contracted by three of the participant companies:
· DIBAQ Group (Coordinator of the project), who has
entrusted IRTA with the task related to probiotics in aquaculture and the nutritional and environmental evaluation of different diets in three different marine species (sea bream, sea bass and sole), in which growth, survival and viability during cultivation is being evaluated.
· Proalan, S.A., for whom IRTA is undertaking studies
on the nutrition of larvae and fry, in order to develop and evaluate the effects that protein hydrolysates have on the cultivation of marine fish larvae.
· OX-CTA, S.L., with whom IRTA is working on fish
farm biosecurity, where basically the designs, developments and integration of biosecurity programmes based on the sustainability of cultivation are studied.
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Aquaculture Recirculation technology and disinfection with ozone
This project, which is currently being carried out, is planning three experiments using ozone:
In the IRTA facilities at Sant Carles de la Ràpita, an ozone generating system (5 g/h) for carrying out pilot scale experiments, and an ozone water treatment system (90 g/h) to disinfect the residual water from the Pathology room have been installed. Previously, the pathogens were eliminated by seawater filtration using a 50 μm filter and subsequent disinfection with high doses of sodium hypochlorite.
1. Rotifer disinfection trials with different concentrations of ozone and contact times. 2. Determination of the redox potential concentration and time necessary to eliminate Karlodinium and to deactivate the toxin released. 3. Dose of ozone required in order to work without biofilters in closed circuits.
Other Activities Press Day and visit to the aquaculture facilities On 9th July an open day was organized for the press in the aquaculture facilities at Sant Carles de la Ràpita with the attendance of the Director General of Fishing and Marine Action, Martí Sans. The activities undertaken by IRTA in Sant Carles de la Ràpita were explained to the journalists present by both units housed on site: Aquaculture (working mainly on research and development of mollusc, crustacean and fish rearing) and Aquatic Ecosystems (that has its main challenges related to the management and sustainable control of rivers and lagoons, the control of pests or the production of biodiesel by means of algal culture). The day consisted of two separate parts. In the first one, the research and projects undertaken were explained and, in the second one, the facilities were visited.
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Aquaculture
Cell culture service This year, the IRTA Cell Culture Service has been started in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, which now provides the research projects and the activities of the whole of IRTA and other institutes with the possibility of the culture and maintenance of stable cell strains and the ability to set up trials with these lines, for specialized personnel, with guarantees of flexibility and adaptation to specific requirements. The services offered are:
· Acquisition and starting of stable cell line cultures. · Maintenance of cell line cultures under strict conditions of sterility to assure the high quality execution of associated experiments.
· Maintenance of cell line ‘stocks’ in liquid nitrogen. · Undertaking cytotoxicity studies on cell lines from different origins (fibroblasts, neuroblastoma cells, epithelial, etc.).
· Statistical quantification of toxicological parameters: EC50, EC20, EC80, NOEC, LOAEC, etc. · Possibility of incorporating new culture protocols and cell experimentation adapted to each project. · Optical microphotography service. · Training in basic cell culture techniques. · Possibility of making the facilities in the laboratory available to other users for use within strict standard procedures established depending on the requirements.
Participation in the EFSA report on the future aquaculture health policy The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently presented its report to the European Commission concerning susceptible and vector species for diseases of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. In this report, IRTA researchers from the aquaculture section participated in the work groups on diseases and risk analysis. The result of these reports will affect Commission policy for defining a list of vector species that will influence the introduction of live animals (fish, molluscs and crustaceans) into aquaculture enterprises in disease free zones.
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Environment
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84. Integral Management of Organic Residues 86. Aquatic Ecosystems
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Integral Management of Organic Residues Biofiltration as a tool for eliminating ammonia
Microremediation for biodegradation of hydrocarbons
AMOFILTER is the name of one of the projects that GIRO CT has worked on during 2008. Its main objective is to increase the practical and theoretical knowledge of biofiltration in order to promote its use and synergy among companies and research centres. In this respect, the potential for the degree of development, implementation and use of biofiltration for treating gases from livestock activity is being studied, as well as the main technical barriers that hinder more widespread use.
Bioremediation is a technology that exploits the metabolism of microorganisms for the transformation of pollutants into innocuous products. In comparison with other physico-chemical techniques, bioremediation is potentially more efficient, economic, rapid and sustainable. In addition, it is prioritized by the current legal framework, since Real Decreto 9/2005 gives priority to those activities that avoid the generation and movement of residues. At the same time, the elimination of the area of pollution and the reduction of the concentration of the pollutants in situ by low cost technologies is also prioritized, providing it is possible. In this legal scenario, the bioremediation of soil pollutants has great potential and it needs to be considered and developed as a very competitive environmental technology in the industrial water and contaminated soils sector.
The project centres on the study of the effect of different biofilter operational and design parameters for the elimination of ammonia, a compound liberated in large quantities on livestock farms, and which is responsible for problems related to bad smells, as well as acidification and eutrophication of ecosystems. Specifically, the project will analyze the interactions between the different processes involved in the elimination of ammonia (dispersion, adsorption, absorption and metabolism), which will be integrated in a numerical model to describe the function of the biofilter precisely. This model will allow the most important parameters for optimized operation of the biofilters to be identified, and this will facilitate the implementation of the technology at the farm level.
The GIRO CT contaminated soils and aquifers bioremediation group has been working, since 2008, on a project financed by AECID that has the main objective of establishing bases of collaboration in teaching and research between GIRO CT, Cuyo National University, in Argentina, and the University of Cantabria, in order to strengthen the knowledge on the topic of bioremediation for soils contaminated by hydrocarbons. The specific aims of the project centre on the enzymatic characterization of fungi that are degraders of aromatic high molecular weight hydrocarbons, isolated from soils contaminated by hydrocarbons, and the effect of the addition of these degrading fungi on the autochthonous fungal and bacterial biodiversity of contaminated soil using molecular tools, as well as also determining their effect on the biodegradation of heavy hydrocarbons in soil.
Computer tool for codigestion In 2008, the GIRO CT Area of Anaerobic Digestion finished the CADCRAI project, financed by MEC, which had as an objective the development of a computer application that would act as a guide in decision making. This application will allow the optimization of the operation and the simulation of the behaviour of anaerobic reactors that deal with mixtures of organic residues, from different origins, by codigestion, in order to maximize the production of biogas, to avoid problems of organic overloads and to reduce the time and cost of previous experimentation.
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Environment
The results obtained in the study have allowed the ‘know how’ for this process to be increased and to identify the different parameters that occur in anaerobic digestion. In addition, it has led to the opportunity of obtaining another project related to this area, called OPA-LAP.
This new project, which will extend until the year 2010, has the objective to study methods for optimizing the process of anaerobic digestion of the fats in residues of animal origin from the meat industry.
Other Activities Congress at the Expoáviga Fair During the 16th, 17th and 18th April, in Barcelona, the first edition of the Spanish Congress of the Integral Management of Livestock Manure was held. The congress was organized by GIRO CT and took place within the framework of the Expoáviga Fair. The presentations from experts were used by farmers and representatives from the administrations to consider the multiple factors that interact in the management of livestock manure: the feeding of the herd, management of the farm, the logistics of transport, agrarian fertilization and the technological processes of transformation. This was the first time in Spain that the topic had been dealt with in all its aspects using an integral approach.
Visit of Minister Baltasar to the GIRO Technology Centre In the middle of October, GIRO CT received an official visit from the Minister of Environment and Housing, Francesc Baltasar. The Minister, accompanied by the mayor of Mollet del Vallès, Josep Monràs, and other members of the Department of Environment and Housing, the Residues Agency of Catalonia and the Catalan Water Agency, visited the facilities of the centre, the laboratories and the document centre. During the meeting, the Minister admitted that he had been surprised by the scientific potential of the centre and spoke about the importance of getting to know and promoting its activity at the state and international level.
Other milestones of GIRO CT in 2008 During 2008, GIRO CT:
· Has obtained accreditation for the introduction of the quality system for the services of the centre, according to the requirements of Red IT.
· Has created a Document Centre specializing in the area of research and management of organic residues, thanks to the support of the Residues Agency of Catalonia.
· Has participated in the OECD International Workshop, in Florence (USA), with a keynote presentation entitled “Manure treatment technologies: on-farm versus centralized strategies. NE Spain as a case study”.
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Aquatic Ecosystems Reintroduction of stream and pond turtles, and Mediterranean tortoises
Preservation and management of the Mediterranean tortoise on Menorca
In 2008, the annual monitoring of all the reintroduced populations of chelonias in the Ebro Delta National Park has been undertaking again in order to determine their current situation. The populations studied were the stream turtle Mauremys leprosa, in Zone 12 (enclosure), the pond turtle Emys orbicularis, in the Canel Vell (strengthening the already existing population) on the Isla de Buda (re-introduced in 2006), and the Mediterranean tortoise, Testudo hermanni, in the Punta de la Banya, introduced in 1967. The annual monitoring allows the state of the chelonia populations that exist in the park to be determined and evaluates the efficiency of the reintroduction and reinforcement projects undertaken.
The Mediterranean tortoise Testudo hermanni is considered to be in danger of extinction in Spain. In the Balearic Islands, it is catalogued as near threatened, since, at least in Menorca, areas with good populations can still be found. The study of the Menorcan populations can help to determine which the important factors for its survival are.
For the stream turtle, only five specimens were captured, which indicates that a viable population has not been able to form and that the coastal lagoons habitat, where the conditions of salinity change throughout the year, are possibly not suitable areas for the establishment of populations of this species.
During 2008, knowledge of the demography (density, sex-ratio, age ratios and survival) and the biometry (weight and length) of five populations of Mediterranean tortoise that have been studied regularly since 2003 were increased and studied in greater depth. During the spring and autumn, a total of 1,509 catches of tortoises (including recatches) have been undertaken. Significant differences were found between the five populations studied in the measurements of both sexes. In general, the populations from the south had larger body measurements that the populations from the north. The density of adults also gave important differences between populations, with a variation of between 8 to 52 tortoises/hectare (the latter figure is one of the highest ever recorded for this species). The annual survival rates varied between populations, sexes and ages (from 0.66 to 0.98).
In the case of the pond turtle, a small natural population is kept in Zone 12 (enclosure) and its long term viability is not known. In the Canel Vell lagoon, there is a small population of approximately 30-40 specimens in a stable situation or with slight population growth. On the Isla de Buda, it has been possible to confirm that almost 50% of the liberated specimens remain in the area and that all of them have shown important growth, which indicates the habitat is adequate for the maintenance and survival of this species. The population of the Mediterranean tortoise is comprised of at least 117 specimens. Currently, this is the only project in which its viability has been demonstrated in the long term.
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From the results obtained, management measures for the species in Menorca have been proposed, such as avoiding their liberation in areas where there are already tortoise populations and the need to define clearly the most suitable areas for their survival.
Environment
Biodiesel with a marine origin
The fight against the black fly
The production of biofuels basically from cereals (bioethanol) or oilseed (biodiesel) has led to some collateral effects that have cast doubt on the initial ecological and economic benefits that were originally considered. As a result of this challenge, IRTA is studying the viability of producing biodiesel from the culture of marine microalgae.
The IRTA Unit of Aquatic Ecosystems manages the surveys in the River Ebro to detect the presence and number of larvae and adults of the black fly. In 2008, a total of 19 surveys were undertaken, spread over 4 weeks, in order to be able to establish the most appropriate moment to carry out the treatments in the fight against this pest.
Studying the effects of the rise in sea level
Marine microalgae are appearing as one of the best alternatives to oilseeds for the production of biodiesel. In fact, the first results show an astounding competitive superiority compared to terrestrial oilseed cultivation. Microalgae are capable of producing lipids (the fats from which biodiesel is obtained) at a speed 30 times greater than any leguminous plant currently cultivated. Such a high synthesis capacity is one of the aspects that has caught the attention of scientists, researchers, administrations and companies. However, the microalgae have more advantages, since, in addition, they doubly sequester CO2 naturally. Doubly because they not only need it to grow, but it has also been observed that this growth can be stimulated by adding more CO2. The project has begun with the isolation of the most interesting strains from the marine environment and by studying the most favourable conditions for their maximum development, first on a laboratory scale and then in large volumes. Once this initial phase was completed, it was possible to proceed to the collection process, drying and extraction of the lipids (triglycerides) which are used in the production of biodiesel.
Initiated in 2008, this project, financed by MARM, has the objective of developing experimental techniques to mitigate the regression and the loss of elevation (subsidence and rise of the sea level) of the humid coastal zones, using the Ebro Delta as a representative coastal system for studying the vulnerability to climate change and the deficit of sediments. These techniques are based on the creation of artificial humid zones, designed to optimize their function for alleviating the effect of marine storms, the rise in the sea level and subsidence, with the additional aim of using them as biological filters to improve the water quality from agricultural drainage (rice fields).
Other Activities Seminars:
· Course on Systems Ecology, in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, from 21st July to 1st August.
· The III International Course on Ecological Modelling, in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, from 10th November to 15th November.
· Seminar on the impact of the residues in the Flix reservoir, 6th February, in the Faculty of Juridical Sciences, University Rovira and Virgili, in the Campus Tarragona Centre.
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Agrifood Economy
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90. Economy
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Economy Decoupled payments and production decisions
Consumer behaviour towards certain elements
During 2008, research related to the effects of decoupled payments on production decisions has centred on two main questions: the effects on efficiency and investment decisions.
During 2008, CREDA has developed various studies directed towards penetrating more into consumer behaviour in relation to certain foods. Specifically, the studies have concerned products with guaranteed certification, ecological products and transgenic foods.
To the extent that decoupling of farm income payments could alter the use of production factors, it can also affect the technical efficiency with which agricultural farming operates. In this respect, CREDA has continued working on the line of research, already initiated in previous years, related to the impacts of decoupling on technical efficiency. The work has centred both on methodological aspects and on those of a more empirical character. The consideration of the uncertainty inherent in any process of decision making, as well as the risk priorities, stand out as the most important contributions of CREDA to the published literature. The results obtained point towards a reduction of efficiency as a consequence of decoupled payments. In case decoupling has the capacity to alter the investment demands, its effects should be studied in a dynamic framework (the capital, at any particular moment, depends on the decisions taken in the past). The literature on this question is still very elementary and, therefore, the work of CREDA covers an important lack. This work has centred both on the development of methodological proposals and in the undertaking of empirical analyses. In both cases, the research team has taken special care in modelling the risk and risk priorities. The results point towards a positive influence of decoupling payments on investments in agricultural farming.
Although the results differ notably, depending on the product analyzed, in general terms, it can be affirmed that consumer sociodemographic characteristics are becoming less of a relevant factor to explain consumer behaviour. The life styles, degree of knowledge, perceived risk and attitudes allow the behaviour of individuals to be differentiated much better. In relation to transgenic foods, a very low level of knowledge has been detected in consumers and, in many cases, it is only partial, taking into account the information sources consumers use to be kept informed. In relation to ecological products, the results indicate that it will continue being a minority segment because of the sale prices and the deficient marketing structures that exist.
Adoption of new techniques for agricultural production Among the research lines at CREDA, there is one that studies the determining factors for the adoption of new production techniques in agriculture. The research team has developed, in this respect, innovative methodological proposals that give special attention to the inherent risk in production decisions and in the risk priorities. During the last year, CREDA has been working especially on duration models that help to explain both the adoption decision and the time taking over this decision. The application of these techniques, to identify the factors that condition the decisions to adopt ecological production systems, suggests the relevance of both economic (prices, costs, subsidies, etc.) and non-economic (preferences/priorities, training level, etc.) factors.
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Agrifood Economy Transfer of prices along the commercial chain
Efficiency of agricultural operations Technical efficiency is a pre-requirement for economic efficiency that, simultaneously, is a condition necessary for economic sustainability. In this respect, it is necessary to determine the technical efficiency with which agricultural establishments operate and CREDA has continued working on this line of research. Of the work developed during 2008, the application of the latest generation methodologies for the study of this question stands out; specifically, the methods with maximum local probability and the methods of dynamic efficiency. The application of these techniques for comparing between ecological and conventional operations suggests that ecological ones have low levels of technical efficiency.
CREDA has signed an agreement with the Subdirectorate General of Analysis, Forecasting and Coordination (SGAPC) of the Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Resources (MARM) to analyze the price transmission mechanisms along the marketing chain. The work has centred on five established products: tomato, lemons, small fish, veal and liquid milk. The results indicate that the prices received by the producer and at the wholesale level are much more volatile than the consumer prices, which are much more stable through any given time period. Likewise, there is a certain increase in the commercial margin, with time, in favour of the retail sector. This amplification of the margin happens when the prices to the producer decrease and not when they increase. Finally, it has been shown that changes in the demand and not the production costs (excluding specific points in time) govern the behaviour of the prices along the chain.
Other Activities International Collaborations CREDA collaborates actively with the University of Bio Bio (Chile) giving lectures for a Masters course in Agrobusiness. Two conferences have been given on the interchanges between MERCOSUR and the EU and on the price crisis in world agriculture. In addition, it also had various meetings with the rectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team in order to stimulate the creation of a Research Centre in Agrifood Economy, together with various professors from the Faculty of Business Sciences. Likewise, in the international arena, CREDA was invited for the Plenary Paper â&#x20AC;&#x153;The agrifood sector faced with the dilemmas of development: an approach from Europeâ&#x20AC;?, at the II Regional Congress of Agrarian Economy (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay), that took place in Montevideo from 5th to 7th November. Also, a seminar was given on methods of Evaluation in Agrarian Economy and collaboration ties with the three associations of agrarian economy mentioned were strengthened.
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Economy
I Workshop on evaluation methods in Agrifood and Environmental Economics On the 3rd and 4th July 2008, CREDA organized the first in a series of 4 workshops: I Workshop on evaluation methods in Agrifood and Environmental Economics in collaboration with the European Association of Agricultural Economics (EAAE) and the Spanish Association of Agrarian Economy (AEEA). This dealt with a pioneering initiative in CREDA, in the form of workshop dedicated to a very specific methodological topic, with a small group of participants (50 in this first edition). This first Workshop was devoted to Choice Experiments. The results were very satisfactory and, as a result, CREDA has promised to organize three additional Workshops (2009, 2010 and 2011). The next one has already been launched and it will be held again in Castelldefels, with the same format, and it will be dedicated, in this case, to Experimental Auctions.
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