ANNUAL REPORT 2009 by IRTA

annual report

2009

PRESENTACIÓ Introduction ..................................................................... 4 The Managing Director’s Report ................................. 4 The Scientific Director’s Report .................................. 6 IRTA’s Scientific Structure ........................................... 7 IRTA in Figures ................................................................. 8 Own Centres .............................................................. 8 Centres in a Consortium Network ............................... 9 Figures ..................................................................... 10 IRTA ................................................................................ 14 Plant Production ............................................................ 18 Postharvest .............................................................. 20 Fruit Production ....................................................... 22 Field Crops ............................................................... 30 Sustainable Plant Protection ..................................... 34 Genomics and Biotechnology ................................... 38 Animal Production ......................................................... 42 Animal Breeding and Genetics .................................. 44 Nutrition, Health and Animal Welfare ......................... 48 Aquaculture .............................................................. 52 Animal Health ........................................................... 56 Food Industries .............................................................. 60 Food Technology ...................................................... 62 Product Quality ......................................................... 66 Food Safety .............................................................. 68 Functionality and Nutrition ........................................ 70 Environment and Global Change ................................... 72 Organic Waste Integral Management ........................ 74 Aquatic Ecosystems ................................................. 76 Environmental Horticulture ....................................... 78 Ecological Production and Bioenergy ........................ 82 Efficient Use of Water ............................................... 84 Agro-Food Economics .................................................... 86

The Managing Director’s Report 2009: a year of sustained effort at the Institute in times of crisis This year our entire society and country has been passing through a structural crisis with varying implications and consequences for different sectors of economic activity, and which has certainly not left the world of research unaffected. Despite this unfavourable situation, IRTA was able to close 2009 with its finances in a very satisfactory position, thanks not only to the sustained and increased effort that has been devoted to securing new R&D projects both at home and abroad, but also to our continuing collaboration with private companies and all the determined effort and good husbandry that has gone into limiting expenditure in all areas of IRTA’s activities. It is thus the result of the day-by-day efforts made by each one of us during the year, and is an achievement that makes me feel proud of all the people that I have the pleasure of directing in the course of my duties. We should underline that, despite this period of crisis, diligent groundwork in the analysis, planning and forecasting of those sectors that will have the greatest impact on the future of the Catalan agri-food industry has enabled us to generate and acquire the necessary resources to make new investments during the course of the year in top-level equipment and infrastructure worth a total of 10 million euros. It is through such investment, together with others made over the course of the last few years, that the Institute has clearly committed itself to attaining the highest levels of quality in the research it conducts in the Catalan agri-food sector so as to contribute to the competitiveness of our companies and ultimately to the continuing progress of our country. It thus represents a clear commitment to the future of the Institute which will enable it to continue to give added value in terms of R&D to the food industry in Catalonia. As a result of this policy, our new experimental feed mill and our new pig and poultry farms were opened in December at Mas de Bover, representing a total investment of over 6.3 million euros. In addition, the foundation stone was laid in September for our Fruitcentre, a unique construction which is destined to become an international benchmark facility in terms of the production and postproduction of fruit. New lines of investment foreseen for the immediate future will serve to double the capacity of our aquaculture centre at Sant Carles de la Ràpita and to prepare the Torre Marimon site as IRTA’s future headquarters. IRTA’s operational record during the course of 2009 is outstanding. In terms of key figures, suffice it to say that we undertook a total of 681 different operations, have 394 contracts currently in place with private companies for a value of 9.1 million euros, produced over 750 scientific and technical publications, 239 scientific articles, 245 technical symposia or demonstration seminars attended by a total of 13,000 people, and that our research activities in 2009 led to 4 domestic patents and 4 international patent extensions.

Introduction Before outlining some of the most important operations we have undertaken in 2009, it is worth referring to a significant development that occurred in April, when the Parliament of Catalonia unanimously approved a new legal framework for our Institute which endows IRTA with a management structure and objectives that are more in keeping with current requirements. With regard to our operational activities, details of which are provided in the documentation accompanying this report, an important development has been the initiation of the activities of the European HighTech network, which focuses on new food technologies, analysing how they can be adopted by European industry and laying the foundations for the creation of a future European centre for the development of new agri-food technologies. The programme for the genetic enhancement of apples, pears, peaches and nectarines made good progress during the year, and the visit to the headquarters of Plant and Food Research Institute in New Zealand, which is one of our strategic partners in this programme, helped us to develop further our definition of the business model that will enable us to exploit the programme’s end results. In the general field of plant production, a noteworthy aspect of IRTA’s activities has been our participation in projects for sequencing the genome of both melon and peach, together with the establishment of a new collaboration project with PLAMECA, a company operating in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants. As is explained in the Scientific Director’s report, IRTA is looking to the future from a position of renewed internal strength (thanks to its new scientific structure) backed up by a strengthened relationship with the food production sector. The contribution made by the International Campus of Excellence programmes and the development of the Catalan Government’s Research and Innovation Plan give us the opportunity, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action, to play an active role in the definition and development of the agri-food research and development system in Catalonia, where we hope to continue to act as an essential structural framework which will contribute to the competitiveness of the industry.

Josep Maria Monfort Managing Director

The Scientific Director’s Report 2009 has been the year in which IRTA has defined and established its scientific structure with the aim of reinforcing its technological research activities, facilitating interaction between researchers in similar or complementary fields, encouraging internationalization, and enhancing the effectiveness of the organization’s efforts to attract new talent. This structure is organized into four departments: Plant Production, Animal Production, Agri-Food Industries, and Environment and Global Change. Within these departments we have defined 16 Programmes (between 3 and 5 per department), each of which is managed by a Programme Coordinator, and a number of Sub-Programmes (between 1 and 3 per Programme) under the responsibility of a Programme Manager. Each SubProgramme represents a clearly-defined discipline or product. Many Sub-Programmes are operated by a group of researchers (usually 5-10), which gives it a minimum critical mass that ensures an adequate level of scientific production and the ability to interact successfully with outside industry. By organizing the Institute’s operations along these lines we have changed the relationship between researchers’ geographical location at a particular Centre or Field Station and their scientific mission. In other words, researchers who work in the same field are grouped into the same scientific unit (i.e. Programme or Sub-Programme), even if they work at different IRTA centres. In this way we aim to facilitate transversality, so as to establish synergies and make the best use of the available facilities. Such interaction is more difficult to achieve at IRTA compared with other research organizations, given our geographical distribution throughout Catalonia. This overall structure has been completed by the creation of a new post, that of the Scientific Director, and a new body, the Scientific Committee. The Scientific Director, who has the status of Deputy Managing Director, is at the head of the scientific hierarchy and assumes joint responsibility with the Managing Director of IRTA in the fields of research, the pursuit of excellence and transversality between the various different Departments and Programmes. The Scientific Committee is an organ with the powers to debate, assess and make proposals in relation to IRTA’s scientific operations, and consists of the Scientific Director and all Programme Coordinators and Programme Managers. One of the Scientific Director’s first actions has been to encourage the drawing up of a strategic plan for each Programme, consisting of a review of all the technological and R&D operations undertaken in recent years within the ambit of the various Sub-Programmes included in the particular Programme concerned, and a proposal for the future based on an analysis of the likely evolution of the sectoral, industrial and scientific environment. The strategic plan is summarized in a report which is assessed by a group of international experts who make a two-day visit to the Programme’s researchers and facilities and produce a review document. The strategic plans and their external assessment are thus elements for reflection and internal debate, and will be used as fundamental tools for the taking of strategic decisions within IRTA concerning the distribution of resources and the future direction of the various scientific lines of research. At the same time, researchers’ access to the reports and participation in the oral presentation of each Programme facilitate transversality between the different operational lines. Strategic plans and assessments for the various Programmes are already under way, and it is foreseen that these will be completed for all 16 Programmes during the course of 2010. Scientific excellence is at the heart of our ability to provide our society with a good service and our capacity to convert investment in scientific research into results that can improve the competitiveness of our companies and the wellbeing of our fellow citizens. The Scientific Director’s role is also to determine and to monitor the quantity and quality of the scientific activity and transfer of technology being produced both at an individual level and at a collective level for the whole of IRTA, seeking indicators of the operations undertaken that will provide a more accurate vision of the progress of our research and of its relevance for society at large. It is also to seek and retain the talented staff who can ensure that IRTA will continue to progress in its scientific work in the future.

Pere Arús Scientific Director

Introduction Department

Programme

Sub-Programme

Field crops

. Field crops agronomy ....................................................... Carlos Cantero . Cereal winter breeding .......................................................... Conxita Royo

Conxita Royo

Fruit production Joan Bonany

PLANT PRODUCTION

Genomics & biotechnology Jordi García Mas

Postharvest Immaculada Viñas

Sustainable plant protection Josep Usall

Aquaculture

The Scientific Structure

Dolors Furones

Animal breeding & genetics

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Joan Tibau

Nutrition, health & animal welfare Joaquim Brufau

. & stone fruits .................................................................... Joan Bonany . Pip Olive production, oil processing & nut trees ............................. Joan Tous . In vitro cultivation ................................................................. Ramon Dolcet . Genomics ........................................................................ Jordi García Mas . physiology ......................................... Christian Larrigaudiere . Postharvest Processed fruit and vegetables ..................................... Immaculada Viñas . Postharvest technology ............................................................ Jordi Graell . ....................................................................... Jordi Riudavets . Entomology pathology ............................................................. Josep Usall . Postharvest Plant pathology ................................................................ Soledad Verdejo . culture ....................................................................... Alícia Estévez . Aquatic Marine environmental monitoring ..................................... Jorge Diogene . ..................................................................... Amadeu Francesch . Aviculture Cuniculture .............................................................................. Miriam Piles . Pig genetics & improvement .................................................... Joan Tibau . welfare ...................................................................... Antoni Velarde . Animal nutrition ............................................................. Enric Esteve . Monogastric Ruminant production .................................................................. Àlex Bach

Animal healt Mariano Domingo

Functionality & nutrition José Antonio García

Product quality Mª Àngels Oliver

FOOD INDUSTRIES

Food safety Margarita Garriga

Food technology Jacint Arnau

Aquatic ecosystems Carles Ibáñez

Organic waste integral management Xavier Flotats

ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL CHANGE

Environmental horticulture Robert Savé

. & functional molecules ........................... José Antonio García . Ingredients Proteomics & metabolomics .................................................. María Hortós . quality .......................................................................... Maria Font . Carcass Quality of food of animal origin ....................................... Mª Àngels Oliver . preservation technologies ..................................... Margarita Garriga . New food safety ................................................... Massimo Castellani . Chemical Biotic food safety ............................................................... Teresa Aymerich . engineering ....................................................................... Pere Gou . Food improvement ............................................................ Jacint Arnau . Process New process technologies ......................................... Josep Comaposada . ............................................................................. Nuno Caiola . Biodiversity Global change ....................................................................... Carles Ibáñez . Agricultural characterization & assessment . Management, planning & decision making tools . Environmental technologies . ........................................................................ Robert Savé . Ecophysiology engineering & agronomy .................................... Pere Muñoz . Biosystems Agrosilviculture .......................................................................... Neus Aletà

Ecological production & bioenergy Simó Alegre

Efficient use of water Joan Girona

Agri-food economics

AGRO-FOOD ECONOMICS

José Mª Gil

Natural resources & agri-food development economics José Mª Gil

. Agri-food markets . Micro-economic analysis of the agri-food sector . Agri-food economy information systems . Natural resource economics . Sustainable development 7

IRTA in Figures The Agri-Food Research and Technology Institute was established in 1985 with the mission of contributing to the modernization, competitiveness and sustainable development of the agricultural, food, agroforestry, aquaculture and fishing sectors, to the supply of healthy, high-quality foodstuffs to the consumer, and, in general, of enhancing the well-being of the population. A network of 10 own Centres and a number of Research field Stations, together with 9 other centres operated in a consortium network, make up IRTA’s corporate facilities, located at 28 different sites throughout Catalonia.

Own Centres

since 1985 19 centres

and Research Field Stations

28 sites 9 in Barcelona

(+34) 93 467 40 40

6 in Tarragona 9 in Lleida 4 in Girona

irta@irta.eu

www.irta.eu

Corporate Services

Torre Marimon

Pg. de Gràcia, 44 3a pl. 08007 Barcelona

08140 Caldes de Montbui (Barcelona)

Cabrils

Sant Carles de la Ràpita

Ctra. de Cabrils, Km 2 08348 Cabrils (Barcelona)

Ctra. Poble Nou, Km 5,5 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita (Tarragona)

Mas de Bover

Lleida (1)

Crta. De Reus - El Morell Km 4,5 43120 Constantí (Tarragona)

Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida

Monells

Lleida (2)

Food Technology Pig Monitoring & Assessment Finca Camps i Armet 17121 Monells (Girona)

Lleida Field Station Av. Alcalde Rovira i Roure, 191 25198 Lleida

Alcarràs

Amposta

Partida Montagut s/n 25180 Alcarràs (Lleida)

Ebre Field Station Ctra. Balada, Km 1 43870 Amposta (Tarragona)

IRTA in Figures Centres in a Consortium Network MAS BADIA

CENTA

Mas Badia Field Station Ctra. De la Tallada, s/n 17134 La Tallada (Girona) Tel.: (+34) 972 78 02 75 Fax: (+34) 972 78 05 17

Centre for New Food Technologies and Processes Finca Camps i Armet s/n 17121 Monells (Girona) Tel.: (+34) 972 63 00 52

CREAF

CRAG

Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Facultat de Ciències Departament d'Ecologia 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Tel.-Fax: (+34) 93 581 13 12

Centre of Agrigenomic Research Carrer Jordi Girona, 18-26 08034 Barcelona Tel.: (+34) 93 400 61 29 Fax: (+34) 93 204 59 04

CReSA

Fundació Centre UdL-IRTA

Animal Health Research Centre Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Tel.: (+34) 93 581 32 84 Fax: (+34) 93 581 44 90

UdL - IRTA Foundation Centre Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191 25198 Lleida Tel.: (+34) 973 70 25 00 Fax: (+34) 973 23 83 01

SEMEGA

CREDA

Livestock Improvement Service Finca Camps i Armet s/n 17121 Monells (Girona) Tel.: (+34) 972 63 02 88 Fax: (+34) 972 63 06 25

Centre for Agri-Food Economy and Development Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia Edifici ESAB Av. del Canal Olímpic, 15 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona) Tel.: (+34) 93 552 10 00 Fax: (+34) 93 552 11 21

GIRO-CT Global Management of Organic Waste - Technology Centre Pompeu Fabra, 1 08100 Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona) Tel.: (+34) 93 579 67 80 Fax: (+34) 93 579 67 85

Activity: Plant Production Animal Production Food Industries Environment & Global Change Agri-Food Economics

IRTA in Figures Human Resources 717 employees work in our 10 centres of whom 329 are researchers and 388 are support staff.

Our staff is made up of 53% of women and 47% of men. A total of

1,147 people work in our cooperative system.

Finances During the course of 2009 IRTA has had 46.1 its disposal.

million euros of total resources at

37.62 % of its resources are provided by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia and 62.38% are provided from its own funds. Investment in 2009 totalled over â&#x201A;Ź 10,000,000. 10

IRTA in Figures Projects and Contracts 199 R&D projects in 2009 with a budget of â&#x201A;Ź 6.7 million. 394 contracts currently in force worth a total of â&#x201A;Ź 9.1 million, of which 84 are with new clients and 170 have returned to us for a second time. 62 agreements with

national and international

institutions.

Of the competitive public invitations to tender for which our bids were successful in 2009, 87 were with INIA-Spanish Institute for Agri-Food Research and Technology (with a 73% success rate), 41 with CICYT-Spanish Interministerial Commission on Science and Technology (with a 61% success rate), 26 with the EU (60% rate of success) and 45 were with other organisms, giving a total income of 14 million euros.

R&D Projects 2009 (in %)

11.06%

30.15% 18.60%

1% 37.69% Department: Plant Production Animal Production Food Industries Environment & Global Change Agri-Food Economics

IRTA in Figures Production of Scientific and Technical Publications by IRTA

by Associated Centres

754 ............................ Total publications ..........................................................1,483 239 ............................ Scientific articles ..........................................................249 398 ................ Notes and papers at Congresses...............................................249 63 ............................ Technical articles ..........................................................57 50 ..................... Books & articles in books ....................................................47 27 ............... Doctoral theses and dissertations ..............................................19

91 103

243 157

IRTA Publications by Department Plant Production Animal Production Food Industries Environment & Global Change

IRTA in Figures Technology Transfer 441

Existing

contracts

involving Technology Transfer

245 Technical and Demonstration Seminars 13,008 People Attending Technical and Demonstration Seminars 4 Domestic Patents 4 International Patent Extensions

IRTA A new law for IRTA

Work starts on the new Fruitcentre

The Catalan Parliament unanimously approved on April 1st the draft law to regulate IRTA’s operations, thus updating the previous law by which the Institute was first created and which had been passed on November 28, 1985.

On September 18th, a ceremony was held at the AgriFood Science and Technology Park site in Lleida to lay the foundation stone for the Fruitcentre, the new facility that will be dedicated to research and innovation in the fruit-growing sector and will be the only centre of its kind in Europe.

The main changes introduced can be summarized as follows: extension and fine-tuning of the strategic aims · An and objectives, including two new concepts: sustainability and food safety.

· The operational remit is extended to aquaculture, subjects related to fishing and the effects of climate change.

will be required to deal with the more special· IRTA ized activities in the field of technology transfer. will be included in the coordinating structures · IRTA established by the Catalan Government within the framework of the Catalan public science and technology system. governing structure is modified, the number of · The sector representatives appointed by the Government being increased to four. is recognized as a body belonging to the · IRTA Catalan public administration. criteria are introduced for the selection of the · Prior managing director of the Institute. cooperative system is endowed with a legally · The binding charter.

The Fruitcentre has been conceived with the aim of helping the sector to face and respond to change through intense research, development and innovation, using this new infrastructure that can bring together both physically and conceptually the different teams working in the field of fruit production, while fostering a multi-disciplinary approach and a global vision of the fruit production added-value chain. This should be achieved, furthermore, without forgetting the needs of the producer and placing much greater emphasis on the requirements of the consumer than has hitherto been the case.

· The programme contract is given legal cover as an instrument of financial self-sufficiency.

Members of IRTA and members of parliament of all political parties who took part in the drafting of the new Law.

The Fruitcentre will have 6 pilot plants and 23 laboratories within a total operational area of 6,356 square metres distributed over four floors. The pilot plants for new fruit preservation technologies, the presentation and packaging of fresh fruit, 4th and 5th range production systems, cold-chamber engineering techniques and biocontrol agents will make it possible to test new technologies, set up new processes and develop new products.

IRTA New pilot plant for experimental animal feed and other research installations On December 3rd, 2009 Catalan Agriculture Minister Joaquim Llena, accompanied by the Managing Director of IRTA, Josep Maria Monfort, inaugurated a new pilot plant for the production of experimental animal feed and new research installations for animal nutrition tests for aviculture and pigs, together with the recent infrastructure improvements that have been carried out at the Mas de Bover site. These new facilities, the only ones of their kind in Europe, will boost research activity in the field of animal handling, nutrition and welfare.

The same inaugural visit also featured the official opening of two new additional buildings for avicultural research and research into pig fattening techniques, respectively. The installations have been designed to allow for a high standard of animal welfare and to provide the maximum adaptability and flexibility for devising experimental protocols.

President Montilla visits IRTA-CENTA The President of the Government of Catalonia, the Very Honourable JosĂŠ Montilla, stressed the importance of R&D as a means of tackling the economic crisis with guaranteed success, during the visit he made on March 27th, 2009 to the installations of the Centre for New Food Technologies and Processes (IRTA-CENTA) in Monells.

The total investment involved is over 6 million euros. The pilot plant for the production of experimental animal feed represents an investment of 3.5 million euros, financed partly through FEDER funding (1.68 million euros) through the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation and the Catalan Department for Industry, Universities and Enterprise. The remaining 1.82 million euros was provided by IRTA itself, with the Institute also covering the cost of the experimental farms (1.5 million euros) and of the infrastructure project (1 million euros). The new pilot plant is a feed mill with the latest generation of industrial equipment designed especially to produce animal feed on an experimental scale with a very clear objective, i.e. that of ensuring maximum accuracy and reliability in the production process, and therefore to guarantee the highest possible degree of efficiency when conducting tests.

Accompanied by the Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Joaquim Llena, and by the Managing Director of IRTA, Josep Maria Monfort, the President of the Catalan Autonomous Government, JosĂŠ Montilla, toured the installations and had the opportunity to see for himself a number of research and innovation lines, including the application of new technologies for the reduction of the salt content of cured hams, for the ultra-fast drying out of meat products for slicing, and the production of loaves of bread without crusts and without using a mould.

IRTA The new Board of Directors is appointed

The Zona Franca: Barcelona’s new innovation zone

On December 22, 2009 IRTA’s new Board of Directors was formed in accordance with the confirmation of the appointment of its members authorized by the Catalan Government on December 16, 2009.

The “Barcelona BZ Innovation Zone” business partnership is a long-term strategic project that brings together a powerful combination of organizations and companies that will re-locate to a new business park in the Zona Franca, the city’s duty-free zone. The idea is to implement the new industrial culture based on innovation, environmental sustainability and symbiosis with the urban context, and will involve a minimum investment of 3,000 million euros to be provided from both public and private funding.

The composition of the new IRTA Board of Directors is as follows: Mr. Joaquim Llena, Catalan Minister of · Chairman Agriculture, Food and Rural Action Chairman Mr. Josep Huguet, Catalan Min· Deputy ister of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise · Mr. Josep M. Monfort, Managing Director of IRTA Joan Roca, General Director of Research - Dpt. · Mr. of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise Carme Botifoll, Director-General for Innovation · Ms. and Internationalization, Department of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise Rosa Mª Cubel, General Director of Agricul· Ms. ture and Livestock Joan Gené, General Director of Food, Quality · Mr. and Agroalimentary Industries Josep Mayoral, Representative and Chairman · Mr. of the Countryside Committee, Barcelona Regional Council Joan Pluma, Representative and Deputy Chair· Mr. man, Girona Regional Council Josep Presseguer, Representative and Deputy · Mr. Chairman, Lleida Regional Council Divina Alsinet, Managing Director, Catalan In· Ms. stitute for Agricultural Credits Antoni Plasencia, Director-General of Public · Mr. Health, Department of Health Núria Buenaventura, Director-General for the · Ms. Environment, Department of the Environment and Housing Victòria Estaún, Representative of the Staff of · Ms. IRTA · Mr. José Antonio Bonet, Scientific Director of the Catalan Forestry Technology Centre Albert Rubiol, Agricultural Technical Engineer, · Mr. Catalan Forestry Service Ramon Roca, Chairman of the Social Commit· Mr. tee of the University of Lleida Salomó Torres, Member of the National Stand· Mr. ing Committee of the Catalan Farmers’ Union

According to the criteria for industrial development defined in the Catalan Government’s 2008 National Research and Investigation Plan, three key production parameters have been defined to orientate business development in the Zone: a Food Axis, a Technological Axis, and a Cultural Axis. IRTA will participate in the Food Axis, and its role will be to offer state-of-the-art technological services to the food companies that decide to establish themselves in the area. Work will begin on providing the infrastructure for the site in mid-2010.

Josep Tarragó is awarded the Cross of Sant Jordi Josep Tarragó i Colominas, the Managing Director of IRTA from its creation in 1985 up to 2008, has been awarded the Cross of Sant Jordi, conferred on him by the Government of Catalonia in recognition of his tenure of office for 23 years and outstanding contribution as the head of IRTA. The citation for the award states that “his work has contributed with great efficiency to the modernization of the Catalan primary sector, and he has succeeded in making IRTA an international benchmark institution.” He received the Cross of Sant Jordi from the President of the Catalan Autonomous Government, José Montilla, at a solemn ceremony held on April 21st.

IRTA Dr. Conxita Royo, new Director of the IRTA Centre in Lleida

Visit by the President of the INIA of Uruguay

Dr. Conxita Royo Calpe, IRTA’s top researcher and Director of the Field Crop Programme, has been appointed Director of the IRTA Centre in Lleida.

The President of the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) of Uruguay, Dr. Dan Piestun, visited Catalonia in February and took advantage of the opportunity to take a thorough and detailed look at the Institute’s operations.

With this appointment, IRTA’s Management has chosen to consolidate and strengthen the organizational structure of IRTA’s Lleida centre to enable it to tackle efficiently and effectively the new challenges posed by major projects currently under way and by those planned for the future, both in the scientific domain and in terms of infrastructures and general operations.

Both Institutes have enjoyed a close relationship for many years, which has taken concrete form through numerous collaborations in fields such as plant protection, integrated production systems, integrated management systems, beef quality programmes, etc. This relationship has been strengthened by Dr. Piestun’s visit, and furthermore various areas have been identified in which future collaboration is planned.

Scholarships for Doctorates in Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecosystems

INIA Uruguay has 5 research centres in the country, dedicated respectively to meat production, fruit and citrus production, cereals and vegetable crops, dairy cattle, and biotechnology.

A specific institutional collaboration agreement has been signed with the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) to cofinance joint IRTA – URV scholarships for Doctorates. The aim is to create a joint programme of studies for Master’s and Doctorate courses in the field of aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems which will be offered at the URV, and will form a part of the University’s proposed Southern Campus project to be located in Tortosa. Mr. Francesc Xavier Grau (Rector of the URV) and Mr. Josep Maria Monfort (Managing Director of IRTA) during the signature ceremony.

This collaboration will occur in three areas: creation of a co-financed programme of schol· The arships for the training of Ph.D. students. progressive inclusion (starting in the 2009· The 2010 academic year) of IRTA researchers as teachers and/or directors of research for Master’s and Doctorate programmes at the URV.

From left to right: Miguel Sierra, Dan Piestun, and Agustí Fonts

creation of a specific Master’s and/or Doctor· The ate programme in the field of aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems.

Sustainable Plant Protection

Plant Production

20. Postharvest 22. Fruit Production 30. Field Crops 34. Sustainable Plant Protection 38. Genomics & Biotechnology

Postharvest Brown rot caused by Monilinia in peaches and nectarines can be reduced through heat treatment This project has defined methods of primary and secondary inoculation for Monilinia spp in the Ebro Valley during the 2006 to 2008 campaign, laying great importance on the mummified fruit on the trees, on the ground and the shoots in the ground after crushing, as the primary source of inoculation, without ignoring the dry shoots of the tree concerned and of those showing no symptoms. The mummies in the soil show the presence of Monilinia spp until the end of August, but are only viable until mid-July. Those on the trees are present until late November but are only viable until mid-August. It has been observed that conidia start to be in flight in August, with a maximum number between harvest time and late October. The largest numbers of conidia on the surface of the fruit are found in the week before harvesting. Chlorogenic acid has been identified as the substance that accumulates in the unripe fruit, and this has been correlated with the absence of infection by the pathogen. With reference to biological treatments with E. Nigrum and P. Frequentans, these reduce the conidia of Monilinia spp on the surface of the fruit to the same or to a greater extent than fungicides, and with a greater effect if treatment begins during the period of hardening of the embryo or of blooming, respectively, compared with when it begins only just before the harvest. Moreover, the biological formulations that contain adherents such as sodium alginate or carboxymethyl cellulose enhance the effect of the product. Of all the microorganisms isolated, the best results are given by a strain of Bacillus subtilis, but this does not control fruit preserved at 0ยบC, and so does not grow in these conditions.

It has been observed that immersing the fruit in hot water at 60ยบC for 40 seconds after harvesting can reduce the level of rot by over 60%. A combination of hot water and the biological control agent improves effectiveness in fruit preserved at 20ยบC, but not in fruit preserved in cold storage. It has also been shown that by submitting the peaches and nectarines to a curing process at 50ยบC accompanied by a relatively high level of humidity for a minimum of 2 hours it is possible to reduce the incidence of Monolinia spp by over 80%.

Plant Production Course given in Bolivia on the harvest and post-harvest of fruit From November 23rd to 27th, Josep Usall, Immaculada Recasens and Pilar Plaza, researchers from IRTA Lleida, acted as instructors to give a training course to trainers from the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI) in Bolivia on the subject of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harvest and post-harvest of fruit: physiology, pathology and qualityâ&#x20AC;?. During the various sessions, attention was given to examining subjects linked to the harvest and post-harvest of fruit, such as the quality assessment and monitoring systems currently in place, methods for treating and detecting pathologies, and elements for controlling the physiology of the fruit.

Mr. Josep Usall during the presentation of the course

Researchers Pilar Plaza and Immaculada Recasens addressing those present at the course

Fruit Production New technique for mechanical pruning of apple trees At the technical symposium which was held at IRTA’s Mas Badia centre in La Tallada d’Empordà (Girona) on August 27th, a new technique for the mechanical pruning of apple trees was presented. This technique consists of a series of plastic cables that turn and cause a certain number of flowers to fall off the trees, and which could be a viable alternative to current clearing or pruning methods, such as manual pruning or using growth regulators.

At this meeting the desire was expressed to increase scientific collaboration between the research field stations concerned and thus to develop this network of international research, membership of which will be open to all the northern Mediterranean countries, from Portugal to Greece. The 4 regions already involved have also prepared a project to foster the competitiveness and sustainable development of the fruit-producing regions of southern Europe which will be endowed with financial resources to a value of 1.8 million euros during the three-year period from 2010 to 2012.

The use of irrigation and nitrogen in peaches for industrial use

The aim of pruning techniques is to adjust a tree’s growth and to leave the appropriate amount of fruit so that the remaining fruit will be of the highest quality, calibre and colour. So-called “centrifugal pruning” is a valid but insufficient alternative and pruning through the use of the currently available growth regulators also lacks effectiveness, although new active materials that have been tested have given some interesting results. The technique presented here, mechanical pruning, makes possible a significant innovation at this phase in the production cycle, since it is a clean, effective and financially much more sustainable strategy than the conventional manual pruning operations that are carried out at present.

A fruit production research network is created for the northern Mediterranean region On May 6th, 2009 a meeting was held in the Italian locality of Manta di Saluzzo so as to establish a research network consisting of experimental fruit production centres in the northern Mediterranean region, and initially made up of IRTA, the La Pugère field station (France), the CRPV in Piedmont and the CReSO (Italy).

The aim of this project, financed by the Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research (INIA), has been to evaluate the most desirable strategy (in terms of the use of irrigation and of nitrogen) to achieve the optimal use of both methods, with a view to saving irrigation water and nitrogen and achieving a higher level of production and a better quality product. The evolution of the quality and consistency of the fruit was also examined with a view to the requirements of mechanical harvesting, and an assessment was made of the longterm effects of the methods of treatment applied. With regard to the results of the interaction between irrigation and nitrogen in 2009, a year with a low water content in the soil during phase III, production levels were lower for a dosage by which double the necessary quantity of nitrogen was used. In 2008, however, when the quantity of water in the soil was greater, production increased with a zero dosage of nitrogen. The reduction of irrigation in phase III increased the concentration of dry matter in the juice during the period 2006-08, while the use of nitrogen increased the firmness of the pulp in 2007-08.

Plant Production Mountain-grown fruit in the Ribagorça Romànica district

limiting factors to be borne in mind in these areas are a shorter vegetative season and a major risk of spring frosts.

This agreement was signed on September 23rd between the Catalan Government’s Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action (represented by IRTA) and the Association for the Development of the Ribagorça Romànica District (ADRR), and involves the establishment of, and collecting of data from, a plot of experimental cultivation with a view to evaluating different commercial varieties of apple tree on a farm in the locality of Llesp, and to defining and preserving the existing range of native varieties of fruit. The aim is to determine the potential of this crop in a mountainous area, so as to consider its possible subsequent development on a commercial scale as a supplementary agricultural activity.

In terms of agricultural production, the growing of fruit could be an alternative future option, but requires a prior analysis in terms of agronomic profile and the quality of the fruit, which is the aim of this project. Within the same plot of experimental cultivation it is also planned to introduce and evaluate various different aromatic and decorative plants and smaller fruit types (raspberries, blackcurrants, etc.), under the technical management of the Catalan Technological Forestry Centre.

The project has been planned for a period of 4 years (2009-2012) with a total plantation area of approximately 6,048 m2 (with 4,320 m2 of commercial varieties of apple and pear trees, and 1,728 m2 of native varieties). In Italy and France, over 60% of the volume of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples produced comes from such areas, where high levels of quality are obtained which cannot be achieved in areas on the plain, especially with regard to the firmness and the colouring of the fruit, two attributes which are highly valued by consumers. The

Fruit Production Pear trees resistant to ferric chlorosis The programme to obtain new interspecific patterns for the pear tree has given results that inspire optimism, given that the treesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to adapt to calcareous terrain is far greater than that of quince trees and also to seedless varieties, a factor that has been consistently confirmed by the various tests undertaken. From the point of view of the vigour conferred on the variety, interspecific hybrids have also shown a lower level of vigour than the BA-29 quince tree, to the extent that 30% of the individual trees present in the introduction plots have shown a level of vigour of under 50% of that recorded for the BA-29 quince tree. These results lead to the conclusion that the use of interspecific crosses between the OH11 pear tree and the Pyrus communis ssp cordata, Pyrus amygdaliformis, Pyrus amygdaliformis ssp persica and Pyrus elaegrifolia species constitutes an interesting and promising alternative for obtaining a pattern that is well-adapted to our growing conditions, specifically adapting well to calcareous terrain and with a vigour similar to or inferior to that of the BA-29 quince tree.

Improving fruit quality for apple and pear trees Over a 3-year period we have evaluated on a commercial scale the usefulness of different growing techniques so a to improve the intrinsic and extrinsic quality of the fruit in the case of apples and pears. We have specifically studied the effectiveness of coloured anti-hail netting, the use of products to favour the development of russeting in Conference pears, the definition of the optimal fruit load for a tree, the ideal time for harvesting and the usefulness of non-destructive methods to measure the quality of the fruit. From all the above we have been able to show the effectiveness of certain agronomic techniques that ostensibly improve the visual and organoleptic quality of the fruit, which leads to an increase in the profitability of the plantations by increasing the quantity of fruit of superior quality that is produced, also allows for a qualitative leap in fruit quality that represents for the sales force an added value that increases the productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; competitive edge in domestic and international markets, and finally enables producers to offer the consumer a product of major extrinsic and intrinsic quality which may make it possible to reverse the trend towards a reduction of the consumption of fresh fruit.

The effect of underground irrigation and air injection on fruit trees The aim of this project, initiated in 2009, is to compare traditional drip irrigation with an in-ground system for fruit trees, to improve the oxygenation of the earth through air injection and the application of hydrogen peroxide, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the irrigation water applied. These objectives will be complemented by a study of the behaviour of fruit trees in these edaphoclimatic conditions and extrapolating the results to different conditions that are however affected by similar problems.

Plant Production Fostering the consumption and production of ecological foods

Predicting “bitter pit” in Golden Smoothie apples

In this project we have created a cross-frontier network of experimentation, exchange and transfer for the development of ecological agriculture in agricultural production systems, intended for technical consultants, ecological farmers and conventional farmers, and consisting of 10 French and Catalan partners. The objectives will focus on developing the production of ecological fruit, vegetables and wines, overcoming the technical and organizational limitations of this sector, improving technical advice offered to ecological producers and to sensitize conventional producers to the practices of ecological agriculture. Over a 3-year period we shall develop techniques to combat diseases and pests in different cultivation systems (fruit production, horticulture, viticulture and oenology) through the preparation of technical guides to crop protection, weed control, soil conservation, fertilization, the preservation, transformation and diversification of ecological products, now techniques in ecological oenology, and studies in biodiversity.

This project has been initiated with the aim of defining a model to predict the presence of the “bitter pit” phenomenon before harvest in the case of ‘Golden Smoothie’ apples. The methods to be evaluated are systems such as injecting magnesium salts, washing with Ethephon, image analysis using NIR technology, together with other prediction methods using fluorescence and biochemical markers or more traditional methods such as determining the mineral content of the fruit at the beginning of its development. A reliable prediction method will make it possible to optimize the preservation and commercialisation of the Golden Smoothie apple so as to reduce or even eliminate completely losses associated with the appearance of “bitter pit” during the period of cold storage. Finally, we shall engage in propagation and technology transfer to the technicians and farmers involved in both ecological and conventional production, through data sheets, symposia, exchange visits, demonstration field visits, cross-frontier exchanges, the creation of a website and of a conversion guide.

In addition, different strategies will also be evaluated for mitigating “bitter pit” by means of adding calcium to root systems, and agronomical practices that will help to maintain a balanced vegetative development of the trees.

Fruit Production Controlling brown rot in peaches and nectarines

Flat peaches and flat nectarines: the most interesting varieties

Brown rot is the most important disease occurring in late varieties of peach and nectarine both in terms of the losses undergone in the field and of those that are produced during the period of storage and the arrival of the fruit to the end customer.

IRTA’s fruit production specialists, I. Iglesias and J. Carbó, with a wide experience behind them in the evaluation of new varieties, offer in this new publication detailed information about the importance of peach growing in Spain, and subsequently analyse the territorial distribution and production patterns for the flat peach in 2008 and forecasts for its production in 2010.

The aim of this test was to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment strategies for the field control of brown rot produced by Monolinia spp in the peach tree. 7 treatment strategies were tested using different products (Ciproconazole, Ciprodinil, Difeneconazole, Iprodione, Fenhexamid, Boscalid, Piraclostrobin and Fenbuconazol) applied at different times (28, 14, 7 and 3 days before harvest) depending on the safety limit for each product. In post-harvest, all treatment methods produced a significant reduction of the percentage of rotten fruit (about 20% after 7 days in the cold chamber, and 5 days at 20ºC) compared with the untreated control group (with 75% of the fruit rotten over the same period), without any significant differences being observed between products and strategies.

The book enables both producers and consumers to find out more about the 29 varieties of flat peach and 7 varieties of flat nectarine through data-cards arranged by variety, containing details such as graphs illustrating blooming and harvest information, publishers and procurers in Spain, the characteristics of the fruit, of the tree and of the fruit ripening process, together with details about quality and the sensorial profile of the different varieties.

Plant Production Converting to intensive cultivation of the olive This project, initiated in 2009, aims to provide decisionmaking tools to improve production levels and product quality by comparing different irrigation strategies for the intensive cultivation of the olive, studying the interaction between nitrogen and potassium, the definition of the levels of nutrients in the leaves and in the fruit of the Arbequina variety in accordance with the factors studied, and the improvement of the production quantity/product quality balance for a commercial production context. The tests are carried out on the Arbequina variety during the normal production process with a plantation area of 4.5 x 2.2 m, harvesting the fruit using a straddleharvester and applying three irrigation strategies (R100: drip covering 100% of needs; RDC: 50% of needs at times of least sensitivity to water deficit; and ENT: underground irrigation for 50% of needs), three dosages of nitrogen (0%, 100% and 100% with nitrificationinhibiting fertilizer applied with fertigation) and two of potassium (0 and 100%), keeping all other factors unchanged for all sections of the plot. The average production level for the plot was 10,500 kg/ha, without differences between methods of treatment since this was the first year. We anticipate being able to reach a conclusion concerning the irrigation systems in 2010 and concerning nutrients in 2011.

trunk with a perimeter of over 3.5 metres at 1.3 m from ground level), counting a total of 4,080 trees (divided among 18 municipal areas), a heritage that is unrivalled in the rest of the world. The project presented to the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) has received a large subsidy of € 1,230,150, which will make it possible to carry out a number of studies and projects (in which IRTA will participate) and to approach various aspects of the question of these ancestral olive trees. The study will enable us to determine the genotype of the monumental trees and to identify the individual trees that have a unique genotype. The project will also consider other aspects, including examining the possibility of producing olive-oil from these singular specimens.

IRTA’s olive trees for the U.S.A. The market for olive trees in the United States is currently booming, as is American consumption of olive oil. This context has led to increasing interest in the varieties of olive tree supplied by IRTA, and we have granted three new licences for the reproduction and sale of three clones (Arbequina IRTA ®-i-18, Arbosana IRTA ®-i-43 and Koroneiki- IRTA®-i-38) to three nurseries in the U.S., with initial forecasts for the sale of 300,000 plants in 2010.

Ancestral olive trees In collaboration with the Territori del Sénia Association and the Taula del Sénia Community we have carried out a full inventory of the district’s olive trees of an ancestral or monumental character (defined as having a

Both the production facilities and the new licence-holders (Novavine, Burchell and Duarte) are located in California, where edaphoclimatic conditions are ideal for the cultivation of the olive, especially for new high-density plantations. Throughout the world there are currently nearly 14.6 million IRTA®-i-18 olive trees, both in Spain and in countries which are expanding their production capacity, such as Chile, South Africa, Australia, Turkey and, as we have seen, the United States.

Fruit Production Strengthening relations with the olive-growing province of San Juan (Argentina) In June 2009, Dr. Joan Tous, the Director of the Olive production, Oil processing and Nut trees Sub-Programme, visited the Argentinean province of San Juan to take part in a conference dealing with models of olive orchard, and was received by Mr. José Luís Gioja, the Governor of the province of San Juan.

A growing market for new varieties of almond tree In Spain there are currently 600,000 almond trees of the new late blooming varieties developed by IRTA: Vayro, Constantí, Marinada and Tarraco. These new varieties of almond tree are adapted to more intensive cultivation, in addition to the fact that, since they flower later, there is a reduced risk of frost damaging production. It is for the above reasons that farmers are turning more and more to these new varieties, with the result that sales forecasts for the future are constantly increasing, and not only in Spain but also to other countries including Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and the countries of the Maghreb.

As a result of the various meetings and encounters that he had with different entities of the province of San Juan, it has been possible to initiate new projects and to pave the way for future collaboration with the Argentinean National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA), the University of Cuyo and the Argentinean Association of Nursery Growers (AVOAR), among others.

Plant Production

Other Activities Round Table at FruitLogistica on innovations in fruit and consumers’ expectations February 5th in Berlin (Germany)

2nd SECH National Symposium on Olive Cultivation March 2nd and 3rd at the Tarragona Regional Council building

Scientific Symposium on Olive oil and nuts as functional foods March 3rd at the

Tarragona

Regional Council building

Symposium on new techniques for decision-making in the fruit production process May 5th in Lleida

13th Symposium to exhibit varieties of peach and nectarine in Gimenells, July 30th Technical Symposium to exhibit varieties of peach, nectarine & summer apple August 27th at IRTA Mas Badia

Technical Symposium on maize grain September 8th at IRTA Mas Badia Participation in the Almond Fair at Vilagrassa September 20th Participation in the “5th International Symposium on Pistachios & Almonds” October 6th-10th in Sanliurfa (Turkey)

Symposium on the use of kaolin to control the olive fly October 15th, Mas de Bover 14th Symposium on growing pears, apples & peaches Mollerussa, October 21st/22nd Symposium on New technologies for the use of safe, high-quality pesticides in Penelles (Lleida), October 23rd

Meeeting of the FAO-CIHEAM International Network on Nuts and Dried Fruit November 3rd–4th, Zaragoza

Participació al XXVI Convegno Peschicolo in Cesena (Italy), November 5th-6th Participation in the Seminar on Pip & Stone Fruit in Ahrweiler (Germany), November 28th and December 3rd

3rd Technical Symposium on Ecological Fruit Production in Lleida, December 1st.

Field Crops Ancalei and Hispasano: 2 new varieties of durum wheat

Creation of the Spanish Durum Wheat Nucleus Collection

The project to improve the quality of durum wheat in Spain through the system of cooperation between the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) and the governments of the autonomous communities has been coordinated by IRTA with the assistance of the communities of Andalusia (IFAPA), Castile-Leon (ITACYL) and Aragon (CITA).

Various Spanish research groups, including the IRTA Cereal Improvement team in Lleida, have collaborated to create the Spanish Durum Wheat Nucleus Collection. The germplasm originated from the 1,100 samples of Triticum turgidum L. stored at the INIA Phytogenetic Resource Centre (CRF). The collection will include local varieties, ancestral cultivars and related species. The work initiated with the selection of 200 samples representing the taxonomic groupings of the collection and the agro-ecological areas of cultivation, so as to maximize the genetic variability of the collection. Entries were classified into 9 agro-ecological areas and five taxonomic groupings, choosing from each Spanish province specimens that included the greatest possible variation in altitude, in soil types, and in agro-morphological, biochemical and/or molecular characteristics for the collection area concerned.

The overall aim of the project has been to obtain different varieties of durum wheat so as to respond to the challenges that the production of this cereal represents for Spain in the following respects:

· Resistance to the most serious diseases. levels higher than the average level indi· Quality cated in official references. · High and stable levels of productivity. · Adaptability to the main areas of cultivation in Spain. In addition to these objectives that are common to the four sub-projects, the SP1 team (Catalonia) also set the following objectives, in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT): fixation, depuration and selection of germplasm · The that is suitable for studying the influence that photoperiod-sensitive genes have on adaptation of durum wheat to different latitudes within the country. of this germplasm for different lati· Characterisation tudes. The main result of this project was the registration of the ANCALEI and HISPASANO varieties in the Spanish Office of Plant Varieties Register of Protected Commercial Varieties as being jointly obtained by IRTA, the autonomous governments of Andalusia and Castile-Leon and INIA. Ancalei Variety

The genetic structure of the 200 samples was analysed using micro-satellite markers (SSR) and DaRT. The results of the 39 SSR markers enabled us to describe the genetic structure of the population and sub-populations. The total genetic diversity determined through the gliadin markers (endosperm proteins) was high. The three taxonomic groupings were clearly separated and showed unique alleles for the loci analysed. The collection was evaluated agronomically in the north, centre and south of the country, giving rise to the detection of differences between sub-populations in relation to agronomic characteristics of interest such as precociousness, yield factors, chlorophyll content of the leaves, tolerance of drought and resistance to disease.

Producci贸 Vegetal Development of the germplasm of bread wheat

Table 1. Material available at the end of the 2008/09 campaign: Generation

Conventional improvement

This project was the result of the collaboration of agricultural research centres from four Spanish autonomous communities: Catalonia (IRTA), acting as coordinator; Andalusia (IFAPA); Castile-Leon (ITACYL); and Castile-La Mancha (ITAP).

Crossings

150

93 families

208 families

One of the stated objectives was to increase the efficiency of bread wheat production in Spain through a scheme to select and evaluate genotypes in the four most important regions for the cultivation of this species.

749 lines

17 families

77 lines

A programme was thus initiated for the improvement of bread wheat through a conventional process of crossings and selections among the segregating generations. The first step taken to this end was to choose a series of possible parental specimens among the various varieties and lines on the basis of their characteristics: yield, quality, resistance to disease, response to drought, cold, heat and other abiotic stresses. For this purpose, a group of 50-60 entries was created, variable depending on the year (CB) and updated at each campaign. The main sources were: lines deriving from previous programmes, well-known commercial varieties, and lines and varieties originating from previously evaluated international tests. The second step was to undertake crossings between the abovementioned parental specimens, with the aim of obtaining new lines to combine the best characteristics of their progenitors, a total of 36 crossings being completed. The third step consisted of making a selection from among the segregating generations, producing generation F4 at the end of the project. In parallel to the above, and for a maximum of 30 crossings per year, the SSD (single seed descent) method was followed, making it possible to advance two generations per year in greenhouses and thus to attain generation F6. The material available at the end of the project is summarized in Table 1.

SSD method

This selection process will be continued in future projects.

Improvement of bread wheat since 1940 The comparison between cultivated varieties at different periods in time enables us to identify the factors responsible for continuing improvement, and is thus a question of usefulness when it comes to identifying the characteristics that need to be selected in order to continue to increase yield and to obtain more sustainable harvests of higher quality. With the aim of determining the advances leading to the improvement in yield, and also leading to the improvements in the quality of the flour produced and in its bread-making capacity, together with all the diverse factors that contribute to these improvements, a comparative study was undertaken of a collection of varieties widely cultivated in Spain at different periods since 1940. The results obtained to date have enabled us to determine that the genetic improvement in yield over the last 70 years has been equivalent to over 45 kg/ha and year (1.37% annually). The number of grains per ear of wheat has been the element that has had the biggest effect on the increase in yield (+1.33% per year), although the weight of the grain has remained practically unchanged.

Field Crops Improvement in rice germination and sprouting

Adaptation of Chinese rice varieties

During the 2009 campaign in IRTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice cultivation plots in Amposta, the use of iron sulphate to control the larvae of chironomids was investigated. The treatments studied were: Fe 25 (114 Kg of iron sulphate per hectare) and Fe 50 (228 Kg of iron sulphate per hectare), which were compared with an untreated control zone, Fe 0.

Within the context of the cooperation agreement between IRTA and the China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI), the latter has presented IRTA with samples of rice so that we can study the possibility of adapting it to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Ebro Delta.

The results have shown that the application of iron sulphate at the times and dosages used has not contributed to a significant reduction in the population level of chironomid larvae. The maximum levels of Cricotopus were very high, between 600 larvae/m2 (Fe 50) and 1400 larvae/m2 (Fe 0), but did not cause any damage either to the seed or to the seedling, since the level of larvae was low during the most sensitive stages of rice growth, i.e. germination and the initial phases. The application of iron sulphate had no other substantial effect on any of the physical and chemical parameters studied.

The aim is to evaluate the adaptability of these varieties to the cultivation and climatic conditions of the Ebro Delta through analysis of the different agronomic factors and of the yield obtained.

Dr. Conxita Royo is appointed as a member of the Programme for the Preservation and Use of Phytogenetic Resources The rational preservation of phytogenetic resources makes it possible to study and draw up an inventory of existing diversity. In Spain, the Programme for the Preservation and Use of Phytogenetic Resources includes among its priority policies in its Action Plan the development of the inventory of the ex situ collections included in the Network Programme. On April 27th 2009 Dr. Conxita Royo Calpe was appointed as a Committee Member of the Programme for the Preservation and Use of Phytogenetic Resources.

Obtaining varieties of barley The fourth phase has come to an end in the barley improvement programme, which is financed by INIA and has been conducted since 1992 in collaboration with the following institutions: EEAD-CSIC (Zaragoza), ITACyL (Valladolid) and ITAP (Albacete). The general objectives of this programme are to continue to obtain new varieties of barley that are adapted to the conditions of the producing regions, and to improve their yield and stability under sustainable crop conditions. The desire is thus to exploit the great potential of genetic diversity that exists in the Spanish nucleus collection and has already been identified in agronomic and molecular terms, through its use to provide parentals and the application of the backcrossing system, assisted in various cases by markers which involve the use of various components of the nucleus collection of Spanish barleys. It is for this reason that it has been decided to continue with this programme, which has demonstrated its effectiveness with the recent registration of the Seira, Aicara, and particularly the Cierzo varieties. During this period, nearly 23,000 experimental lines of barley have been developed and evaluated, and more than 3,000 analyses of beer quality have been conducted. In addition to all the results obtained throughout the duration of the programme, it is also worth noting the registration of a new variety (Yuriko) in the Spanish Office of Plant Varieties Register.

Plant Production Agronomic and economic evaluation of strategies for reducing nitrate wash-out in maize cultivation This project studied the effects of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilizer and nitrate wash-out on the production of maize in monoculture. The main results were as follows: 1. The application in moderate quantities of pig slurry up to a level of 50 m3/ha is not prejudicial either for the cultivation of maize or for the environment. Since maize productivity levels are very high and the accumulation of copper and zinc is in very small, it will be possible to continue to apply slurry for many years at current quantities. 2. When pig slurry was used as a pre-sowing fertilizer, emissions of NH3+ were between 10% and 18% of the ammonium nitrogen applied and up to 32% of ammonium nitrate. The emissions of nitro-

gen oxides through nitrification and de-nitrification were evaluated as representing between 6% (with ammonium nitrate) and 13% of the nitrogen applied (with treatment of slurry + ammonium nitrogen). 3. The planting of supplementary crops between periods of maize cultivation may reduce nitrate wash during this period and does not affect the satisfactory development of the subsequent crop. 4. The use of alfalfa (lucerne) as a crop to precede maize makes it possible to make savings in the application of nitrogen and, in some cases, with production levels that are more than 16,000 kg/ ha1, it is not necessary to add nitrogen after the alfalfa. In any case, the results are very dependent on the type of irrigation. In surface irrigation systems (depending on simple gravity) the washing of nitrates from the soil is very effective and in such situations maximum production and financial yields are obtained with additional contributions of some 100 kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Other Activities Valencian rice-growers visit IRTA in Amposta On August 4th 2009 the installations of our Ebro Research field Station in Amposta (Tarragona) were visited by 45 rice-growers from Valencia. This visit was organized by the Valencian Farmers’ Association (AVA) and by the Young Farmers’ Agrarian Association (ASAJA), and its main purpose was to learn more about the tests that are currently being undertaken with rice in the Ebro Delta.

Symposium on agricultural management and the use of livestock manure in field crops Vilobí d’Onyar, April 2nd

Symposium on the dry cultivation of winter cereals Verdú and Agramunt, May 20th 7th International Peach Symposium Lleida, June 8th - 11th Rice Field Symposium Amposta, August 27th Technical symposium on maize used for grain Mas Badia, September 8th Symposium on maize and soya September 17th in El Poal Symposium on scientific equipment for studying the ground, the water, plants and the atmosphere October 29th, Mas de Bover

Sustainable Plant Protection Integrated pest control in fruit and citrus trees in Catalonia

Results of the fight against the fruit fly in Girona

The study of the biological features of the fruit fly [Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)] pest has made it possible to state as a general observation that in the region of Tarragona this fly has two population peaks during the year, while in the fruit-growing areas in the northern part of Catalonia (in the region of Girona) there is only one such peak, which, moreover, coincides in terms of season of the year (September - October) with the second peak in the citrus-growing region around Tarragona. It has also been observed that there is a high degree of variability from one year to another, and that in the southern region of Catalonia there are numerous species of plants that host the fruit fly and play a very important role in its development, while in the northern region these species are not present, with the result that it is easier to control the populations. Finally, studies into tolerance of the cold in adult flies in the populations of Tarragona and of Girona have enabled us to determine that both populations are capable of surviving in natural conditions.

In 2009, within the context of the obligatory fight against the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), the method of massive capture was applied to a total of 166.31 ha of stone-fruit trees (peaches and nectarines) and to 1,642.69 ha of apple trees, with a total of 106,423 fly-traps in the Girona fruit-growing region. The aim was to control the populations of this fly without treating with insecticides, destroying any unusable fruit to prevent this from acting as a focus for the dispersal of the pest to other orchards with later harvests.

In relation to the control of these populations, massive capture has proved to be highly effective for the protection of production in the case of apple cultivation, but, in the case of peaches, and with high levels of population, massive capture in itself does not prevent the appearance of fruit damage, and needs to be reinforced with some form of treatment with insecticide. A similar situation arises with citrus fruit, for which reinforced protection with insecticides is also necessary in the case of many of the varieties harvested so as to prevent damage to the crops. In plots for the cultivation of pip and stone fruit it has been demonstrated that the placing of insect traps very early on, before the pest has invaded the fields, is one of the most important aspects of the methodology to be applied for the process of massive capture.

During the course of 2009 the system for monitoring the pest was improved, with the creation of an Internet site that operates by linking the Hesperides速 and Google Maps速 programs so as to be able to visualize immediately the distribution of the captures and the quantity involved with full interactivity. The above protection campaign resulted in low fly levels in 2009 that caused very little damage to the orchards (0.5% for peaches and 1% for apples).

Plant Production Techniques for the diagnosis of viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas in seeded fruit trees This project evaluated and transferred protocols for the diagnosis, through molecular techniques, of viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas of pear and apple trees with a view to using these techniques for the sanitary selection of plant material from the fruit trees concerned, and to determine whether some syndromes of unconfirmed aetiology were caused by viruses or phytoplasmas. The interest of the use of laboratory techniques is to avoid indexation in the field, since this limits to a great extent the production of certified plant material. The results confirmed the validity and sensitivity of the RT-PCR technique for the identification in seeded fruit trees of the viruses Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), together with that for the viroid Pear blister canker (PBCV). The greatest level of sensitivity in the detection of these viruses and viroids was obtained through the RT-PCR technique, more than with biological indexation by grafting in woody indicators.

CONBIOMOL: biological protection in lettuces and tomatoes Biological pest control based on product preservation involves knowledge of the interactions between crops, pests, the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural enemies, and the surrounding environment. It is for this reason that this project, initiated in 2009, aims to define the ecological infrastructures so as to provide stability in the agricultural systems that supply the natural enemies with resources (in the form of protection, places for reproduction and food), identifying the plants that are candidates for the role of preserving predators so as to deploy them on the edges of the cultivated areas, and to use chemical and molecular tools to study the trophic relationships, to identify the origin of the predator, and predatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reproductive status in relation to the pests found in horticultural crops, particularly lettuce (Nasonovia ribisnigri and Frankliniella occidentalis) and tomato (Macrolophus sp). These tools will enable us to optimize the biological control programmes for preservation of the crops concerned, since they make it possible to approach questions that are difficult to resolve in laboratory tests.

The detection through PCR of the phytoplasmas Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri and Ca.P.mali, which cause pear decline and apple proliferation respectively, was transferred to the companies and organisms collaborating in the project. These cases of detection of phytoplasmas also showed the greater sensitivity of the PCR technique in comparison with indexation in woody hosts. RT-PCR and PCR techniques were used to show the presence of different viruses and phytoplasmas in pear and apple trees with diseases of unconfirmed aetiology, such as Vein yellows, Ring Mosaic, Red mottle, Russet wart and Chat fruit, which indicates that these diseases could be identified through laboratory analysis without needing to undertake indexation in the field.

Sustainable Plant Protection Identification, epidemiology and detection of phytoplasmas in the vine Phytoplasmas are prokaryotic organisms associated with over 1,000 diseases, which evolve from gram positive bacteria, having undergone a regressive reduction of their genome, which converts them into obligate parasites. They are transmitted from plant to plant by homoptera of the families Cicadelidae, Cercopidae, Fulgoridae and Psyllidae and through vegetative propagation. They are only found in the phloem of the plant, and due to this fact one of the symptoms that are most frequently observed is wilting, due to the obturation of the vessels of the phloem. Other symptoms are due to hormonal and metabolic disorders that they provoke in the affected plant. In this project, surveys were undertaken in different vinegrowing areas of Spain to identify and define the phytoplasmas present, and an epidemiological study was conducted of the stolbur phytoplasma, which causes Bois Noir (“black wood”, BN) disease in vines, in Aragon, Catalonia, Rioja, Navarre and the Rioja Alavesa, identifying the insects which act as its vectors, and the host plants both of the phytoplasma and of the vector. Furthermore, transmission tests were conducted with each of the species of insect identified as possible vectors. The study identified the stolbur phytoplasma to be that most affecting the Chardonnay grape variety, in the Somontano area of Aragon, and the Garnacha and Tempranillo varieties, in certain vineyards in Rioja and Navarre (with an incidence of between 50% and 80% of vines infected in the vineyards touched by the disease). Affected vineyards were also located in Rioja Alavesa and in Catalonia, but with much lower rates of incidence (3-20%). No other phytoplasmas or BLOs were identified, apart from the occasional vine detected positive for Flavescence Dorée disease in areas of the Alt Empordà district. With regard to the epidemiology of Bois Noir disease, in all the areas studied this species was found only in very small populations. The percentage of individuals of H.obsoletus carrying the phytoplasma varies between 25% and 80%.

Transmission studies carried out with other species of insects captured in the vineyards showed that eight species of cicadellidae transmitted the phytoplasma to a target baited with sugar to attract insects, and that, in in vitro tests, four others (Euscelis obsoletus, Escelidius variegatus, Aphrodes bicinctus and Issus sp.) transmitted it to young vine plants. The species of insects identified as having a capacity to transmit phytoplasma, but which do not transmit it to vine plants, may have an important role in the epidemiology of the disease, by maintaining the sources of inoculation for the phytoplasma in the affected zone. The molecular identification of the isolated examples of stolbur, based on the study of the elongation gene Tu, showed that all the vine plants analysed (with the exception of those of the Garnacha variety from Rioja) had isolated type II. In all the individuals of H.obsoletus captured in the different vine-growing areas studied, isolated type II was identified. In individuals of Escelidius variegatus and Euscelis obsoletus captured in Rioja, isolated type I was identified, the same as that found on the plants, so that these species could well be involved in transmission in this area. Convolvulus arvensis is the host plant both for the phytoplasma and for the vector, identified with the highest rate of frequency in all the vineyards studied. Other species such as Solanum nigrum and Lavandula sp. were also identified as hosts of the phytoplasma. The presence of Urtica dioica, as host of the phytoplasma and of the vector, is scarce in the vine-growing areas of Spain.

Plant Production Epidemiology of apple proliferation disease Among the principal diseases produced by phytoplasmas that affect fruit cultivation are those produced by phytoplasmas belonging to the ribosomal group 16SrX, which include: Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri causing pear decline (PD), Candidatus Phytoplasma mali causing apple proliferation (AP), and Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum causing European Stone Fruit Yellows (ESFY). The phytoplasmas of this group are transmitted mainly by psyllids, Cacopsylla pyri and C.pyricola for PD, C.pruni for ESFY and C.melanoneura and C.picta for AP. This project, initiated in 2009, aims to undertake prospections to determine the presence of the phytoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma mali in areas where the apple is cultivated, to characterize the isolated examples present, to determine the species of insects that may be vectors and to determine the plant species that act as hosts of the phytoplasmas and of the vectors. The study of vectors will be undertaken in the zones where the disease has been identified and also where this is not the case, so as to determine the risk that could be involved by the introduction of the disease in each area. Another objective that has been fixed is to continue to progress in the development of sensitive and rapid techniques for diagnosing phytoplasmas. The sequencing of new zones of the genome of the different phytoplasmas of the group 16Sr-X will allow for the development

of primers and probes to be used applying both the technique of PCR in real time and conventional PCR techniques. The use of primers for the amplification of repeated sequences in the genome of the phytoplasmas may also show greater sensitivity for detection, by obtaining a greater quantity of amplified product. It is also proposed to continue to evaluate different methods of extraction and taking of samples that may simplify the diagnosis of phytoplasmas. A study will be made of the phytopathogenicity and virulence of isolated samples of the phytoplasmas of the 16Sr-X group present in seeded and stoned fruit trees in Catalonia. The characterization of the samples will be carried out through the study of the variability present in the genes as codified through membrane proteins. Another of the aims of the project is to develop methods for controlling the diseases caused by phytoplasmas of the 16Sr-X group in seeded and stoned fruit trees, and to determine the antiphytoplasmatic activity of substances which inhibit the development of different microorganisms, and of substances inducing resistance to pathogens. It is also planned to test different forms of heat treatment with hot water, so as to eliminate the possible presence of phytoplasmas in the new plant material in the plantation. In the same way it is desired to evaluate whether the mycorrhization of seedlings of apple and plum trees increases their tolerance of phytoplasmas of the 16Sr-X group.

Genomics & Biotechnology Melonomics: the first sequencing of the genome of a major species in Spain Spanish scientists, including IRTA researchers operating through CRAG (the Centre for Agrigenomics Research), have received the first draft of the sequencing of the genome of the melon, within the framework of the “Melonomics” project. This draft sequencing of the melon genome covers nearly 80% of the plant and has been obtained using the Roche company’s high sequencing platform (GS FLX Titanium). Among the results obtained during the research project is the fact that the melon has a genome of some 450 Mb in its 12 chromosomes, and the first available data suggest that it contains some 26,000 genes, a number that is similar to that of the human genome. The Melonomics project has 4.1 million euros of funding and a duration of three years starting from early 2009. It is financed by: the Genoma España Foundation; five Spanish autonomous communities (participation passes through the Centre for Agrigenomics Research-CRAG in the case of Catalonia, together with research centres in Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Madrid and Murcia); and five private companies ( (Semillas Fitó S.A., Syngenta Seeds S.A., Roche Diagnostics S.A., Savia Biotech S.A., and Sistemas Genómicos S.L.). During the three years of duration of the project, in addition to sequencing the genome of a line of melons, it is intended to define a large number of varieties of this species present in Spanish seed banks (including traditional varieties) and to take advantage of the natural variability of the species to generate new varieties of melon of agronomic interest. “The main aims of the genetic improvement of the melon in the context of the Melonomics project are to identify varieties resistant to disease, such as those produced by fungi, and to contribute to improving the quality of the fruit,” says Pere Puigdomènech, the scientific coordinator of the project and director of CRAG. Once the first draft of the genome has been obtained, it will then be a question of finishing fitting it all together, and of refining

the sequencing process using other available techniques and recording all genes. The draft sequencing already makes it possible to start work in the different groups and companies involved with a view to discovering new genes and markers for selecting new varieties of economic interest. At the end of the project we will make available to the international scientific community a genome that will be a benchmark in terms of its final quality.

Plant Production The Genomics of the Strawberry The main objective of the study of the genomics of the strawberry is to understand the characteristics of the genetics of Fragaria and to apply this knowledge to increase the quality of the fruit. The cultivated strawberry Fragaria x ananassa, is the species that has the greatest economic importance within the group of red berry fruits. Nevertheless, the cultivated strawberry is a genetically complex allo-octoploid species. The wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca, the diploid parent of the cultivated fruit, can be considered a model organism that is ideal for studies of direct and reverse genetics due to its characteristics: a small genome, a short reproductive cycle, easy propagation (vegetative and seeded), and lending itself to genetic transformation. The current study is orientated towards the following: 1. Cartography and analysis of QTLs. Developing new genomic tools in Fragaria, constructing and comparing maps in diploid and octoploid species for their subsequent application to analyses of a quantitative nature and the detection of fruit quality QTLs (shape, colour, firmness, soluble solids, nutritional quality, sugar content, total anti-oxidant capacity, vitamins). 2. Genomic introgression. Developing a collection of quasi-isogenic lines in the diploid species that can carry fragments of wild genomes as a tool for studies of a quantitative nature. 3. Comparative genomics. Establishing a comparison in terms of maps and genomic sequences between different species of the Rosaceae family (Prunus and Fragaria).

IRTA Cabrils has experience in the development of molecule markers (RFLP, SSR, SNP), the construction of linkage maps to polyploid and diploid species, the production of maps of â&#x20AC;&#x153;binsâ&#x20AC;?, comparison between maps, physical maps, positional cloning, markerassisted selection (MAS), the analysis of QTLs for fruit quality, nutritional quality and resistance characteristics. The current focus is on trying to identify, through eQTL analysis, markers associated with the nutritional quality of the fruit that will be used for marker-assisted selection in companies, thus increasing the nutritional quality of strawberries for consumers.

Genomics & Biotechnology Current operations under the In Vitro Cultivation Sub-Programme The current operations of the In Vitro Cultivation SubProgramme can be divided into 4 fields: 1. Micropropagation and recovery of embryos as part of the programme of improvement of pip and stone fruit. a. INIA project to select pear tree rootstocks that are tolerant of ferric chlorosis, in collaboration with the Lleida Field Station and Mas Badia, in addition to the French agricultural research centre INRA’s Station in Angers. b. Cloning of material selected in the course of the programme to improve the rootstocks of Prunus and Malus, in collaboration with the Lleida Field Station and Mas Badia. c. Recovery of embryos of crossings between spring varieties of peach and nectarine, in which the embryos are not viable, as part of the programme to obtain new varieties. d. Recovery of embryos of crossings between spring varieties of peach and nectarine, for AgroSelection Fruits (France). e. Propagation of aromatic and/or decorative plants.

2. Doubled haploid lines (DHLs) in vegetables as pure lines for the production of commercial hybrids. a. Project to obtain DHLs in tomatoes, financed by INIA and by the Fitó-IRTA Mixed Unit. b. Production of DHLs in peppers, aubergines, melons, cucumbers, water-melons and courgettes. c. Production of DHLs of asparagus by the PlanasaIRTA Mixed Unit. 3. Tetraploid lines in vegetables with parentals for the production of seedless hybrids. a. Production of 4n stable lines in melons. b. Production of 4n stable lines in water-melons, for the production of 3n seedless commercial hybrids. 4. Genetic transformation in plants of interest. a. Genetic transformation in peppers, melons and tomatoes for the updating or improving of genetic transformation efficiencies, for the expression of genes of interest. b. Improvement of transformation techniques. c. Improvement of the transformation protocol of the “Piel de sapo” type of melon. d. Transformation trials for tomatoes, first with the Microtom cultivar, so as to establish a protocol, and to be applied subsequently to commercial lines. e. Transformation of rice and tobacco. f. Gene expression for transitory forms of tobacco.

Plant Production

Animal Production

44. Animal Breeding & Genetics 48. Nutrition, Health & Animal Welfare 52. Aquaculture 56. Animal Health

Animal Breeding & Genetics Project for hybridization of the red-legged partridge IRTA participated in the project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Study of genetic methods used by analysis laboratories to determine the hybridization of the red-legged partridge: establishment of a common methodâ&#x20AC;?. Our participation was financed by the Catalan Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of the Environment and Housing and by the promoting organization, FEDENCA (the Foundation for the Study and Defence of the Natural World and Hunting). The study was undertaken by five Spanish research organizations and one French one. A system was put in place based on 23 SNP (SingleNucleotide Polymorphism) DNA markers in order to determine the degree of introgression of the Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). The method was validated and accepted by all the research organisms participating, which created a consortium to proceed to analyse the domestic populations of red-legged partridge, whether it be at the request of the breeders themselves, of the autonomous administration or of the courts. In this way it will be possible to certify the genetic purity of the high-quality populations and prevent the releasing into the wild of red-legged partridges hybridized with Chukar partridges. At the same time, this enables IRTA to provide a consultancy service for the genetic management of the bird farms producing partridges for shooting.

Animal Production The conservation of the Catalan hen breeds

The improvement of the Prat and Balearic hen breeds

During the course of 2009 we continued to pursue the programme of conservation of the Catalan hen breeds (Prat, Penedès and Empordà), in collaboration with the breeders’ association for one of the breeds mentioned. We continued the operation of ordering the genealogical records, initiated in 2008, and which was made possible through the aid awarded by the Department of Agriculture to the breeders’ associations which work for the conservation of breeds benefitting from special protection. This operation enabled us to organize conservation programmes jointly managed by the breeders and IRTA, with access to an entire stock of poultry kept in controlled conditions and with its genealogy identified. Both these factors – having birds kept at various different locations and being able to foster breeding in conditions of low consanguinity – have resulted in providing conditions of much greater security for the safeguarding of the breeds referred to.

At the request of the Regulatory Council for the “Chickens and Capons of El Prat” Protected Label of Geographical Origin, and with financing from the Baix Llobregat Agricultural Park, we have continued with the conservation and selection in terms of weight and breast conformation criteria of what we define as the paternal strain of the Prat hen breed, identified by IRTA some years ago now and used to produce chickens of the improved Prat breed, thus giving the chickens and capons produced under the protected label of geographical origin. As a parallel operation, through a contract with the Balearic Institute of Animal Biology (IBAB S.A.), we have also continued to manage “in situ” the programme for the recovery, definition, conservation and identification of the native breeds of hens from the Balearic Islands. We have worked on the breeds from Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza. We produced a study of comparative definition referring to the animals’ growth, egg production and morphology. We found sufficient differences between them to sustain that they are in fact different breeds, and a report was prepared to request official recognition for the Ibiza hen, which has already been granted to the other two breeds.

Animal Breeding & Genetics Low levels of variability between French and Spanish pigs

PIGER: 4,300,000 registrations for the

In a study carried out jointly by researchers from Spain (from IRTA and from the Veterinary Faculty of the Autonomous University of Barcelona) and from France (from INRA, IFIP and Labogena), an analysis was made of the genetic variability between the Duroc, Landrace, Large White and Pietrain pig breeds on the basis of 4,860 paternity checks using microsatellite markers.

The name PIGER is based on the Catalan acronym for the Integrated Programme for the Genealogical Management, Reproductive Control and Genetic Evaluation of Thoroughbred Pigs, which is managed by IRTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pig Monitoring and Evaluation Centre in Monells (Girona) on behalf of the companies making up the Spanish and Catalan professional associations of breeders of thoroughbred pigs (ANPS and ACPS). This programme is based on the continuing analysis of nearly 4.3 million registered animals with all the information deriving from books and genealogical records for Spanish pig breeds.

The objective was to study the frequencies of 10 markers that were common to the Spanish and French analyses conducted in these populations. Although the genetic diversity is grouped in terms of breed, a greater degree of diversity was found within the populations of Large White, and less in the Duroc populations (which could be explained by the small number of â&#x20AC;&#x153;foundingâ&#x20AC;? individuals). This aspect is also less marked in the Pietrain pigs due to the importing of Belgian and German specimens. In absolute terms, the use of the 10 microsatellite markers common to both France and Spain, which were employed in this study for paternity controls, enabled us to differentiate correctly the 4 breeds, with a minimum percentage of affiliation of 95%. This is due to the great polymorphism of the microsatellites used, to the high degree of proximity between the populations of the same breed, and a good differentiation of the 4 breeds between one another.

control and evaluation of reproducing pigs

This figure is the result of the monitoring, comparison, validation and analysis of genealogical and reproductive information concerning select thoroughbred boars which are morphologically qualified in accordance with the standard profile for their breed, entered in the genealogical registers of Spanish pig selection centres that are members of the ANPS or ACPS. These registers are complemented by the results of official assessment tests for select reproducing boars conducted on farms, in field stations (in terms of production levels and meat yield), together with their corresponding genetic evaluations. During the course of 2009, the registration was completed of up to 120,000 thoroughbred animals reared from nearly 20,000 litters and begotten by 12,000 thoroughbred mating boars used in 37 selection centres. Every year, on the basis of the results of genetic and morphological qualifications, together with tests undergone and genetic assessments, 7,000 new, constantly improving mating boars are selected to replace the existing animals. Others are distributed to the companies responsible for breeding or to artificial insemination centres.

Animal Production Castellets Pig Farm wins the Porc d’Or Diamond Trophy With the first awards taking place in 1994, 2009 marked the 16th year of the by now traditional prize-giving ceremony of the Porc d’Or (Golden Pig) Awards. This year’s event was held in Vic (Barcelona province), and turned into a veritable industry extravaganza, with more than 650 people attending, between representatives of the sector and of the various public entities. Of the 82 pig farms selected for the final round and competing for the 45 Porc d’Or Awards on offer this year, the jury decided to award the Special Porc d’Or Diamond Trophy for 2009 to Castellets Farm from Taradell (Barcelona province). This farm had also won the Special Award for Highest Productivity in both 2008 and 2007.

The representative of Castellets Farm receiving the Porc d’Or Diamond Trophy

El Clos Pig Farm, from Santa Cecilia de Voltregà (Barcelona province) won this year’s Special Award for Highest Productivity by achieving an average of 31.45 piglets weaned per sow during a 12-month period, a truly impressive figure and the highest amount achieved in the history of the Awards. The Special Award of the Ministry of the Environment and of Rural and Marine Affairs was conferred this year on a farm in Galicia, the Granxa O Pino, from the locality of O Pino, near La Coruña.

Panoramic view of the venue where the 2009 Porc d’Or Awards ceremony took place

Nutrition, Health & Animal Welfare The use of nitrogen to stun pigs

Welfare Quality: the first protocols for animal welfare

The general aim of this project, financed by the Ministry of Education and Science, was to evaluate exposure to either an atmospheric concentration of 98% nitrogen, or a mixture of 70% nitrogen with 30% CO2, as humanitarian systems for stunning pigs prior to slaughter. Tests were conducted at IRTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experimental slaughterhouse, which is equipped with a system to stun animals using CO2.

European researchers from the Welfare QualityÂŽ programme, including IRTA researchers among their number, have developed the first protocols to evaluate the welfare of farm animals.

The results obtained indicate that an atmosphere of 98% nitrogen in the interior of the installation cannot produce a low enough level of oxygen to render pigs unconscious. Furthermore, exposure to atmospheric concentrations with mixtures of 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2 (70N30C), 80% nitrogen and 20% CO2 (80N20C), and 85% nitrogen and 15% CO2 (85N15C) caused aversion in the pigs. Regarding the period of induction into unconsciousness, this is longer in animals exposed to an atmospheric concentration with mixtures of 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2 (70N30C), 80% nitrogen and 20% CO2 (80N20C), and 85% nitrogen and 15% CO2 (85N15C), rather than to a concentration of 90% CO2. Finally, it was observed that, with regard to the quality of the carcass and of the meat, although there were no significant differences, this were less affected in animals stunned with 90% CO2.

Welfare QualityÂŽ defined 4 principles of animal welfare: good accommodation, good feed, good health and appropriate behaviour. It identified 12 different but complementary criteria for animal welfare. These systems will help producers to understand the level of animal welfare on their farms, and to improve their practices through certification programmes that provide consumers with a guarantee that the highest standards of animal welfare will be followed. In the same way, producers will benefit from an improvement in the levels of animal welfare based on the recommendations originating from the evaluations made on their farms. Protocols have been developed for dairy cattle, beef cattle, calves for fattening, farrowing sows, pigs for fattening, laying hens and broilers.

Animal Production Sheep that produce milk enriched with omega-3

Transport of lambs and meat quality

Milk and milk-derived products enriched with omega-3 are currently already commercially available. In such products, the manufacturer replaces part or all of the milk’s saturated fats with unsaturated or polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3, among others), thus conferring on the basic food product additional properties that are beneficial for the consumer’s cardiovascular health.

The Animal Welfare Sub-Programme participated in a project coordinated by the Italian animal research centre “Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e Del Molise G. Caporale” and financed by the Italian National Research Programme (2009-2010) on the subject of the “Management of meat quality and animal welfare: the effect of transport on stress and meat quality in lambs”.

In this field, two groups of researchers (one group from IRTA, and another from the Spanish National Research Council’s Institute of Refrigeration) have succeeded in obtaining, by natural methods, milk from sheep that is enriched with omega-3 acids and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), to which potential anti-carcinogenic and cholesterol-reducing properties have been attributed, in addition to a capacity to reduce the content of saturated fatty acids. This was achieved by adding supplements of linseed and sunflower flour to the animals’ feed. The resulting sheep’s milk thus presents in a natural manner a healthier profile in terms of fatty acids. This milk has, moreover, also been used to produce cheeses, and the fatty-acid profile of the original milk was not modified during the process of preparing and maturing the cheese.

The study measured the effects of the stress produced in lambs as a function of the transport conditions (duration, animal density, microclimate) and the influence this has on the quality of their meat (pH, glycogen, lactate, colour, tenderness, volume loss through excess water, etc.). The conclusions of the project were that transporting for a duration of about 20 hours has few effects on the quality of the lambs’ meat compared with short journeys, although the animals have to mobilize their energy, as is shown by the higher values for metabolites of cortisol in their faeces. An important concern from the viewpoint of animal welfare is the fact that the animals may spend long periods without drinking. A possible cause is their not being sufficiently used to the troughs in the vehicle, although other causes need to be studied in the future.

The results obtained have been the object of a patent that has been licensed to the company Lodyn S.L.

Advice for the transporting of lambs During the course of 2009 we participated in the project financed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the main aim of which was to develop regulations to evaluate risk and appropriate working methods related to aspects of animal welfare during the transport of animals reared for their meat, including fish. Within the context of the project, the main factors were identified for evaluating animal welfare during their transport, together with the main risks at each stage of a journey (preparation for transport, loading and unloading, foreseeing adequate space, feed and water supply, vehicle design, journey plan and the quality of the driving). The project was published on the EFSA website.

Nutrition, Health & Animal Welfare Ovultest: the rapid detection of progesterone and estradiol in milk for better insemination

Pathomilk: a new tool for handling the herd

Ovultest is the name of the project that has developed a rapid immunodetector of progesterone and estradiol in milk so as to predict the best time to inseminate dairy cows and thus to optimize the process of artificial insemination.

Dairy cattle diseases which are highly infectious and dangerous both for humans and for animals (brucellosis, MAP/paratuberculosis, and mastitis) have up to now had to be diagnosed individually, using complex microbiological cultures or expensive techniques (PCR), have required blood tests, and the results have taken about a week to reach the vet or the farmer.

The success of artificial insemination in dairy cattle depends on effective and accurate detection of when the animal is on heat. On many farms, fertility is still monitored by farmers through observation of changes in a cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour which indicate that the animal is approaching ovulation (increased activity, nervousness and predisposition to be mounted by other animals in the herd).

The desire to resolve this problem has led a consortium of companies and research institutes to work on the Pathomilk project and to develop a prototype multi-pathogen analyser which can detect the commonest pathogens in cattle and reduce losses caused for health reasons.

Recent studies indicate that 85-90% of unsuccessful inseminations are caused by a failure to detect heat and only 10-15% as a result of the rate of conception. The project succeeded in developing a completely automated prototype, an immunodetector of progesterone and estradiol in milk based on an immunological trial with an amperometric detection system. The immunodetection finally develops into a solid support, obtaining detection limits of 2-3 ng/ml for progesterone and 4-5 pg/ml for estradiol, both within the specified requirements of the system.

Based on DNA/RNA hybridization, and using surface plasmon resonance, this prototype can detect a pathogen in 10 samples of milk or 10 pathogens in a single sample of milk, with a sensitivity of 102-103 CFU (colony forming units) per millilitre, which means that it is capable of detecting sub-clinical mastitis. All of this can be done in just one day, which makes it possible to bring forward starting treatment.

Animal Production A review of mycotoxin detoxifying agents in animal feed Mycotoxins are small, highly stable molecules that are extremely difficult to eliminate or eradicate, and which enter the food chain with all their toxic properties intact. The mycotoxins that cause greatest concern as contaminants in animal feed are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, toxins of Fusarium (trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, diacetoxyscirpenol, nivalenol, T2 and HT2 toxins).

A further aim of the project was to provide an accurate definition of the subcategories of absorbents and agents for detoxifying mycotoxins, based on their functional properties, their method of operation and their biological, physical and chemical characteristics (enzymes, microorganisms, biomolecules). An exhaustive list of animal feedstuffs was compiled, and a list was also prepared of feedstuffs with the greatest risk of contamination, and these were duly compared with the most effective additives. Special attention was given to the possible use of absorbents and detoxifying agents alone or combined against mycotoxins (which could also be alone or in combinations). On the basis of the results obtained, criteria will be proposed for the monitoring of the suitability and safety of the additives in feedstuffs and for the elimination or reduction of the mycotoxins in feedstuffs.

11th International Symposium on the Digestive Physiology of Pigs

From May 19th to 22nd the 11th International Symposium on the Digestive Physiology of Pigs was held in Monbri贸 del Camp (Tarragona). The Symposium was attended by over 350 people coming from some thirty countries from all over the world, and had a total of five sessions during which a total of 200 papers were presented. Strategies to reduce the effects of mycotoxins range from diminishing their bioavailability by using absorbing agents in feed, to the degradation of the mycotoxins using bacteria, fungi or enzymes as biotransforming agents. The specific objectives of the project were to provide an extensive critical review of the agents detoxifying mycotoxins, their method of operation and the benefits and risks associated with their use as additives in animal feed. This review will be used to establish guidelines for the monitoring of the risks and effectiveness of the agents used to detoxify mycotoxins in animal feed.

Aquaculture Consolidated Research Group for the reproduction and larval cultivation of aquatic organisms The emerging research group for the reproduction and larval cultivation of aquatic organisms has now been reclassified as a consolidated group, in accordance with the regulations of the Catalan Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agency for the Administration of University and Research Grants (AGAUR). The Group currently consists of 8 researchers, 6 holders of pre-doctoral scholarships and 3 support technicians, and is essentially dedicated to the study of the physical, chemical and hormonal conditions that regulate the reproduction of marine organisms which are capable of intensive cultivation so as to obtain viable eggs that will develop into larvae. The most appropriate conditions are then studied for the intensive cultivation (zootechnics) of the above larvae, in terms of nutritional requirements, capacity to ingest and digest food (enzymology and histology), use of artificial diets (microdiets and feedstuffs), until finally obtaining young individuals in sufficient quantity and quality.

Cultimar (Barcelona), Culmasur S.A. (Gran Canaria), Canexmar S.L. (Huelva) and Servicios Atuneros del MediterrĂĄneo S.L. (Murcia). The projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main objectives are as follows: 1. To design multiplex PCRs of genetic markers, or microsatellites, that make it possible to define in a faster and more economical manner stocks of progenitors and descendants of gilthead sea bream and to infer the relationship between them in a context of mass spawning. 2. To maximize the contribution in terms of family numbers, through controlled mass spawning that will lead to the establishment of a model of crossbreeding in the nuclei of progenitors that can harmonize the commercial interests of the industry with the acquisition of genetic information concerning the production batches. 3. To quantify the genotype/environment interaction through the cultivation of different batches of descendants originating from different stocks of progenitors in different fattening systems (floating cages, estuaries) and regions (island and mainland). 4. To estimate the inheritability of the characteristics of interest and the genetic and phenotypic correlations between the latter, so that the industrial sector may have at its disposal information that will enable it to take the most appropriate decisions with a view to exploiting the potential for profitability, without substantially modifying its production pattern. In each autonomous community concerned, spawn was produced by a previously genotyped stock of progenitors during the course of 2009, and young fish were exchanged between centres. A fixed number remained in the centres, while the rest went to companies in the industry.

A pilot programme for the genetic improvement of the gilthead sea bream With financing from the Spanish Assessment Committee for Marine Cultivation (JACUMAR), this project, initiated in 2009, also enjoys the participation of the autonomous communities of Andalusia, the Canary Islands and Murcia in addition to that of Catalonia, and is conducted in collaboration with the Universities of Las Palmas, Murcia and Oviedo, the Polytechnic Universities of Murcia and Valencia, the Institute of Forensic Techniques of Las Palmas, and the companies Veta la Palma (Cadiz),

Once they reach a commercially viable size after fattening, 1,000 fish will be culled, and the carcass yield per fillet, deformations, etc., will be estimated so as to create a database that will be compared with the genotype of the individuals.

Animal Production Behaviour and nutrition: keys to reproduction in sole

Close collaboration with the Skretting Aquaculture Centre

In order to breed Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) we require a supply of good quality spawn obtained from progenitors in captivity. Although captured wild progenitors have an acceptable production level of fertile eggs, those that were born in captivity either do not produce spawn or their spawn is of poor quality, despite the fact that they are fertile progenitors. In studies that have been carried out at IRTA we have attempted to explain this phenomenon. It would appear that reproductive behaviour may be one of the causes of this malfunction (joint swimming during spawning, male-female chases, etc.). The nutritional state also seems to exert an influence, since it has been observed that individuals in captivity have a higher content of lipids (and fewer proteins) in their livers and gonads. This fact could indicate that there is an interaction between nutrition, production of hormones and reproductive behaviour that affects the reproductive capacity of the sole. The Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (Skretting ARC) is the research centre that this multinational company possesses in Norway, and which coordinates the trials that are carried out on a commercial basis in the different research centres with which they work. Their collaboration with IRTA dates back to 2006, and during these last few years the tests conducted have been orientated towards improving the nutrition and the health of the fish. Work has been carried out with produce of diverse origin, safety and food quality conditions in gilthead bream and sea bass, ranging from young fish (from 5 grams in weight upwards) to the end of the fattening process (over 400 grams). This collaboration has enabled Skretting ARC to offer feed manufacturers the opportunity to adjust the diets of these two species depending on the age of the individuals, although with clear differences in the requirements and composition of the feed remaining obvious between the two species. The research has been undertaken at the various recirculation units at our Sant Carles de la RĂ pita centre, which allow for full control of the main parameters such as temperature, salinity, water flow, oxygen, and pH, making it possible to establish a clear relationship between temperature and diet.

Aquaculture Production of micro-algae to feed rotifers and brine shrimps

ALARMTOX: making bivalve shellfish safer to consume

Monzon Biotech, S.L. is a company based in Huesca forming part of the Sales Monzón, S.A. group of companies, and which has exploited the hot brackish water originating from the mining of salt from a seam located 300 metres underground, together with the CO2 generated by the combustion of the pumps used for extracting the salt, in order to engage in the intensive production of micro-algae.

In numerous areas of the Spanish coast bivalve aquaculture constitutes an important economic activity, both in absolute terms of production levels and as a tourist attraction. The presence of micro-algae producing toxins (phycotoxins) in coastal waters may adversely affect the quality of the seafood, producing various gastro-intestinal or dermatological pathologies in consumers. The micro-algae can also cause serious disturbance to the biodiversity of river and coastal ecosystems, with significant environmental and agricultural consequences (unbalance in the ecosystem and intoxication of livestock). Moreover, the detection of micro-algae in shellfish-producing areas leads to the banning of production, with all the consequent financial loss this entails for the producers. Surveillance in shellfish-producing areas is usually conducted by a certain number of organisms, as is the case for IRTA in Catalonia. An improved ability to detect the biotoxins referred to, in terms of both the sensitivity and the speed of the reaction, is thus essential in order to be able to ensure, among other priorities, a maximum level of food safety for consumers.

These micro-algae are being evaluated with a view to being used in aquaculture, especially as food in the production of rotifers, which are the first foodstuff that the larvae of sea fish receive, to fatten brine shrimps as live food, and to be used during the process of cultivation of larvae. For this reason a large-scale cultivation process of batches of rotifers has been undertaken, and subsequent comparative tests have been carried out with the different products that are sold commercially, making it possible to evaluate the growth of these populations, their survival, their biochemical composition and their probiotic capacity. Work is currently being undertaken to improve the production procedures and the effect that the different presentations of the product may have.

The “ALARMTOX” project aims to develop trials and biosensors to facilitate the detection of biotoxins in aquatic environments so as to ensure the quality of the water and to be able to supply safe bivalve shellfish for human consumption. This project was initiated in 2009, and its initial duration is for two years. The project is financed by the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the context of the South West Europe (SUDOE) innovation axis. The project, for which IRTA is coordinator, has 4 main partners, the others being BIOMEM-UP, University of Perpignan, France; CRITT Bio-Industries / INSA (National Institute for Applied Sciences), France; and the Spanish National Research Council’s Institute of Chemical and Environmental Research (IIQAB-CSIC), Barcelona. It also includes the participation of 7 other partners for dealing with the analysis of samples.

Animal Production Detection of Diarrhoeal and Lipophilic Toxins

Are pesticides responsible for the deaths of oysters?

In this project we implemented methods of liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection and mass spectrometry for the multi-analyte analysis of lipophilic toxins in samples of bivalve shellfish and phytoplankton, and also for extraction protocols.

Over the last few years there have been episodes of widespread deaths in the populations of bivalve shellfish (especially oysters), which have been systematically examined through specific operations carried out by the Catalan Government’s General Directorate for Fishing and Marine Affairs (DGPiAM).

The application of these protocols will permit the identification of concentrations of marine toxins in samples of phytoplankton and bivalve shellfish from the Ebro Delta area of production, and may be used to define the protocols for the opening or closure of these areas, thus improving consumer protection, and opening up the possibility of exporting these results to other areas where these toxins are present.

IRTA and other institutions (CSIC, DAAR-TTEE, ACA) have attempted to identify the etiology of the massive deaths of bivalves in the summer. On the basis of the results obtained, organophosphorus based pesticides seem to be the most probable cause, although other contaminants and pathogens have been sought. Since 2009, these pesticides can no longer be legally used on rice fields. Nevertheless, in order to confirm that they are not in fact used, it has been proposed that, for the next two years, a monthly sample of the flesh of oysters coming from one of the two bays concerned (Fangar and Alfacs) should be analysed for their possible presence, together with an analysis of legally acceptable products.

The project has, first and foremost, made it possible to have access to a wide range of micro-algae producing lipophilic toxins, and for the first time it has been possible to identify the presence of okadaic acid in the microalga Prorocentrum rhathymum and of yessotoxins (YTXs) in cultures of Protoceratium reticulatum or in samples of bivalves, thus improving the management of the production areas concerned.

Other Activities 2nd Congress on Mediterranean Aquaculture, 2nd Symposium on Aquaculture in Catalonia, and 25th “ExpoRàpita” Technical Symposium October 15th and 16th 2009, Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

Symposium on therapeutics in aquaculture October 13th and 14th 2009, Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

Animal Health The role of gulls and seagulls in free-range poultry farms

Campylobacter in chickens for fattening in Spain

The production systems of free-range poultry farms may have some bearing on the propagation of enteropathogens due to the potential interaction with wild birds.

Most gastroenteritis in humans is due to enteric zoonotic infections caused by consumption of food contaminated by bacteria. The presence of Campylobacter spp. in domestic birds and their derivatives is the principal cause of these infections and it is well known that most poultry farms are infected by this enteropathogen.

In this project we study the role of the interactions between free-range poultry farms and gulls, Larus michahellis, as a focus of the propagation of Salmonella and Campylobacter and of resistance to anti-microbials. In this first year of the project and on self-sufficient farms, even though Salmonella has not yet been identified, Campylobacter has been positively identified (55%), of which 16.7% of cases have been identified by PCR as C. Coli and 38.9% as C. Jejuni. The percentage of prevalence inside farms has varied between 10% and 60%. With regard to the colonies of gulls studied, both Salmonella and Campylobacter have been identified. Two species of gull have been studied, the yellow-legged gull and Audouin’s gull. The locations examined were: gull: Medes Islands, Ebro Delta, · Yellow-legged Columbretes Islands.

· Audouin’s gull: island of Alboran, Ebro Delta. The percentage of prevalence of Salmonella in yellowlegged gulls varied between 7.1% and 8.69%, while in colonies of Audouin’s gulls none was identified. With regard to Campylobacter, it was only identified in the Ebro Delta, both in the case of colonies of yellow-legged gulls (2.4%) and of colonies of Audouin’s gulls (19.2%).

This project aims to study the prevalence of Campylobacter and the risk factors associated in broiler birds at a national level, together with a study of the dynamics of transmission between batches on the same farm. For this purpose we shall also analyse the role played by the interior environment of the sheds, health and animal welfare, the exterior environment, the role of flies as vectors, and the distribution of sub-types of Campylobacter in Spain using a system of genotype (Multilocus Sequence Typing) which will enable us to compare the strains obtained in this study with those of other countries, thus determining whether there are differences in the distribution of the different sub-types at a European level.

Animal Production Surface proteins and secreted proteins from virulent strains of Haemophilus parasuis The genome of the Nagasaki strain of Haemophilus parasuis shows 19 genes belonging to the type V secretion system. Such a high number is unusual in bacteria and demonstrates the importance of this system for H. Parasuis in its adaptation to the host. 13 genes have been attributed by codifying for trimeric autotransporters (AT-2), and 6 for monomeric autotransporters (AT-1). Although it is known that there are virulent and nonvirulent strains of Haemophilus parasuis, the factors of virulence that differentiate them are unknown. It is known that the AT-2s have a specific repertoire of virulent strains that this property has been exploited so as to develop a PCT test that is useful for the diagnosis of virulent strains. Studies have been conducted at the Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA) that have determined that resistance to phagocytosis is a mechanism of virulence of H. parasuis, so that only the virulent strains are able to resist phagocytosis through porcine alveolar macrophages. In order to identify the molecules involved in this function, a gene library has been constructed with the DNA of the virulent Nagasaki strain from which various clones have been selected that will exhibit an increased survival rate after incubation with macrophages. The analysis of the sequencing of the selected clones shows that two of them contained AT-2. Resistance to the bactericide action of the serum is another mechanism of virulence of H. parasuis which enables it to undertake a systemic invasion. In this case, the gene library was incubated with serum and the clones that showed the greatest ability to survive were duly selected. The analysis of the sequencing of one of these clones revealed the presence of an AT-1. Both AT-1s and AT-2 s are external membrane proteins with functions related with the interaction between host and pathogen. In addition to being involved in the virulence of the bacteria, the autotransporters are expressed in vivo, during the infection of the animals, and are immunogenic, which makes them good candidates for a vaccine.

Animal Health Vaccination and immunomodulatory strategies based on stimulation of porcine dendritic cells

Molecular factors and mechanisms of transmission and pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza

The studies conducted on dendritic cells (DCs) highlight the key role that they play in triggering an effective immune response, and demonstrate how important it is for immunogens to be processed by DCs, unclenching their activation and thus ensuring that vaccines will be adequately effective.

EuroFlu is the name of the European project through which work has been conducted to determine the molecular factors and the mechanisms of transmission and pathogenesis of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.

This project aims to increase knowledge of the role of DCs through the application of various methodological approaches intended to stimulate porcine DCs so as to evoke an adequate immune response that is protective, systemic and mucosal. These approaches are as follows: a) the multimeric presentation of antigens on the surface of â&#x20AC;&#x153;virus-like particlesâ&#x20AC;? (VLPs) of calicivirus; b) the use of collectins as immunomodulators of the immune response; and c) the fusion/conjugation of the single-chain antibody APCH I (anti-SLA II) to the antigens so as to direct them to the professional cells presenting antigens. The viral model chosen was the swine influenza virus due to it consideration as a zoonosis.

After inoculating intranasally against avian influenza, the virus was detected a few hours after inoculation in blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid, which suggests a possible entry of the virus into the CNS via the circulation of the blood. The samples of blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue taken at selected intervals were analysed using molecular (real-time PCR) and immunohistochemical methods. The blood was separated into fractions (plasma, PBMC and red blood cell package), which were submitted to real-time PCR and viral isolation. The viral antigen was detected in the plasma and in the PBMC 12 hours and 24 hours after infection. The same thing happened in the case of the cerebrospinal fluid. The immunohistochemical analysis of the brain tissue with monoclonal antibodies specific to the virus showed the presence of the above in certain clearly delineated areas of the brain.

Animal Production Innate immunity of the host in the protection and pathogeny of infection by avian influenza virus 15-day-old SPF chickens were used in isolation conditions in negative pressure at the CReSA installations at biosafety level 3, and inoculated intranasally with different dosages (104 ELD50, 105 ELD50, 106 ELD50) of the HPAIV H7 strain of AIV. In parallel to this, SPF chickens were inoculated with PBS to act as a control group. The necropsies were carried out 1, 3, 5 and 10 days after infection. In the infected animals macroscopic lesions were found at 2 and 3 days after infection, with oedema and haemorrhages in the legs and the crest. In the lymphoid tissue lesions were found of the following type: thymic atrophy, splenomegaly, atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius. Viral antigen was detected essentially in the central nervous system, kidneys and skin in infected animals. The kidney was severely affected, and, in areas with high density of the viral antigen, cortico-tubular cells were particularly notable.

Food Industries

62. Food Technology 66. Product Quality 68. Food Safety 70. Functionality & Nutrition

Food Technology Collaboration with the Alicia Foundation on the CENIT FUTURAL project

High frequencies applied to vegetables

It was the Catalan Minister of Agriculture and Food, Joaquim Llena, who first explained in person that the Catalan Government, acting through IRTA, was to collaborate with the Alicia Foundation for Science and Nutrition on a joint food research and technology project, CENIT FUTURAL 2007-2010.

IRTA also collaborates as a research entity sub-contracted by the frozen-food company Ultracongelados Virto, S.A., within the framework of the CENIT-FUTURAL project the “contribution of new technologies to producing the food of the future.” Ultracongelados Virto, S.A., will focus its attention on applying new technologies to producing cooked vegetables in optimal conditions of product hygiene and stability.

The CENIT FUTURAL project aims to lay the foundations, from an industrial point of view, for the use of new technologies in the preparation of the food of the future, thus adapting to consumers’ needs.

The Minister Llena and the chef Ferran Adrià

The areas of action are many and varied. Technological advances and opportunities for products such as vegetables, meat and fish, milk and dairy products, packaging and machinery will be investigated. In the case of the restaurant and catering sector (which is where the Alicia Foundation can make its biggest contribution), research into new ingredients and new ways of preparing food for both collective and commercial meals will be conducted. In this sense, the chef Ferran Adrià explained that the Alicia Foundation wishes to research new ways of preserving and conserving foodstuffs, giving as an example ready-cooked gazpacho. Adrià affirmed that the preservation of this dish as it has been put into effect up to now had to some extent affected the product, in that the vegetables lost some of their qualities. Researching into the use of high pressures and ultrasound techniques, however, may make it possible to produce a more natural preserved product.

In the context of this collaboration, IRTA’s contribution will centre on establishing the dielectric and thermodynamic parameters of the vegetable-based product so as to subject it to the new technology, which is based on the application of microwaves, as compared with the use of heat, which is the treatment traditionally used for processing vegetables. This collaboration is also being undertaken in conjunction with CNTA (National Centre for Food Technology and Safety), based at its Ebro Laboratory in Navarre.

Food Industries IRTA-Ordesa combined research unit

Oysters at high pressure

The company Laboratorios Ordesa S.L. works in close collaboration with IRTA in different areas, the best known of which is the recently-created combined research unit to manage a pilot plant co-financed by Laboratorios Ordesa S.L. and IRTA. This combined research unit includes research and support staff representing both entities, and administers one of the most technologically advanced pilot plants in the European dairy products sector, representing an investment of 2.2 million euros.

In the case of oysters, the application of high pressure techniques opens a range of new possibilities for their commercial exploitation. First and foremost, it ensures the total destruction of the Vibrio, which gives the product immediate added value in terms of food safety. This is not all, however, since by submitting the oysters to a pressure of 400 MPa for a period of 10 minutes we can lengthen their shelf lives to up to 42 days at 2ºC and, as an added curiosity, this treatment enables us to open the oysters very easily by hand. This makes it possible to expand enormously the field of commercial exploitation for oysters and their safety conditions as a foodstuff, since we thus obtain a sanitized product with none of the risks of “traditional” oysters, but retaining all their original taste.

Among numerous other features, the new plant makes it possible to produce baby food products in powder and liquid formats in the same conditions and using the same methods as though it were a conventional industrial process. The pilot plant, with its physical location at CENTA-IRTA in Monells, has the capacity to pasteurize and condense milk using a variety of systems (evaporation, micro/ultra/nano-filtration and reverse osmosis), and to produce various liquid product formulas, pasteurizing and homogenizing them so as to produce a completely dried product in an atomizer with agglomerating capacity. It can also sterilize a liquid food product using the UHT system with aseptic sampling. The combined research unit will also carry out research tasks in the context of a variety of projects, particularly the CENIT FUTURAL project which brings together 23 Spanish food companies to finance research into new technologies as applied to the processing and transformation of food products. The pilot plant will be open to collaboration with any third-party companies that may find this scientific and technical infrastructure useful.

The same procedure can also be followed with mussels and with other products, although the overall commercial value of the product will have an influence on to what extent the cost of the treatment can be absorbed into the product’s final retail price. In the case of crustaceans the procedure can be applied to lobsters (both the common spiny lobster and the European lobster), for which, in addition to sanitizing them, it is possible to extract 100% of their flesh, which increases the product yield. The flesh is fresh and uncooked, thus increasing the added value of the product. Another application to crustaceans that is being studied at IRTA concerns the red swamp crayfish, a crustacean of U.S. origin which is considered a pest in our rivers, and for which it is also possible to extract 100% of the flesh through the high pressure technique, thus giving value to the animal and most probably providing a solution to the problem.

Food Technology Combining high pressure and QDS techniques in meat products

Joan Manuel Albacete becomes the new manager of CENTA

IRTA’s collaboration with the companies Metalquimia, S.A. and Casademont, S.A. in the context of the CENIT FUTURAL project is focused on studying the application of high pressures in combination with drying systems, and specifically with the ultra-fast QDS® drying system, in meat products.

On September 1st 2009 Joan Manuel Albacete took up his post as the new manager of the Centre for New Food Technologies and Processes (CENTA). A native of Girona, he is an industrial design engineer and has both an MBA and a Masters in Economic and Financial Management from the ESADE Business School.

IRTA’s role in this project consists of studying the behaviour of the microbes and proteins after the application of these two technologies in combination, with the aim of achieving the ideal level of food safety for the products obtained using this technology.

An agreement with amec to develop new products IRTA signed on May 12th 2009 a framework collaboration agreement with amec, the largest association of exporting and internationally-orientated companies in Spain, by which it was established that companies associated with amec, and more specifically those that belong to the agrifood sector (amec aefemac, amec alimentec, amec afespan, amec envasgraf and amec imapc), will have the right to request and receive the technological and innovation-related information they need to develop new, more competitive products that are likely to succeed in both the domestic and the international market.

In the agreement signed, CENTA will be responsible for undertaking specific operations to help the food and food packaging sector.

Food Industries

Product Quality Beef enriched with n-3 and CLA Beef is perceived by many consumers as an unhealthy type of meat with a high content in saturated fats, which has favoured studies that advocate the modification of its fatty acid (FA) content through the animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diet so as to adapt better to nutritionistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recommendations. Omega-3 (n-3) FA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) play an important role in health, and a low ratio of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) to saturated FA (SFA) and a high n-6:n-3 ratio in meat contribute to a nutritional imbalance in consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diets. The animal fattening system most used in Spain is based on diets with a high level of concentrated feed and with limited forage, which produces a type of meat with an excessively high n-6 FA content. It is possible to enrich the composition of the meat with n-3 FA and CLA through supplementing it with linseed (a source of n-3) and protected CLA (a direct source of CLA). Nevertheless, the increased level in meat of PUFA, and particularly of n-3, may affect its oxidative stability, requiring the use of antioxidants such as vitamin E.

This project proposes an examination of the metabolism of lipids and their distribution in the animal, as well as an improvement of the nutritional and organoleptic quality of beef without affecting its oxidative stability. The main objectives are as follows: 1. To evaluate the effect on carcass quality (and especially on the resultant quality of the meat) of supplementing diets so that they are enriched in n-3 FA, CLA and vitamin E. 2. To study the effect of this diet on the metabolism of the lipids and their distribution in the animal. 3. To evaluate the stability of the colour and of the presence of lipids in meat enriched with n-3, CLA and vitamin E. 4. To evaluate the sensory acceptability for consumers of meat enriched with PUFA and vitamin E, and their attitudes to the basic products and willingness to pay more for a differentiated product. The development of meat of better nutritional and organoleptic quality (depending on the preferences of Spanish consumers) will enable the beef sector to compete more efficiently with other sectors of the food industry.

Food Industries Recommendations concerning castration and dehorning

OTRAC project: sustainable development in the Pyrenean region

“Study of the improved methods for animal friendly production, in particular on alternatives to pig castration and to the dehorning of cattle” is the title of this project, also referred to as ALCASDE, and which is financed by the European Union’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs (DG-SANCO). The final aim was to provide DG-SANCO with recommendations based on the results of research into alternatives to the chemical castration of piglets and to the dehorning of cattle, and which could provide support for EU policy with regard to these subjects.

In 2009, within the framework of the Trans-Pyrenean Interreg programme, a project was initiated under the acronym OTRAC with the aim of developing a crossfrontier organization to reproduce the idea of linking breed, region and product to encourage sustainable economic development, following the model of the Gascon breed of cattle and applying the slogan “from genetics to quality meat”. This project is directed by the University of Zaragoza and enjoys the participation of a total of 7 different entities. IRTA’s Department of Product Quality coordinates the Meat Quality Module and the studies of consumer preferences. The participating entities originate from 4 regions linked to the Pyrenees: Catalonia, Aragon, Midi-Pyrénées and LanguedocRousillon.

The consortium was made up of 20 European research groups and coordinated by IRTA in Monells. The preliminary results were presented at an International Symposium in Bologna, at which an examination was also made of the impact that production of uncastrated males could have on the various European markets, and a discussion took place with the different sectors involved in the production chain concerning possible alternatives to the practice of dehorning cattle. The study’s main conclusions in relation to the subject of castration were that the production of uncastrated males is a feasible option in some markets, but that the risk nevertheless exists that this meat will not be accepted by consumers, given that it cannot be currently guaranteed that it will be free of the sexual odour of the male animal (known as “boar taint”). It would therefore be risky in the short term to recommend the prohibition of castration because of the economic and meat quality problems that this could involve. The long-term solution needs to come from a combination of different strategies.

The project is to last for 3 years (2009-2011). Interreg programmes are not connected with research, properly speaking, but rather with regional development and cooperation. This project’s main objective is to study the production and marketing model of the Gascon breed of cattle (which has close links to the Pyrenean region) on both the French and the Spanish side of the frontier. The French model has been operating for a number of years, with a very large number of producers engaging in direct sale of their meat. Following this example, the aim is to improve the profitability of the farms on the other side of the Pyrenees by promoting the quality of the meat, by a better knowledge of the products that are produced on both sides of the Pyrenees, and of the preferences of the consumers and markets for which the meat is intended. These objectives can be achieved if researchers and producers work together on both sides of the Pyrenees.

With regard to dehorning, the short-term recommendations would be for an improvement of current practices, such as the use of anaesthesia and the restriction of dehorning to cases of emergency. In the long term the solutions contemplated would be either to introduce the specific gene that determines the absence of horns in cattle, or to keep the animals with their horns, taking into account both animal welfare and the interests of the farmer and of the consumer.

Food Safety Fermented and cured meat products: convenient and safe The modern consumer is looking for products that contribute to a healthy and nourishing diet, with food that offers advantages in terms of health and well-being. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are safe micro-organisms and, thanks to their large numbers in the gastrointestinal tract, are excellent candidates to be used as probiotics. Probiotics have a beneficial effect on the health of the host organism, thanks mainly to the maintenance of the ecological balance of the digestive tract and the inhibition of the colonization and growth of pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria. The consumption of probiotic products is currently limited essentially to dairy products and food complements. It is therefore necessary to investigate new forms of ingestion of probiotic microorganisms, and that the impetus of innovation finally affects all levels. The aim of this project is to determine the viability of the use of a ready-for-consumption meat product (fermented or cured cold meats and sausages) that is acceptable in sensory terms, microbiologically safe, and nutritionally healthy, as a new way of supplying probiotic microorganisms that is different from more traditional methods. For this purpose LAB strains of human origin have started to be isolated and defined from babiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; faeces.

Prevalence of food pathogens in equipment and primary products in the establishments of producers of mince and ready-made meat dishes In this study we have evaluated, by means of validated PCR methods, a total of 77 samples taken from 10 Catalan meat product manufacturers. All the samples of primary products analysed tested negative for E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. E.coli O157:H7 was not detected in any sample of equipment, and only one was tested positive for Salmonella. On the other hand, however, L. Monocytogenes was confirmed as extremely ubiquitous, both on the different work surfaces and/or instruments used for processing the meat (equipment analysed) and on the primary products (fresh meat). Five of the 10 companies studied concentrated all the positive samples for this pathogen. Globally, 35% of samples of primary products and 10% of samples of

equipment were tested positive for L. Monocytogenes. The highest percentages of positive samples for L.monocytogenes were found in pork (44%), kneading troughs (33%), and beef (25%). Only the formatters, sausage making machines and workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aprons showed an absence of this pathogen.

Packaged fish Fresh fish has traditionally been sold wholesale piece by piece, but it is becoming increasingly common to find at many points of sale fresh fish being sold readypacked. The use of the package makes it possible to provide the customer with information (to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the label) and to lengthen the shelf-life of the product, preserving its freshness and avoiding contamination. The packaging of marine produce also makes it possible to preserve the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s odours and juices, to consume it over a longer period of time (lengthening its conservation period), and to adapt it better to the new formulas and trends required by the domestic consumer. In this field, three types of air-tight product packaging have been developed: vacuum-packed products; products preserved in liquid; or products preserved in modified atmospheric conditions. Smoked salmon slices are a clear example of a vacuumpacked product, from which the air has been extracted, avoiding contact between the product and the atmosphere. In the case of salmon it can be consumed directly from the packet, but in the case of other products the package itself is used for heating up or cooking the product. The use of packages with a modified atmosphere involves replacing the natural gases present in the atmosphere by a mixture of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen) in a proportion, depending on the product, of 1:1 or of 3:1. With modified atmospheres we can keep molluscs alive and keep them in conditions in which they will continue to survive.

Food Industries Preserving the Palamós prawn for longer At the request of Palamós Town Council and the Palamós Fishermen’s Association, IRTA has been working on the viability of packaging the Palamós prawn in a controlled atmosphere and without preservatives. The fresh Palamós prawn has a very short shelf life of only one or two days, due to the fact that, once it is out of the sea, it suffers from a melanosis of enzymatic origin caused by the presence of oxygen, which blackens it so that it loses its redness. Although it can still be consumed in this condition, it is refused by the consumer, and thus loses its commercial value. The possibility of achieving a longer period of conservation has been the subject of a study currently being undertaken by IRTA. This study examined the entire production process for the prawn, i.e. starting on the fishing boat. Inside the boat we compared the traditional method of preserving the prawns in buckets with ice, compared to keeping the prawns in a package with seawater and ice and maintaining a temperature of between -1 and 1ºC. They were subsequently packed in a protective atmosphere without oxygen (33.5% of CO2 and 66.5% of N2) with a gas-product ratio of 1 to 3, stored at 3ºC for three days with an alternating 12-hour cycle of daylight and darkness (bearing in mind that, under normal conditions, they would be on show and awaiting sale). During the test, in sensory terms, the intensity of the redness and shiny appearance of the prawns were used as evaluation parameters. When stored in accordance with traditional methods, the prawn suffered a deterioration in its appearance from the first day onwards and from the second day onwards it was no longer accepted by consumers. By contrast, when preserved in a protective atmosphere, the prawn kept all its characteristics throughout the day it was caught and the following day (days 0 and 1), and was accepted by consumers during the following two days (days 2 and 3), since it retained an acceptable level of quality. The results of this study will make it possible to preserve all the characteristics of the Palamós prawn, a fresh product with a high value, for a greater number of days (double the current total), which opens up new horizons for the marketing and presentation of the product.

New packaging, new methods of presentation and new products to enhance the value of the sardine The sardine is the most important fish caught in Catalonia by volume (with 30% of the catch), but not however in terms of the importance of its commercial value (13%). This project, undertaken by IRTA for the Catalan Department of Agriculture and Food, has been divided into three major sections: the development of new wholesale packaging formulas; new methods of presentation, in brine or marinated, etc.; and new sardine-based products. With regard to the question of wholesale packaging, IRTA has experimented with a package with a controlled atmosphere (60% CO2 and 40% N2) for 2-3 kg of sardines conserved between 0 and 1ºC. The results have shown that this is a realistic and feasible alternative for the wholesale distribution of the sardine, which maintains its sensory attributes and improves its microbiological safety in comparison with the sardine kept in conventional conditions. In addition to the improvement in the hygienic conditions of the sardine, this type of packaging has other advantages, such as the fact that they can be palletized, a greater facility for product traceability, having internal separators and pads to absorb the juices, and the fact that it can also be adapted to other types of fish. Other lines of experiment currently under way are to develop sardine-based products in brine or marinated products, together with patés and other types of product as a formula to give added value and worth to one of the most important products of the Catalan fishing industry.

Functionality & Nutrition A proteomic study of the bacterial stress associated with combined preservation treatments The development of this project has made it possible to establish that in homogenized meat products the pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella are more drastically inactivated by high pressures (HP) than Staphylococcus aureus. After a period of recovery under favourable conditions the three species can recover in the case of some of the replicates even after treatments of 900 MPa. When HP is combined with antimicrobial factors present in meat products intrinsically (NaCl, acidity, lactate and NaNO2) or extrinsically (low temperature), the inhibitory effect is enhanced due to the increase in inactivation caused by the HP or the reduction in the recovery capacity of the pressurized bacteria. In meat products, HP is a technology that makes it possible to increase the food safety of cooked and uncooked-cured products, but it must be borne in mind that the physical and chemical qualities of the product determine the degree of microbial inactivation. Furthermore, when HP is combined with the application of bacteriocins (enterocins A and B, sakacin K, and, especially, nisin), the inhibitory effect increases even in situations of excessive temperature. Proteomic studies carried out using 2D electrophoresis have shown that the response of L. Monocytogenes, Salmonella and S. Aureus to mild or intense HP treatment (200-400 MPa) is quantitatively similar, but with a qualitative difference between the three bacterial species, since the proteins included in each species are different, which indicates that each species has its own mechanisms for resisting and recovering from HP. When the HP treatment was applied to bacteria cultivated in meat product models (cooked ham, cured ham and fermented sausage) it was observed that both the growth of the pathogens and the HP treatment involve physiological changes, specifically the induction of stress proteins and enzymes from various metabolic routes (especially those related with the energy metabolism) and of proteins of unknown function. In general, it was observed that growth in a stressful environment reduces the intensity of the response to a subsequent treatment of HP because of a crossed protection, so that some of the proteins induced by the HP are previously induced during growth in the product.

Nevertheless, proteins are also observed that have been specifically induced by HP or the product. The genic expression studies carried out through PCR in real time have shown divergence between the transcriptomic and proteomic results, but make it possible to determine that HP do not induce any of the factors of virulence studied.

The standardization of sensory analysis in bread products In existing legislation there is no clear definition of the sensory properties or of the techniques for the preparation and evaluation of bread samples. The properties are currently evaluated by the senses and in a very subjective way. In order to ensure that the conclusions arising from such evaluations are quantifiable and reproducible, it is necessary to standardize the vocabulary and the scales of measurement that will be used for the sensory analysis, which was the objective of this project. The standardization of the method of sensory evaluation in the bread sector can offer numerous advantages. In general, it is important to offer the market products of contrasting quality levels, clearly defined in terms that are comprehensible to the consumer and can be easily evaluated. All this requires having a standardized methodology of evaluation that makes it possible to define clearly the sensory properties and the various categories or types of bread. Standardization of the sensory evaluation of bread will thus make it possible to increase confidence, satisfaction and product acceptance on the part of consumers, since they will have at their disposal a categorized product with its sensory properties defined in accordance with their own preferences. Having a standard methodology, furthermore, allows for a harmonization of criteria and the objective definition of the product.

Food Industries Developing technologies to reduce the salt content in cured ham The Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumption, through its NAOS strategy (Strategy for Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Obesity), has urged companies in the food industry to develop products and encourage patterns of consumption that are healthier and contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. This strategy recommends the reduction of the salt content in the various products available so as to diminish the daily intake of sodium in the population.

This system is also useful for reducing problems of soft texture in hams with a standard salt content. 3. Technologies to accelerate the distribution of salt in the ham and help stabilizing the product. Special deboning-salting-restructuring technology has been developed that can guarantee production of cured ham with a smaller quantity of salt that has good cohesion and is acceptable from a sensory point of view. 4. Optimization of the stages of post-salting, drying and maturing for hams with a low salt content. Two devices have been calibrated and adapted to measure the composition of the ham in a nondestructive manner throughout the entire process: a NIR machine for the superficial composition, and a CT scanner for the composition of the interior of the ham. The NIR machine was calibrated to determine the content of water and salt on the lean surface of the ham, and is being adapted to be integrated into the control system for the drying machines with the aim of setting the environmental conditions (relative humidity and temperature) of the drying machine so as to optimize the drying process while at the same time reducing the crust problem.

The objective proposed for this study is the development of techniques that would make it possible to reduce the salt content in cured ham without having a negative effect on the stability and the sensory quality of the product, by applying the following methods: 1. Identification and development of genetic markers. The suitability of three types of markers for selecting a line of animals that are better adapted for the production of hams with low salt content is being studied. 2. Identification and development of a system for the classification of fresh hams.

The CT scanner, calibrated for cured ham, is available at the IRTA-CENTA installations and makes it possible to see both the distribution of salt and the degree of dehydration in any given piece of meat. It also makes it possible to see the changes in the hamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geometrical form. 5. Treatment in the finished product: mild heat treatments and high pressure treatment. A heat treatment in controlled conditions has been shown to be effective in improving soft texture, without having a negative effect on the other characteristics of cured ham. A high pressure treatment on individual pieces or sliced products may be used to improve the stability of the cured ham with a low salt content. Both the texture and the colour of the product are affected, however. This treatment is currently being optimized.

An automatic system has been developed for measuring pH and electrical impedance, which makes it possible to select the hams most suitable for producing hams with low salt content.

Environment & Global Change

74. Organic Waste Integral Management 76. Aquatic Ecosystems 78. Environmental Horticulture 82. Ecological Production & Bioenergy 84. Efficient Use of Water

Organic Waste Integral Management New tools to optimize the production of biogas from meat processing waste

Technology to improve the process of reduction of nutrients in waste water

The OPA-LAP project, initiated in 2007, aims to find ways to optimize the anaerobic digestion of fats of animal origin that are present in waste from the meat processing industry.

During the course of 2009 GIRO worked in conjunction with a private company on the development of an expert control system to make it possible to automate and optimize the operation of waste water treatment technology with a high content in organic material.

Researchers from the Technological Centre for the Global Management of Organic Waste (GIRO) who work on the OPA-LAP project in collaboration with the University of Minho, Portugal, have consolidated the foundations for a better understanding of the potential for the anaerobic treatment of meat waste, of the inhibition processes for long chain fatty acids, and for the adaptation of micro-organisms. Furthermore, different operational strategies have been studied, and the results constitute a tool at the disposal of operators of biogas plants to enable them to optimize energy production from this waste through its anaerobic digestion.

Sustainable production of biogas for the agri-food industry GIRO has been working since 2007 on the Special Strategic Probiogas Project, a project lasting 5 years, and the objective of which is to develop sustainable systems for the production and use in Spain of biogas from the agri-food industry. There are 31 partners who participate in the project, divided between research centres and commercial companies. During the course of 2009 the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation has approved 6 new sub-projects to be undertaken up to 2011, of which GIRO will coordinate two and will participate in a third. Relevant results of the project have started to be published, particularly noteworthy among which is a stateof-the-art manual of co-digestion, a manual for the harmonization of methodologies for the characterization of waste, and the first version of the manual of the virtual plant or simulator of real co-digestion plants.

In this sense, the GIRO researchers are engaged in an operation of technology transfer and knowledge of excellence, based on years of research and publication of results in this field of research. The aim of the project is to develop an optimized nitrification and de-nitrification process (NDN) (minimizing electrical requirements for airing, with the capacity to absorb variations in the organic/nitrogenised load from the system, etc.), with dynamic automatic control, which will make it possible to propose a more competitive product to the sector and an integrated treatment solution based on the combination of the two bioprocesses of anaerobic co-digestion and NDN.

Discovery of a beneficial fungus that feeds off toxic waste In 2001, Dr. Francesc Prenafeta, currently an IRTA researcher assigned to the GIRO centre, isolated a strain of a fungus of the genus Cladophialophora to study its capacity to assimilate aromatic hydrocarbons. It was then observed that the strain in question was capable of growing using toluene as its only source of carbon and energy, which is an extremely unusual phenomenon. A recent study has now established that this strain belongs to a new species which has been given the name Cladophialophora immunda.

Environment & Global change Producing electricity from pig slurry A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new type of bioreactor capable of directly converting the chemical energy from organic substrates into electricity. The theoretical energy conversion efficiency is greater than in other bioconversion processes (methanogenesis or biohydrogen). This emerging biotechnology could represent an efficient and/or complementary alternative for the production of electricity from organic waste. During the course of the year, GIRO received financing from the Ministry of Science and Innovation to carry out a new research project related to MFC technology. The main aim of this project is to develop MFC reactors for the direct production of electricity from pig slurry, taking into account both the biodegradation of the organic charge and combined strategies of nitrogen reduction.

Other Activities The Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Joaquim Llena, visits GIRO On April 22nd the Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action undertook a visit to Mollet del Vallès so as to take a close look at the GIRO installations in the locality. The Minister declared that he was proud of the GIRO project, and made a commitment to giving the entity his full support, increasing the Catalan Government’s backing for what he considers to be a “subject of national importance”, i.e., R+D in organic waste management.

During the course of 2009 the GIRO Technology Centre:

· Obtained certification for implanting its ISO 9001:2008 quality system. present at all the most important trade fairs in the bioenergy and · Was environment sectors: ExpoBioenergia, Bta TecnoCarnica, ExpoCongreso Biogas, Reinnova, etc. a summer course at the University of Cantabria on Bio· Co-directed remediation of Contaminated Soils. team of researchers, the “Bioprocesses for Organic Waste Manage· Its ment” Group, has been certified as a Recognized Research Group by the Government of Catalonia (2009-SGR-791).

Aquatic Ecosystems Ecological condition of the final stretch of the River Ebro This project was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and by the Catalan Water Agency, with the collaboration of the Hydrographic Confederation of the Ebro, and studied the causes of the recent changes in the ecological condition of the final stretch of the River Ebro, and the consequences of these changes for the river’s biological communities and environment, also analysing the proliferation of macrophytes and the effects of this proliferation. The study ended with a series of conclusions and proposals for improving the ecological condition of the River Ebro, which are as follows: main immediate and direct cause of the recent · The changes in the ecological condition of the final stretch of the River Ebro is the reduction of the level of phosphorus dissolved in the 1990s, which has led to a significant increase in the transparency of the water during the last decade.

zebra mussel has not, so far, been a signifi· The cant factor in the change of the ecological condition of the final stretch of the River Ebro, although it causes problems for the infrastructures that extract water from the river. current structure of the ecosystem is totally · The new and is in a state of constant change, due to the growing impact of human activity (regulation, irrigation, changes in the use of the land, invasive species, climatic change, etc.). improvement in the ecological condition of the · The final stretch of the River Ebro depends to a great extent on the management of the relevant reservoirs, guaranteeing a regime of adequate water flow and the partial recovery of the transporting of sediments. important body of measures to improve · Another the management of the system would be the resto-

The greater transparency has opened the way to a rapid proliferation of macrophytes, the appearance of the black fly, and a series of changes in all the biological communities.

ration of the river ecosystem, so as to recover the woods on its banks and the islands in the middle of the river, and to improve the connectivity of the course of the river so as to facilitate the transit of fish and other species.

previously occurring factor that led to a · Another, greater transparency of the water and the prolif-

it is also very important to design and im· Finally, plement plans to control and to prevent the estab-

eration of macrophytes was the reduction and greater control of the volume of water flowing through the river, together with the drastic reduction of the sediment suspended in the water. This

lishment and proliferation of invasive species, so as to reduce the abundance and impact of those already present and minimize the entry of those waiting to arrive.

cause, however, was partially masked (or neutralized) by the eutrophication that had occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.

Environment & Global change Towards a sustainable fishing model In the Ebro Delta, the fishing activity taking place in the lagoons and bays along the coast has a considerable degree of socio-economic importance. In order to manage this activity in a complex and changing ecosystem like the Ebro Delta, the need is felt to acquire a detailed knowledge of the ichthyofauna of the habitats exploited by this activity and to develop a dynamic and flexible model that will allow for the sustainable management of fish stocks.

For this to be functional, accurate and useful for the management of fish stocks, we need to acquire a more detailed knowledge of some parameters of the ecological dynamic governing the ichthyofauna concerned, such as the use of the habitat and the pattern of migration between the two adjacent habitats (the coastal lagoons and the bays), the recruitment of young fish originating from the bays by the populations of the coastal lagoons, and the structure and dynamic of the trophic network of these habitats. In this context the objectives proposed are as follows:

After a period of over 20 years during which the ichthyofauna of the Ebro Delta had not been analysed, basic information is now available from a previous project, which will be useful for the development and application of this model. On the other hand, however, there is no information available concerning the ichthyofauna of the bays of the Ebro Delta, since this aspect has never been studied. The future model needs to have the capacity to predict the structure of fish communities and populations in the coastal lagoons (the composition of the species, numbers and size structures), in scenarios resulting from the combination of different proposals for managing the water and fish resources, which are the two factors which can most affect this biocenosis.

1. To define the ichthyofauna of the bays through biannual in situ samplings; 2. To identify the use of the habitat (“coastal lagoons” v. “bays”) by the various species of fish, and a definition of the migrations between these two adjacent habitats, through seasonal in situ samplings; 3. To quantify the recruitment of the species of the coastal lagoons of the Ebro Delta on the basis of the application of two combined methods: the migrations of young fish from the bays to the lagoons (the previous objective) and the analysis of the size structure; 4. To analyse the trophic network of the lagoons and bays of the Ebro Delta through a study of trophic ecology using stable isotopes of Nitrogen and Carbon; 5. To develop a dynamic model to predict the dynamic of fish communities and populations in the coastal lagoons with regard to variations in salinity (as a result of water management policy) and fishing pressures. 6. To simulate scenarios with different values for the variables entered and adding a third variable: repopulation of fish species.

Environmental Horticulture Recycled water use in agriculture and post-harvest health risks

Water content and quality of lawns

Irrigation water in Catalonia, whether it is recycled or not, contains a wide variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants. Despite this fact, it is not known whether the latter are capable of transferring into the plants through the root system or whether they can penetrate vial the stoma and/or cuticle to the leaves during cultivation, due to the irrigation system used. Nevertheless, the potential risk may be even more significant at the post-harvest stage, during which certain agronomic systems used during cultivation and harvesting may have a considerable effect on the process and therefore on the final consumable product.

As part of a project from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) developed jointly by IRTA and the Chott Mariem Higher Agronomic Institute at the University of Sousse (Tunisia), a 2-year work plan has been drawn up, with the cooperation of the seed producers Semillas Fitó, which includes consultancy services to advise on the use of recycled water to irrigate grass species for decorative purposes, both with regard to the agronomic aspects (irrigation methodology, selection of species of grass) and to a specific training plan in relation to the suitable ecophysiological parameters so as to be able to evaluate growth and grass quality.

It is for this reason that analytical techniques have started to be established in order to identify chemical contaminants in vegetables and fruit, together with a study of the penetration of chemical and microbiological contaminants in plant species irrigated with recycled water of varying physical, chemical and microbiological quality. The results obtained to date in trials are as follows: compounds (Pyrene, Lindane, etc.) are · Non-polar mostly found in plant material, while in the case of acid analytes (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, etc.) there is the opposite tendency, since they are found in the aqueous stage, in water held back on the leaves. and polar compounds exhibit a reduction in · Acid their presence in vegetable material at a relatively high level of humidity (90%), which can be attributed to a major interaction of analytes with the water remaining on the leaves. cuticles and their permeability, related to their · The physical and chemical characteristics, can be of great importance for the presence of emerging contaminants in vegetable material.

· Disinfection through chlorination and /or ultraviolet radiation has given very good results in individual fields, opening up the possibility of re-using recycled water for entire farms, dwellings, etc.

Results have shown that the spectroradiometric indices are excellent indicators of quality parameters, while production was not clearly determined through the index of difference in relation to standardized vegetation levels. The water index (WI) did not show differences between irrigation treatments, either, possibly due to the fact that the detection threshold only appeared at high levels of hydric stress. On the other hand, irrigation treatment at 40% of evapotranspiration potential (ETP) caused restrictions of growth and quality, and treatments at 60 and 100% of ETP did not show differences in production parameters, which gives information in relation to measures for increased efficiency in the use of water previously used for irrigation. Finally, salinity affects grass-type species in a very different way, which gives objective and conclusive information for the management of green surfaces with waters of saline content (recycled, from coastal wells with intrusion, etc.).

Environment & Global change Definition of the genus Juglans for the official protection of plant varieties On the basis of its recognized experience in the study and characterisation of germplasms of different species, IRTA has been designated by the Spanish Office for Plant Varieties as a centre of examination for varieties of hazelnut and walnut trees for wood and fruit. The technical examination of plant varieties is a necessary requisite for conferring the certificate of status as a recognized plant variety, and inscription in the register of protected varieties. The definition of a variety of a species when it is being examined as a distinct plant variety is confirmed when the characteristics established by the examination, as indicated by the relevant descriptive profiles, are sufficiently different, homogeneous and stable.

Eco-design and sustainability in greenhouses for tomatoes in the Canary Islands

This activity has been pursued by IRTA since 2004. The staff dealing with the sub-programme of Agrosilviculture, in addition to being responsible for undertaking the identification tests for the material relating to Juglans at both a Spanish and a European Union level, are responsible for the preparation of a new descriptive profile for the forest varieties of Juglans. Including references and varieties being considered for official protection, 44 accessions of Juglans are currently being examined, and 22 in the case of the Hazelnut.

In this project, financed by the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research (INIA), the aim has been to adapt or modify the design of a simple but effective structure, i.e., the Canary Island greenhouse, so as to achieve a productive agrosystem that has a reduced environmental impact. A greenhouse climatic model was set up using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results indicated 4 aspects (marketing, auxiliary equipment, fertilizers, and infrastructure) as being the processes that have the greatest impact. Among the main recommendations made on the basis of the study is a clear interest in conserving local structures such as the parral type of greenhouse or the local substratum known as pic贸n; the need to improve the packing process so as to have a better marketing impact; and a more effective regulation of the dosages for fertilizers and irrigation. Finally, it was also recommended to increase the use of renewable energies for the structures of this type used for cultivating tomatoes.

Environmental Horticulture Hardwood tree plantations as filters for absorbing CO2

The vine and global change

In the last few years, the intense research conducted into climate change has made it possible to identify the role of greenhouse gases in the global warming of the planet. The scientific information that has been generated presents the management of the soil in terms of agricultural or forestry activity as an essential tool in the task of regulating the carbon in the atmosphere, indicating that this plays a very important role in mitigating the effects of climate change. In this sense the afforestation of agricultural land may provide an additional means of storing carbon.

Global climate change is leading to significant variations in the phenology, production and quality of vines which show the vulnerability of the conditions in which they are cultivated. Reductions in the end quality of the grape and of the wine due to sustained increases in temperature or significant reduction in the availability of water may have a substantial impact on the economic viability of the sector, especially in the hotter climatic regions such as the Iberian Peninsula. These will be the objectives of study to be dealt with in this project:

At IRTA we are working on the selection, handling and establishment of suitable tree species in plantations with a view to the production of quality wood and/or fruit. In coordination with the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) we are working towards the objective of quantifying the carbon stored in the trees of these plantations. At IRTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experimental plantations for the production of walnut wood in the province of Tarragona, the first estimates we have made for various species of walnut indicate that when the trees are finally cut down (after about 30 years), between 100 and 150 tonnes of carbon will have been stored for every hectare planted (without counting the carbon immobilized in the ground). This means retaining between 350 and 550 tonnes of CO2 per hectare. These value calculations enable us to estimate the added value that the plantations of hardwood trees in agricultural land represent as filters for absorbing CO2.

1. To establish accurately the edaphoclimatic conditions during plant growth and reproductive development of the vine in locations with different thermal conditions and different levels of availability of water. 2. To monitor the phenology and the growth of the vines in different mesoclimatic and agronomic conditions. 3. To evaluate the water content and the level of exchange of gases, and their influence on the efficient use of water in different mesoclimatic and agronomic conditions. 4. To determine the yield, and the quality of the wine and of the must. 5. To determine the influence of the hormonal signals in the different organs of the plant. 6. To evaluate the inter-relations between all the above parameters. The experiments will be carried out at different altitudes and in different mesoclimates in the Priorat area, and at Torre Marimon in different environmental conditions: dry regime, 30% irrigation, and conditions simulating climate change.

Environment & Global change Nursery production: from parent plant to plantation This project has been carried out in close collaboration with Miguel Torres S.A., and has three defining objectives: 1. To introduce improvements in the management of fields of parent plants of rootstocks, by acquiring a more detailed knowledge of their characteristics in terms of ecological and physiological criteria, the introduction of irrigation and supporting wires compared to the traditional system of leaving the plant to trail along the ground. The results showed that irrigation increases productivity (by 70%) and reserves of useful wood in both management systems. 2. To put into practice on a commercial scale the techniques of nursery production of grafted vine plants in containers. 3. To make a financial valuation of production costs for grafted plants. The new process is more efficient with regard to the number of plants produced and their viability, compared with the traditional process, especially if the vines produced are planted with a root ball rather than with the naked root. Economically the process involves a large initial investment in order to set up the climate control and fertigation systems in the greenhouses and the exterior out-of-soil cultivation area. It nevertheless means a saving in manpower, access time and rental of land that are necessary requirements for a vine nurseryman, which in the medium term compensates for the initial investment.

Stone Pine as a species to produce pine nuts in Tunisia. IRTA’s activity focuses on preparing parent stumps of the stone pine by grafting, and on collaborating in the installation of experimental plantations in Tunisia. As a parallel operation, Catalan and Tunisian profiles are being defined of both the Aleppo Pine, Pinus halepensis, and of the Stone Pine, Pinus pinea, to be used as patterns.

Project concerning the effect of global change on the dry tropical zone of Nicaragua IRTA is collaborating with the Multidisciplinary Regional Faculty (FAREM) of the National Autonomous University in Esteli, Nicaragua, to implement the operational and experimental projects of the second of the four years which make up the programme financed by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI): “Programme of scientific and technical empowerment and for the creation of an experimental field station for the study of the dry tropical zone”. IRTA cooperates on this programme with the Catalan Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) as well as directly with FAREM. This experimental work is included in a wider project of a similar nature that was initiated jointly in Spain and at the Davis campus of the University of California (U.S.A.), and which attempts to value our capacity to tackle the environmental conditions produced by global change, and thus to value our potential adaptability and vulnerability at one and the same time.

Participation in the book Els Guardians de l’Aigua

Providing technical advice for the production of pine nuts in Tunisia In the framework of a Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) project, IRTA is collaborating with the Catalan Forestry Technology Centre to develop the

Clipmèdia Edicions recently published the book Els Guardians de l’Aigua (“The Water Guardians”), detailing some forty or so successful examples of integrated management and innovation in the field of Catalan water management, and in which IRTA researchers were among the cross-section of professionals described as working to ensure the fair and efficient use of water in Catalonia. IRTA took part in the preparation of one of the sections of Chapter 3 of the book, dedicated to water use in rural areas, and specifically showing our researchers’ experiences in the section: Estalvi d’aigua en agricultura: l’investigació agrícola (“Saving water in agriculture: agricultural research”).

Ecological Production & Bioenergy Techniques for managing apple trees in ecological production Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the total area of land in Europe dedicated to ecological agriculture, although in the case of fruit production the figure is less than 1% of total production, due mainly to the technical difficulties involved. The work carried out for this doctoral thesis recently completed on the subject set out to increase awareness of the most disease-resistant varieties, the need for vegetation cover, the control of the rosy apple aphid, and the advisability of pruning so as to increase the profitability of southern Europe’s apple orchards. An agronomic and sensory evaluation selected 8 varieties of apple that are resistant to scab and 2 varieties that show little vulnerability to this disease over a 3year period. Thus ‘Condessa’, ‘Arianecov’, ‘Juliet®’ and ‘Topazcov’ were the varieties least vulnerable to mildew, while ‘Juliet®’ showed little vulnerability to the rosy apple orchid. The varieties most appreciated by consumers were ‘Arianecov’, ‘Dalinredcov’, ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Modí®’. At the same time a trial was conducted in a young apple orchard in relation to vegetation cover, in order to study its influence on growth and tree production, and also on the presence of pests and natural enemies. The results

indicate that the presence of vegetation did not affect tree production, or the presence of natural enemies, or the incidence of pests, with the exception of the green aphid, which was found less frequently in trees with vegetation cover. With regard to the control of the rosy apple aphid in the Autumn, various treatments were tested (including defoliation, application of garlic extract, kaolin, potassic soap and pyrethrins). Only defoliation prevented the Autumn colonization, and was thus able to control the pest during the following Spring. As for the other treatments, only the pyrethrins applied during the period of the presence of the eggs succeeded in controlling adequately the Spring populations of rosy apple aphids. For the pruning tests during the flowering season, a total of 10 products were tried, including the ‘Red Chief’ variety and ‘Golden Smoothee®’. The potassium soap and olive oil reduced the trees’ loads, but also caused russeting in the case of ‘Golden Smoothee®’ fruit. The only products that succeeded in achieving pruning without damaging the crop were potassium permanganate and lime sulphur. The results obtained in this thesis show the difficulties currently found in ecological apple cultivation, with a clear need for handling techniques to be perfected so that ecological apple production can be economically viable in the present areas of cultivation.

Environment & Global change Algae and biodiesel fuel The continued use of petroleum-based fossil fuels is totally unsustainable. Biodiesel fuel derived from the so-called energy crops is in qualitative terms a good alternative to conventional fuel. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that the demand for biodiesel foreseen for the not too distant future cannot be covered only by biodiesel obtained from oleaginous crops, animal fats and recycled cooking oils. Microalgae have been presented as the only renewable source of biodiesel that is potentially capable of satisfying world demand for fuel for transport. It must be said, however, that a lot of research and technological innovation is still going to be needed for biodiesel production from microalgae to become viable in economic and energy terms. A crucial step in the successful development of any biotechnology involving algae will be the choice of the most suitable species. With the aim of evaluating the viability of biodiesel production from marine microalgae, we studied in laboratory conditions the effect that different concentrations of CO2 have on the growth rate and lipid content of three species of microalgae (two diatoms: Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Cylindrotheca closterium, and one eustigmatophyte: Nannochloropsis gaditana). In terms of productivity of lipids, P. tricornutum surpassed the other two species, but the growth characteristics of C. closterium (forming tufts) could make it easier to harvest (and thus reduce its costs), a factor which would compensate for the lower level of productivity of this species compared with P. tricomutum. The second phase of the project (a study to minimize the costs of harvesting and drying algae) is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Rovira i Virgili University, and with the Catalan Energy Institute. Simultaneously, and in collaboration with Professor Sven Jorgensen at the University of Copenhagen, we are also working on the modelling for the optimization of the production of lipids in microalgae cultures.

Efficient Use of Water Determining the hydrological condition of vines from the air

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in tree and shrub crops

One of the difficulties for programming the irrigation of the vine is how to find a reliable indicator that will indicate to us the hydrological condition of the plant and the degree of variation present in any given vineyard. The use of the hydrological potential of the leaf solves this difficulty, in part, since it provides a reliable, stable and highly representative measurement of the hydrological condition of the plant, with clear effects on production levels and the quality of the grape.

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) has been presented as a good strategy for saving water when irrigating tree and shrub crops. Nevertheless, fruit producers are reluctant to adopt it due to the risk of applying hydrological stress to the plants. These risks are better understood when the wide spectrum of possible cultivation conditions is considered. These are the result of all the combinations of Climate x Soil x Cultivation techniques x Plant vigour. It can be seen that the number of possible combinations is very high, and it has been demonstrated that once irrigation is reduced, different combinations correspond to different rhythms of development of hydrological stress. Typically, during the deficit period, irrigation is reduced in accordance with a fixed proportion of optimum consumption (POC). Thus if the farmer applies a POC without any other checks, he runs the risk of applying more stress than desired, or, in the opposite case, of not applying enough to achieve the benefit envisaged (for example, of controlling excessive plant vigour).

Nevertheless, the degree of variation present in each vineyard means that numerous measurements of the hydrological potential of the leaf are required in order to provide an accurate description of the vineyard. This calls for a considerable amount of staff present to define each vineyard sector every week, and makes the commercial application for the programming of the irrigation system difficult. With the aid of unmanned gliders (piloted from the ground by remote control) and thermal multispectral cameras, it is possible to take photographs which cover significant surface areas. Suitable processing of these photographs makes it possible to extract a map showing the hydrological state of each point (with values very close to those obtained by a pressure chamber, and thus highly valid for this objective).

Having access to a hydrological map is a decisive step for planning irrigation for vines and for applying across the board precision agricultural techniques which will permit the production of higher-quality wines. On July 31st 2009 a number of tests were carried out in Ra誰mat that were based on the results of various different research projects (Consolider RIDECO, Interreg SuDoe TELERIEG), of the more direct participation of the IASCSIC-UCO Research Groups in Cordoba, of IRTA Lleida, and of the CODORNIU-IRTA Combined Research Unit.

In the absence of a simple and practical method for the farmer of determining the hydrological state of his trees, in this project it is proposed to use as an alternative method a general crop model (CropSyst, CS) as a decision support system (DSS). This is possible because CS is the only model that gives the option of simulating the irrigation and hydrological state of fruit-trees, in addition to being free of charge and freely available. Nevertheless, for CS to produce specific simulations for each tree or shrub crop, it needs to develop applications by species. Therefore, on the basis of lysimeters or experiments in which full water balances are conducted, reliable data will be obtained for the intercepted perspiration and intercepted radiation of the crop. These data will make it possible to adjust the parameters of the applications referred to. CS will function like DSS on the basis of weekly simulations in which the climate will be constantly updated and the hydrological estate outlets will be used for adjusting the irrigation deficit (POC) to the level of stress desired in the plant. The species to be studied will be: the vine, the pear, the apple and the plum. To evaluate the ideal level as per CS, field tests will be conducted for each species in which, among other things, the best possible irrigation programme will be compared (with weekly adjustments of POC based on field measurements of hydrological potential) with the programme produced through weekly simulations using CS. The disparities between the CS simulations and the best programme that can be produced, will be used to improve the CS capacity for prediction.

Environment & Global change The RIDECO-CONSOLIDER Project: saving water in horticulture The need to save irrigation water is changing the paradigm of how this is handled in agriculture. We have to pass from full supply to partial supply, subject to the availability of the resource and the need to achieve the best economic results for the irrigator. For this reason, the possibility is investigated of using a form of deficit irrigation which, in the case of fruit trees and the vine, is referred to as regulated deficit irrigation (RDI). RDI consists of applying stress to crops at moments in their cycle when the impact on their production is minimal and where an increase in production quality, and therefore in economic value, is possible. When the application of water is reduced, irrigation water is saved, and, at the same time, the income of the farmer is maintained or increased; a motivation is therefore created to reduce the use of water. RDI practices have been researched on an experimental scale in various crops in Australia, the U.S., Israel and Spain, with promising results in many cases.

can facilitate the quick adoption of these techniques by users. With this motive in mind, a series of experimental research platforms have been set up simultaneously, together with demonstration plots where different crops can be worked on, such as citrus fruit, olive trees, peach trees, the vine, apricot trees and cherry trees. The project has five main aspects: a. The development of RDI programmes for the main fruit-trees and vine types; b. The establishment of the level of water consumption for the plantations and the net saving of water to be derived from the application of RDI techniques; c. The design of systems to control and monitor the stress occurring under RDI; d. The evaluation of the sustainability of RDI, studying salinity and other risks associated with RDI techniques; e. The establishment of systems to automate the use of RDI techniques for the management of the irrigation system. The research team includes five groups from various institutions in five geographical areas (Two from the Ebro Valley: IRTA & UdL in Lleida, and CITA & CSIC Aula Dei in Zaragoza; IVIA in Valencia; CEBAS-CSIC in Murcia; and IAS-CSIC/UCO in the Guadalquivir Valley) where most of the production of fruit is located and the areas of shortage of water are most apparent. The team is multidisciplinary and includes specialists in agronomy, plant physiology, soil sciences and irrigation engineering.

Dr. Joan Girona becomes an honorary member of AFRE The Managing Committee of the Association of Spanish Producers of Water and Irrigation (AFRE) has made Dr. Joan Girona i Gomis an Honorary Member of this Association.

This project in the CONSOLIDER Programme proposes the development of a new science to make it possible to design RDI programmes that are suitable for the main Spanish crops and regions, and new technologies that

The Managing Committee has distinguished him with this honorary membership in recognition of his very relevant contribution to the sustainable management of water throughout the world. The ceremony at which the distinction of Honorary Membership was awarded was held on March 5th 2009 in Madrid, coinciding with a Technical Symposium concerning water in commemoration of AFREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th anniversary.

Agro-Food Economics

88. Economics

Economics The effects of de-linking on production decisions

Farm efficiency

During the course of 2009, research concerning the effects of de-linking on production decisions focused on the extensive margin of production. If previous literature had concentrated on studying the effects of delinking on the use of productive inputs and on output, supposing that the number of farms remained stable, it is hoped that a change of policy will also affect the margin for extensive production (the total number of farms).

Technical efficiency is a prerequisite for economic efficiency, which is at the same time a necessary condition for economic sustainability. In this sense, it thus becomes necessary to determine the degree of technical efficiency with which farms operate.

The results indicate that the cuts in the prices guaranteed to farmers may have a very powerful effect on the extensive (and intensive) production margin, which contrasts with the negligible effect of the de-linked payments. If the de-linked payments have the capacity to alter the demand for investment, their effects should be studied in a dynamic framework (capital at any given moment depends on the decisions taken in the past). The literature dealing with this question is still only in its initial stages and the Centre for Agri-Food Economy and Development (CREDA) has taken steps to fill the gap, focusing both on the development of methodological proposals and on the conducting of relevant analyses. In both cases, the team has had special modelling of the risk and of risk preferences. The results point towards a positive influence of de-linked payments on the investments of farms. At the same time, CREDA has initiated a new line of research which aims to determine the impact on production decisions and the expectations that economic agents have in relation to changes of policy.

CREDA has specifically undertaken a number of studies into the subject. One is of an empirical nature, aiming to compare the level of technical efficiency among Catalan grape producers who opt for ecological methods and those who choose conventional methods. The results show ecological techniques to have a greater degree of efficiency than conventional ones. At the same time, it has been possible to identify the factors that have most effect on each farmer. From a methodological viewpoint, we are also working on the proposal of better methodologies to measure efficiency through dynamic models that take into consideration not only shortterm production decisions, but also long-term investment decisions. We are also working on state-contingent techniques that have such a big effect on the decisions taken by economic agents. These new techniques represent a substantial improvement on those that have been used traditionally, and are based on less restrictive suppositions. Given that their practical implementation is complex, a CREDA team has demonstrated that the practical application of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;statecontingentâ&#x20AC;? techniques is possible and gives plausible results.

Agro-Food Economics The adoption of new agricultural production techniques

The transmission of prices through the commercial chain

One of CREDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lines of research is to study the arguments which condition the adoption of new agricultural production techniques. The centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research team has developed innovative methodological proposals that give special attention to the risk inherent in production decisions and to risk preferences.

CREDA signed an Agreement with the Sub-Directorate General for Analysis, Perspectives and Coordination (SGAPC) of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) to analyse price transmission mechanisms throughout the commercial chain. The work focused on five perennial products: tomatoes, lemons, small fish, beef and liquid milk. The results registered indicate that the prices received by the producer at the wholesale level are much more volatile than consumer prices, which are much more stable over time.

Over the last year we have worked especially on models of duration which make it possible to explain both the decision adopted and the time that is taken to make the decision. The application of these techniques to identify the factors that condition the decisions to be adopted with regard to ecological production systems suggests the relevance both of economic factors (prices, costs, subsidies, etc.) and of non-economic factors (personal preferences, educational level, etc.).

Biofuels and food prices

Moreover, a certain increase in commercial margins can be observed over time in favour of the retail sector. This increase in price margins occurs when prices paid to the producer fall, and not when they rise. Finally, it has been noticed that it is changes in demand and not production costs (except for occasional exceptions) that govern the behaviour of prices throughout the food chain.

World production of liquid biofuels, and particularly of ethanol, has grown exponentially in the last few years. The increase in crude oil prices, together with an increase in policies relating to energy safety and climate change, have given incentives to the use of alternative sources of energy to fossil fuels, such as biofuels. Given that ethanol is produced essentially from maize and sugar-cane, the demand for food crops for energy production is in direct competition with the use of agricultural production for human and/or animal food consumption. This has given rise to anxiety concerning the effects that biofuels may have both on the price levels of foodstuffs and on the volatility of these prices. Over the course of 2009 CREDA studied both questions by applying state-of-the-art time series models. The results indicate significant interactions (both in terms of prices and of price volatility) between energy prices and food prices.

Economics Analysis of the market for ecological products

Animal welfare and consumer preferences

The market for ecological products has been a major subject of research for CREDA over the last two years. The analysis of the stages that make up the chain of production and marketing of ecological products has made it possible to define their current position within the Catalan agri-food market. Specifically, studies have focused on agricultural products that are relevant to the Catalan agri-food industry such as olive oil, pip and stone fruits, and nuts. We gave special attention to the last stage of the commercial chain, i.e. the purchase of the product by the consumer, in order to be able to forecast the future viability of this market.

A notable recent addition to CREDA’s lines of research has been the importance of animal welfare in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Specifically we aim to analyse the potential market that there could be for pork meat from non-castrated pigs as an example of animal welfare. Thus we will try to evaluate the relationship between sacrificing meat quality (accepting meat with a sexual odour resulting from non-castration) in exchange for ensuring higher levels of animal welfare.

Although these studies have not yet come to an end, initial results show that in Catalonia the market segment for ecological products is still insufficient. Through the use of experiments that simulate the decisions of consumers in the real market, it has been detected that consumer preferences in relation to ecological products are mainly conditioned by the price and the lack of information and awareness of the qualities of the products concerned.

The wine market During 2009 we continued our activities relating to our study of the Catalan wine-producing sector, focusing on providing information of a technical and economic nature to the various different agents in the sector’s value chain, so as to aid in decision-making processes. Specifically, we prepared 4 reports during the year for the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Observatory for Vines, Wine and Cava in Catalonia. In these reports subjects dealt with included, among others, the economic and financial situation of the companies in the Catalan wine-producing sector, the evolution of consumer prices, the reform of the Common Market Organization for wine production, or economic results by grape variety for a sample of farms. In addition to the above, we carried out a study of wholesale distributors of wine in Catalonia in relation to their buying and selling strategies and their attitudes towards Catalan wines with a Denomination of Origin, and we also published on the Department of Agriculture’s website a study of the marketing strategies of the wineproducing cellars in Catalonia.

Preliminary results show that animal welfare has received the lowest evaluation as an attribute that could affect the decision to buy fresh pork meat. The results reflect the fact that high percentages of consumers are not aware of the methods of castration, and that this is not perceived as an important element for the pigs’ welfare.

Agro-Food Economics Risk management in agriculture: agricultural insurance

The use of fertilizers in Catalonia

Another new line of research at CREDA is the study of agricultural insurance as an instrument of risk management in agriculture. As is well known, agricultural producers face various risks that affect their activity, such as those related to meteorological phenomena, plant or animal diseases, and price fluctuations, among others.

In order to evaluate the policies for the improvement of fertilizer use in agriculture it is important to have detailed information concerning the quantities used. With this in mind the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action (DAR) commissioned from CREDA in 2009 the carrying out of a survey addressed to a sample group of Catalan farmers, with the aim of preparing statistics that make it possible to estimate the consumption of mineral and organic fertilizers in Catalonia. The aim is to have consumption data for the different crop types and different areas of Catalonia, among other details.

There are, moreover, other factors, including the liberalization of trade, the greater orientation of the sector towards the market, restrictions in the use of pesticides and fertilizers, or the possible effects of climate change, which lead us to conclude that risks may tend to increase in the future. Managing risk becomes, then, a more and more important question for the agricultural sector. During 2009 CREDA continued the activity initiated with 2008â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s study of the contracting of insurance in the horticultural sector in Catalonia, by starting a study orientated towards the designing of insurance to cover income earned from the fresh fruit sector.

Other Activities International collaboration projects CREDA actively collaborates with the University of Bio-Bio (Chile) for its Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programme in Agri-Business, and has fostered the creation of a Research Centre for Agri-Food Economics jointly with a number of university teachers from the Faculty of Business Studies. CREDA also collaborates closely with researchers at prestigious universities including the following:University of California, Berkeley; North Carolina State University; Kansas State University; Wageningen University; etc.

2nd Workshop on Valuation Methods in Agrofood and Environmental Economics CREDA organized this second in a series of 4 workshops. The workshop was held in Castelldefels (Barcelona) on July 2nd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3rd 2009, in collaboration with the European Association of Agricultural Economics (EAAE) and the Spanish Association of Agricultural Economics (AEEA).