Innovative project to safeguard avocado and passion fruit crops from fungi

A new biological control project has been launched to safeguard avocado and passion fruit crops from fungal threats that pose a risk to production in the Arauca region. 

Led by the BioAguaMara alliance, in collaboration with Altia Biotech, the project aims to develop natural alternatives to chemical fungicides using marine microorganisms and fungi.

Fungi pose a serious risk to avocado and passion fruit crops, causing diseases that damage leaves, stems, and roots. This can lead to spots, rot, wilting, and even plant death, endangering production locally and globally.

Using chemical products to fight fungi and pests can prevent problems during harvest, but they contain chemicals that can harm the product's quality and consumers.

The project's main goal is to find natural products from bacteria and fungi that effectively combat the microorganisms responsible for plant diseases in Arauca. These microorganisms enter through wounds or insects and limit plant growth and yield.

The project is currently in its initial phase, collecting samples from diseased and healthy plants in Arauca, Tame, and Saravena. Researchers are studying the samples to understand the pathogens better.

By studying optimal conditions, they aim to increase the quantity of control agents. In later stages, they plan to develop a prototype using selected microorganisms as a control agent for crops.

source: agronegocios.co