MORE THAN CLEAN. Technology to reduce phytopathologies

The MORE-THAN-CLEAN research project (ITC-20181097) aims to develop treatments and technology for interstitial action on sensitive fruit and vegetable tissues to reduce phytopathologies during the growing and post-harvest handling phase. During the development of the Interconecta Project, integrated by La Unión, IDM, Novagric and Ingo Maquinaria, an extensive study of the main fungal pathogens present in the different production stages (from cultivation to sale) of fruits and vegetables of special interest and added value, such as zucchini, peppers, mango and custard apple, has been carried out. The study of these problems in the sector, together with the research carried out on the application and use of new clean technologies, without waste generation and with sanitizing properties such as ozone, has allowed the development of new equipment and technologies that bring the sector closer to the use of these new eco-sustainable strategies.   Project objectives carried out by Novagric:

• Design of injection systems for sanitizing compounds based on the generation of gaseous compounds and dissolution in on-site water.
• Design of on-site sanitizing equipment based on ozone generation.
• Application of ozone generation technologies to field equipment.
• Application of ozone generation technology to equipment in confined environments and line work.
• Design of ozone-based treatments according to topography and vegetative stage of the crop.

  Project conclusions In short, the technological advances carried out in the More Than Clean Project, based on the application of clean technologies, are a first step towards controlling quality and the appearance of fungal diseases, in an eco-sustainable and waste-free way, in line with organic farming. With these developments, it is expected to improve the control of pathogens of microbiological origin, responsible for the main losses of fruit and vegetable products both during the cultivation stage and during handling and sale.   Partners The project will be implemented between the regions of Andalusia and Murcia, thanks to the joint collaboration of these 4 entities:

• Alhóndiga La Unión S.A. (Coordinator)
• Ideas and Development for Continuous Improvement IDM S.L.
• Ingro Maquinaria S.L.
• Novedades Agrícolas S.A.

They will also count on the collaboration of these two research organizations:

• Tecnova Technology Center.
• Center for Soil Science and Applied Biology of Segura CEBAS-CSIC.

  Financing This project has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the Operational Program for Smart Growth 2014-2020, with the aim of promoting research, technological development and innovation.