This initiative by the University of Talca, includes among its objectives creating production systems that are more friendly to the environment, while improving the quality of the fruit, for berry producers.
Incorporating ozone into the berry production processes can improve the production of these fruits due to its recognized decontaminating action. The innovation project is based on this premise. It will be run by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Talca (UTALCA) in conjunction with the Institute of Chemistry of the UTALCA and be led by Professor Diogenes Hernandez.
The academic will develop an intelligent system that works with photovoltaic energy and that will generate ozone, which will later be injected into irrigated water and soils of berry plantations, thus allowing the reduction of existing biological contaminants.
"It is an opportunity to obtain a solution to the current problems that occur in the cultivation of berries. We hope to have a positive impact that helps producers approach sustainable agriculture, for example, avoiding the use of conventional chemical compounds and increasing the amount of fruit harvested, among other things," said the project director.
The initiative - which has the support of the Regional Government of Maule through the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness (FIC-R) - is called "Use of ozone for the treatment of irrigation waters and soils in berries," and it will start being carried out this year.
Professor Hernandez said that, among other benefits, final consumers are expected to obtain a better quality food that is free of pesticides, as the technique used will reduce or eliminate the use of these chemicals. "There is an added value for the environment, due to the use of renewable technologies for the treatment of microorganisms, the reduction of agrochemicals in plants and water, which may mean an improvement in the morphological structure of the plant, thus facilitating a better absorption of minerals and an optimized interaction between the plant and the soil," he said.
Source: SimFRUIT according to information from UdeTalca