Crop protection is a permanent challenge for agribusiness, especially when it comes to spring frosts. In Chile, this phenomenon has generated losses between US$130 and 320 million a year. That is why scientists Advanced Polymer Research Center (Cip) and the University of Concepcion (UdeC) decided to tackle this challenge and formulated the BioNofrost antifreeze. The investigation was developed in two stages; In the first, the antifreeze was developed by Cipa scientists and validated at the UdeC experimental station in Chillán. In the second stage, the process has been scaled and the validation tests have been extended in productive orchards.
One of those in charge of this scientific challenge at Cipa is the doctor in Chemical Sciences, Saddys Rodríguez, who valued the obtaining of the patent granted by the National Institute of Industrial Property, since after rigorous evaluations, the exclusive right granted by the state for the protection of the BioNofrost invention was determined.
Claudio Munoz, deputy manager of Innovation and Development of Phytosanitary products: "The potential market area is very large, because if you add the areas of crops sensitive to this event, you will find 17 hectares of blueberries, 60 of cherry trees, 50 of table vines and 120 of viniferous vines, where 80% are in areas sensitive to frost or at risk of falling.”
Source: blueberriesconsulting.com