The goals of the EDIPACC project are to reduce the use of phytosanitary products and their content in wastewater while reducing water consumption in post-harvest treatments.
Its objective is to validate the use of plasma treated water (PAW) as an alternative to the use of fungicides prior to the storage of pears in a controlled atmosphere. The AGRO-FOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER, Ctic Cita, will validate the effectiveness of this treatment, in vitro and in the product, during storage in post-harvest chambers at its pilot plant.
EDIPACC proposes the use of alternative methods to post-harvest treatment by using techniques that minimize water consumption in order to reduce the ecological impact while maintaining the product's organoleptic characteristics and extending its useful life.
Spain is the fourth largest exporter of apples and pears in Europe. Ensuring a constant level of commercialization and long-term conservation is essential to maintain the sector's competitiveness. The products applied to the fruit after harvest aim at eliminating or reducing the development of rotting during conservation. Annual losses in the storage chambers, depending on the season, can reach up to 22%. As a result, the use of broad-spectrum systemic fungicides, which are effective against the main post-harvest diseases, is common.
The EU phytosanitary use review program is having a significant impact on the availability of the products used to fight the diseases or rot that affect pears during storage in chambers. In some cases, this means that there are no effective chemical solutions. As such, searching for alternatives to control the development of rot and ensure the correct conservation of the fruit, guaranteeing the highest level of quality in the production, is essential.
Instead of using fungicides, the EDIPACC project uses plasma activated water (PAW) applications to control rot in the storage of pears in post-harvest chambers, maintaining the fruit's organoleptic characteristics, extending its useful life, and reducing post-harvest storage losses. The EDIPACC project intends to use application methods that are different than the current immersion methods, which will allow the sector to reduce water consumption, reduce the use of phytosanitary products, and minimize the spillage of phytosanitary products, which will help make the sector more competitive.
The project will be carried out thanks to the formation of the Operative Group made up of the UNIVERSITY OF LA RIOJA, the Agroalimentary Technological Center (Ctic Cita), and VALLE DE RINCON fruits and vegetables.
The UNIVERSITY OF LA RIOJA contributes the cold atmospheric plasma application technology, which is an alternative disinfection technology, to the project.
The AGRO-FOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER, Ctic Cita, is in charge of carrying out the validation of the effectiveness of the PAW in vitro and in product during storage in post-harvest chambers in their pilot plant. VALLE DE RINCON fruits and vegetables, a leader in the sector, will allow the transfer of the results to the sector to increase its competitiveness.
The EDIPACC project has a duration of 30 months and a budget of €306,503.79. Eighty percent of the project was financed by EAFRD, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment, and the Government of La Rioja. The project is part of the actions considered in the Rural Development Program of La Rioja, which will contribute to reduce or adapt to climate change. It is also part of a strategy to improve the competitiveness of the pear producing sector of La Rioja, by increasing the pears' quality and shelf life while lowering production costs.
