Newsletter – Year III – Number II – December, 2024

Agroterenas is a benchmark in Brazilian agribusiness, excelling in the production of citrus, sugarcane, and grains. The company employs over 4,500 workers and operates production units across different regions of Brazil, consistently investing in technology and innovation. In the citrus sector, Agroterenas cultivates approximately 8,000 hectares, solidifying its position as one of the country’s leading citrus producers. This contribution significantly boosts the sector’s development and promotes sustainable production.

Agroterenas’ partnership with the CCD-CROP-IAC project exemplifies its commitment to research and development. The initiative aims to develop technological solutions to address major challenges in citrus farming, such as orchard management and greening.

To provide more insights into this partnership, we spoke with Márcio Augusto Soares, an agronomist at Agroterenas since 2001, who currently serves as the Manager of Agricultural Research and Development.

1) Márcio, it’s an honor to have Agroterenas as a partner in advancing citrus research. Could you tell us how this partnership with CCD-CROP-IAC can drive progress in citrus farming?

The public-private partnership with the Agronomic Institute (CCD-CROP-IAC) is crucial for accelerating and enabling projects that require collaboration from both parties. This partnership makes it possible to bring projects, previously developed and “stored” within public research institutions, into the field for observation, validation, and adoption by the end user, who is typically from the private sector.

Additionally, this collaboration fosters an exchange of experiences between researchers and private-sector professionals, all working towards a shared goal: translating academic knowledge into effective field applications.

2) In the field of research, how does the interaction between IAC and Agroterenas take place? Could you highlight the main experimental fields and ongoing projects?

The interaction with IAC occurs through the exchange of experiences between the scientific sector (IAC) and the production sector (Agroterenas). This is achieved by establishing and conducting field experiments to validate technologies deemed promising by researchers.

Currently, Agroterenas is conducting a field study aimed at evaluating the performance of citrus rootstocks with the potential to reduce tree size. This could enable high-density planting, increase productivity (tons/ha), improve operational efficiency in crop management, and simplify the harvesting process.

3) In your view, what are the main bottlenecks in the citrus production chain? How can the partnership with CCD-CROP-IAC help overcome these challenges?

The current bottlenecks in the citrus production chain include harvesting difficulties and the occurrence of the disease known as greening.

Harvesting challenges arise due to the large size of citrus trees, which makes it difficult for workers performing manual harvesting to access the higher parts of the trees. This increases the risk of accidents and reduces work efficiency. Additionally, the large size of citrus trees complicates the development of equipment for mechanized harvesting.

Greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a bacterial disease transmitted by the psyllid vector (Diaphorina citri). It causes significant productivity losses and severe damage to plant health, potentially leading to tree death and making citrus production projects unviable.

The partnership with CCD-CROP-IAC aims to validate the use of new dwarfing rootstocks that allow for smaller, less vigorous plants in the field, while maintaining high productivity and excellent fruit quality. This facilitates the harvesting process, improves operational efficiency, and increases the potential for developing mechanized harvesting equipment. Moreover, less vigorous plants (which produce fewer vegetative growths) may be less attractive to psyllids, thereby reducing the incidence of disease infection.

The application for cultivar protection submitted to the National Cultivar Protection Service at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SNPC/MAPA) for the new rootstock identified as IAC 3222, a result of the CCD-CROP-IAC project, has caught the attention of Globo’s affiliate, EPTV. This new material promises to assist citrus growers in the challenging battle against greening, the most devastating disease affecting oranges and other citrus fruits.

To delve deeper into the subject, the EpAgro team visited the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center and interviewed researchers from CCD-CROP-IAC about the impact of this new technology. In addition to highlighting the IAC 3222 rootstock, the report explores strategies for combating greening, which has caused significant damage to the citrus industry.

In the report:

  • Dr. Alessandra A. de Souza explains the impact of greening on citrus orchards, detailing how the disease occurs and is transmitted.
  • Dr. Marinês Bastianel presents the citrus germplasm bank, emphasizing the importance of these plants in developing new varieties for citrus growers.
  • Dr. Raquel Boscariol discusses the role of biotechnology as an essential tool for accelerating the development of varieties tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Dr. Mariângela Cristofani-Yaly takes the team to the experimental field, where new greening-tolerant seeds are in the final testing phase. She highlights the importance of an integrated technological package—including the selection of suitable varieties, efficient management practices, and strategic use of insecticides—as a way to mitigate the impacts of greening and climate change.

You can watch the full report on EpAgro’s page on GloboPlay (Episódio do dia 5 de outubro)

The Promega Rising Researchers award aims to empower and recognize researchers and their scientific contributions during their academic journey. In the 2024 edition, CCD-CROP-IAC was represented by doctoral student Lídia Cavalcante, supervised by Dr. Alessandra A. de Souza. Lídia was one of the five finalists in the Brazil stage, earning third place. This achievement underscores the potential and relevance of her research, highlighting its significant impact on the scientific community.

The competition evaluates scientific work in two stages: the first involves a written submission, while the second requires a scientific communication video. In these stages, participants must present the relevance and impact of their research in a simple, clear, and creative manner.

The program is widely recognized for valuing young talent and encouraging innovation and commitment to science. In addition to providing visibility, initiatives like this challenge participants to push their boundaries and believe even more in the value of their contributions. This experience underscores the importance of connecting promising ideas to real development opportunities, promoting scientific advancement and the formation of future leaders in research.

Researchers and students from the CCD-CROP-IAC project participated in the 69th International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society (CBG), presenting their work through posters and oral communications. The event was marked by significant achievements:

  • Danyel Contiliani, a Ph.D. candidate in Genetics at USP, supervised by Dr. Silvana A. Creste at the IAC Sugarcane Center, won the award for Best Poster in the area of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
    Title of the work: Harnessing novel cytidine deaminases from the animal kingdom for robust multiplexed base editing in plants.
  • Pedro Ferreira, a Master’s student in Genetics and Plant Breeding at USP, supervised by Dr. Claudia B. M. Vitorello at the “Prof. João Lúcio de Azevedo” Microorganism Genetics Laboratory, received an honorable mention in the area of Applied Bioinformatics for his poster.
    Title of the work: Unraveling fungal aggressiveness: profiling pathogenesis-associated and candidate effector genes in sugarcane smut Brazilian isolates using multi-omics approaches.
  • Lídia Cavalcante, a Ph.D. student in Genetics and Molecular Biology at UNICAMP, developing her research at the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center under the supervision of Dr. Alessandra A. de Souza, was one of five finalists for an oral presentation and received an honorable mention in the Alcides Carvalho Award.
    Title of the work: CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Disruption of CsLIEXP1 in Citrus sinensis reveals its role as a susceptibility gene for citrus canker disease.

In addition to them, other researchers also represented CCD-CROP-IAC at the conference:

  • Undergraduate students: Daniela Silva and Maria Clara Marcondes.
  • Master’s students: Vinicius Ferreira, Victoria Stern, Laísa Rocha, and Lucas Nascimento.
  • Doctoral students: Marcella Ferreira and Fernanda Roverssi.
  • Postdoctoral researchers: Cristina Martins and Matheus Nogueira.

Dr. Cristina de Paula Santos Martins, a researcher associated with CCD-CROP-IAC and INCT Citros projects, received the “Prof. Roland Vencovsky” honorable mention and an award for her oral presentation on orange tree tolerance to greening at the VIII International Meeting on Plant Breeding.
Title of the work: Identification and overexpression of candidate genes for HLB tolerance in citrus.

Undergraduate students Daniela Silva and Maria Clara Marcondes, scientific initiation fellows linked to CCD-CROP-IAC and supervised by researchers Alessandra A. de Souza and Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho, respectively, presented their work at the Interinstitutional Scientific Initiation Congress (CIIC).

Daniela Silva received the Maria Beatriz Perecin Award for Scientific Initiation for her oral presentation:

Title of the work: Genetic transformation of sweet orange aiming at editing the callose synthase 12 (CsCalS12) gene.

These achievements demonstrate the impact and relevance of research conducted within CCD-CROP-IAC, contributing significantly to scientific and technological advances in the fields of citrus, sugarcane, and coffee genetics and breeding.

The article Genetic Characterization and Fruit Quality Analysis of New Mandarin Hybrids, published in Agronomy by the team led by Dr. Mariângela Cristofani-Yaly, coordinator of the CCD-CROP-IAC project, highlights advances in the characterization of eleven hybrids resulting from the cross between Murcott tangor and Ponkan mandarin, grafted onto Rangpur lime rootstock.

The research revealed differences in fruit shape, juice content, and organoleptic properties, as well as varied responses to the disease Alternaria Brown Spot (ABS), caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata. Based on the results, the hybrids were grouped into two main categories: those with traits closer to Ponkan and those resembling the Murcott parent.

One of the study’s highlights was the variation in the fruit maturation period among hybrids and their parent varieties, suggesting that these new hybrids could extend the marketing window for mandarins in Brazil. It’s worth noting that Murcott and Ponkan are already among the top cultivars in the fresh fruit market in the country.

The genetic and phenotypic characterization of these hybrids represents a critical step toward registering and protecting these new varieties, essential for their introduction to the market. These hybrids hold great potential to meet the growing demands of the citrus sector and strengthen Brazilian citriculture.

Research on sugarcane has made significant strides within the CCD-CROP-IAC project. Two studies led by Dr. Silvana Creste and conducted by her students have produced promising results, reinforcing the potential of biotechnology and functional genomics in sugarcane cultivation.

Advances in Gene Editing Technology for Plants

Ph.D. candidate Danyel Contiliani developed a new gene-editing system (vector) based on the discovery of novel cytidine deaminases. This system can simultaneously alter a larger number of genes using CRISPR technology. These editors exhibit reduced dependence on genomic contexts, high efficiency, and precision, while minimizing off-target effects. This marks a significant advancement in genetic editing for plants.

In biotechnology, these vectors function as “genetic editing systems,” enabling the introduction of desirable traits into plants. This innovation aids in creating cultivars that are more resistant to pests, tolerant to drought, and more resilient to climate change.

Progress in Understanding Sugarcane Smut Disease

Master’s student Laísa Rocha identified polymorphisms in transcripts of the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) gene, which are differentially expressed in sugarcane varieties ‘IACSP02-1064’ and energy cane ‘VX10,’ with contrasting resistance to smut disease during the early stages of inoculation by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum.

These findings enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sugarcane resistance to the fungus and may guide the development of sugarcane varieties more tolerant to the disease.

These studies demonstrate how applied science can bring innovative solutions to agriculture, contributing to the sustainability and productivity of the sugar-energy sector.

Daterra, a partner of the CCD-CROP-IAC, honors IAC researchers with a special coffee kit! This initiative celebrates the inspiring stories of researchers who dedicated their careers to coffee breeding. From Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho, a member of the CCD project who made significant advancements in coffee genetics, to Masako Toma Braghini, also part of the CCD project, whose pioneering research led to disease-resistant cultivars, each of these scientists has left a lasting legacy.

Thanks to their relentless efforts, Brazilian coffee has not only become more productive and disease-resistant but also achieved exceptional quality and flavor. Every cup of coffee enjoyed today carries a piece of the passion and innovation of these science heroes.

The 2024 collection features 15 unique coffees that represent Daterra’s commitment to developing varieties resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases, without compromising exceptional flavor profiles. This demonstrates that even in challenging scenarios, the partnership between science and field practices, combined with continuous investment in research, ensures the sustainable future and high quality of Brazilian coffee.

Learn more about this story in Meet the Researchers, and join us in honoring these research giants while savoring the fruits of their labor!

Postdoctoral researcher Mariana Bossi, a member of Dr. Alessandra A. de Souza’s research group at CCD-CROP-IAC, is undergoing professional training at the University of California, Riverside, supported by an international research fellowship (BEPE-FAPESP). Mariana is part of Dr. Caroline Roper’s team in the Department of Plant Pathology, working on the study Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential of Diffusible Signal Factor Against Candidatus Liberibacter spp.

Dr. Roper’s group was strategically chosen for this training. Renowned for its research on the citrus microbiome, the team has extensive expertise in identifying antimicrobial compounds capable of combating Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria associated with greening. They utilize the cultivable species Liberibacter crescens—absent in Brazil—to advance tests and evaluate new compounds.

During her training, Mariana is investigating the synergistic effects of a quorum-sensing molecule, diffusible signal factor (DSF), in combination with antibiotics and antimicrobial compounds. This innovative approach aims to enhance the bactericidal effect of molecules tested against L. crescens. The results could pave the way for new management strategies against greening, the primary threat to global citrus farming.

Currently, the CCD-CROP-IAC project has two researchers undergoing international training. In addition to Mariana Bossi, doctoral student Dhiôvanna Corrêia Rocha is training in advanced plant gene-editing techniques via CRISPR at the University of Maryland, as part of Dr. Yiping Qi’s team in the Qi Lab.

These initiatives reaffirm CCD-CROP-IAC’s commitment to researcher training and innovative solutions for challenges in Brazilian and global agriculture.

The 4th CCD-CROP-IAC Workshop brought together researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and representatives from partner companies at the IAC Sugarcane Center in Ribeirão Preto. Through lectures and panel discussions, the event provided a platform to discuss the advances and challenges of the CCD-CROP-IAC project, focusing on genetic improvement technologies, transgenics, and gene editing applied to citrus, coffee, and sugarcane crops.

One of this year’s highlights was the inclusion of lectures on scientific communication. Data from 2023 regarding public perception of science and technology in Brazil revealed a paradox: while there is significant public interest in scientific content, there remains a lack of awareness about research institutions and national scientists.

The program also showcased the communication results achieved by CCD-CROP-IAC in 2024, including success on social media and the approval of two scientific journalism fellows under the FAPESP Comunicar Ciência grant, who are developing the Ciência à Mesa podcast.

The advances highlighted during the event reinforce the researchers’ commitment to overcoming technological challenges, expanding scientific communication, and delivering tangible results to the sector, such as cultivar registrations, patents, and new solutions for Brazilian agriculture.

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