Valorisation of the By-product of Potato Starch Production – Potato Cell Sap – for the Development of Bioagents Promoting Plant Development and Resistance
Project summary
The aim of the collaborative project is to valorise the by-product of the potato starch production process – potato cell sap (PCS) – for the development of organic bioagents - fertilizer and biostimulant and to evaluate their effectiveness in promoting plant development and resistance to diseases in potatoes (Solanum Tuberosum) and field peas (Pisum Sativum). The project envisages interdisciplinary collaboration between organic agriculture company producing potatoes and field peas Aloja Agro Ltd. and research institutions of Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (Laboratory of Bioengineering) and Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI) (Crop Research Department in Priekuli and Vilani).
The main activities of the project are planned to explore the valorization possibilities of potato cell sap (PCS), including the formulation of its concentrated solids into organic fertilizer granules and the use of filtrate solution for the production of a Trichoderma viride MSCL 946 - based plant biostimulant with plant protection properties through a liquid surface cultivation process. The effectiveness of the obtained organic fertilizer and plant biostimulant with plant protection properties is planned to be evaluated in field, in vitro and in vivo trials on potatoes and field peas. A new pilot-scale system for microorganism liquid-surface cultivation is proposed for the production of the plant biostimulant with plant protection properties.
As a result of this project, a new knowledge will be acquired and disseminated through 9 reports, 3 scientific articles, at least 12 business trips (including scientific conferences); 1 prototype of newly developed static 3-level (3x 50-60 L) out-of- autoclave steam-sterilisable tray system will be developed; 1 patent of a developed prototype system and particular technology transfer via a least 1 licence agreement, planned.
The project aligns with the OECD science field FORD classification - 1.6. Biological Sciences, and the field of Engineering and Technology - 2.9. Industrial Biotechnology. During the project implementation, PCS valorization will be conducted to develop organic fertilizer and a plant biostimulant containing Trichoderma sp. with plant protection properties. The effectiveness of these products will be evaluated for agricultural use. Included developments (results and output indicators) will promote Latvian biotech and organic biofertilizer production sectors corresponding to the national economy transformation direction “Future growth sectors of the national economy, in which the products and services with a high added value exist or may arise” set out by the Latvian Smart specialisation strategy (RIS3), comply with growth priorities no. 1 and no. 6, and correspond to specialization field no. 1 – “Knowledge-intensive bio-economy”. Project scope complies with statistical classification of economic activities (NACE) code 20.20.
Keywords: potato cell sap (PCS) valorization, bioagents (biofertilizers, biostimulants, plant protection preparations), liquid-surface cultivation scale-up, potato, pea, plant pathogens.
Call, activity: The project is implemented within the framework of the “European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027” specific support objective 1.1.1. “Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introduction of advanced technologies in the common R&D system” measure 1.1.1.3. “Practically Oriented Research”.
Project implementation period: 36 months
Total project funding: EUR 649,950.77, including ERDF funding of EUR 505,011.74 and national budget funding of EUR 89,043.25.
Project Partners:
- Aloja Agro SIA
- Agroresursu un ekonomikas institūts APP
