Argentine Researchers Discover Rosemary Extract’s protective Effects on Crops
Table of Contents
- Interview: Exploring Rosemary’s Potential in Agricultural Bioprotection
- Editor’s Q&A session with María Rosa Marano
- how did your research journey begin, focusing initially on viral diseases in plants?
- Can you elaborate on the differentiation in effects of rosemary on plants versus mammals or human pathogens?
- What other pathogens and plants have you studied to confirm these findings?
- Could you share more about the Cropprime alliance and its impact on global agriculture?
- What does the research community envision for the future based on these findings?
- Key Findings Summary
- Editor’s Q&A session with María Rosa Marano
San Carlos de Bariloche – In a groundbreaking finding, Argentine researchers have found that the application of extracts from a Creole variety of the rosemary plant has a protective effect against crop diseases. This finding has sparked international interest and funding, aiming to develop alternatives to the use of agrochemicals.
“We intend to generate new technologies that can be used as bio-protectors against different types of biotic stress, caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi, or abiotic stress caused by extreme temperatures or little water availability,” explained María Rosa Marano, the leader of the research carried out at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario (IBR). The research is linked to the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) and the National University of Rosario (UNR).
The team led by Marano is currently integrating the Cropprime Alliance, an international consortium that has secured financing of one million euros until 2027 through the Marie skłodowska-Curie Actions program (MSCA-Staff Exchange) of the European Commission. The goal is to develop a commercial product of natural origin that represents a amiable alternative to the surroundings.
Experts indicated that the species Salvia rosmarinus (Rosemary) has gained importance in the field of research for its attributes such as anti-inflammatory, microbicide, and antioxidant properties. Although it has been extensively investigated in relation to human health, this is the first time that the effect of rosemarinic acid (along with carnosic acid and carnosol, which are among the most abundant secondary metabolites in rosemary) has been proven on other plants.
Marano said that when they started this line of research, they first chose to work with diseases caused by viruses in plants, “Because there is no chemical agent to avoid viral propagation in crops.”
Taking the tobacco necrosis virus (TVNA) as a model, they found an important effect of the application of rosemary extract in the development of viral disease, reducing symptoms. They were also able to verify that this effect is different from the microbicidal action described in animal cells or against human pathogens.
“In plants, it has a protective effect that prepares them and increases their defense response when the plant undergoes stress,” said Lucila García, a biotechnologist and researcher at CONICET in the IBR. Marano added that the rosemary “acts as a kind of vaccine.”
After working with other pathogens and plants, the researchers also demonstrated that protection is effective in the case of diseases caused by citrus or soybean fungi and bacteria. This suggests that there is an extended action that is independent of the pathogen and the plant.
Key Findings Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————–|——————————————————————————|
| Research Leader | María Rosa Marano |
| Institute | Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario (IBR) |
| Funding | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program (MSCA-Staff Exchange) |
| Plant Species | Salvia rosmarinus (Rosemary) |
| attributes | Anti-inflammatory, microbicide, antioxidant |
| Diseases Targeted | Viruses, bacteria, fungi |
| Effect | Protective, increases defense response |
| Consortium | Cropprime Alliance |
| Funding Amount | One million euros |
| Duration | Until 2027 |
This research not only offers a promising alternative to harmful agrochemicals but also highlights the potential of natural compounds in enduring agriculture. For more facts on the latest developments in agricultural biotechnology, visit the IBR website.
Stay tuned for more updates on this revolutionary discovery and its implications for global agriculture.Sure, here is the content you requested:
The Cropprime alliance is made up of laboratories of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Belgium, and South Africa that join the one directed by Marano in IBR and the Biatlantis biotechnological developments company, based in Ireland.
The company has 16 years of market experience and is a pioneer in the application of “priming” technology, which involves the use of bioactive substances that stimulate a molecular response in crops and prepares them to face stress situations. “In Argentina, producers use several of the bioestimulants developed by the company,” Marano said.
In addition to Romero, some laboratories that are part of the international consortium work with algae and fungal extracts. Anyway, pavel Kerchev, member of the Consortium and researcher at the Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic), warned that from the good results that the rosemary has given, “currently much of the work we do in Cropprime is around Understand how rosmarinic acid works ”.
Interview: Exploring Rosemary’s Potential in Agricultural Bioprotection
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The burgeoning field of agricultural biotechnology continues to unveil innovative solutions for enduring farming. One such revelation comes from the enlightening research spearheaded by María Rosa Marano and her team at the institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario (IBR). Their recent findings focus on a compound prevalent in rosemary which holds enormous potential for protecting crops from various pathogens.
Editor’s Q&A session with María Rosa Marano
Marano: We decided to start with viral diseases because they are especially challenging; there are no chemical agents to prevent viral propagation in crops. Taking the tobacco necrosis virus (TVNA) as a model, we explored the impact of rosemary extract and found a notable effect in delaying and reducing viral symptoms. Our findings demonstrated that rosemary has a protective effect,enhancing the plant’s defense response.
Can you elaborate on the differentiation in effects of rosemary on plants versus mammals or human pathogens?
Lucila García: In plants, rosemary acts as a protective agent rather than a microbicide. It helps prepare the plant and enhances its defense mechanisms when under stress. Unlike its effects in mammals or against human pathogens,rosemary acts similarly to a kind of vaccine for plants.
What other pathogens and plants have you studied to confirm these findings?
Marano: After initial successes with viral diseases, we extended our research to include pathogens causing diseases in citrus and soybean, such as fungi and bacteria.Indeed, we found that protection extends across different pathogens and plant species, indicating a broad-spectrum capability independent of the specific pathogen or plant type.
Marano: The Cropprime alliance consists of several key laboratories from the Czech Republic, bulgaria, Belgium, South Africa, and Biatlantis in Ireland. Our focus is to apply advanced ‘priming’ technology using bioactive substances to stimulate molecular responses in crops, preparing them to face stress conditions. These bioestimulants developed by our company have seen successful adoption by producers in Argentina.
What does the research community envision for the future based on these findings?
Pavel Kerchev: Even though rosemary has shown promising results, a significant part of our current work revolves around understanding how rosmarinic acid works. This understanding could lead to even more targeted and efficient bioprotection strategies, benefiting both the Plant and global agriculture.
Key Findings Summary
| Research leader | María Rosa Marano |
| Institute | Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rosario (IBR) |
| Funding | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program (MSCA-Staff Exchange) |
| Plant species | Salvia rosmarinus (Rosemary) |
| Attributes | anti-inflammatory, microbicide, antioxidant |
| diseases Targeted | Viruses, bacteria, fungi |
| Effect | Protective, increases defense response |
| Consortium | Cropprime Alliance |
| funding Amount | One million euros |
| Duration | Until 2027 |
This research heralds a promising alternative to harmful chemical agrochemicals, emphasizing the vast potential of natural compounds in sustainable agriculture. For more insights into the latest developments in agricultural biotechnology, visit the IBR website.
Stay tuned for more updates on this revolutionary discovery and its implications for global agriculture.
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