The Scientific and Technological Research Center of Extremadura (Cicytex) is present, from March 21 to April 1, at the World Congress of Processed Tomatoes and the Scientific Symposium of the International Society of Horticultural Sciences (ISHS), which is held in San Juan (Argentina).
At this meeting, Cicytex researcher, Carlos Campillo Torres, will present four communications on automated fertilization management in commercial industrial tomato plots and obtaining fruits and concentrates with more flavor and healthier. There are two projects, called VEGYSYST-DSS and Tomavit, in which work has been done with more efficient and sustainable models, and that address important needs of the sector in the field and in the final product.
The project “Decision-making support system for irrigation and nitrogen management in horticultural crops” (VEGYSYST-DSS), a national collaboration between Cicytex, Ifapa and the University of Córdoba, has allowed the development of software to make management recommendations irrigation and fertilization in commercial plots of industrial tomato, pepper and broccoli. It is a calibrated computer model to evaluate the state of nitrogen in the soil in order to adjust the doses of water and fertilizer in real time for a more sustainable crop. This project is part of the 2018 call for R&D&i projects “Research Challenges” of the state R&D&I program aimed at the challenges of society, and granted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The project is in its final phase, the next tests will be carried out in spring at Cicytex’s La Finca La Orden, where the model will be evaluated against traditional fertilization practices.
Tomavit, healthier tomatoes
On the other hand, the project “Development of new agroindustrial strategies for healthier tomato processing” (Tomavit) is carried out with the companies PRONAT, MAPITI and the University of Extremadura. In this case, the effect of controlled deficit irrigation on the evolution of total soluble solids in industrial tomato has been studied, achieving an increase in sugars, reducing acidity and improving its flavor. This project is part of the Smart Growth Operational Program 2017-2020, with the aim of promoting research, technological development and innovation of the FEDER Program.
Congress and symposium
The Cicytex researcher, Carlos Campillo Torres, will present the conclusions and methodology of these works this Wednesday, March 30, starting at 11 a.m. (local time). Campillo Torres is also a member of the scientific committee of the symposium promoted by the International Society of Horticultural Sciences (ISHS), and which is organized as a parallel activity at this World Tomato Congress.
At the World Processed Tomato Congress and Scientific Symposium, held in San Juan (Argentina), the most recent research on tomato processing is presented, from the field – such as production, agronomy and genetics – to the final product – organoleptic and nutritional quality, intelligent processes for quality control, healthy foods. In total there are more than 70 scientific communications articulated in three sessions: Crop management, Processing and technology, Tomato and health. The sessions can be followed online through the Whova platform.