PENNYARAGON II Operational Group: Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) as a sustainable crop with bioenergy applications to improve dryland farms in Aragon
- Type Operational group
- Status In progress
- Execution 2024 -2027
- Assigned Budget 150.000,00 €
- Scope Autonómico
- Autonomous community Aragón
- Project website GO PENNYARAGON II
The project focuses on the genetic improvement of pennycress for bioenergy production, including the selection of local germplasm and treatments to improve germination. It also explores the use of byproducts, such as pennycress cake, as a natural biocide against fungi in borage crops.
The main activities of the project:
- Mass selection of local Pennycress germplasm: Different local Pennycress populations will undergo field propagation cycles. The development parameters of the populations with the best agronomic performance will be compared with reference varieties.
- Application of seed treatments to improve field emergence: The effect of treatments such as applying gibberellic acid (GA) or nitrate to the seed before sowing will be studied, based on preliminary results suggesting a positive effect. Trials will be conducted in germination chambers using the pelleting technique to facilitate uniform sowing.
- Expansion of the Pennycress germplasm collection: Wild Pennycress plants will be sought in different agroclimatic zones of Aragon, expanding the search area. Plants will be identified, seeds collected, and soil samples and agroclimatic information from the area will be collected.
- Validation of Pennycress cake for root rot control in borage: Trials will be conducted to determine the dosage and application mode of Pennycress cake to achieve biofumigant activity in borage plants contaminated with Fusarium oxysporum. The evolution of Fusarium in greenhouse soils after application of the cake will be analyzed, and it will be applied at different doses in a greenhouse tunnel of the borage producer.
The PENNYARAGON II project is being developed in the context of the search for sustainable alternatives for dryland agriculture in Aragon and the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.
It focuses on the cultivation of Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) as an option to improve the productivity and sustainability of farms, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. It also seeks to valorize byproducts of this crop, such as the oil cake resulting from oil extraction, for use as a natural biocide.
The project is aligned with European and national policies and strategies for the promotion of bioenergy, agricultural sustainability, and environmental protection. It seeks to provide innovative and practical solutions for farmers in Aragon, contributing to crop diversification and improved profitability and sustainability.
The main objective is the development of Thlaspi arvense (pennycress) as a sustainable crop to improve dryland farms in Aragon.
The project focuses on the genetic improvement of pennycress for bioenergy production, including the selection of local germplasm and treatments to improve germination. It also explores the use of byproducts, such as pennycress cake, as a natural biocide against fungi in borage crops.
The project expects to achieve the following main results:
- Improve the quality of Pennycress seed for commercial exploitation in Aragon and Spain in the medium term.
- Expand the Pennycress germplasm collection by searching for new populations in different agroclimatic zones of Aragon.
- Develop pre-planting seed treatments to improve field emergence.
- Validate Pennycress cake as a natural alternative to the use of chemical pesticides, demonstrating its potential for pest control.
- Positive environmental impact, especially in protecting the soil from erosion and nutrient loss during the fallow period in the cereal-fallow rotation.
- Transfer of results to the agricultural sector in Aragon, promoting knowledge about the use of Pennycress seed as a sustainable alternative compatible with the main cereal agricultural production, as well as its potential as a biocide for borage.
- Coordinator/entity name: Aragon Foundation for Innovation and Agri-Food Transfer (FITA)
- Postal address: Avda. Montañana, 930, 50059, Zaragoza
- Coordinator/entity email: info@fita-aragon.es
- Telephone: 976716976
- Fundación de Innovación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria de Aragón (FITA)
- PROCASE Semillas SL (rdiez@procasesemillas.com)
- Sociedad Cooperativa Agraria San Esteban (coop_sanesteban@yahoo.es)
- ANA OLMOS SL (ins.micastillo@gmail.com)
- Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD-CSIC) (vlopez@eead.csic.es)
- Fundación de Innovación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria de Aragón (FITA)
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