Carob4All
Development of selected mesquite clones tolerant to climate change.
Currently, the value of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) extends far beyond its traditional uses, encompassing a wide range of industries and applications that take advantage of its unique properties and nutritional benefits.
About the Project
Project Summary
Carob has been used for centuries in animal feed and during times of scarcity. Due to its unique properties and nutritional characteristics, it is currently used in human food and for industrial applications in the food sector, the textile industry, the manufacture of paper, glues and paints, and the pharmaceutical industry. However, the propagation of carob trees using traditional methods does not allow for the availability of plants on the market in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices.
The Carob4All project emerged to address the shortage of plants on the market, using biotechnology for the propagation of carob with high genetic and phytosanitary quality.
This project also includes the development of a biostimulant product, specific to carob orchards, that allows for better adaptation of the plant to drought-resistant systems and poor soils, as well as to worsening climatic conditions.
This project is a consortium led by ALGARCAROB, with DEIFIL and the University of Algarve.
What we intend
Main Goals
1
Elite Clone Selection
Select 5 to 7 of the best accessions from the gene bank, which contains 44 varieties, based on size, vigor, susceptibility to pests and diseases, and production history.
2
Clonal Micropropagation
Develop in vitro multiplication protocols for at least 2 selected accessions, allowing the production of superior quality plants with varietal and phytosanitary certification on a large scale.
3
Advanced Mycorrhization
Establishing mycorrhizal associations that mimic natural processes, giving plants a greater capacity to assimilate water and nutrients and resilience to climate change.
4
Biostimulant Product
To develop a specific mycorrhizal product for mesquite orchards, based on beneficial microorganisms naturally present in the soil and roots of mesquite.
Investigation
Scientific and Technological Developments
The Carob4All project’s main objective is to develop an innovative approach to address a set of economic gaps and challenges identified by a review of the state of the art.
National Context
Portugal is one of the world’s largest producers of carob, however its use is not yet widespread and its production still lacks strategies for the future. The Mulata variety is the most common, being present in 90% of grafted carob trees, which has not contributed to the diversity of varieties.
Genetic Bank
There is a genetic bank with 44 carob tree accessions, located at the Tavira agricultural experimentation center, which will be enhanced through this project. The 5 to 7 best accessions will be selected based on rigorous quality and productivity criteria.
Biotechnological Innovation (TRL 7-8)
The development of in vitro multiplication and mycorrhization protocols will enable:
- Obtain superior quality plants with varietal and phytosanitary certification.
- Large-scale production independent of the season.
- To address the limitations caused by the grafting technique (a slow process with low success rates).
- Provide young trees of the most interesting varieties.
Customized Mycorrhizal Product
Several biostimulant formulations are available on the market (e.g., Mycoshell® and MycoPlant®), but none are specifically targeted/customized for carob. This project will develop:
- Identification of mycorrhizal microorganisms using biotechnology and molecular biology methodologies.
- Isolation and characterization using innovative metagenomic methodologies.
- Prototype of a circular mycorrhizal product, making use of micropropagation byproducts.
- Validation in a relevant environment (TRL 7-8)
Expected Impact
At the end of the 36-month operation, ALGARCAROB expects to obtain productive carob varieties, propagated by in vitro culture and mycorrhizal, without the need for grafting, capable of diversifying the range of products on the market and providing suitable material for field planting with the best characteristics for adapting to abiotic stress.
Consortium
ALGARCAROB
Lead Promoter
Founded in 2022, Algarcarob leads agricultural modernization in the Algarve through the implementation of technological solutions and agro-industrial modernization. We have a 4000 m² nursery in Faro and promote conventional orchard cultivation as a sustainable alternative. The company acts as a 360º partner, specializing in agricultural consulting, agricultural services, technological orchard management, and marketing support.
DEIFIL
Co-promoter
A plant biotechnology company founded in 2010, a pioneer in Portugal in the in vitro propagation of plants. Currently, it has a production capacity of approximately two million plants per year and operates in 17 countries. It has an R&D center responsible for developing projects, participating in several scientific projects under the PT2020 program.
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Universidade do Algarve (UAlg)
Co-promoter
A leading institution in the study of the mesquite tree. Through ENESII (School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism), it contributes essential scientific and technical expertise to the development of the project. Led by Pedro Correia, UAlg provides infrastructure, equipment, and scientific knowledge that ensure the development of research activities.
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Results
The Carob4All project is under development and is expected to last 36 months. Expected results include:
Short Term
- Selection and characterization of 5-7 elite mesquite clones
- Establishment of in vitro micropropagation protocols
- Identification and isolation of specific mycorrhizal microorganisms.
Medium Term
- Production of high-quality micropropagated plants
- Development of a mycorrhizal product prototype
- Validation in laboratory and experimental field settings.
Long Term
- Introduction to the market of carob varieties propagated by in vitro culture.
- Marketing of a specific biostimulant product for carob orchards.
- Contribution to the sustainability and diversification of carob production in Portugal.
- Reducing the ecological footprint and promoting the conservation of soil biodiversity.
The final results will be published as the project progresses, with scientific validation in a relevant environment. (TRL 7-8).
Project Fact Sheet
With the support of:
This project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through Portugal 2020, within the framework of the COMPETE 2020 Operational Programme.