New center Millennium seeks to stop the fungus that attacks grapes and blueberries
Botrytis cinerea infects plants, leaves, stems and fruits
Understanding the behavior of the powerful and evil fungus Botrytis cinerea is one of the goals of the new Millennium Institute of Integrative Biology of Systems and Synthetics.
Luis Larrondo, director of this center based in the UC, says that this parasite infects plants, leaves, stems and fruits to rot. Grapes and cranberries are its main victims. "We are interested in understanding how to make it grow less in the plant or that the plant can defend itself better from this fungus (...) It is a nightmare for the Chilean agroindustry. All export markets are extremely fussy about their presence, "he says.
Larrondo clarifies that the existence of mushrooms in agriculture can also be positive. "We will also study the Trichoderma. It helps plants produce more efficient roots; and is able to compete with the Botrytis, moving it. It's a biocontroller. "
Larrondo says the institute will have annual funding of more than one million dollars, over 10 years. He adds that the Research in Optics was also created, which will focus on quantum computing. They both join a list of seven existing Millennium Institutes.
Source: www.lun.com
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