Desarrollo de una mezcla de microorganismos benéficos para el incremento de la vida útil post-cosecha de la cebolla en la zona norte de Cartago

One of the factors causing the greatest economic losses in the onion agro-success chain is post-harvest losses caused by saprophytic and decomposing fungi that rot bulbs during storage. These estimated losses represent between 15 and 20% of the total 38,778 tons, with a value of 2,326,680,000 million colones in 2018. The only available technologies are small-scale industrial dryers, valued at at least 100 million colones, and low-efficiency solar dryers. The high cost of the first technological option means farmers lack access to these technologies and rely on physical drying processes, which depend on environmental factors but have significant limitations in their effectiveness in reducing disease damage during storage.

The approach to the problem and the solution proposed in this proposal are quite novel due to the incorporation of microbiological technologies to establish a protective barrier in the onion. The main idea is to develop a mixture of microorganisms and additives that accelerate the drying process of the bulbs and, at the same time, provide biological protection against the growth of fungi that cause rotting of plant material in warehouses. This proposal is a low-cost solution that can positively impact the national onion sector and the domestic vegetable market. Furthermore, it can be the basis of protectable knowledge for the Institution and allow its successful transfer to producers, technicians, and/or entrepreneurs

The bibliographic review confirmed that there is very little research in this area, so the TEC's contribution in generating knowledge about how biocontrol mechanisms are developed in drying and storage production processes can be considered very compelling and highly innovative. Furthermore, regarding the TEC's scientific research work itself, currently, the CIB Biocontrol research group is the only research team in Central America and one of the few in Latin America focused on developing technologies to improve onion cultivation. There is a 10-year research roadmap for this crop, and this has allowed the CIB Biocontrol Laboratory to consolidate its position within the national production sector and successfully connect it with international research centers

Desarrollar una mezcla de microorganismos que proteja los bulbos de cebolla en la etapa de almacenamiento post-cosecha mediante el aceleramiento del secado y la producción de compuestos antimicrobianos in vivo.

Biotecnología ambiental