Line 1. Pest, Disease and Weed Biology and Agroecology Studies
1.1 Obtaining and characterisation of viral isolates for use in the search for plant material with genetic resistance to bacteria and fungi in plant breeding programmes (see annex 1).
1.2 Study of the population variability and of viral disease epidemiology in crops of particular importance in Aragon: alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) in alfalfa and horticultural crops
1.3 Study of the biological cycle of the locust pest (Dociostauros maroccanus) and of the grasshopper of the genus Calliptamus spp. Identification and synthesis of sexual and oviposition aggregation pheromones.
1.4 Study of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) epidemiology in rosaceous plants. Isolation, characterisation and conservation of strains.
1.5 Study of the invasive species Solanum eleaegnifolium and monitoring of the status of herbicide resistance.
Line 2. Plant Protection in Sustainable Production Systems
2.1 Evaluation and development of physical pathogen control methods (solarisation, biofumigation) and application of biocontrol agents, as a substitute for chemical treatments (see annex 4).
2.2 Evaluation and development of non-chemical weed-control methods (covers, mechanical weeding, flaming weed control) (see annex 6).
2.3 Integrated control studies of Agrobacterium spp. in fruit trees and vines.
2.4 Creation of an autonomous weed control robot for corn crops.
2.5 Integrated weed management of Galium spp. populations in winter cereals.
Line 3. Crop Diversification
3.1 Identification of the mycorrhizes that compete with cultivated truffles and establishment of a catalogue of relevant pollutants.
3.2 Biotests for harvest forecast. Study of the biotic and abiotic factors that affect black truffle production. Cultivation techniques.