Given the global situation of water scarcity, it is essential to have tools that allow us to contribute to the proper use of water in agriculture. Talete, a new solution developed by Valagro, promotes sustainable production through the management of this vital element, both in conditions of adequate water availability and permanent or temporary scarcity.
Talete has two mechanisms of action; it improves water retention and adsorption by inducing water-sensitive genes that generate the production of dehydrins and aquaporins. In addition, it induces genes related to the early response to dehydration.
The second mechanism of action is the optimization of water use by activating genes related to photosynthesis; it improves stomatal conductance, proven by various studies, and induces geranyl diphosphate (GGPP), a molecule of great importance as it can be converted into growth compounds, all of which helps a better metabolic use of water.
The effects of Talete have been studied using transcriptomics, where it has been possible to scientifically prove that there is a response of the genes to dehydration. Phenomics has subsequently been used to verify what was seen in previous studies, through the use of cameras of different wavelengths such as UV, NIR and RGB; for example, how the plant behaves in relation to aspects such as the humidity index, which is studied with an ultraviolet camera, has been analysed. All these studies have been carried out with reduced irrigation, resulting in a higher photosynthetic rate, better stomatal conductance, more digital biomass and green index.
The Talete principle focuses on water productivity in crops, that is, the economic or biophysical yield of each unit of water used in crop production.
For more information about Talete and other Syngenta solutions, farmers and industry professionals can contact their Zonal agroAmigo or at www.syngenta.cl.
