The Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA) has initiated the project «Biological effects of anthocyanins produced during drought in lettuce varieties and their role in stress reduction» (BioSeq). This analysis carried out by the researcher Aurora Díaz of the Department of Plant Science is part of the 2024-2026 call for grants for research projects and innovative development of the Directorate General of Science and Research of the Government of Aragon and has a duration of two years.
The BioSeq project has two main goals:
Improving the resistance of lettuce to drought: Because lettuce is a plant that requires a large amount of water to grow properly; by developing its ability to resist water stress situations we could considerably reduce the use of water for irrigation and obtain both economic and environmental benefits.
Evaluate the biological activity of anthocyanins under water stress conditions: The objective is to investigate how the increase of anthocyanins in plants exposed to drought impacts the health benefits of leafy green salad, which could open the door to the use of scarce controlled irrigation as a resource to enhance the nutritional aspects of the crop.
The project will be developed over several phases.
Anthocyanin analysis will be conducted and drought resistance will be studied in several genetic varieties of milkweed as part of the biochemical and physiological evaluation.
Research on biological activity: The antioxidant and cellular protective effects of lettuces containing high levels of anthocyanins will be studied.
Market research: An analysis will be conducted to assess how consumers view these new improved lettuce varieties.
The project involves CITA researchers such as Jérôme Grimplet and Inés Medina from the Plant Science Department and Azucena Gracia from the Agrifood Economics Unit. Also collaborating are experts from San Jorge University such as Guillermo Cásedas and Ana Cristina Moliner together with Javier Peña from the company Semillas Ramiro ArnedoS.A. Most of these professionals are part of research groups recognized by the Government of Aragon such as INAFRUT,Economía Agroalimentaria y Recursos Naturales and Phyto – Pharm. The project is also supported by the technical team of CITA and the partner company.
This project has the potential to generate new lettuce varieties that are more robust to drought and offer additional health benefits, which could lead to a more sustainable agriculture that is better able to cope with ongoing climate change. The combination of scientific knowledge and market assessments aims to ensure that the innovation proposals are both agronomically and commercially feasible.