Embrapa and IDR-Paraná begin partnership for training and validation of cultivars

Organic cultivation and protected cultivation are among the themes defined in the online training program for 250 extensionists, organized through the partnership for technical cooperation between Embrapa Hortaliças and the Institute for Rural Development of Paraná (IDR-Paraná).

With monthly meetings, starting last June, the serial training will address various aspects of vegetable cultivation, such as principles of organic production, integrated management of pests and diseases, agroecological soil management, organic fertilization and protected cultivation.

“The institute’s research lines are more focused on grains, fruits, coffee and yerba mate. However, there is a strong performance of our team of extensionists in the area of ​​horticulture, in practically all municipalities in the State”, comments agronomist André Miguel, state coordinator of the Agroecology Program at IDR-Paraná, for whom the knowledge of Embrapa researchers, in a structured training program, can greatly assist in the development of regional vegetable production.

The validation of vegetable cultivars developed in Embrapa's genetic improvement programs encompasses another pillar of the partnership between the institutions, mainly tomato, lettuce and eggplant cultivars. “External validation is essential so that we can advance with our assets in the technical maturity scale of the technology and, thus, understand how cultivars perform in different production systems, such as organic, and in other climate and soil conditions ”, observes agronomist Débora Albernaz, Technology Transfer analyst at Embrapa Hortaliças.

Initially, the cultivar validation units will be implemented in an experimental organic production station at IDR-Paraná, located in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, but there is the possibility of expanding the tests to other municipalities and regions of the State. The adaptation and agronomic performance tests are expected to begin between the end of August and the beginning of September to avoid the harshest winter period and, for now, the planting areas are being prepared with cover crops for green manure.

According to agronomist Ítalo Ludke, from Embrapa Hortaliças, the validation of cultivars not only allows a more precise planting recommendation for the regions of Paraná, but also contributes to monitoring and evaluating the impact of these technologies, which subsequently provide subsidies for the continuity of agronomic research at both institutions.

“We hope that this partnership will be the beginning of a more integrated action between the two institutions, including the development of technologies increasingly adapted to the State of Paraná, not only with regard to cultivars, but also management recommendations and cultivation systems”, concludes Miguel.