Departamento de Agronomía

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There is currently a growing interest in quality plants produced in Spain and other countries within the framework of a certification program that ensures both varietal authenticity and an ideal sanitary state. The olive sector is betting on obtaining certified plants that guarantee the farmer the purchase of pathogen-free seedlings and a correct varietal identity.

From the Department of Agronomy of the University of Córdoba we offer a service for the varietal identification in olive tree, which supposes a great support and impulse for the Certification of the olive grove.

Verification of varietal authenticity or identification of an unknown sample. The DNA technique used for this analysis is the PCR-SSRs or microsatellites.

As reference material, correctly identified varieties included in the World Bank of Olive Germplasm of the University of Córdoba are used.

This public service has been operating since 1991. Currently, the detection analyzes in soil and plant, both Verticillium in olive and Phytophthora in oak and cork oak, represent the bulk of the work of this Service. The diagnosis is completed with the results reports sent to the applicants, which include management recommendations and treatments for each diagnosed disease.

• Calendario de Elecciones
• Censo provisional
• Censo definitivo
• Proclamación provisional de candidatos
• Proclamación definitiva de candidatos

The insect pests can produce until the 25% of yield losses of the crops. The use of non- appropriate control methods, the overuse and reliance on chemical insecticides can result in the non-effective control of insect pests and the emergence of resistant and cross-resistance to chemical insecticides.

The development of new environmentally safe and sustainable alternatives has become an urgent need for an integrated control program insect pest, with emphasis on biological control through entomopathogens. The entomopathogenic organisms can regulate naturally insect populations reducing the insecticide amount. The relationship between the insects and their pathogens is used as a powerful tool for insect pest control.

Our department is able to identify different insect pests and their associated pathogens by using basic and molecular biology. The recognition of insect pests and diseases often is possible by external characters, symptoms and signs, but also with molecular techniques based on DNA.

Potential clients:

• Research groups of institutional organizations, companies, particulars
• Stage of development of capacity:
• Available for clients

This Service was created to respond to the need for its use by the large group of researchers that are part of this Department. This service is an important tool for the development of Research and Transfer Projects.

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The Department of Agronomy from the University of Córdoba (DAUCO) was formed in1986. The idea arose as a result of the union between professors from two areas of knowledge: Plant Production and Hydraulic Engineering to deal with the teaching and research in Agronómica Engineering in an integral and holistic way. This improved the quality of its teaching and the excellence of its research, development and innovation. The model was constructed with three principal considerations: plant breeding, plant production and protection and the use of water and soil resources. Today, DAUCO is the first department of the University of Córdoba in the field of research with a research staff of 21 Principal Investigators, 23 Senior Researchers and 17 Postdoctoral Researchers, and a total staff of 150 people. DAUCO stands out for its efficiency and high research quality with highly experienced professors. A recent ranking by the University of Stanford on the most influential research personnel included DAUCO researchers José Torrent, Elias Fereres, Francisco J. Villalobos and Vidal Barrón in Agronomy&Agriculture, Enrique Quesada in Entomology and Ricardo Fernández Escobar in Horticulture.

DAUCO is composed of eleven research groups whose research activities cover almost all of the disciplines that make up the modern Agronomy, sharing a common goal that is a sustainable plant production committed to the environment and, obviously, in a context of climate change

In recognition of the results of its research, it has received the Accreditation as a Unit of Excellence “María de Maeztu” (2020-2024), awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity within the National Programme for Fostering Excellence in Scientific and Technical Research.

As a result of this accreditation, DAUCO is member of the SOMM Exellence Alliance, which is the alliance of Severo Ochoa Centres and María de Maeztu Units to promote Spanish Excellence in research and to enhance its social impact at national and international levels.

DAUCO profile in SOMMA

In addition to the tutorials provided in the teaching guide for each subject, the student may arrange a tutorial with the responsible teacher by contacting him/her through the available electronic means (email and / or virtual moodle platform)

During the period 2015-2019, research lines and activities developed by DAUCO had a general objective of improving agricultural production in a sustainable way and considering climate change. All this is set in a context of circular bioeconomy and under the energy sustainability principles. These actions led to a remarkable research activity with an extensive background and high-quality outputs. The investigations of these twelve groups can be grouped into three general lines that define the essence of sustainable plant production in agricultural and forest ecosystems. The first line includes the study of basic resources such as water, soil, nutrients and biodiversity. The second line, which includes four research groups, comprises the study of genetic resources, means and techniques for the management of agricultural crops and forest species based on knowledge of the physiology of the plant. Finally, the third line covers plant protection, both in agricultural and forest ecosystems. This protection extends to any threat, both biotic and abiotic, although it mainly focuses on plant pests and diseases due to biotic agents.

Therefore, the interaction between these three lines and the participating groups, as well as the synergies that result from such interaction, constitute the foundations of the research activities of the DAUCO. This interaction and the synergies derived from it would be meaningless if there was no close relationship with the productive sector. In this sense, the research carried out in the DAUCO has a marked applied character aimed at responding to society's challenges, as evidenced by the numerous research projects and contracts with public entities and private companies. All this contributes to achieving the common objective of these investigations, which is the integrated and sustainable management of agricultural and forest ecosystems.

The research lines developed by DAUCO staff during the reference period (2015-2019) split by the main research areas were:

1. Water, Soil, Nutrients and Biodiversity Resources in Plant Production:

Research line 1 consists of the research units of General Hydrology and Agricultural Hydraulic, Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology, Hydraulics and Irrigation, and Soil Science. The first line includes the study of basic resources such as water, soil, nutrients and biodiversity. This line is the most extensive dueto its broad theme, which supports the other two lines, so it includes half of the Department's research groups. Covers the following sublines:

1. Precision irrigation based on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence techniques
2. Advanced modeling of hydro-environmental flows
3. Co-evolution of hydrology and vegetation in Mediterranean mountain areas to assess adaptation strategies in a changing environment
4. Strategies to curb phosphorus fertilization without affecting agricultural production ç
5. Evaluate the bioavailability of critical nutrients (P, N) in edaphic environments under climate change
6. Interactions between critical nutrients for plant nutrition
7. Strategies for the development of solar fertilizers
8. Entomopathogenic fungi as a green alternative to chemical products to increase the availability of nutrients in soils and to promote plant growth
9. Securing soils for suistanable agriculture

2. Crop Management, and Research line

Research line 2 consists of the research units of Plant Physiology, Soil-Water-Plant Relations, Arable Crops, Genetic Resources and Olive Tree Improvement, and Arboriculture. The second line, which includes four research groups, comprises the study of genetic resources, means and techniques for the management of agricultural crops and forest species based on knowledge of the physiology of the plant. Covers the following sublines:

1. Study of the regulation of the physiological and morphological responses dicot plants develop to cope with Fe or P deficiencies
2. Role of beneficial rhizosphere microbes on the acquisition of nutrients
3. Management of Olive groves in hedgerows
4. Woody plants responses to abiotic stresses
5. Mineral nutrition and fertilization in woody plants
6. Crop models and Decision support systems (DSS) to improve the management and minimize the environmental impact of irrigation and fertilization practices under climate change scenarios

3. Plant Protection

Research line 3 consists of the research units of Agricultural Entomology, Agroforestry Pathology, and Biological Basis for Knowledge, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. The third line covers plant protection, both in agricultural and forest ecosystems. This protection extends to any threat, both biotic and abiotic, although it mainly focuses on plant pests and diseases due to biotic agents. Covers the following sublines:

1. Development of effective, economically viable, and environmentally friendly methods based on the application of autochthonous entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) strains for insect pest control
2. Develop new fungal molecules as green pesticides
3. Increase the performance of developed EPF biopesticides
4. Integrated management of Verticillium Wilt
5. Epidemic characterization of the main aerial diseases of olive
6. Aetiology and control of oak (Quercus spp.) decline
7. Aetiology and control of diseases of tree nuts
8. Aetiology, epidemiology and control of fungal trunk diseases in Mediterranean woody crops
9. Increase the performance of developed EPF bio pesticides through its improvement of the fungal virulence (i.e., insecticidal compounds, insect death stress-mediated, mycoviruses) reducing the lethal times and becoming competitive against conventional insecticides

5 positions to carry out doctoral thesis within the doctoral INPhINIT fellowships programme of La Caixa Foundation  

Within this Fundación La Caixa Programme, Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit - Department of Agronomy – University of Cordoba (DAUCO) offers the opportunity to carry out Doctoral Thesis in its different. The positions are the following:

1. Broading the use of endophytic and rhizosphere competent entomopathogenic fungi for pest control in strategic Mediterranean crops. (More info)
2. Water – Energy efficiency in pressurized irrigation systems. (More info)
3. Quantifying the impact of sublimation losses on water resource availability in Mediterranean and semiarid snow regions from a mixed modelling-remote sensing approach. (More info)
4. Enhancing the sustainability of agroecosystems: abiotic N fixation in agricultural soils (More info)
5. Role of rhizosphere microorganisms eliciting induced systemic resistance on the improvement of Fe and P acquisition by dicot plants (More info)

Application until February 4 in Programme INPhINIT Fundacion La Caixa website.

JOB OFFER | 4 POSTDOCTORAL CONTRACTS FOR DOCTORS FOR ALL NATIONALITIES (Closed)

The Unit of Excellence María de Maeztu DAUCO (2020-23) offers four 1-year post-doctoral contracts, extendable for another after a positive evaluation of the activity, for doctors of all nationalities who have obtained the title after January 1, 2014. Candidates must apply for one of the nine lines offered for this call (available in the documentation included just below these guidelines). The selected candidates will be incorporated on January 1, 2022.

Having obtained positive evaluations in the Juan de la Cierva Incorporación, Ramón y Cajal or similar postdoc programs will be valued.

The candidate must attach to the application the documentation indicated below, which can be found on the DAUCO website:

- Annex I. Self-assessment document
- Annex II. Free summary of the curriculum and suitability for the position offered
- Thesis qualification certificate
- Standard Curriculum Vitae or similar
- Evaluation certificate in Juan de la Cierva Incorporación, Ramón y Cajal or similar programs.

The committee may request to expand the information provided or to conduct a personal interview with the candidates.

Application from October 22 until November 4, 2021

*These contracts will be published in the 10th Call for Contracts of the University of Córdoba, so their presentation will be through the electronic site of the University of Córdoba. This call can be consulted on the web  https://www.uco.es/investigacion/portal/images/documentos/convocatoria/2021/6/Publicaci%C3%B3nconvocatoriaBOUCO10_21.pdf 

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Documents to download:

- Annex I and II: Self-assessment document and frees ummary of the curriculum and suitability for the position offered

- Líne of Research 'Optimization of ferric and phosphated fertilizers (FOSFERRO)' AGR115 

- Line of Research 'Simulation of olive orchards for improved management, breeding and protection' AGR119

- Line of Research 'Crop water productivity modelling under climate change scenarios' AGR119

- Line of Research 'Molecular basis of multitrophic relationships between entomopathogenic fungi and other biological control agents' AGR163

- Line of Research 'Enhancing the sustainability of agroecosystems: phosphorus and nitrogen use efficiency in soils' AGR165

- Line of Research 'Smart precision irrigation systems based on renewable energy sources and sensors' AGR228

- Line of Research 'Postdoctoral Researcher Bioinformatics' AGR157 

- Line of Research 'Remote monitoring Verticillium wilt of Olive with Sentinel-2 for an efficient biological control' AGR216

- Line of Research 'Impact of microclimate conditions on the water balance in different mountain and dehesa-type areas in Andalusia' TEP248

*It is necessary to choose between one of these 9 research lines offered

Guidelines and required documents in PDF

JOB OFFER | 2 TECHNICIANS FOR THE PROJECT #FruitFlyNet-ii ENI CBC Med Programme (Closed)

Research Group AGR163 – Entomología Agrícola from DAUCO is seeking for 2 technicians to work within the project #FruitFlyNet-ii ENI CBC Med Programme, in which University of Cordoba is a partner.

FruitFlyNetii “Commercialization of an Automated Monitoring and Control System against the Olive and Med Fruit Flies of the Mediterranean Region” project funded by European Union aims to develop an automated monitoring system for the olive fly and optimize its capture selectivity to minimize its effect on non-target arthropofauna.

SENIOR TECHNICIAN | Degree in Agri-Food Engineering and Rural Environment and Master DIGITALAGRI (ANNEX 29)

More info

TECHNICIAN TO SUPPORT | Senior Technician in Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory (ANNEX 30)

More info

Deadline: 08/03/2021 in ADMINISTRACIÓN ELECTRÓNICA University of Cordoba

 

6 positions to carry out doctoral thesis within the doctoral INPhINIT fellowships programme of La Caixa Foundation (Closed)

Within this Fundación La Caixa Programme, Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit - Department of Agronomy – University of Cordoba (DAUCO) offers the opportunity to carry out Doctoral Thesis in its different. The positions are the following:

1. Broading the use of endophytic and rhizosphere competent entomopathogenic fungi for pest control in strategic Mediterranean crops. (More info)
2. Obtaining new olive genotypes resistant to Venturia oleaginea and Colletotrichum spp. through molecular marker-assisted breeding. (More info)
3. Chilling requirements, genetic regulation and modelling of the flowering process in olive (Olea europaea L.). (More info)
4. Water – Energy efficiency in pressurized irrigation systems. (More info)
5. Quantifying the impact of sublimation losses on water resource availability in Mediterranean and semiarid snow regions from a mixed modelling-remote sensing approach. (More info)
6. Doctoral student in hydrological modelling and remote sensing. (More info)

Application until February 4 in Programme INPhINIT Fundacion La Caixa website.

DAUCO offer two predoctoral research fellows for all nationalities (Closed)

• Guidelines and conditions
• Annex I. Memory

Foreign candidates who do not have a digital certificate, can write an email to the following two addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DAUCO offer two postdoctoral contracts for highly qualified researchers for all nationalities (Closed)

• Guidelines and conditions
• Annex I and II. Self-assessment
• Research lines
  • Artificial Intelligence applied to irrigation
  • Soil erosion and soil security in the Mediterranean
  • Multitrophic interactions of insect-plant
  • Phosphorus and nitrogen in soils

Foreign candidates who do not have a digital certificate, can write an email to the following two addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Climate Chamber Service

• Recognition and biological control of insect pests

• Phytopathological Diagnosis and Analysis Service

• Olive Variety Identification Service

Software

• Hydrus 2D/3D

Links

• Phytotechnics
• Videos Francisco Villalobos

Documents

• REUTIVATE. Manual for the programming of precision fertigation of the olive grove with reclaimed water

• Master in Plant Production, Protection and Improvement

• Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering

• Master's Degree in Olive Growing and Olive Oil Technology

• Master's Degree in Environmental Hydraulics

The Department of Agronomy participate in many PhD Programs:

• Biogeochemical Fluid Dynamics and its Applications

  • Research lines:
    • Analysis of hydrological and hydraulic processes and their environmental implications
    • Hydrological processes and water quality in Mediterranean basins

• Agronomy, Food, Forestry and Rural Development Engineering

  • Research lines:
    • Agronomy and Water
    • Design in Engineering and Architecture
    • Construction engineering and technological innovations in the rural world
    • Mineral nutrition and stress tolerance in plants
    • Plant protection

The academic information related to Doctorate can be consulted at the following link

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• Master's degree in Olive Growing and Olive Oil Technology

• Master's Degree in Environmental Hydraulics

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering

• Master’s degree in Forest Engineering

• Master's degree in Digital Transformation in the Agri-food Sector