Chlorophyll is probably the best known of plant pigments, for it is the one that gives plants their characteristic green color. But its usefulness goes beyond color, for it is thanks to chlorophyll that photosynthesis is made possible, allowing plants to transform the sunlight into energy and growth.
CROP-SCAN™ is a teledetection service complemented with the ability to receive advice from expert agronomists, thereby providing farmers with rapid, highly precise information about hydric stress, vigor, chlorophyll contents and the photosynthesis efficiency of all individual plants in a plot.
Wheat’s great advantage is that it can be adapted to grow in very different environments and in temperate regions of all continents. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), production of this cereal, which is almost exclusively reserved for human consumption, has tripled over the last 40 years. It is estimated that each year around 100 kg are produced per inhabitant.
Pineapple, or Ananas comosus, is a plant from South America. Currently, pineapple fruit is cultivated in tropical areas around the world, particularly in Thailand, Brazil and Costa Rica. This fruit is consumed mainly in two ways: fresh, or preserved in syrup. Both methods preserve their most beneficial properties: high levels of Vitamin C and Manganese, positive digestive and diuretic effects, and low fat content. Furthermore, pineapples are a favorite of sportspersons for their anti-inflammatory properties, which help to prevent tendinitis and muscular pain.
While the origin of rice is in Asia, it is nowadays cultivated in wetlands and river deltas worldwide, being the second most cultivated cereal on a global level. Furthermore, it is a fundamental part of the diet of many countries. There are more than 10,000 known variants, with the Bomba variant the one best known in Spain. The most common diseases affecting rice are those caused by fungus infections-their incidence and severity may cause the loss of up to 70% of crops. This makes it a prerogative to take preventive measures during the entire cultivation cycle.
Red berries, whose individual names are widely known, are not only delicious, but also highly beneficial. Strawberries, for instance, help to fight iron deficiencies (anemia) and their fructose content is recommended for people with diabetes. These fruits are rich in minerals and vitamins, as well as in water content, which makes them refreshing and healthy fruits for the summer season.
The term “table grape” applies to those grape variants containing smaller amounts of sugar. They are tastier and are intended for fresh consumption. However, this crop is recently facing a new pest: the Drosophila suzukii fly. According to the US National Agricultural Statistics Service, the losses caused by this pest exceeded 511 US$ millions in 2008.
According to FAO data, Spain is the 12th leading producer worldwide of onions. The onion, or Allium cepa, is the most cultivated plant of its genus, and it is thought to be one of the first plants cultivated by mankind.
