The University of Talca has established itself as one of the Reference institutions in agronomy and agricultural sciences in Chilenot only for the quality of their teaching and for their agronomy laboratories at the University of Talcabut also for the volume, diversity, and impact of its scientific and knowledge transfer publications. Over the past few decades, the work of its academics has encompassed everything from crop physiology and high-precision horticulture to agricultural economics, water management, the digitization of agriculture, and the conservation of native flora.
All this research effort is reflected in a truly overwhelming academic output, published in high-impact journals, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, and open dataThis article provides a comprehensive, reorganized, and calmly explained overview of the main lines of work and publications related to agronomy and related disciplines at the University of Talca: agricultural production, horticulture, oenology, phytopathology, ecophysiology, digitalization of agriculture, agricultural economics, conservation of native flora, and much more.
Overview of agronomic research at the University of Talca
Scientific activity in agronomy at the University of Talca is characterized by a strong focus on applied research and technology transferA clear example is participation in international events such as the 39th International Blueberry Seminar in Limawhere academic Claudia Moggia represented the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, presenting advances in fruit quality and post-harvest handling of blueberries.
In parallel, the institution maintains intense collaboration with national and international networks, as can be seen in synthesis works on the Chilean and Latin American agricultural sector, for example the volume coordinated by JosĆ© DĆaz and collaborators on academic and scientific cooperation between Chile and Germany in agriculture, or the numerous publications co-authored with European, North American, and Latin American universities on topics such as climate change, water use efficiency and sustainable food systems.
In addition to strictly agronomic research, the University of Talca promotes initiatives that integrate science, public policy and society, such as the analyses of higher education and the strategic management of public universities developed by Alvaro Rojasor the diagnoses on digital transformation and innovation missions in agri-food systems led by Laurens Klerkx and Pablo Villalobos.
This comprehensive vision is also evident in the participation in the organization and synthesis of major scientific events, such as the preparation of extended abstracts of VIII National Congress of Native Flora of Chile, in which academics such as Flavia Schiappacasse and Ursula Doll articulate knowledge about native flora, conservation, ecological restoration and ornamental use of Chilean species.
The specific weight of the university in the area of āāagronomy is therefore based on a critical mass of consolidated research groups in horticulture, agricultural production, agricultural economics, plant protection, crop physiology, viticulture and oenology, native ecosystems and digital agriculture, with continuous production from at least 2020 to the present.
Agricultural production: genetic improvement, ecophysiology and adaptation to climate change
One of the strongest areas of the University of Talca is the agricultural production and crop improvement in Mediterranean environmentswith a special emphasis on drought adaptation, efficient nutrient use, and responses to high temperatures. Much of this work is led by researchers such as Alejandro del Pozo, Ricardo Cabeza, Samuel Ortega and Gonzalo DĆaz, among others.
In extensive crops such as wheat and winter cerealsStudies have been published on the genetic enhancement of performance and associated changes in physiological traits, for example the work of del Pozo and collaborators that analyzes the Genetic gain in winter wheat in high-yield environments in southern Chileor the contribution of photosynthetic organs and reserve carbohydrates to grain filling under water stress. The case of triticale as an underutilized crop but with potential in limiting environments, in book chapters on neglected crops and their role in more resilient agricultural systems.
In grain legumes such as broad beans, peas, chickpeas and common beansThe university has developed lines of research on biological nitrogen fixation, cereal-legume intercropping and response to nitrogen fertilizationRecent studies analyze how nitrogen supply inhibits symbiotic fixation and how adequate phosphorus availability modulates that inhibition and the plant's metabolismOther studies, led by teams from Cabeza and del Pozo, quantify the transfer of nitrogen from legumes to wheat in mixed systems and calculate the land equivalency index (LER) to evaluate the advantages of intercropping.
Genetic improvement and the valuation of plant genetic resources occupy a key chapter. Meta-analyses of QTLs have been published for performance components in common bean, descriptions of genetic bottlenecks that gave rise to the Chile race of Phaseolus vulgarisas well as morphological, nutritional, and molecular characterizations of Chilean local breeds. This work allows for the design of conservation and use strategies in breeding programs, especially under scenarios of climate change.
Another relevant set of research focuses on alfalfa and forage crops under Mediterranean drought conditions. Using diversity panels, high-throughput phenotyping (including hyperspectral sensors and terrestrial and aerial platforms) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), QTLs and genotypes with higher forage yield, better stem-to-leaf ratio and advantageous canopy traits have been identified under prolonged droughtsThese studies are complemented by pre-improvement work on wild relatives of alfalfa from arid environments, where root characteristics, resilience and productivity are evaluated.
In crops such as quinoa and lupindel Pozo and colleagues have described the critical period for determining yield and quality in quinoa, as well as morpho-physiological traits associated with greater productivity and stability under conditions of water deficitFor lupin, book chapters have been published that integrate physiology, management, and agronomic potential.
The research also addresses the impact of the land use changes on native forests, ecosystem services and agriculture in the south-central zone of Chile, analyzing the last fifteen years and quantifying the consequences on biodiversity and production.
Horticulture, microgreens and soilless cultivation systems
In the horticultural field, the University of Talca has developed a very active line in vegetable production in soilless systems, vertical farming and microgreens, led primarily by Gilda Carrasco, Claudia Moggia and other national and international collaborators.
They have been evaluated horticultural species for microgreen production in unheated greenhousesAnalyzing yield, nutritional composition, and sensory perception, and demonstrating that certain crops can provide high levels of bioactive compounds with very low consumption. Other studies focus on the effects of substrate type on the performance and nutritional quality of amaranth microgreens in floating tray hydroponic systemsshowing significant differences in minerals and pigments.
Automation and the use of emerging technologies are very present in studies on vertical farms in containerswhere nutrient film technique (NFT) systems, irrigation and fertilization control, and automation solutions to improve water and nutrient use efficiency have been analyzed. In parallel, reviews have been published on new generations of sustainable technologies for soilless plant production, addressing everything from water quality to waste management.
Another important area of āāresearch is biofortification and nutritional management in vegetables. Work has been carried out on biofortification of arugula (Eruca sativa) with selenium using NFT technique, as well as trials on the effect of different electrical conductivities and macronutrient formulas on the cultivation of saffron in hydroponic systemsThese studies combine performance, nutritional quality, and food safety.
In the field of digital technologies applied to horticultureComputer vision and artificial intelligence systems have been developed for automated seedling counting, as well as low-cost sensors to monitor greenhouse crops (e.g., lettuce) using the air-canopy temperature difference as an indicator of crop status.
Viticulture, oenology and use of agro-industrial by-products
Viticulture and oenology have a notable weight in the scientific production of the University of Talca, with contributions both in the field (vineyard management, trunk diseases, zoning) and in the winery (fermentation, phenolic compounds, volatile sulfides, astringency and use of by-products of the wine industry).
In viticulture, researchers such as Yerko Moreno, CĆ©sar Acevedo and collaborators have studied the influence of rootstocks in the volatile composition of Merlot winesThe effect of plastic covers, tunnels, and netting on the microclimate, physiology, and fruit quality in cherry and apple trees, as well as strategies to delay flowering (e.g., the use of biostimulants in cherry trees) and reduce damage from sunstroke in apple.
Work has also been done on viticultural zoning and spatial variability within plotsUsing remote sensing, vegetation indices (NDVI) and field sensors to relate water status, phenology, total soluble solids accumulation and risk of diseases such as bunch rot Botrytis cinereaSome studies show how a vigor-thresholded NDVI can serve as early indicator of Botrytis riskwhich helps reduce the use of synthetic fungicides.
In oenology, the group led by Felipe Laurie has published numerous works on the evolution of phenolic compounds during the fermentation of red wines Depending on different sequential aeration regimes, the effect of fermenter shape on white wine fermentations, and the use of protein extracts of amaranth and quinoa as alternative clarifying agents to gelatin or casein in red wines.
Another strong line of research focuses on the management of undesirable sulfur compounds and mycotoxins. It has been shown that The addition of tannins reduces the concentration of malodorous sulfur compounds in wines and model solutions, and that certain agro-industrial waste products (for example, winemaking by-products or vine canes) can be transformed into materials such as Halocellulose for biopolymeric bacterial immobilization systems, capable of adsorbing ochratoxin A in model wine solutions.
The reuse of agro-industrial by-products is a cross-cutting theme: waste from various Chilean agro-industries has been characterized for use as food supplements; it has been evaluated extracts of vine pruning waste during red wine maceration; and the elimination of mycotoxins using alginate-based complexes has been studied and Lactobacillus plantarumIn parallel, alternative bottles and containers to oak barrels have been explored during the aging of white wines, describing the chemical and physical implications of these alternatives.
Post-harvest handling of fruit trees, fruit quality and stress physiology
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences has a established track record in post-harvest physiology of fruit treesespecially in blueberry, cherry, apple, and pear. Researchers such as Claudia Moggia, Gustavo Lobos and JosƩ Antonio Yuri They have contributed methodologies and concepts that are used today to manage quality and useful life.
In blueberries, innovative systems have been developed such as the Dangler for Accelerated Dehydration (DAD)This allows for a rapid assessment of the impact of relative humidity on water loss in fruit during refrigerated storage. Other studies examine why measuring firmness only at harvest is insufficient to predict softening after prolonged storage, integrating factors such as variability within the plant, harvest count, and cuticle characteristics.
In apple trees, progress has been made in predicting physiological disorders such as bitter pit Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques and multivariate classification models, the ability to anticipate problems without relying solely on destructive analysis has been improved. The effects of shade netting, reflective blankets, and bagging on the phenolic content, color, and antioxidant capacity of different apple varieties have also been studied.
In cherry blossom, the work of Yuri and collaborators has addressed from the productive efficiency of different driving systems (central axis, Kym Green Bush) including the response to plastic covers and high tunnels in terms of phenology, physiology, and fruit condition (cracking, firmness, color). These studies are complemented by analyses on biochemical biomarkers in different cultivars of sweet cherry and the role of bioprotectants to delay flowering.
Temperature and radiation stress has also been explored in relation to pigmentation, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity in fruits such as 'Forelle' pear and 'Granny Smith' apple, providing tools for Predicting and managing sunburn damage in neotropical and Mediterranean climates.
Phytopathology, trunk diseases and pathogen management
The University of Talca has developed a very intensive line of research in Phytopathology of fruit trees and high-value cropswith special emphasis on trunk diseases, cankers, rots, and emerging pathogens. The teams of Gonzalo DĆaz and Mauricio Lolas They have described, characterized and modeled numerous fungal pathogens relevant to Chilean fruit growing.
Among his most relevant contributions is the Characterization of species of Diplodia, Lasiodiplodia and Neofusicoccum causing Botryosphaeria canker and dieback in apple, hazelnut, walnut, grapevine, and other hosts. The susceptibility of pruning wounds at different ages, the seasonal dynamics of conidia release, and the vulnerability of structures such as branches and trunks have been studied.
They have also communicated initial reports in Chile of pathogens such as Dothiorella sarmentorum in walnut, Neofusicoccum nonquaesitum in English walnut, Chondrosterium purpureum causing silverleaf in hazel, or Kalmusia variispora causing dry core rot in 'Fuji' apples. These reports include confirmation of pathogenicity through Koch's postulates and the molecular description of the causative agents.
The research is not limited to diagnosis, but also addresses the integrated disease managementFor example, fungicides that protect pruning wounds have been tested to manage Botryosphaeria cankers in apple trees, methods to stimulate sporulation, and freeze-drying strategies to preserve isolates of [the fungus] have been studied. Diplodia, Lasiodiplody y Neofusicoccum, and the duration of susceptibility to pruning wounds in grapevines has been analyzed Phaeomoniella chlamydospora.
In addition, studies have been conducted plant-pathogen interactions at the physiological and molecular level, such as the priming of defenses in strawberries through treatment with methyl jasmonate, which enhances the expression of genes such as MYC2 y JAZ1 after infection of Botrytis cinereaEndophytic and rhizospheric fungi of grapevines with potential for biocontrol against trunk pathogens are also being explored.
Digital agriculture, water management and precision irrigation
The digitization of the agricultural sector is one of the strategic axes of the University of Talca, with work that lies at the boundary between agrometeorology, remote sensing, biomathematical modeling and the Internet of Things (IoT)Samuel Ortega, CĆ©sar Acevedo and collaborators lead numerous studies in this field.
In vineyards, olive groves, citrus orchards, blueberry orchards, raspberry orchards, apple orchards, cherry orchards, and forest plantations, models such as METRIC, AquaCrop, SEBAL and dual-fountain models to estimate actual evapotranspiration from satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel), drones with thermal cameras, and weather station data. Reference methods have been compared for crop evapotranspiration In arid regions, it has validated energy balances and built indicators such as the Crop Water Stress Index.
In parallel, systems have been developed IoT based on water stress indices For precision irrigation in wine vineyards, using sensors for leaf temperature, soil moisture, and meteorological variables connected to cloud platforms. Low-cost wireless sensor networks have also been designed to monitor vine flowering and microclimate variables in fruit trees, integrating spatial analysis and predictive models.
Another notable line of inquiry explores the use of machine learning and natural language processing bots To assist in agricultural water management, systems have been developed to answer farmers' questions about irrigation and water consumption. Low-cost remote sensing methods have also been tested to estimate leaf area index (LAI) in poplar trees and to monitor the water status of olive groves using Sentinel-2 imagery.
The research extends to tropical and subtropical crops outside of Chile, where evapotranspiration models and crop coefficients have been calibrated. aƧaĆ, Tahiti lime and other Amazonian cropsThese efforts demonstrate the versatility of the tools developed in Talca to be applied in very diverse agroclimatic contexts.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the studies on phenology and climate change in cherry, pear and grapevine, which use biomathematical models to predict phenological phases under different temperature scenarios, as well as studies that use historical climate series (1951-2023) to model the infection rate of pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea depending on extreme temperature events.
Agricultural economics, water management and food system transformation
Beyond the biological and technological aspects, the University of Talca has a very robust line of research in agricultural economics, water governance, public policies and transformation of agri-food systems, with prominent figures such as Roberto Jara-Rojas, Carlos Bopp, Laurens Klerkx, Pablo Villalobos and Ćlvaro Rojas.
In water resource management, the following have been analyzed: Factors that explain the satisfaction of water users in canal associations under different levels of availability, as well as the attributes of leadership and collective action in irrigation organizations. Other studies estimate shadow values āāof irrigation water, productivity and water use decisions in vineyards through stochastic production frontiers.
The investigation has also extended to rural community drinking water systemsThis study has involved cluster analysis based on infrastructure conditions and service quality, and has proposed typologies for access to domestic water in rural Chile. These studies are fundamental for designing investment policies and technical support.
In agricultural economics and rural development, analyses have been published on the adoption of agroforestry practices (for example, silvopastoral systems in Colombia), the evaluation of incentive programs for afforestation in small landowners, and the impact of vineyard management strategies and climatic conditions on the economic performance of wine grape producers in Chile.
Klerkx and co-authors provide a more global view of the transformation of agri-food systems, addressing topics such as agriculture 4.0, agrifoodtech start-ups as drivers of innovation, mission-oriented innovation systems, the digitalization of rural areas and socio-cyber-physical frameworks for managing responsibility and the diversity of disruptive technologies.
Furthermore, Jara-Rojas has worked on measuring food losses perceived by family farming, the reactions of the wine sector to crises such as COVID-19, and the use of remote sensing data to evaluate degraded soil recovery programsImpacts of commodity price shocks on regional economies and extension and technology adoption strategies in Chilean Mediterranean agriculture have also been explored.
Native flora, forests and ecosystem conservation
The conservation of native flora and Chilean ecosystems She also occupies a prominent place in publications related to agronomy at the University of Talca. Researchers such as Flavia Schiappacasse, Ursula Doll and Hermine Vogel They have developed studies ranging from the ecology of ravine forests to the ornamental use of endemic species.
Among the recent contributions, works on the following stand out: ravine forests on the Maule coastThis study evaluates the spatial and vegetation structure in a context of strong anthropogenic impacts, as well as the educational work "The Forgotten Forests," which highlights little-known forest formations. The discovery of populations of species such as Vestia foetida in hygrophilous forests of ravines.
In native ornamental flora, ecophysiological and phenological traits have been investigated endemic geophytes such as Conanthera bifoliaincluding duration of the juvenile phase and corm growth, as well as flowering parameters and base temperature. For the genus proteaThe development of flower buds, the use of degree-hours of growth, and strategies to manipulate the flowering date and avoid frost damage have been quantified.
Studies have also been conducted on vegetative and sexual propagation of native woody species such as myrtle (Luma apiculata) and check (Luma checken), along with research on germination and variability in Selliera radicans, a Chilean halophyte with ornamental and functional potential. This work also includes analyses of metal accumulation in wetlands and responds to the idea of āācombining economic valuation and conservation.
The university is heavily involved in the scientific community that revolves around National Congress of Native Flora of ChileFollowing the eighth edition, the ninth version of the congress has already been announced, inviting researchers, professionals, students and actors linked to the study and conservation of flora to submit papers for the event that will take place on September 3, 4 and 5, 2026 at the San JoaquĆn Campus of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, in Santiago.
Human nutrition, functional foods and waste valorization
Several lines of research connect agricultural production with human nutrition, health and functional foodsThe work of Marcos Flores and other authors is especially visible in this field, with studies on edible oils, pastry products enriched with vegetable by-products and bioactive compounds of marine and agro-industrial origin.
They have been characterized vegetable oils subjected to deep fryingThe study compared the quality of avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil, as well as the evolution of physicochemical parameters during deterioration processes. It also studied the protective effect of culinary ingredients during the thermal heating of oils such as pumpkin seed oil, and the improvement of the thermal behavior of avocado oil fortified with maqui leaf extracts.
In the field of baking and pastry making, products such as breads enriched with vegetable peelsScones made with tomato peel or cakes where some of the sugar is replaced with apple peel flour are tested, evaluating their nutritional composition, fatty acid profile, satiety, sensory acceptability, and microbiological stability. These strategies allow for increased fiber and phenolic compound content while reducing food waste.
The research extends to meat and seafood products, in which red algae extracts have been evaluated as protectors of essential components in salmon subjected to heat treatments, or the impact of techniques such as high-pressure impregnation and air drying on the quality of squid products (Dosidicus gigasThe modulation of dicarbonyl compounds in postprandial responses by bioactive components of the Mediterranean diet has also been studied.
Finally, reviews and studies have been published on the use of fruit waste such as calafate through sequential biorefinery, the use of legume by-products to obtain ingredients rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols, and the function of different types of biomass as mycotoxin adsorbents, configuring a circular economy approach very present in the university's research agenda.
Taken together, all these publications paint a picture of a university focused on the Applied research, technological innovation, and the link between agricultural production, sustainability, health, and public policiesFrom the genetic improvement of crops and the monitoring of irrigation with sensors and artificial intelligence, to the conservation of native flora, the valuation of forgotten forests and the creation of healthier foods from agro-industrial waste, the University of Talca has positioned itself as a central player in Chilean agronomy and a regional benchmark to face the present and future challenges of the agri-food system.
