One of ISMoPP 's main objectives is to provide effective tools for the agri-food industry. The ability to rapidly multiply tomato and pepper varieties adapted to vertical cultivation , a key technology for urban and sustainable agriculture, could mark a turning point in vegetable production. Furthermore, the development of an efficient protocol for argan propagation will allow its cultivation in arid regions , contributing to agricultural diversification and adaptation to climate change. Along these lines, pitahaya ( Hylocereus spp .) is emerging as a high-value alternative crop worth considering , thanks to its low water consumption and growing demand in international markets, making it a strategic option for areas with limited water resources. 

The ISMoPP technical team is made up of researchers Dr. Pilar S. Testillano, Dr. Carmen Gil, and Dr. Ana Martínez from the CIB-CSIC; representing the Beyond Seeds group, researcher Malén Escánez, and researchers Manuel López and Dr. Edgar García-Fortea.
 

Part of the technical team of the ISMOPP project.
 

A milestone in biotechnology applied to agriculture

ISMoPP not only seeks to improve the efficiency of micropropagation, but also to make it commercially viable . The integration of temporary immersion bioreactor systems will allow for the production of large quantities of plants at a lower cost, facilitating their adoption by nurseries and companies in the sector. This translates into greater availability of quality plants, optimizing production processes and improving farmers' profitability.

The future of plant propagation is here

Progress on the project continues at a good pace, and commercial-scale trials will be conducted in the coming months to validate the selected compounds and optimize application protocols. Thanks to the development of this project, new synergies with other initiatives have emerged . A notable example is the collaboration with Agrícola El Bosque (La Canastita) , where these molecules are being applied to develop innovative plant multiplication protocols for blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries , achieving high success in temporary immersion bioreactor systems. With ISMoPP, plant biotechnology takes a qualitative leap toward more efficient, sustainable agriculture, prepared for the challenges of the future.

This project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation , the State Research Agency 10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union-NextGenerationEU PRTR .