Development of a bioguided bank of microorganisms for inoculants production aiming a multi-functional consortium capable of providing NPK

• Grant number: 22/14708-4
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - PIPE
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Manuella Nóbrega Dourado Ribeiro
• Grantee: Manuella Nóbrega Dourado Ribeiro
• Company: Microgene Ltda
• CNAE: Cultivo de cereais ; Atividades de apoio à agricultura
• City: Piracicaba
• Associated researchers: Maria Carolina Quecine Verdi
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/15993-7 - Development of a bioguided bank of microorganisms for the production of inoculants with a view to building a multi-functional consortium capable of providing NPK, BP.TT; 23/13008-1 - Development of a bioguided bank of microorganisms for the production of inoculants in progress in the construction of a multifunctional consortium capable of making NPK available, BP.TT; 23/13226-9 - Development of a bioguided bank of microorganisms for the production of inoculants aiming at the construction of a multi-functional consortium capable of providing NPK, BP.TT

Abstract

Microgene is a recently created company specialized in biotechnological research, development and innovation, which aims to contribute with innovative solutions for agriculture in a sustainable way. Faced with the evolution of biological inputs, the company was created to serve the agricultural sector with knowledge, technology and pioneering spirit, in order to bring to the field solutions that can increase productivity and sustainability. Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers in production systems is key to a more sustainable agriculture: with less environmental impact, greater economic benefit and social well-being. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reinforce the importance of agriculture producing sustainable alternative solutions to combat environmental and economic adversities. The use of biological products to promote plant growth and control diseases and pests has increased substantially in agriculture. Recently, the use of biological resources in Brazilian agriculture has gained new impetus, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) launched the National Bioproducts Program, which aims to expand and strengthen the use of bioinputs to promote development sustainable development of Brazilian agriculture to reduce the dependence of rural producers on imported inputs and expand the supply of raw materials for the sector. Brazil is a major importer of soluble sources of minerals and the demand is growing, making it necessary to search for economic alternatives. Worldwide, it is estimated a market of more than 5 billion dollars, growing exponentially 9% per year. Showing the market potential for these products. In this context, the use of alternative sources of fertilizers has grown in agricultural production systems. The present project aims to build a bioguided bank of microorganisms to be used as inoculants or in biological control in different agricultural crops, using the biodiversity of Brazilian soil. For this, rhizosphere and endophytic microorganisms will be isolated from highly productive agricultural crops (corn and soybeans), since these plants will be used as "bait" for potential microorganisms that promote plant growth. Three selective media will be used for the bioguided isolation of nitrogen fixing (N), phosphate solubilizing (P) and potassium solubilizing (K) bacteria. After the isolation and enzymatic characterization of the isolates for the production of ACC deaminase, production of siderophores and auxin (AIA) exopolysaccharides and biofilm, they will be identified molecularly. Consortia composed of different taxa of approximately 6 growth-promoting bacteria will be carried out, each with a main function, to provide N, P, K in addition to at least 1 of the other additional characteristics in order to promote plant growth in a more sustainable way, at lower cost. And less residue. In future projects, this microorganism bank could be used to prospect potential uses in the biocontrol of pests and diseases of agricultural importance. Thus, the bioproduct generated in this project has great commercial potential, as it presents itself as an ecological and efficient alternative in the availability of NPK, reducing dependence and costs on agricultural inputs. (AU)