Multifunctional bioinputs based on microorganisms and amino acids with plant nutrition and biostimulation properties for application in agriculture

• Grant number: 24/09631-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Sanchez Farinas
• Grantee: Cristiane Sanchez Farinas
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cauê Ribeiro de Oliveira

Abstract

The agricultural sector has been facing significant challenges, such as the need to increase food and fiber production in a context of limited natural resources and increasing pressure to prevent climate change. The intensification of the use of chemical inputs to increase productivity has generated high environmental and economic costs, including the contamination of groundwater and the reduction of biodiversity. In this scenario, sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of chemical products are essential. This research project proposes the development of a multifunctional micro granulated bioinput as source of nutrient and biostimulating plant growth, based on the co-cultivation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. The proposal includes the species Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense (symbiotic fixers) as well as Azotobacter chroococcum and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (free nitrogen fixers). The project's innovation lies in the use of protein hydrolysates rich in free amino acids, derived from agro-industrial by-products, as a component of cultivation media and formulations. The project includes the steps of i) optimizing the co-cultivation of microorganisms in the laboratory, followed by scaling up in a pilot plant; ii) development of a micro granulated formulation that maintains cell viability in the face of adverse field conditions and during storage; iii) validation of the bioinput in a greenhouse. The developed multifunctional bioinput is expected to contribute to reducing dependence on imported chemical fertilizers, contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of Brazilian agriculture. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VELLOSO, CAMILA C. V.; BORGES, ROGER; BADINO, ALBERTO C.; OLIVEIRA-PAIVA, CHRISTIANE A.; RIBEIRO, CAUE; FARINAS, CRISTIANE S.. Modulation of starch-based film properties for encapsulation of microbial inoculant. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 283, p. 11-pg., 2024-12-01. (24/12074-3, 24/09631-8, 19/25261-8, 16/10636-8, 23/09673-0)

LODI, LUDIMILA ARAUJO; LOPES, MARINA MOMESSO; GRACIANO, VANESSA ARAUJO; BORGES, ROGER; DE OLIVEIRA-PAIVA, CHRISTIANE ABREU; RIBEIRO, CAUE; FARINAS, CRISTIANE SANCHEZ. Microencapsulation of Bacillus megaterium in cationic starch/ PVA-based matrices. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 303, p. 12-pg., 2025-04-01. (23/01549-8, 24/09631-8, 20/12210-3, 23/09673-0)

LODI, LUDIMILA ARAUJO; BORGES, ROGER; LOPES, MARINA MOMESSO; GRACIANO, VANESSA ARAUJO; BORTOLETTO-SANTOS, RICARDO; BARUD, HERNANE S.; DE OLIVEIRA-PAIVA, CHRISTIANE ABREU; RIBEIRO, CAUE; FARINAS, CRISTIANE SANCHEZ. Spray-Drying Microencapsulation of Bacillus megaterium in PVA/Cationic Starch/Zinc Oxide for Promoting Growth and Zinc Availability in Soybean Plants. ACS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2024-11-11. (17/50334-3, 23/09673-0, 20/12210-3, 21/11965-3, 24/09631-8, 23/01549-8)