Biofertilization

The use of biological approaches instead of chemicals to improve agricultural production has captured the interest of agronomists for a long time. With the aim to select beneficial bacteria exhibiting several plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, 44 bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the legume Lupinus hirsutus L., and tested for solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (Ca3 (PO4)2). Of 35 phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria, 14 isolates were selected for their solubilization diameters (0.6-1cm). Four bacteria were able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), while none was positive for hydrocyanic acid (HCN). Other PGP traits (siderophores production, Atmospheric nitrogen fixation and ACC deaminase) were searched for these 4 bacteria. Except the isolate RL5 strain which showed ACC deaminase activity, all strains were unable to produce siderophores or to fixe nitrogen. Phosphorus solubilizing ability of these 4 strains was tested in liquid medium with 0.5% Ca3(PO4)2, and the ...

Se elaboró un biaoctivador a partir de un consorcio microbiano con los géneros Pseudomonas spp., Paecilomyces spp. y Trichoderma spp., como reactivador de suelos erosionados de la parroquia Cacha, provincia de Chimborazo. Se caracterizó el suelo físico-químico y microbiológicamente para conocer la situación real del mismo, se analizó los siguientes parámetros pH, humedad, temperatura, carbono, nitrógeno, fósforo, potasio, relación C/N, porcentaje de materia orgánica, UFC/g de suelo, los cuales determinaron que el suelo de las comunidades Chuyuc (Panadero), Cacha Obraje, San Pedro, Pucara Quinche, Cauñag, San Antonio de Bashug, Verdepamba, Machangara, Cachaton, presentaron síntomas de erosión, por lo que necesita una recuperación. Del mismo suelo se aislaron los hongos destinados para este bioactivador Trichoderma spp y Paecilomyces spp, en el proceso se logró aislar distintos géneros como Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillum spp., Scedosporium spp., Rhizopus spp. Para realizar el bioformulado se determinó las cantidades necesarias del medio que constó de melaza y arroz. Se elaboró el bioactivador con un consorcio microbiano contenido por 37,5% de Trichoderma spp., 37,5% de Paecilomyces spp. y 25% de Pseudomonas spp. en un sustrato de 53% (p/p) de arroz, 10%(p/p) de melaza y 37% (p/p) de agua destilada. Después de la incubación de las cepas se inoculó el bioactivador en el suelo y se realizó el control de efectividad del mismo, se analizó índice de germinación el cual presentó una mejora del 49,80% aplicado el bioactivador, el pH que se logró regular a una media de 7, en humedad se obtuvo una mejora del 53,68%, en cuanto a la relación carbono/nitrógeno las muestras alcanzaron la relación C/N baja, indica que la materia orgánica da un buen suministro de N, K y S al suelo. En cuanto al porcentaje de materia orgánica se evidenció una mejora de 24,32%. La cantidad de UFC/g de suelo aumentó significativamente en 70,56% en el suelo aplicado el bioactivador. Además, se halló protozoos en las muestras de suelo con bioactivador, microorganismo que indica existe una buena fuente de materia orgánica, nutrientes disponibles, condiciones física-químicas apropiadas, temperatura adecuada y un buen suministro de agua. Se recomienda realizar el control de efectividad del bioactivador probándolo en parcelas de suelo, ampliando el área de muestra, ya que el prototipo aplicado en esta investigación es de proporciones menores

One of the major issues facing humankind is global food security. A changing climate, coupled with a heightened consumer awareness of how food is produced and legislative changes governing the usage of agrichemicals for improving plant health and yield, means that alternative, more integrated and sustainable approaches are needed for crop management practices. To this end, there is increasing recognition of the value of the role of microbial inoculants in agriculture. The focus of this review is to understand how plant-growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can play a part in improving crop yield by promoting the health status of the plant through the sequestration of various nutrients and in the control of plant diseases.

EL GRAN RETO DEL AGRICULTOR


PRESENTACIÓN


La agricultura moderna, precisa de cambios sustanciales y profundos, ideas creativas que permitan una producción acorde con las realidades de nuestro país. No necesariamente debe existir una incompatibilidad entre la tecnología que se usa con el medio ambiente, para poder entregar alimentos saludables en las cantidades y calidades que el mundo los necesita.

El objetivo del presente manual de información técnica, es demostrar a los profesionales, agricultores y estudiantes, que para el nuevo milenio, con tecnologías desarrolladas en nuestro medio se pueden producir cosechas con altos rendimientos, cuidando el suelo, el medio ambiente y por supuesto la salud integral de los consumidores, al entregárseles alimentos sanos, nutritivos y de la mejor calidad posible.

Con el paso de los años, la buena costumbre de preguntar e investigar, permite desarrollar nuevas y mejores tecnologías, para un mundo exigente y cambiante.  El saber por qué, cómo funcionan las cosas nos ayuda a eliminar las pérdidas de tiempo, energía y materiales, recordándonos que siempre: debe existir una mejor manera de hacerlo.

Esperando que el presente manual se convierta en un texto de consulta para quienes están vinculados directa o indirectamente con las actividades agropecuarias, aspirando a recibir de todos ustedes los respectivos comentarios, los mismos que permitirán aún más el mejorar y desarrollar esta nueva tecnología que es la: Fertilización Bioquímica, la que consiste en el desplazamiento de los iones (aniones y cationes) disponibles en forma de radicales de las distintas sales orgánicas e inorgánicas asimilables para la correcta nutrición de las plantas.


Atentamente:

• Diego F. Granja Ruales M.h.Sc.
Investigación & Desarrollo
FERBIOHUX DEL ECUADOR S.A.
07-1986 / 01 - 2015

Global food security is vulnerable due to massive growth of the human population, changes in global climate, the emergence of novel/more virulent pathogens, and demands from increasingly discerning consumers for chemical-free, sustainably produced food products. Bacterium- based biological control agents (BCAs), if used as part of an integrated management system, may satisfy the above demands. We focus on the advantages, limitations, problems, and challenges involved in such strategies.

Se presentan los resultados del Estudio de Factibilidad Técnica y Económica realizado para definir la solución técnica más conveniente, desde el punto de vista técnico y económico, para una Planta de Biogás Productivo que pueda tratar las 2 t/día de estiércol bovino que se genera en la finca El Vergel, Municipio de Mateare, Departamento de Managua, para substituir la mayor parte de la energía eléctrica y térmica que se requiere para su funcionamiento. Los resultados del Estudio fueron muy positivos, aunque finalmente el Proyecto no se llegó a ejecutar, por problemas económicos del cliente..

The use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria to mobilize large reserves of insoluble P in soils instead of phosphate
fertilizers is an ecologically safe and economically reasonable alternative to assure a sustainable agriculture. In
this work, the mineral phosphate solubilization activity was evaluated for 4 Pseudomonas strains isolated from
rice rhizosphere. For qualitative tests, different media were used; NBRIP, YED and Pikovskaya (PVK) amended
with 0.5% Ca3(PO4)2 and modified PVK medium containing CaHPO4, Ca5HO13P3, FePO4 and AlPO4 as P source.
All bacteria were able to dissolve calcium phosphates, while none was surrounded by transparent halos when
FePO4 and AlPO4 were the P source. Quantitative test was assessed in PVK substituting glucose by sucrose and
galactose. The highest levels of soluble P were recorded in the presence of glucose, while it didn’t exceed 43.64 μg
/ ml and 19.19 μg / ml in the presence of galactose and sucrose, respectively. Therefore, glucose has been chosen
as a carbon source to assay the effect of carbon concentration on P solubilization ability. The level of dissolved P
was enhanced with increasing amount of glucose (1%, 2% and 3% (w/v)). In all cases, the P biosolubilisation was
accompanied by a significant pH decrease of the liquid media. A significant inverse correlation was found
between P concentrations and pH reduction. Thus, acidification of the media seems to be the main mechanism
for calcium phosphates solubilization in this study, and these test strains could serve as efficient biofertilizer
candidates for improving crop production in low P soils.

Research goal: Based on the information found in the literature, it has been verified that the use of biofertilizing algae can definitely improve plant quality, growth, and blooms. In this work, studies were conducted to evaluate whether the use of algae in the cultivation of ornamental cacti in pots can improve the growth, ornamental qualities and resistance to salt stress of plants that normally grow in environmental conditions different from our latitudes. Materials and Methods: The experiments, started in September 2020, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (PT), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Lobivia arachnacantha, Lobivia aurea shaferi, Lobivia jojoiana and Lobivia grandiflora herzogli. The experimental groups were: i) group control, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group control1, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized + 50 mM of NaCl once every 7 days; iii) group with algae, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; iv) group with algae, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized + 50 mM of NaCl once every 7 days. On July 28, 2021, plant height and circumference, suckers' number, number and length of thorns, vegetative and roots weight, flowers number, flowers life, plants dead from salinity stress, substrate microbial count, pH were analysed. Results and Discussion: The test showed a significant increase in agronomic and quality parameters analyzed in plants treated with algae extracts on Lobivia arachnacantha, Lobivia aurea shaferi, Lobivia jojoiana and Lobivia grandiflora herzogli. In fact, the trial showed in agronomic terms an increase in plant height and circumference, number of new suckers, vegetative and roots growth, number and length of thorns and flowers number. In qualitative terms, theses treated with algae extracts have shown a significant increase in the flower's life and greater resistance to salt stress. The trial also showed an increase in the microorganism's number in the theses treated with algae and a lowering of the pH in the substrate. The results therefore suggest the presence of additional sources of carbon and energy in particular nitrogen and phosphorus that ensure the increase of microbial populations and influence their behavior. Conclusions: This research paper highlights the potential of biofertilizer technology in terms of cost, environmental sustainability, and saline soil improvement. As in other experiments in the literature, the application of algae not only resulted in significant effects on plant growth but also influenced the development of microbial communities in the soil.

An agro-based corridors /clusters  is simply a geographic concentration of producers, agribusinesses, and institutions engaged in the same agricultural or agro-industrial
sub-sector, that interconnect and build value networks when addressing common challenges and pursuing common opportunities. Systems: Agricultural growth corridors infrastructure development and management. Value chains: All agricultural potentials within Nigeria agro-ecology landscape. Geographically Focused Clusters: Development corridors within the six geo-political zones. Execution: Agriculture and Agro-industries development towards sustainable and resilient food systems in Nigeria and Africa powered by organic agriculture.
Keywords:
AGRO -Corridor, Agriculture, and Agro-industries development, Nigeria, Food Security, Organic Agriculture, Agriculture value chain development, agro-based corridors

Research goal: Based on the information found in the literature, it has been verified that the use of biofertilizing algae can definitely improve plant quality, growth, and blooms. In this work, studies were conducted to evaluate whether the use of algae in the cultivation of ornamental cacti in pots can improve the growth, ornamental qualities and resistance to salt stress of plants that normally grow in environmental conditions different from our latitudes. Materials and Methods: The experiments, started in September 2020, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (PT), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Lobivia arachnacantha, Lobivia aurea shaferi, Lobivia jojoiana and Lobivia grandiflora herzogli. The experimental groups were: i) group control, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group control1, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized + 50 mM of NaCl once every 7 days; iii) group with algae, irrigated with water and substr...

The presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of the shrub Cytisus monspessulanus has been studied in three sites in the province of Tangier, northwest of Morocco: R’milat, Boubana and Sloukia. These sites contain large populations of Cytisus monspessulanus.The number of mycorrhizal spores detected in soils collected in the field was relatively high with 3773 spores/100g of soil. Microscopic examination of Cytisus monspessulanus roots has revealed the presence of vesicular-arbuscular-mycorrhizal (VAM) in all samples. Mycorrhizal frequency (F) found in this study was a maximum percentage of 100%.The highest mycorrhizal intensity (M)was observed at the site of Sloukia with 38.62% ,and arbuscular intensity (A) reached 21% in the same site .But the provisional identification test species of VAM, revealed the presence of six genera: Glomus, Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Paraglomus, Septoglomus, Rhizophagus.
Key words: Spore, Tangier, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, Cytisusmonspessulanus, Glomus.

The use of biological approaches instead of chemicals to improve agricultural production has captured the interest of agronomists for a long time. With the aim to select beneficial bacteria exhibiting several plant growth promoting (PGP) traits, 44 bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the legume Lupinus hirsutus L., and tested for solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (Ca 3 (PO 4) 2). Of 35 phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria, 14 isolates were selected for their solubilization diameters (0.6-1cm). Four bacteria were able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), while none was positive for hydrocyanic acid (HCN). Other PGP traits (siderophores production, Atmospheric nitrogen fixation and ACC deaminase) were searched for these 4 bacteria. Except the isolate RL5 strain which showed ACC deaminase activity, all strains were unable to produce siderophores or to fixe nitrogen. Phosphorus solubilizing ability of these 4 strains was tested in liquid medium with 0.5% Ca 3 (PO 4) 2 , ...

The application of biocontrol biopesticides based on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly members of the genus Bacillus, is considered a promising perspective to make agricultural practices sustainable and ecologically safe. Recent advances in genome sequencing by third-generation sequencing technologies, e.g., Pacific Biosciences' Single Molecule Real-Time (PacBio SMRT) platform, have allowed researchers to gain deeper insights into the molecular and genetic mechanisms of PGPR activities, and to compare whole genome sequences and global patterns of epigenetic modifications. In the current work, this approach was used to sequence and compare four Bacillus strains that exhibited various PGPR activities including the strain UCMB5140, which is used in the commercial biopesticide Phytosubtil. Whole genome comparison and phylogenomic inference assigned the strain UCMB5140 to the species Bacillus velezensis. Strong biocontrol activities of this strain were confirmed in several bioassays. Several factors that affect the evolution of active PGPR B. velezensis strains were identified: (1) horizontal acquisition of novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and adhesion genes; (2) rearrangements of functional modules of NRPS genes leading to strain specific combinations of their encoded products; (3) gain and loss of methyltransferases that can cause global alterations in DNA methylation patterns, which eventually may affect gene expression and regulate transcription. Notably, we identified a horizontally transferred NRPS operon encoding an uncharacterized polypeptide antibiotic in B. velezensis UCMB5140. Other horizontally acquired genes comprised a possible adhesin and a methyltransferase, which may explain the strain-specific methylation pattern of the chromosomal DNA of UCMB5140. Key points • Whole genome sequence of the active PGPR Bacillus velezensis UCMB5140. • Identification of genetic determinants responsible for PGPR activities. • Role of methyltransferases and epigenetic mechanisms in evolution of bacteria.

Anaerobically fermented foliar fertilizers (FFF) are made of local plant or animal inputs. The impact of four different FFF formulations on the output of an intercropping system with fava bean, maize, and squash was assessed in the Toluca Valley, Central Mexico. A fertilizer made of cow manure and fermented agave cactus juice had an elevated N and P content and resulted in the highest maize output. A fertilizer made of cow manure and maize stalks contained most K and delivered the highest squash yield. A FFF made of cow manure and stinging nettle delivered the highest fava bean output. There are no ideal formulations of FFF, but their formulation depends on available resources and treated crops

In order to improve vegetative quality, root development and increase growth rate, humic substances have been used in this test on hawortia tessellata and hawortia papillosa, succulents on which there are usually delays in the growth cycle and problems related to water and salt stress, especially in pot cultivation. The data show that the use of humic substances can stimulate root development and in particular root hair in various plant species. The two experimental groups in cultivation were: i) group without humic substances, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group with humic substances, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized, 3 ml/l for three treatments during the growing cycle. All Hawortia plants treated with humic substances showed a significant increase in the agronomic parameters analysed compared to the untreated control. The results show that the use of humic substances introduced into the growing medium can improve the quality of treated plants by increasing the uptake of minerals, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The ability of humic substances to influence plant growth and development is of particular interest today because of the need to use sustainable cultivation techniques to increase the quality and productivity of plant, paying particular attention to the fertility of substrates and soils. In this particular case, the possibility of using this type of biostimulant on slow growing plants in the growth cycle is more important because they come from countries with completely different climatic and soil conditions from those in Europe.