Plant production | Agrochemicals

Strains of nitrogen-fixing and growth-promoting bacteria to produce inoculant for Brachiaria

Enter multiple e-mails separated by comma.

Context

In addition to the high environmental impact, degraded pastures have low productivity and cause lands to be wasted. The inoculant for Brachiaria grasses helps in the recovery of degraded pastures, improves pastures' nutritional quality - especially in terms of protein content, helps to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers - due to the higher use and incorporation of nitrogen through the BNF -, and promotes plant growth, especially of the roots, helping in the capture and absorption of soil nutrients and water, making the pastures less susceptible to extreme weather events.

About the asset

It consists of a mix of two strains of Azospirillum brasilense, with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and promote plant growth through other functional mechanisms, such as the production of indoles and siderophores, the solubilization of inorganic phosphorus and zinc oxide, and cellulolytic activity. The main application of the product would initially be as a bioinput in Brachiaria pastures, and later on for other grasses of agronomic interest.
Technology readiness level on TRL/MRL scale: 5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Theoretical models
Lab assays
Pilot scale
Final/full scale
Proof of concept
Prototypes
Market

* Learn more about the TRL/MRL scale Embrapa adopted.

Characteristics in comparison with competitors available in the market
Due to its functional activities described above, the mix of strains in this asset has an advantage over those in the market for application in pastures. In addition, the products currently being traded use the same strains used for other agricultural crops, such as soybeans and corn, and the market has been looking for new products, with strains that are more crop-specific.
Impacts for the production sector and for society
Embrapa's asset contains strains of bacteria thata were isolated from the very own Brachiaria plant, which can be an advantage due to the closer interaction between plant and microorganisms. The selected strains have different functional activities, which can be a differential for the production sector, in addition to meeting the social and market demand for more sustainable biological products.

Portfólio de projetos: Biological Inputs

Partnership goals

  • Technical and/or Industrial Validation
  • Codevelopment (proof of concept to prototype)
What is expected from the partnership?
Partnership aims at the technical validation of the strains, as well as the co-development of inoculants and plant growth promoters for Brachiaria plants.
How will the technology be offered to the production sector?
The product will be offered as an inoculant for application in pastures with Brachiaria grasses and the intention is to bring it to the attention of the industry and possible partners through business rounds or presentations in Demonstrative Units.
I am interested in this asset

If you are interested in this asset for a partnership with Embrapa, contact us:

Responsible Unit:

Embrapa Agrobiologia

Contact for business:

Deputy-head of Technology Transfer

Image gallery

  • Search assets for partnerships

    Search using keywords below or browse through the portfolios.

    Or access the full list with all the results