The Pastomax technology package, launched in 2021 by Embrapa Soybean and BIOTROP, won the 15th edition of the Crop Science Awards 2022, in the category Best New Biostimulant. The competition is an initiative by S&P Global, a company that operates in the data and financial analysis market, with the support of Chemical Week magazine. The award, which recognizes innovation in scientific and technological initiatives in the global crop protection industry and production markets, received approximately 100 entries from global agribusiness industries in 11 award categories. "We are excited about the international recognition of this bioinput, which on average can increase yield in Brazilian pastures by 22%, as well as increase nutrient absorption. It is more food for the cattle and better quality food", states researcher Mariangela Hungria, from Embrapa Soybean. "This innovative formulation is the result of a public-private partnership, which involved many years of research and dedication from the industry to bring to the market a biological product of excellence that has the potential to transform the reality of degraded pastures," remarks Marco Antonio Nogueira, another researcher at Embrapa Soybeans. For Rogério Rangel, agronomist and BIOTROP's director of marketing for Brazil and Latin America, the victory is a cause for celebration and a sign of the recognition of an important technological and innovation journey for the company, since PASTOMAX was developed in partnership with Embrapa Soybean. "This is the second time we have participated and once again we left the award ceremony with the recognition of our solutions, a sign that we are on the right track. This achievement also marks the important partnership we have with Embrapa for regenerative agriculture", he observes. Just over a year ago in the market, the product grew 132%, jumping from 6,600 hectares in 2021 to 15,300 hectares in 2022. "Biotrop's projection is that there will be much further growth, due to the excellent results observed by cattle farmers throughout Brazil with the use of technology, and it will increase by 250% in 2023," Rangel states. Innovative solution PASTOMAX is a multifunctional inoculant that associates two microorganisms with multifunctional properties, Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens. According to Mariangela Hungria and Marco Antonio Nogueira, it took 11 years of research to reach such results. In the last stage, tests were conducted for four harvests, in two different soil and climate conditions, with inoculation through seeds and in leaf applications in already established pastures. In the case of the Azospirillum bacteria, the main microbial processes involved are the synthesis of phytohormones, promoting root growth by up to three times; and biological nitrogen fixation. Inoculation with such bacteria through seeds or leaves in established pastures resulted not only in an increase in biomass, but also in an average increase of 13% in N content and 10% in K content in the aerial parts. In turn, Pseudomonas contribute with a set of biochemical processes that include the solubilization of phosphates, the synthesis of phytohormones and of an enzyme that regulates the production of ethylene. Inoculating seeds or leaves with Pseudomonas resulted in an increase in biomass, of 11% in potassium content (K) and 30% in phosphorus (P) content in the aerial part. It is worth mentioning that the development of technology tried to enable synergisms among microorganisms and allow application both at the pasture establishment stage and in already established pastures. Therefore, it is an achievement to also meet a demand from farmers who need to improve already established pastures", states the researcher Mariangela Hungria. Pasture recovery In Brazil, about 180 million hectares are occupied by pastures, out of which 120 million are cultivated pastures, and 86 million of which are with Brachiaria grasses. According to an Embrapa survey, approximately 70% of Brazilian pastures are at some level of degradation, producing below their potential. "Thus it is not the time to reduce the use of fertilizers in pastures, but rather to use the potential of microorganisms to increase the efficiency of using such fertilizers," Nogueira states. As the largest contribution of such bacteria occurs by promoting root growth, the plants absorb more water and nutrients, making better use of fertilizers. "Today, Brazil imports approximately 85% of the N-P-K it consumes, so increasing fertilizer use efficiency can promote a major impact on the sector," Nogueira asserts. For more information Embrapa Soja Lebna Landgraf soja.imprensa@embrapa.br (43) 3371-6061 (whatsapp) BIOTROP Rural Press - kassiana@ruralpress.com.br – (19) 98320-0286 (whatsapp)