The diazotrophic bacterium Nitrospirillum amazonense influences the growth and development of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), leading to increased productivity in crops. Developed especially for use in sugarcane, the microbiological inoculant containing this bacterium, called Aprinza, was developed in partnership with Basf and is already available on the market as an integral part of the Muneo BioKit technological package.

Nitrospirillum amazonense is a species of nitrogen-fixing and growth-promoting bacteria that was first isolated from plants in the Brazilian Amazon, but which is also found in sugarcane and cereal plants harvested in different regions of the country. BR11145 of the bacterium was isolated from sugarcane and tested by Embrapa Agrobiology as a microbial inoculant.

The promotion of plant growth begins a few days after the application of the bacterium, by accelerating bud sprouting and stimulating root growth. A sugarcane root inoculated with strain BR11145 has a root architecture with a greater number of secondary roots, especially thin roots, which are the most active in the absorption of water and nutrients. As a result, the inoculated plants have greater tillering and there is an increase in the leaf area, which is visible in the field.

Once the cultivation is carried out in soils with adequate fertilization and limited water stress, the plants will continue to grow more vigorously, accumulating more green mass and promoting an increase in productivity. Agronomic efficiency data confirmed average increases of up to 18% in sugarcane in the first year.

This technological solution was developed by Embrapa in partnership with other institutions.

This technological solution was developed by Embrapa in partnership with other institution(s).