Modern agriculture faces many significant challenges, and one of the most important moving forward is the need to increase productivity without compromising environmental sustainability. In this context, nutrient-solubilizing microorganisms are key allies, improving nutrient availability for the plants and efficiently complementing the use of chemical fertilizers.
The use of microorganisms in agriculture
Let’s start at the beginning: the use of microorganisms in agriculture is not a recent practice. Since ancient times, farmers have used techniques such as crop rotation and composting to enrich the soil, although without fully understanding the underlying microbial mechanisms that played a key role. With the advancement of microbiology in the 20th century, specific microorganisms capable of promoting plant growth were identified and isolated, laying the foundations for their direct application in modern agriculture.
Mechanisms of action of solubilizing microorganisms
The large number of microorganisms present in the environment where they coexist with plants leads to a great variety of ways of acting on the crop and its environment. These microorganisms act through various chemical, biochemical and physiological mechanisms:
- Release of organic acids: bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus secrete organic acids that acidify the rhizosphere environment, dissolving insoluble minerals and releasing nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium.
- Production of phosphatase enzymes: some microorganisms such as Bacillus and Penicillium synthesize phosphatases that break down organic phosphorus compounds, converting them into inorganic forms available for plant uptake.
- Mycorrhizal symbiosis: mycorrhizal fungi build symbiotic relationships with roots, extending their network of hyphae and increasing the surface area for water and nutrient uptake.
- Biological fixation of nitrogen: Rhizobium bacteria, among others, form nodules in the roots of different crops, converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms absorbable by the plants.
- Siderophore microorganisms: some bacteria and fungi, such as Azotobacter and Pseudomonas, produce siderophores, compounds that chelate iron in the soil, facilitating its uptake by plants. In addition, this iron obtained by plants is no longer available for consumption by pathogens, hindering their development.
Source: Bacillus stock image
Economic and ecological benefits
The integration of solubilizing microorganisms in combination with conventional fertilization programs offers multiple advantages:
- Reduced consumption in fertilization: by improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake, the use of chemical fertilizers is more efficient, and higher yields are achieved with the same fertilizer consumption. The solutions available on the market that combine conventional nutrition with the use of microorganisms can be a great solution for the farmer to access these new methods and see the improvement first hand.
- Environmental sustainability: the presence of solubilizing microorganisms allows the plant to make better use of the fertilizer applied, as well as the nutrients available in the soil, thus preventing them from remaining in the soil.
- Improved soil health: these microorganisms help maintain soil structure and fertility, increasing its water retention capacity and resistance to erosion. The probiotic and postbiotic contribution of these microorganisms will promote crop development and improve soil structural quality.
Significant analytical data: how all this translates into figures
- Efficiency in nutrient uptake: studies have shown that inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi can increase phosphorus uptake by up to 90% compared to non-inoculated plants.
- Equal yield by reducing fertilization: the application of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria has made it possible to reduce the use of phosphorus fertilizers by up to 50% without compromising crop yields.
- Increased productivity: research shows that the use of growth-promoting microorganisms can increase agricultural yields by 15%-25%.
The role of companies like Herogra in this new scenario
At Herogra Group, we remain committed to being at the forefront of technology and trends to offer our customers quality products with added value for substantial improvement. Some key factors in the adaptation to this new reality are:
- Development of biofertilizers: formulations including beneficial microorganisms, offering more sustainable and efficient solutions. In recent years, the growing use of products of this nature such as Totem and Hyperion are showing the commitment of both growers and farmers in this area.
- Research and Development: investment in studies to identify microbial strains with high potential in nutrient solubilization and plant growth promotion to incorporate them into specialized products. Herogra currently collaborates with several research entities and universities for the development and implementation of new technologies to take advantage of the findings made in this field.
- Education and Training: a key role for the producing companies is to provide farmers with information and tools for the proper application of these biofertilizers. Therefore, they will be able to understand and optimize the use of these products, maximizing their benefits.
Future perspectives
The future of agriculture points towards a greater integration of biotechnology for the development of products and techniques that take advantage of the benefits arising from the symbiosis between conventional fertilization and microbiological products:
- Symbiosis with traditional technologies: this is a key point for the implementation of these new techniques: agriculture must take advantage of the combination of conventional agricultural practices with microbial innovations to optimize production and sustainability.
- Precision farming and monitoring: use of advanced tools to monitor microbial activity in the soil and fine-tune farming practices accordingly.
- Genetic selection and editing: development of microorganisms with improved capabilities for nutrient solubilization and resistance to adverse conditions.
- Microorganisms support through different means: inoculation of microorganisms, rhizospheric microbiome engineering, crop management for microorganism development…
In short, nutrient solubilizing microorganisms and their inclusion in fertilization programs are a powerful tool for sustainable farming, offering significant economic and ecological benefits. Their integration into current and future crop systems, along with the relevant technical training, promises a more efficient and environmentally friendly production, in symbiosis with conventional fertilization and without harming the economic yield of the crop.
