Project description
Innovative biofertiliser formulated by bacteria
Fertilisers represent an additive in agriculture indispensable to securing quality and volume in crop production. However, farmers face a crucial dilemma in front of two different categories of fertilisers. Chemical fertilisers have fast nutrient action but are associated with damaging effects on the environment. On the other hand, biofertilisers are environmentally friendly but they have a shorter shelf life, are marked by crop specificity and are costly in management. The EU-funded Bulhnova project proposes an innovative nitrogen-fixing biofertiliser developed by a group of bacteria found in the roots, or rhizosphere soil. The solution comprises Azospirillum brasilense and Pantoea dispersa bacteria and provides an integrated biofertiliser that combines nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium supply. Bulhnova is cost-effective, has multi-nutritional properties and enhances crop quality.
Objective
The rising need for food safety, in response to the rising global population calls for new technologies for higher and healthier crop yields. Fertilizers are a vital agricultural additive, essential to the security of the world’s food supply. While chemical fertilizers have their place increasing plant nutrients, they also come with several harmful effects (ground water contamination, increased air pollution, and mineral depletion). Bio-fertilizers are a viable option for an efficient and rational use of agricultural resources with low adverse environmental impacts. However, bio-fertilizers also have several limitations that hinder their potential for greater impact in the agricultural industry (shorter shelf life, insufficient macronutrients, higher application volumes, nutrient variability, crop specificity and high handling and application costs.
Probelte has developed Bulhnova, an appropriate response to the limitations of current bio-fertilisers. Bulhnova is an innovative Nitrogen fixing Bio-Fertilizer, formulated from a group of bacteria that colonise roots or rhizosphere soil. The particular bacteria contained in Bulhnova includes Azospirillum brasilense and Pantoea dispersa, both in amounts superior to 1x108 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/ml. Azospirillum brasilense is responsible for the atmospheric nitrogen fixation, whilst Pantoea dispersa is responsible for the solubilisation of phosphates and potassium. Bulhnova provides an integrated Bio-fertilizer that combines Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium supply under a single product through the successful merging of our two strains of bacteria. The benefits of using Bulhnova include multi-nutritional capability, reduced dosage amounts (only 20L/Ha), enhanced crop output (by 40%), reduced salinization and ground nitrate content by up to 100%, drastic reduction of carbon footprint compared to equivalent nitrogen fertilizers and lower handling, storage and application costs.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metals
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineering
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
30500 MOLINA DE SUGURA
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.