Anaeromyxobacter-based biopesticide and biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture
A novel microbial solution using Anaeromyxobacter soil bacteria that fix nitrogen and recycle nitrate to ammonium while producing nitric oxide gas. Delivered via hydrogel bead formulation, this dual-function biopesticide and biofertilizer reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides in agricultural systems.
Overview
This solution leverages Anaeromyxobacter spp., a genus of soil bacteria with demonstrated genomic potential for nitrogen fixation and nitrogen recycling, to deliver a dual-function biopesticide and biofertilizer. By retaining nitrogen in the soil and producing nitric oxide gas as a byproduct, these bacteria offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides in agricultural systems. The technology addresses two critical challenges in modern agriculture simultaneously: nutrient management and pest control, while reducing environmental impact and input costs for growers.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Nitrogen fixation and recycling: Anaeromyxobacter bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen and recycle nitrate into ammonium, enriching soil fertility naturally
- Nitric oxide production: Gaseous nitric oxide byproduct acts as a biopesticide, offering pest suppression capabilities
- Hydrogel bead formulation: Solid encapsulation protects bacterial cells during storage and application, enabling survival under dry conditions for at least four weeks
- Soil compatibility: Validated survival and growth in sterilized sandy soils with limited nutrients
- Measurable impact: Soils inoculated with the hydrogel beads showed higher ammonium concentrations compared to uninoculated controls
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Preliminary validation has confirmed bacterial survival in hydrogel bead formulations under dry conditions and demonstrated enhanced ammonium production in inoculated soils. Future validation will require approximately one year of additional work to optimize conditions for nitric oxide and ammonium production across multiple Anaeromyxobacter isolates cultured under varying nitrogen conditions. The research team is actively seeking partnerships for bacterial cultivation, analytical testing of nitrogen species, and funding to support key personnel.
About College of William & Mary
William & Mary is a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia that combines a liberal-arts learning environment with doctoral-level research and specialized graduate programs. Its Virginia Institute of Marine Science provides co-located coastal laboratories and research vessels, enabling industry collaborations that translate field insight into deployable solutions. The university’s location in the Hampton Roads corridor places partners near NASA Langley, Jefferson Lab, and major maritime and defense assets, facilitating access to federal facilities and talent. Faculty attract competitive federal support from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, and NOAA. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP protection, licensing, and startup formation, with centralized support for sponsored research agreements.
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