Biocontrol agent formulations combining pseudomonas protegens and pantoea with reduced fungicide use for enhanced crop yield and disease management

Overview

Bioprotegens Innovations Spa, a Chilean AgTech spinoff from the University of Concepción, develops biological formulations based on native biocontrol bacteria isolated from Chilean Andisol (volcanic-origin) soils. The core technology leverages bacterial isolates—primarily Pseudomonas protegens and Pantoea species—that naturally produce three antimicrobial compounds, solubilize phosphorus, and synthesize the plant growth hormone indole acetic acid (IAA). These beneficial microorganisms function as probiotics for plants, promoting growth and suppressing disease.

Field validation has demonstrated significant results: potato crops treated with P. protegens showed yield increases of approximately 50% compared to grower-standard programs, even with 50% reduced phosphorus fertilization, and 50% less late blight damage in foliage. In strawberries, yields improved by 46% relative to programs based on Trichoderma application. In wheat, combining Pseudomonas with fluquinconazole fungicide reduced take-all disease and improved yields. The company seeks collaboration to develop optimized formulations that combine these biocontrol agents with synthetic fungicides and other BCAs to further enhance disease management and nutrient uptake.

Technical specifications

Key biological capabilities of the bacterial isolates:

• Production of three distinct antimicrobial compounds for pathogen suppression
• Phosphorus solubilization to improve nutrient availability from soil
• Synthesis of auxin indole acetic acid (IAA) to promote plant growth
• Compatibility with reduced fungicide rates (up to 50% less chemical input)

Validated crop applications:

• Potato: in-furrow and foliar application with reduced phosphorus fertilization
• Strawberry: yield improvement over Trichoderma-based programs
• Wheat: seed treatment combined with fluquinconazole for take-all disease control
• Lettuce: plant growth promotion without fungicide use

Flagship product: MaxGrowth, a bio-stimulant licensed from the University of Concepción, formulated from bacteria with antifungal properties.

Technology readiness level

The technology has progressed beyond laboratory validation into field-scale demonstration. Yield experiments in potato and strawberry crops have shown consistent improvements of 46–50% over conventional programs, with simultaneous reductions in phosphorus fertilization needs and disease damage. The company operates its own production facility in Chile's Ñuble region built to high quality standards for manufacturing and packaging. Current development priorities include optimizing bacterial formulations for combined use with fungicides and other biocontrol agents, and conducting additional field experiments to validate synergistic effects on disease incidence, nutrient uptake, and yield across additional crop systems. The company is actively expanding operations within Chile and exploring international markets.