Native nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculants for sustainable sugarcane fertilization

Overview

This solution offers a sustainable nitrogen fertilization strategy for sugarcane cultivation based on native nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated directly from local soil microbiomes. The approach addresses a critical agricultural challenge, as approximately 70% of conventional nitrogen fertilizer applications are lost to the environment. By harnessing autochthonous microbial communities adapted to local soil and climate conditions, this technology provides a practical alternative to chemical fertilization, reducing environmental impact, lowering input costs, and decreasing dependence on imported agrochemicals and fossil fuel-derived products.

The technology is particularly relevant for tropical countries cultivating grasses and other commercial crops, with potential for broader extrapolation across similar agroecological zones.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Isolation and molecular characterization of native nitrogen-fixing bacteria from sugarcane soils, including Mollisol and Inceptisol types
• Bioinoculant formulation designed using gas chromatography to quantify nitrogen fixation rates
• Evaluation of phytohormone production and other plant growth-promoting traits
• Testing under varying urea doses across multiple soil types in the Cauca department of Colombia
• Molecular sequencing techniques for comparative analysis of bacterial communities across soil types

Validated performance:

• 18% increase in germination rates observed in field trials using native strains isolated from INCAUCA SAS soils
• Yield improvement of six additional tons of sugarcane per hectare (TCH) attributable to native microorganism application
• Contribution to reduced environmental impacts from chemical fertilization

Technology readiness level

The technology has progressed beyond laboratory validation into field trial stages. Native bacterial strains have been successfully isolated and characterized, with demonstrated performance in real agricultural conditions. Ongoing and future validation efforts include comparative bacterial community analysis across different soil types, bioinoculant design under controlled conditions, and multi-dose field evaluations in diverse soil environments. The methodology is designed to be extrapolated to other tropical countries cultivating grasses, positioning the technology for broader regional adoption and commercial scaling.