Plant-growth promoting and bio-controlling soil microorganisms for sustainable agriculture

Overview

This offering centers on a proprietary library of root-associated microorganisms — including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts — isolated from compost and other natural matrices. These microbial consortia have been empirically developed and validated for their plant-growth promoting and biocontrol actions in agricultural soils. The microorganisms support key soil functions such as organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, and mycorrhiza formation, while stimulating plant growth and defending crops against major pathogens.

The technology has been tested on tree crops (olive, peach, grape, kiwifruit) and horticultural crops (tomato, lettuce) in both laboratory and field conditions. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, randomized block design) confirmed that treated plants significantly outperformed untreated controls across multiple parameters including gas exchange, root and shoot growth, photosynthetic performance, primary and secondary metabolites, yield, and pathogen resistance.

Technical specifications

Microbial combinations validated:

• S. cerevisiae / Candida combined with Bacillus / Pseudomonas
• Trichoderma combined with Glomus
• Trichoderma combined with Glomus and Pseudomonas / Bacillus

Key features:

• Non-pathogenic strains cultivated and molecularly characterized
• Tested on both bulk and rhizosphere soils
• Significant results at p < 0.05 and sometimes p < 0.01
• Applicable across Mediterranean and other crop systems

Future development plans include:

• Genome sequencing of the selected microorganisms
• Bioreactor trials for commercial-scale production
• Formulation development specifying species composition, colony-forming units, spore counts, dosages, timing, and application methods
• Extension of validation to soybean and corn across diverse growing conditions and plant genotypes

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at a mid-to-advanced validation stage. Microbial combinations have been successfully tested in laboratory settings and replicated in field trials on multiple crop species, with statistically significant results. Future work focuses on scaling production through bioreactor trials, completing genome sequencing for strain characterization, and developing standardized commercial formulations. The planned three-year, multidisciplinary validation program will establish the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the plant-growth promoting and biocontrol effects, enabling commercial deployment.