Two new strains of Azospirillum in Brazil have been registered and a new selection of inoculants will be available in Brazil

Two new strains of Azospirillum in Brazil, HM 053 and HM 210, have been approved for registration in the Brazilian market by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa). These new strains were identified and isolated by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Federal University of Parana (UFPR). The university is one of the world's leading research centers dedicated to studying the bacteria.

The material has been provided to the Brazilian National Association of Inoculant Manufacturers and Importers (ANPII) to evaluate its efficiency. Solon Cordeiro de Araujo, founding member of ANPII, said that the introduction of these new strains of Azospirillum, which have the potential to release more nitrogen in the soil-plant system, provides a greater choice of biological inoculants, and the selection of the most suitable strains based on their characteristics is essential for its market growth. Because different microbes have different affinities to specific soils, climates, and plant genetic material.

Araújo stressed that in addition to nitrogen fixation, Azospirillum also produces hormones that promote plant growth, especially in the roots, and also plays an important role in phosphorus dissolution. Araújo also said that Brazil has had two excellent crop vaccination strains since 2009, with remarkable results in the combined vaccination of maize, wheat and soybeans. But in a country the size of Brazil with a wide variety of soil and climate types, farmers must provide a much more diverse microbial resource for their crops. That is why the new registration has a positive impact.

Larissa Simon, ANPII Executive Advisor, said association companies were actively involved in assessing the potential of the new strain through a groundbreaking strategic technology alliance, which brought together their research and development departments to collaborate under a unique program. As a result of these joint efforts, a biologic was developed to form the basis for field trials.

With Mapa approval for registration, companies can now begin mass production and be ready to enter the market. The next steps will involve testing on a variety of other crops and expanding the range of supplies for agricultural markets.