Russian scientists have developed an innovative microbiological fertilizer.

The development was based on nitrogen-fixing bacteria capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form accessible to plants. The fertilizer is intended for use in agriculture, the agro-industrial complex, and farming enterprises. Its purpose is to increase crop yields, reduce soil salinity, and make agricultural products more accessible.

Today, mineral fertilizers are widely used. However, their application is associated with several drawbacks. For instance, uncontrolled use of fertilizers leads to soil salinization and erosion, while mineral fertilizers leach into groundwater and can harm symbiotic organisms. As a result of prolonged application in cultivated areas, the quantity of fertilizers has reached permissible limits, which means that increasing concentrations have little effect on agricultural crop yields, a problem already encountered by China.

Unlike traditional mineral fertilizers, microbiological ones act gently and effectively. They promote plant growth, restore soil health, enhance mineral absorption, and suppress harmful microorganisms.

The first stage of the research involved identifying nitrogen-fixing bacteria, creating six series of samples, and testing their stability. The second stage is focused on assessing the fertilizer's effectiveness and preparing a patent.

The bacteria were isolated from the soil of the botanical garden of the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University and proved to be effective symbionts for various plants, including Sorbus aucuparia, Monstera deliciosa, Fabaceae spp., Quercus robur, Ficus carica, and Aucuba japonica. Experiments showed that the bacteria accelerated the germination of cucumber seeds of the Libelle F1 variety, promoted the early appearance of true leaves, and increased stem growth without causing mutations.

The results surpassed those of the popular product Azotovit®, making them highly promising for use in biofertilizers. “I would like to highlight the field experience, where 15-day sprouts from the laboratory treated with bacterial suspension were compared with untreated sprouts of Libelle F1 cucumbers planted from pots into the greenhouse,” says Grigory Boshlyakov, a student at RTU MIREA. “Although the sample size was small and the experiment needs to be repeated for greater reliability and representativeness, the treated sprouts were nearly half a meter taller than their untreated counterparts, and the gherkin fruits, which the manufacturer claims should be between five and no more than seven centimeters in length, reached sizes of six to nine centimeters.”

“During the experiments, the environment for the growth of phyto-stimulating microorganisms was improved. A distinctive feature of the new medium is the use of lentil broth,” said Maria Zolotaryova, a senior lecturer in the Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy at RTU MIREA. “Using modern time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), it was accurately determined that two of the studied strains belong to the species Agrobacterium radiobacter. DNA sequencing using the Sanger method on equipment from the company ‘Evrogen’ was employed for precise identification of bacterial species. As a result of the research, it was found that the strain associated with plants from the Fabaceae family belongs to the species Ancylobacter defluvii, the strain from the Monstera deliciosa plant is Agrobacterium radiobacter, while the strains obtained from Ficus carica and Aucuba japonica were classified under the genus Agrobacterium.”

Furthermore, the bacteria associated with S. aucuparia and Fabaceae spp. demonstrated antagonism towards phytopathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas chlororaphis. All studied cultures were capable of synthesizing siderophores similar to azotobactin in response to the antigens Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas chlororaphis. Spectrofluorimetric measurements confirmed the presence of fluorescent peaks at a wavelength of 350 nm, characteristic of azotobactin. This data makes the bacteria promising agents for biocontrol of agricultural crops.

The fertilizer will be packaged in convenient plastic bottles with dispensers, making it easier for private customers to use. Each bottle contains a mixture of bacteria at a concentration of 10^9 CFU/L, ensuring maximum effectiveness of the product.

To complete the development, additional testing is required, including assessing the antagonistic activity of the product against phytopathogens causing various plant diseases, checking the stability and shelf life of the finished product, studying the molecular interaction mechanisms of microorganisms, and preparing a patent application. There are also plans to develop a technology for large-scale production of the fertilizer.

Grigory Boshlyakov's project demonstrates that young scientists can make a significant contribution to the development of agriculture and ecology. His development not only addresses important social issues but also possesses substantial commercial potential.

The project is presented at the “Accelerator 4.0 RTU MIREA second wave” and has received a grant for further development.