Rhizobacterium-based bio-input launched to increase corn resistance to drought

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) announced the launch of a new bio-input based on the rhizobacterium, Bacillus aryabhattai, which increases the resistance and adaptability of corn to dry climate. The biological agent was discovered in the rhizosphere of mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru), a cactus common in the Caatinga region, northeastern Brazil.

Mandacaru - Embrapa

The product was allocated the trade name, Auras, and can encourage growth in the cereal, even under water stress conditions. The new technology is the result of more than 12 years of research and will enter the market through a partnership between Embrapa and NOOA Ciência e Tecnologia Agrícola, which will manage the product’s commercial production and distribution.

According to Embrapa, this is the first commercial product designed to mitigate the effects of water stress on plants. As a result, Auras has no competitors registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa).

Rhizobacteria can reduce the effects caused by prolonged droughts, minimizing risks and realizing the potential of crops. The product’s initial focus will be corn, which, this year, has experienced considerable losses to the second crop due to the prolonged drought in Brazil’s main producing regions.

NOOA predicts that Auras will prevent losses of up to 8 bags of corn (60 kilos each) per hectare. The investment in the product is approximately half a bag of corn per hectare, which is equivalent to less than US$10 dollars.

The intention now is to expand the use of the product to other crops, such as soybeans and wheat. “For the time being, there is only this research on this technology in tropical agriculture, which, in fact, suffers more from the drought,” said Itamar Soares de Melo (Researcher at Embrapa), who oversaw the research on rhizobacterium to create the new bioactive.

Marcelo Morandi (Chief General of Embrapa Environment) stated, “Bio-inputs play a key role in the sustainable development of Brazilian agriculture, and Auras is a new milestone in this growing market for organic products. This technology is the result of many years of research in the selection of microorganisms with characteristics of interest to agriculture, and the partnership with a company that envisioned this future will now make the product accessible to producers.”

NOOA expects the new technology to be adopted in 1% of planted corn area in the country in the first year. “We intend to reach 10% of this area in five years. The priorities in terms of solutions for the agricultural sector has to be treating causes and not the symptoms that affect plants and soil balance. Knowing these factors and breaking paradigms is the path to a more efficient and sustainable agriculture.” Claudio Nasser (President of Embrapa).