Advances in biological nitrogen fixation and microbial technologies for tropical plants

1stDecember 2021 (14:00 – 17:00, CET)

The search for a more sustainable agriculture is leading to a growing demand for microbial-based technologies. In parallel, the recent advances in the study of microbiomes are revealing the complexity of the role of microorganisms. Among these, are nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which are able to associate beneficially with crops that are critical for human consumption notably, including legumes and grasses.

This webinar aims to present some recent developments in this field. We will start by addressing the recent discovery of underlying mechanisms involved in the legume-bacterium interaction (Eric Giraud). Then, we will focus on the example of the common beanrhizobia(Ederson Jesus) and its microbiome (Ashley Shade), and learn about the selection of ammonium-excretingAzospirillumstrains for the inoculation of grasses (Emanuel Maltempi de Souza). Finally, we will end the seminar hearing about the experience of microbial inoculation in Brazil and its business perspectives (Solon Cordeiro de Araujo), whose model is the inoculation of soybeans, but that has been expanding to other crops in the country.

Programme and speakers

14:00 – 14:10       Introduction –Cristhiane Oliveira Da Graça Amâncio,  General Head, EMBRAPA Agrobiology, Brazil

14:10-14:30       ‘Diversity of symbiotic mechanisms betweenbradyrhizobiaand tropical legumes’ –Eric Giraud,Research Director, JRU ‘Laboratory of Tropical and Mediterranean Symbioses’ (LSTM) / Development Research Institute (IRD), France

14:40-15:00       ‘A Tale of symbiosis: unveiling the interaction between the common bean and its rhizobial symbionts’ –Ederson Jesus,Researcher Investigator on Soil Microbiology, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Brazil & MAK’IT Fellow (JRU ‘LSTM’)

15:10 – 15:30     ‘Microbiome ecology of the common bean’ –Ashley Shade,PhD.,Associate Professor, Michigan State University, USA

15:40 – 16:00     ‘Efficient association of cereal roots with ammonium-excreting strains of Azospirillum brasilense’ –Emanuel Maltempi de Souza,Full Professor, Federal University of Parana, Brazil

16:10 – 16:30     Closing talk: ‘Microbial inoculants in Brazil: a business perspective’ –Solon Cordeiro de Araujo,Managing Partner at SCA Consultoria & Consultant of the National Association of Inoculant Producers (ANPII), Brazil

16:30 – 17:00      Q&As and discussion with the speakers

Moderation: Thaura Ghneim-Herrera,Scientific Officer, MAK’IT