Background

Overview of Agricultural Microbial Agents

With the development of modern agriculture, the demand for increasing crop yields, improving quality, reducing fertilizer use, reducing costs, improving soil, and protecting the ecological environment continues to grow. As an important means to achieve these goals, the market demand for microbial agents continues to expand. Microbial fertilizers, feed microbial products, microbial pesticides and other sub-sectors have shown broad market prospects. In particular, microbial fertilizers have become an important part of the bio-industry and bio-economic industry.

Microbial agents refer to live bacterial preparations made by adsorbing the fermentation liquid of target microorganisms (effective bacteria) after industrial production and propagation using porous materials as adsorbents (such as peat and vermiculite). Microbial agents can be divided into liquid, powder, and granular types according to the dosage form, and can be divided into photosynthetic bacterial agents, organic material composting agents, etc. according to the type of microorganisms or functional characteristics contained. According to the compounding method, they are divided into single microbial agents and compound microbial agents. This kind of agent is used for seed dressing or root dipping, and has the functions of directly or indirectly improving soil, restoring soil fertility, preventing soil-borne diseases, maintaining the balance of rhizosphere microbial flora, and degrading toxic substances.

Fig. 1. The formulation, application and benefits of microbial inoculants. (Adegboyega, et al., 2024)

Classifications of Agricultural Microbial Agents

Microbial agents are vital in agriculture because they can increase crop yield and quality, enhance plants' natural disease resistance, improve soil structure and fertility, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promote soil nutrient cycling, degrade organic pollutants and heavy metals, increase crop tolerance to environmental stresses, provide biological control measures, and maintain the balance of soil ecosystems, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development.

According to their application fields and functional characteristics, they are mainly classified into the following categories:

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria agents: such as rhizobium agents, which can symbiotically fix nitrogen with leguminous plants and provide nitrogen sources for plant growth.
• Phosphorus-dissolving microbial agents: they can decompose insoluble phosphorus in the soil and release phosphorus elements that can be absorbed by plants, such as Bacillus megaterium.
• Organic material decomposition agents: used to promote the decomposition and decomposition of organic materials and increase the organic matter content in the soil, such as Aspergillus oryzae.
• Growth-promoting agents: promote plant growth, improve plant growth and yield, such as Bacillus subtilis.
• Bioremediation agents: used for bioremediation of soil and water bodies, degrading organic pollutants and improving the ecological environment.
• Photosynthetic bacteria agents: fix carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, release oxygen, promote plant growth, and improve soil structure.
• Biological pesticides: including microbial insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, using the metabolites or activities of microorganisms to prevent and control pests and diseases, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana.

Creative BioMart Microbe, with its expertise and experience, is committed to providing society with a high-quality range of agricultural microbial agents such as biological fertilizer, in addition to supporting the customized products by production service. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Service Procedure

Service Details

Construction and Management of Microbial Resource Library

We have a complete set of laboratory facilities and professional bioinformatics databases, which are used to store and manage a rich variety of microbial strains. Our management system is certified to ensure that the quality and storage conditions of strains are strictly controlled. In terms of technology, we use gene sequencing technology to identify and classify strains to ensure the diversity and accuracy of the resource library. At the same time, we use automated storage and retrieval technology to not only improve the efficiency of strain management, but also reduce human errors.

Strain Selection and Improvement Services

Our platform consists of a professional scientific research team that not only has rich experience in microbial breeding, but also has solid theoretical knowledge. We use advanced gene editing tools, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 technology platform, to combine traditional breeding methods with modern gene editing technology to ensure that strains can be quickly improved. In addition, we apply high-throughput screening technology to improve the efficiency of strain breeding to meet the customized needs of customers. More details can be found at Strain Improvement Services.

Fermentation Process Optimization

As a company that has been deeply involved in the fermentation field for a long time, we are equipped with advanced equipment and facilities for pilot and large-scale production to support seamless process transformation from laboratory to industrial production. We follow the regularly updated fermentation process standards and process documents to ensure the consistency of process execution. In terms of technology, we apply computer control systems and biosensor technology to achieve real-time monitoring of key parameters in the fermentation process. In addition, we combine fluid dynamics simulation and experimental data analysis to continuously optimize the performance of the process to ensure the optimization of production efficiency and product quality.

Product Stabilization Technical Support

We are equipped with advanced cold chain and packaging technology equipment, which supports the stability research of bacterial agents during storage and transportation. We also have a dedicated product stability testing laboratory that can conduct rapid and accurate shelf-life assessments. In terms of technology, we use microencapsulation technology and drying technology to improve the stability of bacterial agents and their adaptability to different environments. At the same time, we develop antioxidant and protective agent formulas to extend the active period of bacterial agent products and ensure that they remain highly effective during their expected use period.

Quality Control and Testing Services

The excellent effect of microbial agents lies in their excellent quality. To this end, we have set up a standardized testing laboratory equipped with advanced testing instruments such as HPLC and GC-MS, and introduced multiple testing methods such as chromatography, field trials and fermentation kinetics analysis. Our scientific research team has mastered a variety of testing contents, including: strain purity testing, active ingredient testing, physical and chemical property testing, safety testing, etc.

Our Advantages

• Extensive strain resource library. Rich microbial strain resources, providing diverse choices.
• Professional breeding and improvement technology. Professional R&D team and the most advanced gene editing technology.
• Advanced fermentation technology. Leading fermentation process and scale-up capabilities.
• Green production concept. The products emphasize environmental protection and sustainability, advocate green agriculture, and are in line with the direction of modern agricultural development.

Case Study

Case Study 1: Synergistic use of Bacillus strain ZH16 and biogenic MoNPs for arsenic mitigation in wheat cultivation.

This study explored the simultaneous use of Bacillus sp. strain ZH16 and biogenic molybdenum nanoparticles (MoNPs) to address arsenic contamination in agricultural soils. MoNPs enhanced strain ZH16's biocompatibility by promoting indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase activity, both with and without arsenic stress. Greenhouse experiments showed that the combined use of MoNPs and ZH16 significantly improved the growth, nutrient content, and ionic balance in wheat, while reducing arsenic translocation by 30.3% compared to ZH16 alone. These findings highlight the potential of using MoNPs and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria together to enhance food safety sustainably.

Fig. 2. Effect of individual application of Bacillus sp. ZH16 and combinatorial application with biogenic MoNPs on the morphological parameters. (Ahmed, et al., 2022)

Case Study 2: Applying microbial consortia bioformulations enhances banana growth and defense against Fusarium wilt.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc-TR4), poses a significant threat to banana production. A biocontrol strategy using a microbial consortium of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DRB1 and Trichoderma harzianum CBF2 in various formulations was found to reduce disease severity. The pesta granules formulation was particularly effective, yielding healthier and more robust banana plants. This approach not only enhances plant growth parameters like biomass, plant height, and leaf size but also triggers biochemical changes that increase phenolic and proline contents, reducing malondialdehyde levels and thus mitigating oxidative stress from Foc-TR4.

Fig. 3. The application of bioformulation improved overall growth of bananas compared to Foc-TR4, control and benomyl treatments. (Wong, et al., 2021)

Case Study 3: Enhancing wheat drought tolerance with PGPR: Bacillus strains as effective biofertilizers.

This study investigated the impact of drought-tolerant PGPR strains, Bacillus megaterium (MU2) and Bacillus licheniformis (MU8), on wheat plants under drought stress. These strains, selected for their ACC deaminase activity, IAA production, and antagonistic effects on plant pathogens, significantly improved wheat germination, seedling vigor, and biomass under both irrigated and drought conditions. They also enhanced the plants' relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating improved drought tolerance. While these strains show potential as bioenhancers and biofertilizers for wheat in arid regions, further molecular-level studies are needed to understand their mechanisms for alleviating drought stress.

Fig. 4. Effect of drought-tolerant PGPR strains Bacillus megaterium MU2 and Bacillus Licheniformis MU8 on fresh and dry weight of plants. (Rashid, et al., 2022)

FAQs

References:

1. Adegboyega A.; et al. From lab bench to farmers' fields: Co-creating microbial inoculants with farmers input. Rhizosphere. 2024;31:100920.
2. Allouzi MMA.; et al. Liquid biofertilizers as a sustainable solution for agriculture. Heliyon. 2022;8(12):e12609.
3. Ahmed T.; et al. Green molybdenum nanoparticles-mediated bio-stimulation of Bacillus sp. strain ZH16 improved the wheat growth by managing in planta nutrients supply, ionic homeostasis and arsenic accumulation. J Hazard Mater. 2022;423(Pt A):127024.
4. Wong CKF.; et al. A Consortium of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Trichoderma harzianum for improving growth and induced biochemical changes in fusarium wilt infected bananas. Trop Life Sci Res. 2021;32(1):23-45.
5. Rashid U.; et al. Drought-tolerant Bacillus megaterium isolated from semi-arid conditions induces systemic tolerance of wheat under drought conditions. Plant Cell Rep. 2022;41(3):549-569.