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Plant-Growth Promoting Microorganisms for Agricultural Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility (CNPq 465133/2014-4, Fundação Araucária-STI, CAPES)

Posted by tacaha5@gmail.com | February 21, 2021

Principal investigators:

Coordination: Coordinator (Mariangela Hungria, Embrapa Soja, CNPq-1A), Vice-Coordinator (Segundo Sacramento Urquiaga Caballero, Embrapa Agrobiologia, CNPq-1A) General Secretary: Jerri Édson Zilli (Embrapa Agrobiologia, CNPq-2) Steering Committee: Robert Michael Boddey (Embrapa Agrobiologia, international relationships, CNPq-1A); Iêda Carvalho Mendes (Embrapa Cerrados, environment); Fábio Martins Mercante (Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, basic science and biotechnological development, CNPq-2), Verônica Massena Reis (Embrapa Agrobiologia, basic science and biotechnological development, CNPq-1C); Diva de Souza Andrade (IAPAR, basic science and biotechnological development, Fundação Araucária-Productivity); Cristhiane Oliveira da G. Amâncio (Embrapa Agrobiologia, communication actions and transference of technology, and integration with the private sector); Fernando Gomes Barcellos (UEL, human resources, CNPq-2). Administrative responsible: João Armelin (Embrapa Soja) Research Associate Groups (Leader of Associated Laboratory): Public: Embrapa Soja (Marco Antonio Nogueira, CNPq-2); Embrapa Agrobiologia (Jerri Édson Zilli; CNPq-2), Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste (Fabio Martins Mercante, CNPq-2), Embrapa Cerrados (Fabio Bueno dos Reis Junior), Embrapa Arroz e Feijão (Enderson Petrônio de Brito Ferreira, CNPq-DTI) Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Christiane Abreu de Oliveira Paiva), Embrapa Roraima (Krisle da Silva). Embrapa Clima Temperado (Maria Laura Turino Mattos), Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Clarissa Silva Pires de Castro), Embrapa Semi-Árido (Paulo Ivan Fernandes Junior), Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros (Marcelo Ferreira Fernandes), IAPAR (Diva de Souza Andrade, Fundação Araucária), Universidade Estadual de Londrina (Elisete Pains Rodrigues), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (Fabrício Martins Lopes), Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (Jesiane Stefânia da Silva Batista), Universidade Federal do Paraná-Depto de Genética (Lygia Galli-Terasawa), Universidade Federal do Paraná-Campus Palotina (Luciana Grange), Universidade do Estado da Bahia (Lindete Miria Vieira Martins). Universidades participantes via pesquisadores da Embrapa: Universidade Federal de Goiás (Enderson Petrônio de Brito Ferreira, CNPq-DTI), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (Jerri Édson Zilli, CNPq-2), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul and Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (Fábio Martins Mercante, CNPq-2), Universidade Federal de Roraima (Krisle da Silva), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Christiane Abreu Oliveira Paiva). Privates: Luna Consultoria de Ecossistemas (Leonel Neves de Canto Mello). Business Sector: Total Biotecnologia (Brazil), Associação Nacional dos Produtores e Importadores de Inoculantes (ANPII, with the following members: BASF, Biagro, Bioagro, Biosoja, Microquímica, Nitro1000, Novozymes, Rizobacter, Stoller Total Biotecnologia) (Brazil), Resbiagro (Spain), Rizobacter (Brazil/Argentina).

Associated with:

Units of Embrapa –

1) Embrapa Soja (Embrapa Soybean) (CNPSo), Rodovia Carlos João Strass Acesso Orlando Amaral, Cx. Postal 231, CEP 86001-970, Distrito da Warta, Londrina, PR. Telephone (43)33716206, Fax (43)33716100. Embrapa Soja´s group also includes researchers located in the Units of Balsas (MA) and Palmas (TO).

2) Embrapa Agrobiologia (Embrapa Agrobiology) (CNPAB), Rodovia BR 465, km 7, CEP 23891-000, Seropédica, RJ. Telephone (21)3441-1500, Fax: (21) 2682-1230.

3) Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste (Embrapa Western Region Agriculture) (CPAO), BR 162, km 253,6 – Trecho Dourados Caarapó, CEP 79804-970, Dourados, MS. Telephone (67)34169700, Fax (67)34169721.

4) Embrapa Arroz e Feijão (Embrapa Rice & Beans) (CNPAF), Rodovia Goiânia Nova Veneza, Km 12, n° 462, Fazenda Capivara, CEP 75375-000, Santo Antonio de Goiás, GO. Telephone: (62)35332110, Fax: (62)3533-2100.

5) Embrapa Cerrados (Embrapa Cerrados) (CPAC), BR 020, Km 18, Rodovia Brasília/Fortaleza, CEP 73301-970, Planaltina, DF. Telephone (61)33889898, Fax (61) 33889878.

6) Embrapa Clima Temperado (Embrapa Temperate Agriculture) (CPACT), Rodovia BR 292, Km 78, CEP 96010-971, Pelotas, RS. Telephone: (53)32758100, Fax: (53)3275-8221

7) Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Embrapa Maize & Sorghum) (CNPMS), Rodovia MG 424 km 65, CEP 35701-970, Sete Lagoas, MG. Telephone: (31)30271100. Fax: (31) 30271188.

8) Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Embrapa Genetic Resources & Biotechnology) (CENARGEN), Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Caixa Postal 02372, CEP 70770-917, Brasília, DF. Telephone: (61)3448-4700, Fax: (61)3340-3624.

9) Embrapa Roraima (Embrapa Roraima) (CPAFRR), BR 174 km 08, Distrito Industrial, 69301-970, Boa Vista, RR, Telephone: (95)4009-7100, Fax(95)4009-7102.

10) Embrapa Semiárido (Embrapa Semi-Arid) (CPATSA), Rodovia BR 428, Km 152, CEP 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Telephone: (87)38663600, Fax: (87)88663815

11) Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros (Embrapa Coastal Tablelands) (CPATC), Avenida Beira Mar n° 3250, CEP 49025-040, Aracaju, SE. Telephone: (79)40091300, Fax: (79)40091369

Associated group – Other Research Public Institutions

1) Instituto Agronômico do Paraná (Agronomic Institute of Paraná) (IAPAR), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Km 375, 86047-902, Três Marcos, Cx. Postal 481, Londrina, PR. Telephone (43)33762410, Fax (43) 3376-2101

Associated Groups – Universities

1) Universidade Estadual de Londrina (Londrina State University) (UEL), Dept. Genetics, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 Km 380, Campus Universitário, Cx. Postal 6001, CEP 86051-980, Londrina, PR. Telephone (43)3371-4000, Fax (43)3328-4440.

2) Universidade Federal do Paraná (Parana Federal University) (UFPR), Câmpus Palotina, Rua Pioneiro 2153, Jardim Dallas, 85950-000, Palotina, PR, Telephone (44)32118500.

3) Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (Parana Technological Federal University) (UTFPR), Câmpus Cornélio Procópio, Av. Alberto Carazzai 1640, 86300-000, Cornélio Procópio, PR. Telephone: (43)35204005

4) Universidade Estadual da Bahia (Bahia State University) (UNEB), Câmpus III de Juazeiro, Avenida Dr. Edgard Chastinet, S/N. São Geraldo, 48.905-680, Juazeiro, BA. Telephone: (74)36116219. Fax: (74)36117363.

5) Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (Ponta Grossa State University) (UEPG), Depto de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Campus Uvaranas, Av. General Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, CEP 84030-900, Telephone (42)3220-3000 /3220-3300 – Ponta Grossa – Paraná

6) Universidade Federal do Paraná (Paraná Federal University) (UFPR), Dept of Genetics, Centro Politécnico, Cx. Postal 19031, 81531-990, Curitiba, PR. Telephone: (41)33611699, Fax: (41)32662042.

Associated Group – Private Sector

1) Luna Consultoria Ecossistemas Ltda (Luna Consulting Ecosystems). Rua João Borges 240, casa 13, 22451-100, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Telephone: (21)25400108.

National Universities Collaborators, Associated with Units of Embrapa

1) Universidade Estadual de Londrina (Londrina State University) (UEL), Graduate Schools of Microbiolgy, Biotechnology and Agronomy, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 Km 380, Campus Universitário, Cx. Postal 6001, CEP 86051-980, Londrina, PR. Telephone (43)3371-4000, Fax (43)3328-4440.

2) Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Minas Gerais State University) (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos 667, Cx. Postal 486, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG. Telephone: +55(31)3409-2520.

3) Universidade Federal de Goiás (Goias Federal University) (UFG), Ecola de Agronomia, Campus Samambaia – Rodovia Goiânia/Nova Veneza, Km 0 – Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74690-900, Goiânia, GO. Telephone: (62)3521 1530, Fax: (62) 3521 1600.

4) Fundação Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (Grande Dourados Federal University Foundation) (UFGD), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia geral/Bioprospecção, Rod. Dourados-Itahum, km 12, CEP 79.804-970, Dourados, MS. Telephone: (67)34302205.

5) Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (Mato Grosso do Sul State University) (UEMS), Cidade Universitária de Dourados, CP 361, 79804-970, Dourados, MS. Telephone (67)39022530. Fax: (67)39022541.

6) Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University) (UFRRJ), Depto. de Solos, Depto de Agronomia, BR 465, km 7, 23851-970, Seropédica, RJ. Telephone/Fax: (21) 37873755

7) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Federal University) (UFRJ), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco K, SalaK2-032, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Telephone/Fax: (021)25626676

8) Universidade Federal de Roraima (Roraima Federal University) (UFRR), Av. Cap. Ene Garcez, 2413, Bairro Aeroporto, 69310-000, Boa Vista, RR. Telephone: (95)3621-3100.

Research Institutes Collaborators

1) Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Agricultural Research Corporation of the State of Rio de Janeiro) (PESAGRO-RIO)PESAGRO-RIO, Centro Estadual de Pesquisa em Agroenergia e Aproveitamento de Resíduos (State Center for Research in Agro-Energy and Waste Utilization), Av. Fransciso Lamego 134, Guarus, 28.080-000, Campos dos Goytacases. Telephone: (22)27232105. National Business Sector 1) Associação Nacional dos Produtores e Importadores de Inoculantes (National Association of the Producers and Importers of Inoculants) (ANPII), Rua Luciano Aristeu Adamoski, Quatro Barras, PR. CNPJ 72.335.508/0001-51 (includes eleven companies, BASF, Biagro, Bioagro, Biosoja, Microquímica, Nitro1000, Novozymes, Rizobacter, Stoller, Total Biotecnologia, Agrocete)

2) Total Biotecnologia Indústria e Comércio Ltda (Total Biotechnology Industry &Trade), Rua Emílio Romani 1190, 81460-020, Curitiba, PR. CNPJ 07.483.401/0001-99. Telephone (41)3347-1211, Fax (43)3347-1550.

International Business Sector –

1) ResBioAgro SL. Pol. Ind. Alcalá X, Complejo IDEAL, c/Alcalá x DOS, no 8, Nave 3, 41500,, Alacalá de Gadaíra, Sevilla, España, C.I.F. B-91798900. Telephone: (34)955119803/637912685. 2) Rizobacter (Argentina/Brazil), Parque Industrial – Calle N 1, B2702HDA, Perganino, Bs.As. Argentina. It should be noted, therefore, that this INCT has a large nationwide, with associated groups in 20 counties, including all regions of Brazil, North (Boa Vista-RR), Northeast (Petrolina-PE, Aracaju-SE, Balsas- MA), Midwest (Brasilia-DF, DF-Planaltina, Dourados-MS, Santo Antônio de Goiás-GO, Palmas-TO), Southeast (Seropédica-RJ, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Campos de Goytacases-RJ, Sete Lagoas-MG), South (Londrina-PR, Curitiba-PR, Cornelio Procópio-PR, PR-Palotina, Ponta Grossa-PR, PR-Quatro Barras, Pelotas-RS). There is also the national and international business component (Spain and Argentina).

Foreign Collaborative Groups (for research and exchange of students and researchers) –

1) Universidad de Sevilla (US), Facultad de Biología, Depto. de Microbiología, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, España. Telephone: (34) 954557117. Fax: (34)954557830. Prof. Dr. Javier Ollero

2) Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuária (INTA), Instituto de Fisiologia e Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Camino a 60 Cuadras (Ruta A 189), km 5,5 (X50201CA), Córdoba, Argentina. Telephone (54)3514973636/4343. Fax: (54)3514974330. Dr. Marcos Javier de Luca

3) Institute of Research for the Development (IRD), BP 64501, 34394, Montpellier, France. Telephone: (33)(0)467416291/664105945. Fax: (33)(0)467416288. Drs. Lionel Moulin, Gilles Béna, Agnieszka Klonowska

4) Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina. Telephone: (54)2214250497/4821569. Fax: (54)2214229777. Prof. Dr. Antonio Lagares

5) Tshwane University of Technology. The Registrar, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 001, South Africa. Telephone: 0861102422, 0123826911. Fax: (012)3825114. Prof. Dr. Felix Dakora

6) Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Apdo. Postal 12-056, Lima, Peru. Telephone: (51-1)6147121. Fax: 614-71111. Dra. Doris Zuñiga Dávila

7) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Av. Eduardo Mondlane Nr. 326, Edificio Girassol, C. Postal 709, Nampula, Mozambique. Telephone: (258)26216381, (258)26216271. Dr. Steve Boahen

8) Centro de Ciencias Genómicas (CCG), Av. Universidad s/n Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Telephone: (777)3177479, Fax: (777)56227696. Dra. Maria Esperanza Martínez-Romero; Dr. Ernesto Aldo Ormeño-Orrillo

9) North Caroline State University, 1304 Williams Hall Campus Box 7620, Raleigh, North Caroline, 27695-7620, USA. Prof. Dr. Thomas R. Sinclair

10) Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Telephone: +61-8-93606788. Fax: +61-8-93602931. Prof. Dr. John Howieson (vice-chancellor Dr. David Morrison)

11) Tohoku University, Graduate School of Life Sciences, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan. Telephone: +81-22-2175702. Fax: +81-22-2175704. Prof. Kimawu Minamisawa

12) Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands. Telephone (31)(0)317485818. Fax: (31)0317484892. Prof. Ken E. Giller

Project Summary:

There is a strong global demand for more quantitative food production and increased quality, but a new approach is necessary. As important as producing more, it is necessary to consider agricultural sustainability, to enhance the recovery of degraded areas, to lower emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and avoid pollution of the soil and water by agrochemicals, thus optimizing the rational use of inputs. Although fundamental to productivity, chemical fertilizers have high cost, being imported and of low use efficiency by most crops. In this context, microorganisms which promote the growth of plants (PGPM – plant-growth promoting microorganisms) which includes any microorganism that stimulates plant growth, independent of the mechanism of action. These include nitrogen-fixing bacteria, producers of plant-growth regulators, microbes that solubilize potassic and phosphate rocks as well as facilitators of nutrient absorption, such as mycorrhizal fungi are crucial for agricultural sustainability, opening opportunities for what can be defined as a true “green microrevolution” with impact on productivity, but with environmental responsibility. This INCT was proposed with the mission to “conduct basic research and biotechnology development, to train personnel and transfer knowledge, products and technologies for public and private sectors, aiming to increase the use of PGPMs, microbial processes and biomolecules in Brazilian agriculture, maximizing plant nutrition and crop yields with lower inputs of chemical fertilizers and diminished environmental impact.” For this, in this first phase of the project 27 specific objectives were outlined, related to 60 goals. The activities included in the basic science component will generate new knowledge on taxonomy, phylogeny, physiology, ecology, structural genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics with PGPM and in-plant associations with PGPM. A second strand is the development of biotechnological products, and molecules related to PGPM technologies with various biotechnological innovations as well as in crop improvement with PGPM-plant associations. New technologies, such as the application of microorganisms, ideal agronomic practices for each crop and the recovery of degraded pastures will be studied and validated. Another strong aspect of this INCT comprises activities related to the environment, with research lines on the quantification of the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation and GHG emissions in comparison to the use of chemical fertilizers, generating information to support the ABC (Low Carbon Agriculture) Plan of the Brazilian government. In addition, this information will allow the use of PGPMs for Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) and ecosystem services. On the environmental side the use of microbial biomarkers for monitoring soil quality is proposed, with scientific, social and public policy implications. As for scientific results it is expected to publish at least 150 articles in refereed journals. For biotechnological development at least eight commercial strains should be recommended, 7 biotechnological products, 8 crop lineages/genotypes with greater responsiveness to PGPMs and 12 technologies. It is estimated that this technology package may be valued at more than $ 25 billion per year, in chemical fertilizer equivalent and can promote the mitigation of 30 MT CO2-eq. The fourth, and no less important aspect of this INCT, is represented by communication actions, transfer and training of public and private agents, and over 100 technology transfer actions are planned. There is also a strong component of training of human resources and the partnership between the Units of Embrapa, Universities and Corporate Sectors in this INCT will strengthen undergraduate and post-graduate education in five regions of Brazil, with plans for the formation of least 50 post-graduate students in strategic areas of knowledge. The backbone of this INCT is represented by 11 units of Embrapa, with close association with state research institutions (IAPAR, PESAGRO) and 13 universities. The business sector is also included in the INCT with national and international companies. INCT groups are composed by 89 researchers based in 20 cities located in 12 states and the Federal District: North (Boa Vista-RR), Northeast (Petrolina-PE, Aracaju-SE, Terezina-PI, Balsas-MA), Midwest (Brasilia-DF, Planaltina- DF, Dourados-MS, Santo Antônio de Goiás-GO, Palmas-TO), Southeast (Seropédica-RJ, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Campos do Goytacazes-RJ, Sete Lagoas-MG), South (Londrina, Curitiba- PR, Cornelio-PR, Palotina-PR, Ponta Grossa-PR, Quatro Barras-PR, Pelotas-RS). The INCT Headquarters is Embrapa Soja, Londrina, Paraná, and several researchers Tier 1 and 2 of CNPq are part of the Coordination Steering Committee. International relations are initially established with 12 groups abroad, covering all continents, with research, biotechnology development and exchange of researchers and postgraduate students. Three international and three high profile national scientists are proposed as consultants and should contribute to the monitoring of the project. There is already financial counterpart of Embrapa and of the private sector and new investments are planned. The conversion of the results of all facets of INCT will bring great impact to the national challenge of replacing, wholly or in part, of chemical fertilizers by elite strains of PGPM, biomolecules and/or microbial processes, ensuring high yields, but with lower cost to the farmer and for the country and with environmental responsibility.

 

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