Argentina develops bioinputs using Patagonian bacteria and selenium nanoparticles

Date:09-02-2024

Scientists at the Andean Patagonian Center for Forest Research and Extension (CIEFAP) have developed bioinputs that combine bacteria found in the Patagonia region (extreme south) with selenium nanoparticles. 

According to the researchers, these new bionanotechnological products reduce the need for agrochemicals while enhancing the performance of intensive fruit and vegetable cultivation, leading to cost reductions.

Ecolysium, a startup linked to CIEFAP, created the bioinput. It operates under the Argentine National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET).

″Due to intensive soil use, micronutrients become deficient, which is then transferred to the human diet, causing health issues,″ said Dr. Ariel Marfetán, a biotechnologist with expertise in bioinput formulation and one of the company’s founders. Agricultural producers lack sufficient biological products to replace the commonly used agrochemicals. The challenge, then, according to him, is to biofortify soils.

These scientific entrepreneurs combine Patagonian bacteria, which promote plant growth, with selenium nanoparticles, shortening the production cycle and increasing yields, outperforming existing commercial products. The rhizosphere bacteria grow in association with plant roots in Patagonia's native forests. They promote plant growth and control pathogens. Additionally, they can tolerate subzero temperatures, snow, and heavy rain in winter, and high temperatures and low humidity in summer.

The selenium nanoparticles are biologically synthesized and can promote germination and photosynthesis while protecting plants from various types of stress notes the CIEFAP researcher. Ecolysium claims that its products are 100% organic and can improve crop yields by 30% or more, depending on the crop. Moreover, the bioinputs reduce production times by 15% to 22%, allowing for more harvests per season in leafy crops.

Micaela Pescuma and Ariel Marfetán

As an additional benefit, the developers state that these technologies control pathogens and increase the nutritional value of plants. "The products being developed aim not only to revolutionize agricultural production with next-generation biological products but also to increase crop yields, replace multiple agrochemicals (fungicides, fertilizers, and phytostimulants), and biofortify food," explained Dr. Micaela Pescuma, a specialist in biogenic nanoparticles and functional foods, who is Director of Innovation and co-founder of the startup.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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