Technology

Microbial-based solutions – Rhizobia soil bacteria

Rhizobium sullae colonies

Root nodules on Sulla coronaria

On coronaria

Inoculation on peat

About

Rhizobia are soil bacteria able to infect legume roots triggering the formation of typical root nodules where they can fix atmospheric di-nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) which is provided to the plant. This provides undoubtable advantages to the plant (and to farmers) that can achieve significant crop yield also in nutrient poor soils with low N content. Selected rhizobial strains can be mixed with seeds at sowing to improve legume establishment and yield in drylands and/or areas impacted by land degradation.

Objectives of the project

Using selected rhizobial strains to improve legume establishment and yield in areas impacted by land degradation.

Ecological context

This technology can be applied in all ecological context whici allow legume cultivation.

Main constraints

The seed inoculation procedure is not straightforward.

Index

Index 1

Workers needed: technical competencies needed, highly skilled workers are needed to make the technological solution work

Index 2

Ease of use: a long period of learning is required to use the technological solution

Index 3

Adaptability: it will not require too much time to be applied

Index 4

Effectiveness: The solution address the challenge / problem

Index 5

Reliability: The innovation is stable enough that no further changes need to be made in the future

Index 6

Cost: Perceived investment needed for the implementation of the innovation is high

Index 7

Greenhouse emissions: impact of technology on greenhouse emissions

Index 8

Water availability: the impact of technology on water availability

Index 9

Water quality: the impact of technology on water quality

Main business opportunities

Rhizobia can be a smart practical solution for both soil health recovery and/or sustainable intensification as well as an interesting business opportunity. The availability of elite rhizobial strains in the market is limited and there is relevant space for the development of selected inoculants for the Mediterranean environment.

Socio-economic context

The solution can be used in different socio-agricultural scenarios characterized by both limited and not limited resource input.

Information to maximize the adoption

Maximizing the adoption of this solution among end-users (e.g., farmers) firstly requires suitable communication and dissemination actions. Many farmers are not aware of the possibility offered by legume seeds inoculation by rhizobia. Little technical competencies are required, seed inoculation is easy and effective when rhizobia are suitably distributed on the seeds. Seed inoculation with selected rhizobia is limited.

A limited technical competence is require to maximize the effectivenes of this practical solution which is easy to use and has reduced costs.

Indicators

The indicators are key metrics within the SALAM-MED project, allowing an objective assessment of the environmental, economic and social sustainability aspects for each technology in the different Living Labs. This analysis is essential to validate the effectiveness of the solutions developed and will be the starting point for the future use of the results obtained, thus contributing to significant progress in research and innovation for sustainability.

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Living Labs for testing and implementing this technology

Living Labs as a crossroads for the development of sustainable and resilient technologies for environmental, economic and social progress.

Italy

Technology responsabile

Desertification Research Centre (NRD)

Tech Responsible contacts

Giovanni Garau
ggarau@uniss.it

References

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