Micro-REGENERA

Alternatives for the use of microorganisms in nitrogen fertilization for soil regeneration in the context of sustainable agriculture

Themicro-REGENERA project was launched in response to the need to reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and mitigate the environmental impacts resulting from their intensive use. Over the past 50 years, the application of these fertilizers has doubled, while nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has declined from 60% to 46%, contributing to the imbalance of the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus, soil degradation, and water pollution.

The goal of micro-REGENERA is to assess the feasibility of partially replacing mineral nitrogen fertilizers with microorganisms that specifically influence the nitrogen cycle, capable of improving nitrogen use efficiency, promoting plant growth, and contributing to the regeneration of agricultural soils.

General objective

N MINERAL
 

To determine whether it is possible to partially replace (between 20% and 25%) mineral nitrogen fertilizer with a microbial supplement that specifically targets the soil nitrogen biogeochemical cycle and/or has biostimulant properties, in order to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and preserve or regenerate resource in intensive agricultural systems.

Specific objectives

Principal Investigators

researcher Team

core topic

WHY IS THIS project NECESSARY?

The production of affordable nitrogen fertilizers has helped feed a rapidly growing global population. The resulting increase in nitrogen (N) use over the past few decades has led to significant disruptions in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle, pushing it beyond the limits necessary to ensure development , safe, and sustainable development . These alterations are causing major environmental problems, as well as a decline in the quality of available natural resources, such as soil erosion and degradation and the contamination of large volumes of water—both of which are harmful to nature and its ecosystems, as well as to human health. The inefficient use of nitrogen in agricultural systems must be managed to ensure sustainable crop production systems and the generation of healthy products from the primary sector to feed a global population growing exponentially.

WHAT SOLUTIONS IS THIS project EXPLORING?

Emerging research on the use and management of certain microorganisms—and their activities—capable of influencing nitrogen transformations in the soil has emerged as a potentially tool for achieving sustainable agricultural production. Microbial activity plays a fundamental role in nitrogen conversion processes in the soil; for this reason, micro-REGENERA presents a new approach the management of microbial inoculant application, whose activity, under certain conditions, can be critical to transformations within the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle.

goal of Micro-REGENERA is goal whether it is possible to partially replace mineral nitrogen fertilizer with a microbial supplement that specifically targets the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle in the soil and/or has biostimulant properties to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and preserve or regenerate the soil in intensive agricultural systems.

how does this project affect society?

The project has been designed to help achieve the objectives set forth in the international “Farm to Fork” strategy, within the framework European Green Deal, whose goal “to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food production system that promotes sustainability in primary production, manufacturing, and distribution processes, as well as in household food consumption.”

Therefore, reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers (by 20–25%) will lead to a reduction in surface and groundwater pollution, improved water quality, and climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the indiscriminate use of nitrogen. Likewise, it will allow for greater nitrogen retention in the soil, activate microbial life, and regenerate and preserve the soil. All of this will enable the production of higher-quality products while respecting and making the most of the region’s natural resources.

Participating partners