BRESOV survey on the use of alternative fertilizers and microorganisms

Farmers feedback on the use of alternative fertilisers and microorganisms BRESOV, a Horizon 2020 project, recently carried out a survey on alternative fertilisers and microorganisms. 93% of respondents recommend the use of alternative fertilisers and 59% the use of microorganisms. The survey found that amongst the respondents, alternative fertilisers are mainly used for residue reduction and on open field vegetables. Microorganisms are used for insect control, soil improvement and root stimulation, mostly on Solanaceae and orchard crops

Tomato: Seed treatment for organic agriculture

In organic farming, where chemical solutions cannot be applied, products based on microbial consortia (MCs) and natural compounds (NCs) are currently being studied as sustainable alternatives

PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES TO MAXIMIZEORGANIC SEED PRODUCTION FOR BROCCOLI, TOMATO AND SNAP BEAN

With the goal to increase organically managed farmland to 25% by 2030 together with the upcoming requirement to use exclusively organic seeds for organic farming, more seeds produced under organic conditions are needed on the market. Seed production underorganic conditions is even more challenging than in conventional production systems, mainly due to the restricted access to regular products for fertilization and plant protection. To increase the number of healthy seeds, we tested different agronomic factors which could influence the number of seeds produced in several organic farms in Europe and provide recommendations on relevant factors in these guidelines

Plant-Microbe Interaction in Sustainable Agriculture: The Factors That May Influence the Efficacy of PGPM Application

The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has caused considerable environmental damage over the years. However, the growing demand for food in the coming years and decades requires the use of increasingly productive and efficient agriculture. Several studies carried out in recent years have shown how the application of plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs) can be a valid substitute for chemical industry products and represent a valid eco-friendly alternative. However, because of the complexity of interactions created with the numerous biotic and abiotic factors (i.e., environment, soil, interactions between microorganisms, etc.), the different formulates often show variable effects. In this review, we analyze the main factors that influence the effectiveness of PGPM applications and some of the applications that make them a useful tool for agroecological transition

Tomato: Seed treatment for organic agriculture (BRESOV Practice Abstract)

In fact, MCs and NCs are natural ingredients which are normally in nature and are susceptible to temperature, humidity, oxidation and UV exposure. Formulations provide a very high degree of conservation when the products are kept in a dry, cool place not exposed to the sun. Once opened, products should be used rapidly as oxygen will interact with NCs and promote MCs growth. If the products derived from NCs are usually stable, the MCs must be stored away from extreme temperatures (optimal range from 10-30 ° C). When using compounds such as MCs and NCs for an application on seeds, products should be diluted in water, at the doses recommended by the manufacturer. Seed dressing should be carried out by soaking the seeds in the MC suspension/NC solution. The recommended volume used is about 10 times the volume of seeds, in order to completely cover them. After 10 minutes shaking to ensure a uniform distribution, the seeds need to be left to dry on absorbent paper. It is recommended to sow the seeds within 24 hours of the seed dressing in order to maintain unaltered the NCs characteristics and MCs vitality during the first stages of germination

The effect of microorganism application on organic seed production of broccoli and cauliflower cultivars grown in Sicily

The aim of the study was to assess whether the addition of trace elements and microorganisms improves seed yield and quality in organic brassica seed production. Our results indicate that, especially in marginal soils and extreme climatic conditions, the treatment with mycorrhiza and amino acids can positively affect organic seed production in brassica in organic conditions The observed differences between genotypes in seed yield and the interaction of genotypes and nutrition on TSW highlight the importance of choosing suitable cultivars under suboptimal climatic conditions

Efficacy of microbial consortia and natural compounds as seed treatment for tomato pathogen management

In this study the efficacy of experimental treatments based on microbial consortia (MC) (beneficial rhizobacteria and fungi, actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and natural compounds (NCs) (chitosan and glucosinolates) as seed treatments for tomato bacterial and fungal pathogens management (Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans, Xep; Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Psto; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, FORL) was evaluated. Independent trials were performed by using organic tomato seeds ‘San Marzano nano’. Treatments were performed by soaking seeds either in aqueous MC suspensions or NC dilutions. The direct effect on the seed inoculum was performed on seeds inoculated before the treatment either with Xep or FORL. All treatments induced a significant reduction of lesions caused by Xep whereas only one MC and both NCs were effective against FORL. A seed biopriming approach was investigated to protect plantlets against tomato pathogenic bacteria. Two-month-old tomato plantlets obtained from treated seeds were spray inoculated with bacterial suspensions of either Xep or Psto. Results showed a significant reduction of bacterial disease incidence and severity with some of the treatments with MC and NCs, although they varied according to the pathogen