Journal of Integrative Agriculture ›› 2026, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (2): 402-423.DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.09.013

• • 上一篇    下一篇

  

  • 收稿日期:2025-02-26 修回日期:2025-09-12 接受日期:2025-08-08 出版日期:2026-02-20 发布日期:2026-01-06

Microbial bioinputs in Brazilian agriculture

Alane Beatriz Vermelho1#, Andrew Macrae2, 3, Athayde Neves Junior1, Levy Tenorio Sousa Domingos1, Julia Emanuela de Souza4, Amália Cristina Piazentim Borsari5, Silvia Souza de Oliveira6, Irene von der Weid6, Pedro Veillard7, Jerri Edson Zilli8#   

  1. 1 Bioinovar-Biotechnology Center, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ),  Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil

    2 Postgraduate Program in Plant Biotechnology and Bioprocesses, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil

    3 Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, General Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil

    4 National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biological Industry (ANPIIBIO), Curitiba 80035-010, Brazil

    5 CropLife Brazil, São Paulo 04707-000, Brazil

    6 Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Rio de Janeiro  20090-910, Brazil

    7 State Secretariat for Economic Development, Industry, Trade and Services (SEDEICS), Rio de Janeiro  22.231-090, Brazil

    8 Embrapa Agrobiology, Rio de Janeiro 23891-000, Brazil

  • Received:2025-02-26 Revised:2025-09-12 Accepted:2025-08-08 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-01-06
  • About author:#Correspondence Alane Beatriz Vermelho, E-mail: abvermelho@micro.com.br; Jerri Edson Zilli, E-mail: jerri.zilli@embrapa.br
  • Supported by:

    This research was funded in part by the Postgraduate Program of the Paulo de Góes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), through the coordination of Higher Education Personnel Improvement (CAPES) (001), Brazil, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development of Brazil (MCTI-CNPq) (309461/2019-7), and the Rio de Janeiro State Research Support Foundation (FAPERJ), E26/200428/2023, Brazil.  

PDF

Abstract:

Brazil maintains a leading position in agricultural exports and stands as the world’s foremost producer and user of bioinputs in agriculture.  These bioinputs generate annual savings of billions of dollars that would otherwise be allocated to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  The nation’s regulatory framework enables bioinput agriculture and serves as a model for countries transitioning toward regenerative agriculture.  Brazilian legislation categorizes bioinputs into: 1) biofertilizers (extracts); 2) biostimulants (plant growth-promoting and biocontrol agents); and 3) inoculants (active ingredient comprises one or more living microorganisms).  The inoculation of soybeans with Bradyrhizobium strains provides approximately 90% of the nitrogen accumulated by this crop.  Brazil has registered over six hundred inoculants, with at least 60% specifically designated for soybean cultivation.  The annual sales of inoculants in Brazil reach approximately 120 million doses.  Although beans (Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata) represent an essential food crop in Brazil’s staple diet and benefit from inoculation, inoculant supply remains insufficient.  Regarding biocontrol, soy, corn, sugarcane, and coffee rank among the most protected crops, employing biocontrol agents against bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and insects.  Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Paenibacillus strains were predominantly cited in the 5,000+ bioproduct patents filed between 2022 and 2024.  Among fungal genera, Trichoderma, and Penicillium received the most citations.  EMBRAPA's biobanks maintain over 10,000 strains of bacteria, fungi, and viruses for biocontrol, and 14,000 strains of nutrient-fixing and plant-growth promoters.  Production challenges include quality control, particularly as on-farm production of inoculants becomes prevalent on larger farms, alongside product availability and supply limitations.  Brazilian farmers maintain global competitiveness partly through reduced chemical fertilizer and pesticide costs enabled by bioinput usage.  As components of regenerative agriculture, bioinputs enhance soil quality, decrease carbon footprints, and support Sustainable Development Goals.  Brazil's leadership in microbial bioinput utilization stems from its extensive agricultural sector, rich microbial biodiversity, and progressive regulatory framework.

Key words: bioinputs , Brazil ,  agriculture ,  regenerative agriculture ,  circular economy