Evaluation of the Capacity of Bacillus sp. Strains as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Vegetables

This project addresses the issue of excessive and polluting use of synthetic fertilizers in agriculture by seeking a sustainable alternative through the use of biofertilizers based on Bacillus sp. strains. The main objective is to evaluate the potential of these strains as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in key vegetables. The methodology involves designing specific culture media for Bacillus sp. propagation and comprehensively evaluating their biofertilizing capabilities in vitro. This includes measuring phosphorus solubilization using colorimetric methods and spectrophotometry, quantifying Indole-3-Acetic Acid (AIA) production using spectrophotometric techniques, and identifying nitrogen fixation capacity via cell counting in nitrogen-free media. Furthermore, the performance of selected strains as PGPR will be assessed during the cultivation cycle under greenhouse conditions. Finally, precise molecular identification of efficient strains will be performed using 16S gene sequencing, ensuring the taxonomic characterization of promising biological agents to reduce reliance on chemical inputs and mitigate environmental impact.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To evaluate the capacity of Bacillus sp. strains as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) through in vitro assays and greenhouse conditions on economically important vegetables.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources