Particularly, “PGPR Biochar” is an organic fertilizer we developed combining known effective tools that synergically integrates their potential to sustainably increase crop productivity.
On one hand, Biochar is a porous organic matrix produced by pyrolysis from by-products that protects microorganisms from stress, increasing cell viability. Applied on farm soils Biochar reduces GHG emissions (CO2 and N2O), favors the use of residual nutrients (P), reduces nitrate losses and strengthens soil life.
On the other hand, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are plant beneficial bacteria that colonize roots or soil close to roots (rhizosphere) and helps plants development through different mechanism, for example atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phytohormones production, phosphorus solubilization, plant pathogen inhibition, among others.
“PGPR Biochar” combines both technologies to produce a multifunctional fertilizer, that is not only effective at nutritional level, but also helps to absorb GHG from other sources, increasing organic and conventional farming productivity and food nutritional value in a sustainable manner.
Biochar and Microorganism Biofertilizer will be produced in 3 main process which are subsequent.
Sludge Biochar production:
In this stage we are drying the sludge, using pyrolysis generated heat, and then the dried sludge is burn in a pyrolysis unit generating energy and Biochar. This controlled pyrolysis process allows us to define the biochar characteristics to better suit microorganisms incorporation and survival to make an effective biofertilizer.
Selected Microorganism production:
This stage consists in one specific selected microorganisms multiplication in sterile conditions to be blended with biochar for the Biofertilizer formulation. Microorganism number is increased in several litres aerobic fermentation process, in an industrial fermentator with defined rich medium in which microorganisms not only multiply, but also produce important products which regulates plant growth, increasing biofertilizer value.
Biofertilizer formulation process:
This stage consists on an specially designed mixing process in which the sludge biochar and the bacteria in liquid defined media are mixed in defined proportion. Defined biochar production and transportation allow us, not only to control biochar characteristics, but also microorganisms content in biochar. The pyrolysis process sterilises biochar, but many plant nutrient as P are kept in the biochar. Finally, the biofertilizer is packaged in paper sacks for its distribution.
