Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh)

http://www.agrarias.uach.cl/

University Austral de Chile, locating in Valdivia in southern Chile, is one of the country's leading universities. Professor Luigi Ciampi's research group within the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences has been studying applications of rhizobacteria for 25 years, for plant protection and plant growth promotion. The team have developed methodologies for searching and isolating rhizobacteria with promising traits for agricultural use under conditions in Southern Chile, firstly with clover and ryegrass, and now for wheat. These include Rhizobia strains that tolerate lower temperatures and low pH conditions in red clay soils, and isolated free living bacteria (Pantea sp.) that fix nitrogen and also promote biomass growth in plants. Also the group are particularly studying the role of rhizobacteria-plant interactions promoting P solubilisation in volcanic soils.

A novel bioencapsulation process of rhizobacteria in alginate beads with specific additives, subject of a patent application, has been developed. Recent results pertaining to isolated PGPR have not been published due to anticipated commercialisation. In RHIBAC, UACh will provide PGPR isolated in Chile for study in the project, including fermentation in-house and the novel bioencapsulation process. The particular focus of study on plant-PGPR interactions will be on P mobilisation as well as other plant growth promotion effects. UACh will operate field trials in Chile using PGPR isolated there and other strains from the partners.