Title : Enhancing plant growth and soil moisture with biopolymeric encapsulation of plant growth promoting bacteria from arid-adapted Medicago sativa
Abstract:
The Mediterranean basin is one of the regions in the world most vulnerable to climate changes, as well as one of the most impacted by human water demand. In particular, water scarcity affects hydrologic resources, biodiversity, water quality with a direct impact on economic sectors such as industry, energy, transport and agriculture. In the last case, without water people do not have a means of watering their agriculture production and to provide food for the fast-growing population. According to the International Water Management Institute, agriculture, which accounts for about 70% of global water withdrawals, is constantly competing with domestic, industrial and environmental uses for a scarce water supply. Nowadays, many of the irrigation systems do not use the water in the most efficient way. This causes more water than necessary to be used or for there not to be enough water to ensure healthy crops. In this study, we present a novel approach for water management, where bacteria known for their plant growth-promoting properties are encapsulated within biopolymeric matrices. These biopolymers serve a dual function: firstly, as carriers for beneficial bacteria, facilitating their controlled release into the rhizosphere to promote plant growth and health; secondly, as water-absorbing materials, functioning as underground reservoirs to augment soil water capacity and enhance water economy. Bacteria were isolated from Medicago sativa plants cultivated in the arid region of El Menea. The isolated strains were evaluated for their potential to enhance plant growth through a series of assays including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, antagonist activity. Following the identification and characterization of the most promising bacterial strains, a biopolymer was developed to encapsulate these bacteria. The encapsulation process aimed to stabilize the bacteria and facilitate their sustained release into the soil. The biopolymers containing the encapsulated bacteria were then tested under laboratory conditions to assess their efficacy in supporting plant growth. This involved applying the biopolymer-bacteria formulations to plants grown in controlled settings to monitor their impact on plant health and soil water retention capabilities. The results from these experiments were intended to validate the use of biopolymeric encapsulation as a viable method for enhancing plant growth and soil moisture management in arid environments.
