Biofilm biofertilizers (BFBFs) for - PowerPoint Presentation

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Biofilm biofertilizers (BFBFs) for incorporating biodiversity benefits and reducing environmentally harmful subsidies in agriculture

Gamini Seneviratne & P. C. WijepalaSenior Research Professor in Microbial Biotechnology & Research Assistant, National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri LankaMinistry of Science, Technology & Research

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How to create plant diversity in natural forests Thinning of tree seedlings of the same species growing at high densities on the forest floor, via consumption by some microbes and fauna (insects) feeding on plants

Open up gaps on the forest floor for tree seedling of other species too to emerge in the same mannerDiversity & stratifications in the forest ecosystem (Bagchi et al., 2014, Nature 506, 85-88). Those microbes & insects, considered as forest-creating Engineers

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Forest conversion to agricultureReduce biodiversity of functional flora, fauna and microbes Forest clearingTillage Chemical inputs

Because,

t

hey enter into an inactive or dormant phase to bypass the stress factors, by forming ‘seeds’

Then, those remnant forest diversity/stratification creating microbes and insects in the

agroecosystems start feeding on our cropsThen, we call them pathogens and pests attacking our crops

We address above issues by killing pests and pathogens using agrochemicals, and by further increasing chemical fertilizer use with yield decline, which contribute to further depletion of the biodiversity & aggravate the issues.

Thus, we are wrong in the current approach of conventional agriculture

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A transformation is neededRapidly overheating climate, degraded soil, depleted water resources – contribute to further biodiversity loss

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How to reinstate the lost biodiversity (Conventional approach)Mainly to increase microbial diversity & soil fertilityCrop rotation Agroforestry systemsOrganic fertilisers (compost etc.)Application of mono or mixed cultures of microbial biofertilisers, biocontrol agents (e.g. nitrogen fixers, P solubilizers, Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. etc.)

Long term

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New biofilm approachDeveloped microbial biofilms (surface-attached microbial communities) secrete a wider range of environmentally important compounds than mono or mixed cultures of microbes without surface attachment, some of which break dormancy of soil seed banks of flora, fauna & microbes, thus reinstating lost biodiversity (short term)

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In 2003, we introduced the concept of biofilm-based biofertilizers (Seneviratne, 2003, Curr. Sci. 85, 1395-1396), with the name Biofilmed biofertilizers (BFBFs, a patented biotechnology)Fungal-bacterial biofilms (FBBs) used for developing BFBFs

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Locations (25) and crops (12) of field experiments conducted with biofilm biofertlizers (BFBF) in different districts (12) of Sri Lanka

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Table 1. Mean crop yields following application of biofilmed biofertilizer (BFBF, lab formulation) combined with 50% of the recommended rate of chemical fertilizer (50% CF) compared with application of the recommended rate of chemical fertilizer (100% CF) in field experiments conducted in different agroecological regions of Sri Lanka until 2014

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Crop yield improvements & drought tolerance with BFBFs

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Biofilm-R applied at Polonnaruwa (Yala 2016)

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Hard and soft weed count on a tea estate in Ratnapura. This clearly shows early seed dormancy breaking and exhaustion of hard weed seed bank in the BFBF + ½ CF treatment with continued weed control. This is an ideal way of weed control with the BFBF application

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Shot hole borer (SHB) infestation in tea plants treated with BFBFs and CFs

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Investigating rhizoremediation with BFBFs to reduce heavy metal (cadmium) uptake by plantsCadmium in tomato plant in the pot experiment of different treatments. Different letters on the columns show significant differences at 5% probability level. Vertical bars on the columns show standard errors.

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A case study- Cost saving from BFBF applied to Rice in Mahaweli System B- Direct cost Thus, normal cost per acre  Rs. 2,560 x 4 bags = Rs. 10,240/-  Cost of 50% CF  Rs. 5,120/-Cost of BIOFILM per/acre  Rs

. 630 x 2 = Rs. 1,260/-   Total Cost with 50% CF + Biofilm  Rs. 6,380/-Total saving per acre  10,240 – 6,380 =

Rs. 3,860/-

Total saving per Ha  Rs. 3,860 x 2.47 = Rs

. 9,534/- 

Normal practice

 2

00 kg of CF

per acre/season

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Cost saving to Mahaweli System-B farmers Yala 2016 seasonExtent Biofilm used – 783 acresCost saving per acre – 3,860/2 = Rs. 1980 (for one application)Thus, saving;Rs. 1,550,340

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Total Extent – 17,000 HaCost saving per Ha – Rs. 9,534/-Total future potential savings to System-B farmersThus, total potential saving per seasonRs. 162,078,000

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CFs cut down up to 50% Natural pests and pathogens controlSOM buildup

Reduced GHG emissionLow heavy metal (e.g. Cd) uptake & accumulation in ground water

Soil seed bank dormancy breaking

Natural weed control

Reinstating lost biodiversity

Lead to ecosystem sustainability & saving agric., Environ. & health costs

Dir./

Indir

. cost savings with BFBF use

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In conclusion, a historical mistake in conventional agriculture can be rectified by BFBFs application

This contributes to a more eco-friendly agriculture with an array of benefits to health, economics and the environment

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RecommendationsAdopt BFBFs Biotechnology in Agriculture & Plantation sectors in the countryStart awareness programs on this technology, island-wideProvide financial support for the awareness, as well as production & distribution of the BFBFs

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Collaborators & FundingTRI, RRDI, RRISL, SRI, KPL, NBG, HORDI, Plenty Foods, University of Sydney (Australia), Local Universities (Peradeniya, Colombo, Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa, Uva Wellassa, South Eastern, Ruhuna), SARDNIFS, TRI, NSF, NRC, AusAID (Australia), RRDI, RRISL, SRI, KPL, NBG, HORDI, Plenty Foods

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