Biotechnology in Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture for Soil Health and Biodiversity Improvement

In Spain, the utilized agricultural area (UAA) covers more than 23 million hectares, almost half of the country’s territory, with nearly 17 million hectares dedicated to crops, according to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

According to data from the European Environment Agency, in 2022, Spain ranked third in greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector, behind only France and Germany.

MITECO data shows that nearly half of these emissions come from fertilizer use and soil management, while the other half comes from livestock farming (enteric fermentation and manure management).

In response to this reality, the Regenerative Agriculture approach emerges, focusing on improving soil health and biodiversity, which are vital for both crops and livestock feed; reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing carbon sequestration.

Additionally, it seeks to restore ecosystems and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change. Regenerative Agriculture is linked not only to the sustainability of the food system but also to the nutritional quality of agricultural products and the care of the surrounding ecosystem.

Regenerative Agriculture embraces practices that, beyond sustainable production, promote soil regeneration, water conservation, biodiversity restoration, and ecosystem health improvement. In summary, we can say that Regenerative Agriculture is based on the principle of "Producing more and restoring more."

Biotechnological Solutions Contributing to Regenerative Agriculture

In this context, AseBio partners are already working on solutions that contribute to this transition towards Regenerative Agriculture. Some examples of these biotechnological solutions applied to or supporting regenerative agriculture include:

Darwin Bioprospecting

• PGPR Solution: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

ProtoQSAR

• ProtoECO: Predicts key ecotoxicological properties, such as aquatic organism toxicity, bioaccumulation, and biodegradability, using advanced chemoinformatics models. This solution accelerates the identification of safe, sustainable compounds and supports informed decision-making through comprehensive life-cycle analysis.
• Eco-PEST Project: Aims to select eco-friendly insecticides to quickly and effectively combat citrus greening disease (HLB) vectors through virtual screenings and computational studies to identify the most suitable insecticides, validated through field trials to assess effectiveness and (eco)toxicological safety.
• QSAR models: Classify products by toxicity and design safer, more effective compounds. These tools are available on digital platforms, simplifying environmental safety assessments of new agricultural compounds.
• Computational toxicology systems: Support evidence-based decision-making to assess both active substances and their metabolites, promoting more sustainable biocide use.

CICYTEX

• Biopesticides and biofertilizers: Production of biopesticides and biofertilizers from microorganisms, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. These products improve soil health and foster a more balanced agricultural ecosystem.
• Abiotic stress response mechanisms: Study of weed stress responses in crops and their influence on management systems.
• Testing capabilities: Assess the impact/effect of new biopesticides and biofertilizers on integrated weed and disease management, microbial biodiversity, and soil health.

Leitat

• Application of agricultural amendments and novel mulching materials from the circular economy: Improve water and nutrient conservation, nitrogen and carbon capture, soil quality, and agricultural productivity.
• Soil quality evaluation: Monitor plant growth, water, pesticide, and nutrient leaching.
• Recycled fertilizers from waste (sludge, slurry): Nature-based solutions for carbon and nitrogen capture in soils.
• Controlled condition optimization: Pot trials with different plant species and amendments; field studies, element balance monitoring (nitrogen and carbon).
• Biostimulants: Isolation, characterization, and validation (pot trials) of bacteria and fungi that stimulate plant growth and confer resistance to abiotic stress. Proprietary strain collection.
• Biocontrol: Isolation, characterization, and validation (pot trials) of bacteria and fungi with antimicrobial activity against major phytopathogens, in both cultivation and post-harvest.
• Soil biodiversity and health: Study of soil biodiversity (bacteria, fungi, viruses, small arthropods, nematodes, and annelids). Biodiversity and soil health bioindicators.