Event in Londrina (PR) debates advances in biological inoculants in Brazil

In 2023, according to data from the National Association of Inoculant Producers and Importers (Anpii), around 141 million doses of inoculants were sold. The application of this category of products, which is currently used by 85% of soybean producers and 22,4% of corn producers, continues to grow, being a trend in Brazilian agriculture. In view of the evolution of the sector, representatives from all over Brazil met in Londrina (PR), for the 21st Meeting of the Network of Laboratories for Recommendation, Standardization and Diffusion of Microbial Inoculant Technologies of Agricultural Interest (Relare), in order to discuss, in depth, the advances and results of research into microbiological inoculants, in addition to discussing the planning of future research and the transfer of technologies to the industry. 

The opening of Relare featured a lecture by Solon Cordeiro Araújo, Founding Advisor of ANPII and president of the first session that created Relare, in 1985. The opening presentation had the theme "Inoculants for Brazil and the World: Productive Capacity and Competitiveness of the National Industry”, where Solon highlighted the continuous growth of the sector in the last four years, with an average annual growth of around 14,7%, with soybeans being the crop that most adopts this technology “The evolution of use. of inoculants is remarkable. We went from using 35% in soybean cultivation in the 80s to 85% today. Just as we have advanced from a single type of inoculant to different classes and forms of use. , inspection and technical training, with companies now having highly qualified teams”, he explained.  

Since 1952, when only Rhizobia inoculants were used, the sector expanded to include, in 2009, Rhizobia inoculants. azospirillum, and in 2022, products for phosphorus solubilization and resilience to water stress. Various microorganisms such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas e Metylobacterium also began to be used.

Currently, according to ANPII data, soy leads inoculant sales, with 77% of the total value, followed by corn, with 16%, and sugar cane with 2,5%. Bacteria-based inoculants Bradyrhizobium represent 72,7% of the doses used in the field, while azospirillum e Pseudomonas correspond to 26,7%.

“Brazil is fully capable of serving both the domestic and foreign markets in terms of quality and technical capacity. The Brazilian industrial park is prepared to respond to increases in demand, reinforcing the potential for expansion and the environmental and economic benefits for agricultural production. And ANPII, with its members representing around 65% of the market, continues to play a fundamental role in promoting and developing the inoculants sector, driving the adoption of new technologies and the standardization of quality biological products”, he concluded. 

The event, sponsored by Anpii, was attended by researchers, professors, technicians, rural producers and representatives of the national bioinput industry. At the same time, the 39th Soy Research Meeting took place, further expanding the technical and scientific scope of the event.