Products derived from plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as biofertilizers and biopesticides contribute to efforts to address the battle against food insecurity in the Asian region.
PGPRs are beneficial bacteria that colonize plant roots. By colonization or efficient settling on the root surface, the rhizobacteria help stimulate root growth; remedy presence of toxic elements in soil and plants; control plant stress; and reduce damage on plants due to pests and diseases.
Overall, PGPR-based technologies can help improve crop yields.
To discuss and explore the status and potential of PGPR research and technologies, the 3rd Asian Conference on PGPR and other Microbials was held recently at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.
In his welcome remarks, PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director Cesario R. Pagdilao cited the importance of PGPR in agriculture and how collaborative support from development partners could help achieve food security through PGPR-based technologies.
Similarly, Dr. Munagala S. Reddy, chairman of the Asian PGPR Society, underscored the significance of joint endeavors in taking advantage of the opportunities that PGPR can do for the betterment of agriculture in Asia.
“This wonderful microbial biotechnology is an answer to many future problems ---land is limited; population growth keeps on increasing; and the only answer is to increase food productivity,” says Dr. Yamanoor R. Sarma, President of Asian PGPR Society in India.
“The promise of technologies such as that from PGPR, is that they will provide solutions that will increase the productivity and profits of small and large farmers around the world, thus increasing food supply and reducing poverty in a sustainable way,” cites Dean William Batchelor of Auburn University, USA.
According to Alyansa ng mga Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM) Party List Vice President Florentino S. Tesoro, the PGPR conference is important considering that the Philippines has more than 90 million people and the country is bogged down by climate change that affects food production system.
Tesoro committed AGHAM’s continuous support to agriculture R&D in the country, particularly the PGPR-related initiatives.
Meanwhile in his keynote speech, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Director General William D. Dar said that the “scarcity of non-renewable resources and the consequences of climate change can dramatically influence food security of present and future generations”.
“Food security need not be attained at the expense of environmental health and biodiversity”, Dar clarified. “As such, PGPR and other microbials play vital role in achieving a sustainable agriculture”.
Dar also acknowledged the contribution of the Asian PGPR Society in promoting PGPR technology and research initiatives for the food and nutritional security of the Asian region. However, he also pointed out that ensuring that PGPR interventions benefit smallholder farmers is equally important.
Further, he challenged PGPR researchers to explore the potential of PGPR-based products in increasing crop yields, particularly in the dry land areas of the region. He emphasized that scientific innovations can reach farmers only with purposeful and effective partnerships.
“The prospect of PGPR as the focal point of partnership is immense, particularly in the area of product development and deployment to resource-poor smallholder farmers”, Dar elaborated.
More than 100 delegates from 15 countries presented their R&D activities and accomplishments on PGPR.
The conference was organized by PCAARRD and Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture.
Co-sponsors were the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), Institute of Plant Breeding- UPLB, International Rice Research Institute, Auburn University, Central Luzon State University, Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology, National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippine Rice Research Institute, PRATHISTA Industries Ltd., India, and SRI BIOTECH Laboratories, India.