SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed project pertains to the development of a novel phosphorus biofertilizer comprising special seeds and seed treatments to reduce the need for P fertilizers in crop production by up to 50%. Our biofertilizer is therefore an environmentally sustainable, and cost effective amendment to synthetic and organic phosphorus fertilizers. Sustainable production of food and energy crops is critical because US dominates production of major food and energy crops. No current US patents are directly related to the proposed research and product development and do not infringe or compromise the resulting intellectual property. The proposed research is unique in a number of ways. It targets both accumulated and residual insoluble mineral- phosphorus and organic-phosphorus and also added synthetic fertilizers and proposes a sustainable way to provide for plant's phosphorus needs while enhancing soil quality. Furthermore, it develops a phosphorus biofertilizer product based on a detailed mechanistic characterization of phosphorus availability thus helping reduce the need for synthetic phosphorus fertilizers while still reliably obtaining optimal crop growth. It is expected to perform better than Monsanto BioAg biofertilizers currently on the market. The proposed research addresses the key societal challenge of Global Food Security and Hungerand the need for sustainable food production by development of methods/ technologies to reduce or eliminate the usage of synthetic fertilizers. It also enables biofuel industry to become an important and commercially viable source of renewable energy. It will enhance international competitiveness of US Agricultural Industry by reducing input costs and enhancing sustainability of rural farm economies. It will support increased opportunities and improve quality of life by making smaller size land holdings profitable. If the project is successful, the proposed phosphorus biofertilizer will revolutionize corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum production and set a precedent for the sustainable production of other crops in the U.S. It will also revolutionize and diversify the synthetic phosphorus fertilizer industry. By helping with sustainable phosphorus management, it should also dramatically reduce costs for remediation of surface water quality and treatment of adverse human health effects.

Our proposed approach will utilize a novel and patented technology that will solubilize residual inorganic and organic phosphorus in soils as well as make synthetic and organic phosphorus fertilizers available on demand for sustainable crop growth eliminating any leaching losses. BioCat-PTM is a novel, next generation, biofertilizer, biocatalyst comprising proprietary phosphobacteria that makes both applied and residual inorganic and organic phosphorus available for crop growth. The goal of the proposed research is to reduce the application of synthetic/organic phosphorus fertilizers by ~50% without reducing yields thus offering a considerable reduction in input costs to small and midsize, organic, and conventional crop growers. Our Phase II effort is focused on Field Corn, Sweet Corn, Wheat, Cotton, Alfalfa, Spinach, and Leaf Lettuce. The technology has been validated in small plot trials of field corn in Farmer City, Illinois and in Sweet Corn trials in Maricopa, AZ. BioCat-PTM inoculum production has been scaled up to 100 L in a custom batch fermentation reactor. The Phase II effort will involve 1 acre demo trials of BioCat-PTM treated seeds in calcareous soils for growing field corn; cotton; alfalfa; wheat; spinach; and leaf lettuce with synthetic P fertilizer (Mono ammonium phosphate) and organic P fertilizer (Rock Phosphate) on the Ak-Chin and CRIT tribal lands. The company has contacted USDA extension agents for the 'Nutrient Exchange Program' of Iowa and 'Vermont Pay for Performance Program' of Vermont to conduct demo trials in these states for a product launch targeted to small and mid-size growers. The company does not see any barrier to market entry and post-Phase II, the BioCat-PTM will be available to Historically under served producers of the Ak-Chin and CRIT tribes as well as any other customers. BioCat-PTM can also be applied to organically grown crops and will enable an easier transition for conventional growers transitioning from conventional to organic production systems. There is no regulatory burden associated with BioCat-PTM in conventional production systems in the state of Arizona and in the Midwest. BioCat-PTM inoculum can be registered with OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) for organic production systems.