Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 28-36 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 33 5.2 Overview of the project: location, methodology, and key stakeholders The project was conducted in Brazil, a leading sugarcane-producing country. The methodology involved the inoculation of sugarcane cultivars with diazotrophic bacteria, specifically targeting the enhancement of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). The key stakeholders included agricultural researchers, local farmers, and government agricultural agencies. The field experiments were meticulously designed to compare the performance of inoculated and non-inoculated sugarcane plants over multiple growing seasons (Guo et al., 2020; Martins et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2021). 5.3 Results and impact on yield, soil health, and economic benefits The results demonstrated a significant increase in nitrogen accumulation in the aerial tissues of inoculated sugarcane cultivars. For instance, cultivar RB867515 showed an increase from 147 to 199 kg N ha-1, and cultivar RB92579 from 126 to 192 kg N ha-1 (Martins et al., 2020). The inoculation also led to a higher proportion of nitrogen derived from BNF, contributing to over 64% of the total nitrogen in the plants. This increase in nitrogen availability translated into improved sugarcane yields and better soil health, as evidenced by enhanced microbial activity and nutrient cycling (Guo et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2021). Economically, the reduction in synthetic nitrogen fertilizer usage resulted in lower production costs and minimized environmental pollution, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for sugarcane farmers (Tian et al., 2020; Saranraj et al., 2021). 5.4 Lessons learned and recommendations for future applications The case study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate diazotrophic bacterial strains and optimizing inoculation techniques to maximize the benefits of SNF in sugarcane production. Future applications should focus on large-scale field trials to validate the findings and explore the potential of integrating SNF with other sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, fostering collaborations between researchers, farmers, and policymakers is crucial to promote the adoption of SNF technologies and ensure their long-term success (Guo et al., 2020; Maitin et al., 2020; Saranraj et al., 2021; Singh et al., 2021). 6 Challenges and Limitations 6.1 Biological and environmental factors affecting symbiotic nitrogen fixation in sugarcane The effectiveness of SNF in sugarcane is influenced by various biological and environmental factors. The interaction between sugarcane and nitrogen-fixing bacteria is complex and can be affected by soil pH, temperature, and salinity (Guo et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2021). For instance, certain strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Enterobacter roggenkampii ED5, have shown diverse growth ranges under different stress conditions, including pH, temperature, and NaCl concentrations (Guo et al., 2020). Additionally, the presence of other microbial communities in the rhizosphere can impact the colonization and nitrogen-fixing efficiency of these bacteria (Singh et al., 2021). 6.2 Technical and infrastructural constraints The successful implementation of SNF in sugarcane also faces technical and infrastructural challenges. The identification and isolation of effective nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains require advanced genomic and biotechnological tools (Guo et al., 2020). Moreover, the application methods for these bacteria, such as inoculation techniques, need to be optimized to ensure effective colonization and nitrogen fixation (Rosa et al., 2022). The development of biofertilizers that can be easily integrated into existing agricultural practices is essential for the practical application of SNF in sugarcane cultivation (Singh et al., 2021; Rosa et al., 2022). 6.3 Socio-economic barriers to adoption Socio-economic factors play a crucial role in the adoption of SNF technologies in sugarcane farming. Farmers may be hesitant to adopt new practices due to the perceived risks and uncertainties associated with the use of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Pankievicz et al., 2019). Additionally, the initial costs of implementing these technologies, including the purchase of biofertilizers and the necessary equipment, can be prohibitive for small-scale farmers (Pankievicz et al., 2019; Rosa et al., 2022). There is also a need for policy support and incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, including SNF (Pankievicz et al., 2019).
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