Amadou H. Babana
University of Sciences, Mali
Title: Plant/soil Microbiomes and Plant Growth Promotion
Biography
Biography: Amadou H. Babana
Abstract
Cereals, mainly produced by small farmers, are important basic food of West African people. Unfortunately, these farmers lose more than 60% of their production mainly because of plant diseases and soil mineral deficiencies. In Africa, agricultural lands are suffering from multiple nutrient deficiencies. The continuous nutrient depletion and imbalance can become staggering when we consider a future need of food production for more than 9 billion of people by 2050. Use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers plays a vital role. But, repeated use of chemical destroys soil microbiota. This is more important in view of the fact that soil having low microbial content and diversity is generally poor in fertility. There is a large consensus that food security in future, will be very much linked with efficient management of soil and plant microbiomes. The purpose of this study is to support food production in an efficient, economical and sustainable manner by optimizing the use of microbial communities of soils and plants. Methodology: To improve plant nutrition and minimize diseases impact, soil and plant microbiome were studied and microorganisms with high plant growth promotion activities were selected and used to formulate biofertiliser and biopesticides, which were tested in greenhouse and field for their efficacy. Findings: Malian soils contain an abundant and divers microorganisms, but a small number solubilize natural rock phosphate. Actinomycetes isolated from natural suppressive soils were highly efficient in controlling pathogens and insect pests. A biofertiliser and a biopesticide were formulated and successfully used by farmers. Conclusion & Significance: Soil genetic biodiversity can be exploited to minimize the use of chemicals in food production and to improve crop growth and production. Recommendations are made to study the mechanisms that underlie associations between particular environments/crops and their respective microbiota under environmental and agronomical conditions.