Datathons: fostering equitability in data reuse in ecology.

Approaches to rapidly collecting global biodiversity data are increasingly important, but biodiversity blind spots persist. We organized a three-day Datathon event to improve the openness of local biodiversity data and facilitate data reuse by local researchers. The first Datathon, organized among microbial ecologists in Uruguay and Argentina assembled the largest microbiome dataset in the region to date and formed collaborative consortia for microbiome data synthesis.

Development of low-cost formulations of plant growth-promoting bacteria to be used as inoculants in beneficial agricultural technologies.

Phosphorus is one of the main macronutrients for plant development. Despite its large deposits in soils, it is scarcely available for plants. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, belonging to the group of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), are capable of mobilizing deposits of insoluble phosphates in the soil. The use of PGPR as inoculants provides an environmentally sustainable approach to increase crop production. The effectiveness of inoculants depends on their proper production, formulation and storage in order to ensure the application of the required number of viable microbial cells. In order to develop inexpensive technology, low-cost compounds for biomass production and protection should be used. After the biomass production process, the product should be formulated in a liquid or a solid form, taking into account required storage time, use of protectors/carriers, storage conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.), ease of application and maintenance of beneficial effects on crops. Careful determination of these optimal conditions would ensure a low-cost efficient inoculant that would promote the growth and yield of various crops.

Plant growth promotion traits of phosphobacteria isolated from Puna, Argentina.

The ability of soil microorganisms to solubilize phosphate is an important trait of plant growth-promoting bacteria leading to increased yields and smaller use of fertilizers. This study presents the isolation and characterization of phosphobacteria from Puna, northwestern Argentina and the ability to produce phosphate solubilization, alkaline phosphatase, siderophores, and indole acetic acid. The P-solubilizing activity was coincidental with a decrease in pH values of the tricalcium phosphate medium for all strains after 72 h of incubation. All the isolates showed the capacity to produce siderophores and indoles. Identification by 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these strains belong to the genera Pantoea, Serratia, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas. These isolates appear attractive for exploring their plant growth-promoting activity and potential field application.