Isolation, identification and characterization of antagonistic and growth-promoting microorganisms in agricultural crops in the Province of Cocle and West Panama.

This project aims to promote the use of biotic alternatives not only for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, but also to progressively reduce the use of synthetic phytosanitary products and chemical fertilizers that put our environment at risk. For this purpose, we intend to measure the microbial and enzymatic activity in the soil and then isolate beneficial microorganisms. The microorganisms will be isolated from each plant selected at random from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere (the isolations will be developed in the different phenological stages of the crops to be studied). In addition, we intend to develop bioactivity and growth promotion tests. Once the in vitro tests and validations have been completed, the microorganisms with the highest antagonistic activity will be selected for testing in vegetation houses and in the field.