Dr Benbrik’s research on microbial biofertilizers - Willagri

The future of farming lies beneath our feet—within the microscopic world of beneficial microbes. As agriculture faces mounting challenges exacerbated by climate change, innovative solutions are essential. Dr. Brahim Benbrik, a dedicated researcher in the plant-microbe interactions research group of Prof. Adnane Bargaz at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UM6P), explores the potential of plant- and soil-associated microbiomes to enhance soil fertility, improve nutrient (phosphorus, nitrogen, etc.) use efficiency, and sustainably boost crop productivity.

In the vast landscape of sustainable agriculture, some minds act as seeds of change, growing ideas that transform farming. Dr. Benbrik embodies this pioneering spirit. His groundbreaking research with Prof. Bargaz in microbial biofertilizers is redefining how farmers enhance soil fertility, crop productivity, and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE).

Like an architect designing a blueprint for a greener future, Dr. Benbrik’s research within the Plant-microbe interactions research group of Prof. Bargaz aligns with UM6P’s vision of leveraging science and technology to address global agricultural challenges.

Microbial Biofertilizers: The Invisible Workforce of the Soil

Under our feet, an unseen army of microorganisms tirelessly works to sustain life. Microbial biofertilizers are at the heart of this biological revolution, acting as nature’s own nutrient recyclers. Unlike chemical fertilizers, which provide synthetic nutrients, these biofertilizers unlock phosphorus, potassium, and other essential minerals by harnessing the biological activities of beneficial microbes such as Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus cereus, and Sphingobacterium suaedae.

Their mechanisms of action are as intricate as plant root networks, ensuring optimal nutrient solubilization, plant growth stimulation, and soil health enhancement. These beneficial microbes produce phytohormones like auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins that boost root and shoot development. Enzymatic activities involving phosphatases, cellulases, and lipases improve soil fertility and organic matter decomposition. Additionally, microbial biofertilizers protect crops from pathogens, enhancing resilience to drought, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies.

Unlocking phosphorus use efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture

Phosphorus is a vital nutrient for crop growth, yet much of it remains trapped in the soil, inaccessible to plants. Morocco, home to vast phosphate reserves that are sources of a vital nutrient whose use efficiency by the crop needs to be enhanced in most soils.

Dr. Benbrik’s research on phosphorus-solubilizing microbial biofertilizers aims to enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), ensuring that more of this essential nutrient is available for crops. His latest study (published in the Journal of Experimental Botany) in the plant-microbe interactions research group provides in-depth insights into the importance of large-scale bioprospection, and the high resolution of individual fungal screening can lead to identifying potential microbial consortia adapted for phosphorus uptake and plant growth. Furthermore, the study unlocks the agro-physiological potential of synthetic fungal communities, presenting them as an innovative approach for designing next-generation microbial biofertilizers. Read the box below

Unlocking the agro-physiological potential of wheat rhizoplane fungi under low P conditions using a niche-conserved consortium approach

Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) hold promise for enhancing crop yield. This study delves into the fungal diversity of the wheat rhizoplane across seven Moroccan agricultural regions, employing a niche-conserved strategy to construct fungal consortia (FC) exhibiting higher phosphorus (P) acquisition and plant growth promotion. Our study combined culture-independent and culture-dependent methods exploring taxonomic and functional diversity in the rhizoplane of wheat plants obtained from 28 zones. Twenty fungal species from eight genera were isolated and confirmed through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) Sanger sequencing. P solubilization (PS) capacity was assessed for individual species, with Talaromyces sp. (F₁₁) and Rhizopus arrhizus CMRC 585 (F₁₂) exhibiting notable PS rates, potentially due to production of organic acids such as gluconic acid. PGPF traits and antagonism activities were considered when constructing 28 niche-conserved FC (using isolates from the same zone), seven intra-region FC (different zones within a region), and one inter-region FC. Under low P conditions, in planta inoculation with niche-conserved FC (notably FC₁₄ and FC₁₇) enhanced growth, physiological parameters, and P uptake of wheat, in both vegetative and reproductive stages. FC₁₄ and FC₁₇, composed of potent fungi such as F₁₁ and F₁₂, demonstrated superior plant growth benefits compared with intra- and inter-region constructed FC. Our study underscores the efficacy of the niche-conserved strategy in designing synthetic fungal community from isolates within the same niche, proving significant agro-physiological potential to enhance P uptake and plant growth of wheat.

Aathors: Brahim Benbrik , Tessa E Reid , Dounia Nkir , Hicham Chaouki , Yassine Aallam , Ian M Clark , Tim H Mauchline , Jim Harris , Mark Pawlett , Abdellatif Barakat

Biotechnology-Driven Solutions for Phosphorus Sustainability

Microbial bioformulations harness phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms to valorize phosphate sludge as a phosphorus amendment for plants. These strategies significantly enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), optimizing phosphate input and boosting crop yields, especially in nutrient-deficient soils, while promoting eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. These findings, published in Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, underscore the role of microbial innovations in advancing sustainable phosphorus management and agriculture. Read the box below

Reusing phosphate sludge enriched by phosphate solubilizing bacteria as biofertilizer: Growth promotion of Zea Mays

Phosphate sludge is considered as the main derivatives of the phosphate industry in Morocco, it is produced in huge quantities. Its management presents a big challenge for the phosphate industry. In this study phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were proposed as an innovative and ecological approach to solubilize phosphate sludge and promote plant growth. Four bacterial isolates (Pseudomonas Sp. DN 13–01, Sphingobacterium suaedae T47, Bacillus pimilus X22 and Bacillus cereus 263AG5) were selected as a potent PSBs.A bacterial consortium was formed with the four selected bacteria after checking their biocompatibility. The bacterial consortium has a great phosphate solubilization ability compared to that of single bacterial isolate. The four selected bacteria were also able to produce indole acetic acid, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, H₂S and CO₂. The use of 40% of the phosphate sludge increases more the growth of Zea mays than the other proportions used. All the selected bacteria were able to increase significantly the Zea mays growth whatever the proportion of the phosphate sludge used, especially when they were inoculated as a consortium which increased much more the Zea mays growth. Also, the combination of the phosphate sludge amendment at 40%and the inoculation of the bacterial consortium gave the best yield of Zea Mays growth, where the plant height, fresh areal and root biomass were raised by 406.5%, 553 and 593 respectively compared to phosphorus poor soil. The use of Moroccan phosphate sludge combined with phosphates solubilizing bacteria is an important innovative and ecological approach to promote plant growth. It needs to be further studied to re-exploit the Moroccan phosphate sludge.

Authors: Brahim Benbrik , Alae Elabed , Cherkaoui ElModafar , Allal Douira , Soumia Amir , Abdelkarim Filali-Maltouf , Soumya El Abed , Naima El Gachtouli , Iraqui Mohammed , Saad Ibnsouda Koraichi

Soil-Microbe Interactions for Improved Crop Productivity

Soil health is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Dr. Benbrik’s research on soil-microbe interactions has revealed how microbial biofertilizers can significantly enhance soil structure, nutrient cycling, and overall crop productivity. His work in Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis explores the critical role of microbial consortia in improving plant resilience against abiotic stresses. A phosphocompost enriched with PGPR has already demonstrated remarkable results, significantly increasing the productivity of beans, maize, and wheat compared to uninoculated plants.

From Lab to Field: Scaling Microbial Biofertilizer Research

At UM6P, Dr. Benbrik’s research follows a rigorous approach that begins with microbial isolation and screening. Beneficial microbes are collected from Moroccan soils, including phosphate mines, and tested for their phosphorus-solubilizing capacity. These strains are then tested through a rigorous in vitro and in-planta screening procedure before they are formulated into biofertilizer consortiums, validated in greenhouse trials, and eventually applied in field conditions.

The global biofertilizer market is projected to exceed $12 billion by 2030, marking a significant shift toward sustainable agriculture. In Morocco and Africa, where soil degradation and climate uncertainty threaten food security, microbial biofertilizers provide an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Recognizing this potential, Dr. Benbrik co-founded a startup with Prof. Adnane Bargaz, dedicated to developing agricultural biologicals based on microorganisms for the utmost objective of scaling up microbial biofertilizer technology and transferring knowledge in this field. Supported by UM6P’s StartGate incubators, the startup is bringing scientific innovation to farmers’ fields, aligning with Morocco’s Green Plan and sustainability goals.