Dr. Akram Sadeghi, a scientific member of Microbial Biotechnology Department of ABRII, asserted that widespread use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers with contamination and the environmental dangers, brings the necessity of biological fertilizer utilization to mind.  Moreover, global market value of biological control agents is 3.3 billion dollars, with 18.8 percent the annual growth. Global market annual value of bio-fertilizers is estimated approximately 800 million dollars. Furthermore, producing organic and bio fertilizers, and also biological, diseases and weed control agents have been strongly emphasized on by Iranian authorities. Accordingly, several projects have been conducted at ABRII on production of biological pesticides and fertilizers.

     She claimed that Microbial Biotechnology Department researcher of ABRII are working on bio-fertilizers for freshly-used vegetables including cucumber, tomato and bell pepper, concerning to be the probable source of pesticides which can remain in these vegetables. Tomato and cucumber vines are preserved for the estimated period of eight to nine months in the greenhouses; consequently, great amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are utilized.  Developing native bio-fertilizers helps root growth and subsequently absorption of nutrients in the fertilizers, especially natural fertilizers. Furthermore, the produced enzymes by utilized bacteria help the degradation of organic fertilizers like compost. Besides, utilization of bio-fertilizers increases the efficiency of chemical and natural fertilizers in greenhouses; consequently, decreases the amount of consumption and expenses. Considering the antifungal effects of the bacteria in the bio-fertilizers, there would be no necessity of excessive utilization of chemical pesticides as prevention approaches.

     She declared that in the primary stages of the project, 400 bacteria are collected and examined from 29 vegetable greenhouses in Isfahan, Yazd and Kerman. The next stage is to evaluate the effects of selected bacteria on the yield and the quality of the products. The native identified bacteria belong to Streptomyces, Pseudomonas and Pseudomonas. Finally, the formulation and packaging of the bacteria are conduced aiming to increase the shelf life of the bio-fertilizers in environmental conditions.

     She highlighted the efforts done by ABRII’s researchers on releasing the bio-fertilizers according to the farmers’ needs. The species like cucumber, in which the development is not the main concern, specific bacteria are used which help the root growth. Moreover, providing the formulation can make it possible to utilize the bio fertilizers along with chemical and natural ones.

     Finally, she stated that in the near future the first bio-fertilizers would be released for the experimental usage in greenhouses.