BIOSPAS, a comprehensive soil biology project in Argentina

WALL, LG; ACOSTA, F; AGUILAR, M; BEDANO, JC; BIANCHINI, A; CARMONA, M; DOMINGUEZ, L; DUCASSE, D; ERIJMAN, L; GALANTINI J; GALLY, M; GONZALEZ ANTA, G; GUERRA, G; IGLESIAS, M; LORENZATTI, S; MARONA, R; MORRÁS, H; ROMAGNOLI, J; ROMERO, A; VALVERDE, C; ZORREGUIETA, A

Uppsala, Suecia

Simposio; 10th International Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology (BAGECO-10); 2009

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences y Uppsala University

BIOSPAS is the Spanish acronym for Soil Biology and Sustainable Agricultural Production, a Research Project organized under the auspices of the Argentinean Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation. The project combines a consortium of scientists belonging to twelve public academic institutions, a non-governmental organization and two private agro-companies. The aim of this project is to generate the knowledge that will allow us to understand the dynamics between the biological processes happening in the soil and productivity in no-tillage agriculture managements. BIOSPAS proposes that efficient and sustainable production of agricultural commodities can take place in an increasingly environment-friendly manner on the basis of deeper, more detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the systems we manage. BIOSPAS means to put the creativity of academic institutions and entities into action, and by doing so, to boost our potential for the development and creation of wealth and value. The study of the soil carried out in this Project observes jointly and simultaneously several qualitative and quantitative biological and edaphic parameters: organic matter fractions; enzymatic activities; fatty acids profiles; glomalin fraction; microbial diversity on DNA basis; metagenomic analysis of nitrogen cycle and P mobilization; culturable bacteria with emphasis on Pseudomonas group, P solubilizers, free N2 fixers, and cellulolitics; meso and macrofauna; biofilm formation; mycorriza analysis; pathogens and diseases expressed in the areas of studies; physics and microorganisation of soil structure;  and mathematical analysis of total data. Our goal is to understand how these parameters are related to each other in different management systems, and to what extent they explain productivity variation. We will compare at least 3 systems or uses of soil: 1) very good agricultural management with historically no-tillage management that aim at sustainable practices such as intensive crop rotation and nutrient reposition, 2) their counterpart, mono-cropping without reposition, which is definitely unsustainable, and 3) natural environment, as baseline or control. Due to its magnitude and complexity, BIOSPAS is organized in 6 different thematic projects with independent funding instruments, where several research groups participate. BIOSPAS is interested in cooperation with similar or complementary projects operating in other countries.