Publications by authors named "Mauricio Cruz-Barrera"

The incorporation of biological control agents (BCAs) such as Trichoderma spp. in agricultural systems favors the transition towards sustainable practices of plant nutrition and diseases control. Novel bioproducts for crop management are called to guarantee sustainable antagonism activity of BCAs and increase the acceptance of the farmers.

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Several plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are gram-negative, and their cell viability is affected during the bio-inoculant production. Hence, formulation-drying processes provide challenges that limit the adoption of these beneficial microorganisms in sustainable agricultural production. Among delivery system strategies for gram-negative PGPB, the encapsulating cells in biopolymeric materials are emerging as a promising alternative.

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Seed coating is an alternative delivery system for beneficial plant microorganisms into the soil. Although seed coats are widely used for the application of agrochemicals, the incorporation of beneficial microorganisms has not been explored deeply and their survival on seeds while in storage is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the coating process on microbial survival and on plant growth promotion.

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Use of biocontrol fungi (BF) such as Trichoderma spp. minimizes fungicide input and increases both plant nutrition and protection from disease. Thus, the introduction of BF by novel inoculants in crop management is an excellent strategy to promote sustainable antagonism activity.

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Aims: The leaf-feeding pest Cerotoma arcuata tingomariana (Bechyné) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) produces huge economic losses in different crops. This study aimed to produce conidia by semisolid-state fermentation and to establish the insecticidal activity of two formulation prototypes based on a native Beauveria bassiana isolate for controlling this pest.

Methods And Results: A novel fabric-based semisolid-state fermentation strategy for quick and large-scale conidia production was performed and characterized.

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Seed coating is a technique to cover seeds with external agents to upgrade their performance, handling, and plant establishment. Plant beneficial microbes (PBMs), such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and other fungi (e.g.

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Despite the benefits of bacterial endophytes, recent studies on the mostly Gram-negative bacteria lack of regard for formulation strategies. The encapsulation into biopolymeric materials such as amidated pectins hydrogels is a suitable alternative. Here, this research aimed at supporting the capability of the plant growth-promoting bacteria DSM16656 to endophytically colonize plant seedlings.

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This study presents an anhydrobiotic engineering approach aiming at conferring a high degree of desiccation tolerance to the Gram-negative endophyte Kosakonia radicincitans. In particular, pre-conditioning of bacteria under high salinities provides a remarkable positive influence on drying survival. The endophytic bacteria accumulate exogenous hydroxyectoine > 500 µmol g dry weight cells exerted by osmotic stress at 4% NaCl.

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Gram-negative bacterial endophytes have attracted research interest caused by their advantageous over epiphytic bacteria in plant nutrition and protection. However, research on these typically Gram-negative endophytes has deficiencies concerning the role of cultivation and pre-formulation strategies on further plant colonisation capabilities. Besides, the influence of cultivation conditions and osmotic stress within bacterial endophytes on their phosphate solubilising ability has not yet been addressed.

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