Systems biology for sustainable agriculture: evaluation of plant growth-promoting bacteria to produce high-performing biofertilisers

Improved crop yields are a key target for farmers, but the overuse of chemical fertilisers to increase yields as much as possible has negative impacts on soil health and future crop sustainability. A high quality biofertiliser that will address the key industry issues of crop yields and soil health. The bacterium that will be the focus of this project has been demonstrated to improve soil nutrient utilisation which can increase yields without applying excessive fertiliser, as well as reducing soil acidification etc. when used in conjunction with a standard fertilisation regime. The primary goal of this research is to produce a high quality biofertiliser that will address the key industry issues of crop yields and soil health.