Format: ORAL

Nadine De Biasio1, Rosalba Cipriani1, Giulia Ghirardelli1, Tiziano Bonato2, Werner Zanardi2, Barbara Baldan1, Sebastiano Nigris1

1 Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, IT 2 SESA spa, Este (PD), IT

Certain bacteria form symbiotic relationships with plant roots in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane and endosphere of the roots, leading to improved plant nutrient uptake, enhanced productivity, and resilience to abiotic stresses and pathogens. However, soil biodiversity is nowadays endangered and reduced by modern agricultural practices, having a severe impact on soil structure and plant productivity. Soil microbiota is the source from which plants recruit bacteria species to interact with. A community of bacteria in the soil and the rhizosphere is necessary to allow correct plant nutrition, and development, and to help the plant to cope with environmental and biotic stresses. Among all the strategies to sustain soil biodiversity, biofertilizers, substances containing beneficial microorganisms that enhance plant health and growth, offer a potential remedy. Among these, compost, a product of controlled aerobic decomposition of organic materials carried out by microorganisms, stands as a promising solution. Recognized in agriculture for being rich in organic matter and nutrients, composts unexplored potential as a microbial inoculum for enriching the soil and fostering plant health necessitates further investigation. This work revolves around the study of compost and its role as a source of beneficial microorganisms, aiming to elucidate its capacity to enrich microbial communities in soil and the rhizosphere. Additionally, the study seeks to isolate and characterize the culturable bacterial diversity within compost and assess its ability to promote plant growth. This research contributes to understanding sustainable agricultural practices and soil ecosystem health, aligning with the EUs 2030 sustainable development goals.