Project Excalibur: bioinoculants for more sustainable soils

Soil biodiversity plays a key role in agricultural production. The European project EXCALIBUR, in which Izertis participates, explores the links and dynamics between these concepts and also examines the effectiveness of biocontrol and biofertilisation practices in horticultural crops. All these new perspectives contribute to generating new knowledge on agriculture and ecology. 

The interest generated by the project has led to its selection as one of the five best among more than 600 initiatives funded by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. As a result, it was invited to present its main findings during the EU Agri-Food Days 2024, held in Brussels in December 2024.

The final EXCALIBUR conference will take place in Rome on 5 May 2025. Keynote speakers will address exciting topics such as research on microbial inoculants, regulatory frameworks, strategies to support the application of bio-based products and the multifunctionality of soil biodiversity. Further details on this event can be found at: https://excaliburh2020.eu/en/save-the-date-excalibur-final-conference-in-rome/

These are, briefly, the results obtained after six years of intense work:

Can you imagine a world without chemical fertilisers? 

Although the use of new bioinoculants of microbial origin in agriculture is a very promising option to reduce chemical consumption, their efficacy in the field remains variable and inconsistent.

EXCALIBUR has come to the rescue by developing new microbial bioproducts that harness the benefits of soil biodiversity in agricultural practices, improving fermentation and formulation processes. The selected bioproducts have been successfully tested under controlled conditions on tomatoes, strawberries and apples. The project partners continue to collaborate with relevant entities in the sector to commercialise these bioproducts in the near future.

Bacillus subtilis, where have you been?

Monitoring and tracking of bioinoculants in soil is essential for regulatory purposes and to optimise their application. This ensures the right balance of beneficial bacteria - neither too many nor too few - for maximum plant growth and protection. The bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a key component of certain biofertilisers and plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices, which is why it is so important to monitor it.

At present, detection methods are expensive and require time-consuming laboratory procedures. However, using two highly selective ssDNA aptamers - molecules capable of binding specifically to this strain - and a gravimetric acoustic wave sensor (QCM-D), a new detection tool has been developed and patented that offers exceptional accuracy and precision.

In addition, a lab-on-chip platform is being developed in collaboration with an SME that will bring this cutting-edge technology closer to real-world practical applications.

How do I know if my soil is healthy?

With Europe's growing interest in soil health and biodiversity, evaluating the impact of bioinoculants on soil functional diversity has become an issue of utmost importance.

Of course, EXCALIBUR has also contributed to this ambitious goal by developing a cost-effective, practical and easy-to-use tool that uses PCR-based data to generate a QR code, together with an advanced decision tree based on key physico-chemical parameters to assess soil quality.

This tool will help optimise agricultural production, promote sustainable practices, improve environmental conservation and support informed policy making. It will also empower farmers, researchers, environmentalists and policy makers by providing them with valuable data-based knowledge.

Thus, although the EXCALIBUR project will end in May 2025, its impact will extend well beyond, ensuring the health and sustainability of the soil for future generations.

The EXCALIBUR project consortium met in September 2024 in Warsaw (Poland).

About EXCALIBUR

EXCALIBUR is an international research project that started in June 2019 and is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under agreement no. 817946. EXCALIBUR, coordinated by Dr Stefano Mocali of the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA, Italy), brings together 15 other European partners: NHM and NIAB (UK), InHort and Intermag (Poland), RI.NOVA and UNITO (Italy), KIS (Slovenia), NIOO-KNAW (The Netherlands), UCPH (Denmark), TUGRAZ (Austria), UGR and IZERTIS (Spain), INplus (France) and KOB and FÖKO (Germany).