Agrama is positioned as a leading laboratory through massive sequencing analysis of the soil microbiome

Agricultural science and technology are advancing in favor of biological and sustainable solutions to improve crop yields. In an interview for agromarketing, the director of the renowned Agrama laboratory, Francis Iron, highlighted the importance of biological fertility for agriculture and explained details about the latest advances in the study of the soil microbiome.

With more than 25 years of experience in the agricultural and food sector, Agrama has gained recognition for its commitment to quality and trust. The laboratory offers a wide range of specialized services, from contaminant analysis to quality parameters of agricultural and agri-food products.

During the interview, Hierro explained that approximately ten years ago, the company established a department dedicated to plant pathology of pathogens and crop diseases. In that process, “We saw that the farmers had a clear approach that the soil has to be chemically fertile. But the physical fertility of the soil and even more so the biological fertility was totally forgotten”, emphasized Hierro, adding: “Biological fertility is as important as chemical and physical. So, at that moment we set out on how we could analyze it, not only through indirect indicators such as the carbon-nitrogen ratio, but there were other parameters -also indirect- such as microbial activity and respiration, catalase activity. That is, other parameters that indirectly measure biological fertility”.

In this way, Agrama achieved a further step in his study and today he is capable of analyzing the entire microbiota of the soil through massive sequencing techniques, according to Hierro. This pioneering approach allows Agrama to assess the biological fertility of the soil with greater precision and depth, thus providing more effective solutions to farmers. In turn, this becomes more relevant in the current context, where consumer preferences and economic conditions demand more sustainable and environmentally friendly production.

Agrama will be present at the World Microbiome Congress

With its participation in the International Microbiome Congress, Agrama not only seeks to acquire valuable knowledge, but also to establish strategic alliances and share its experience with other key players in the field of agricultural microbiology. Its objective is to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas to further promote research in agriculture at a global level.

“It is a very interesting congress because this topic -although it has more time than it seems-, is really coming to light today...Many of the speakers have to say very interesting things about this. And Agrama is interested in being present, not only for the information and for all the transfer of knowledge that there may be in the congress itself, but also for making itself known in this world as an important partner for the agricultural world”Hierro said enthusiastically.

The International Congress MICROBIOME 2023 It is emerging as a key milestone to promote the importance of microorganisms in agriculture. It already has a technical program that will have the participation of more than forty experts of recognized prestige. This event, considered the most important in Europe in the field of agricultural microbiology, will take place on June 7 and 8, 2023 at the Víctor Villegas Auditorium in Murcia, and on June 9 there will be a session completely online.