Uso de la biodiversidad para mejorar la agricultura: tendencias en la investigación y el mercado en biofertilizantes en Colombia

Abstract

The use of biofertilizers has increased in recent decades as a sustainable alternative to chemical agro-inputs. Although the use of agrochemicals is still more common than the use of biofertilizers, there has been an increasing trend towards more sustainable methods, including biofertilizers. Even though Colombia is a country with great biotechnological potential and high biodiversity, it is not a leader in the production of biofertilizers, which limits its capacity to solve food requirements sustainably. Thus, this review seeks to understand the current trends in Colombian biofertilizers, from the science behind their production to the challenges the country faces in the use of microbial biodiversity for agriculture. This process was carried out through an information search in indexed databases, compiling information on biofertilizers registered in Colombia and considering characteristics such as microbial composition, methodologies, market trends, bioproduct composition, formulation, and current regulations. Finally, a prospect is presented regarding the future destiny of biofertilizers in Colombia, their possible implementation, effects on agricultural production, and methods to accelerate their development, seeking to optimize their use and adoption in the country.