Biolog’s RhizoPlates assist in detecting nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria

Biolog, a provider of microbial identification and cellular profiling tools, has introduced its new RhizoPlate line of microplates, designed to expedite the assessment of nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization in soil bacteria. The launch is part of the company’s efforts to support sustainable agriculture by offering a method to decrease the global dependency on synthetic fertilizers.

The RhizoPlate line, consisting of two microplates—RhizoPlate N and RhizoPlate P—offers versatile capabilities for phenotypic characterization of microbial isolates, communities, and complex soil samples. RhizoPlate N contains 30 nitrogen-free substrates designed to interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB), while RhizoPlate P is coated with insoluble inorganic phosphate, which can only be accessed by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Both plates include carbon substrates to foster the growth of the respective bacteria.

These microplates are coupled with Biolog’s Odin instrument and software, which allow for detailed analysis of the 30 substrates individually or as an aggregated parameter, delivering valuable insights to select candidate strains for biostimulants. The combination of RhizoPlate and Odin technology aims to streamline the process of identifying and selecting bacteria that can improve nutrient uptake for crops, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

The new plates leverage the same foundational technology as Biolog’s EcoPlate microplates, which have been used for profiling microbial communities in diverse ecological environments. By focusing on microbes in the rhizosphere, which play a key role in nutrient cycling, Biolog’s RhizoPlate is positioned to play a significant role in developing biostimulants for more sustainable farming practices.