UACH researchers develop biofertilizers from sotol waste

Researchers at the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) Faculty of Chemical Sciences are developing a project to produce agricultural biofertilizers from sotol industry waste. Led by Dr. Francisco Javier Choix Ley, the scientific initiative aims to utilize microbial consortia to transform sotol vinasses into valuable agricultural inputs.

The project focuses on identifying local microalgae from the Conchos River basin and associating them with the bacteria Azospirillum. This combination is designed to promote the production of plant growth hormones, such as auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, by leveraging the nutritional composition of the sotol residues.

Currently, the research team is evaluating the potential of this microalgae-Azospirillum consortium as a biostimulant for crops including corn, wheat, beans, and sesame. The project involves undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in both laboratory and field research to promote a sustainable economy and add value to regional industrial waste.