Current state and perspectives of the biofertilizer DIMARGON®

Abstract

Biofertilizers worldwide constitute a feasible alternative to improve crop yields and ensure their quality. In Cuba, these products help guarantee agricultural production, since under current conditions it is only possible to cover about 10 % of arable land with agrochemicals. Among the registered bioproducts that are being produced on a large scale to achieve better yields in various crops is the biofertilizer DIMARGON®, which represents a viable and strategic alternative for agroecological production in Cuba. This paper aimed to evaluate the current status and prospects of the biofertilizer DIMARGON®. Made from a selected strain of Azotobacter chroococcum, this product has demonstrated remarkable versatility and effectiveness over more than three decades across a wide range of crops, including vegetables, grains, oilseeds, fruit trees, medicinal plants, ornamentals, and root crops. However, its large-scale production and national commercialization remain limited, restricting its potential impact on the Cuban agricultural sector. Among the fundamental factors limiting its widespread adoption are core elements of the production process related to the culture medium, the stability of the final product, and the training of personnel involved in its production, marketing, and application, which hinders its scaling.