This line studies the participation of beneficial soil microorganisms associated to wild plants and to those of agricultural interest to solve environmental problems. It is based on the record that plant growth promoting bacteria have been used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

However, the proposal considers that its potential use in fields, which are different to agriculture, is immense.

These bacteria can be used for increasing micro-algal growth and for their efficiency in the removal of organic compounds of sewage water; they can also improve mangrove tree reforestation because of massive growth in the peripheral area of the root by supplying the plant with the required bio-fertilizers for its growth. Likewise, bacteria can prevent soil erosion by improving survival possibilities in small cacti, which serve as soil stabilizers.

At the same time, this line generates scientific knowledge in preserving the integral good working order of the environment by developing human resources and liaisons with the following sectors: agriculture, private initiative, and governmental organisms. It also contributes with solutions for the sustainable development and better use of natural resources. Its objective is to establish the basis of knowledge to recover, preserve, and integrally exploit water-soil-plant natural resources of the region by incorporating microorganisms as bio-fertilizers and soil bio-developers, which make rocks soluble through biological processes. It also generates technological development that assures the sustainable use of these resources for future generations and improves daily life of the population.

Research Approach:

Life in arid and semiarid areas of the northwestern region confronts problems associated to geographic, soil, and climate conditions, as well as to the continuous tendency towards desertification, lack of water, dust pollution, and soil salinity that characterize them. Given this situation, it is necessary to offer solutions to insure life quality in the region by restoring, preserving and using the most basic resources that the land has, soil, water, and the environment.