Agricultural Soil as a Carbon Sink

Aims: CO ₂ Fixator is the commercial name given to a microbiological preparation consisting of a mixture of bacterial strains, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Nitrobacter, Lactobacillus plantarum, Thiobacillus denitrificans, and Methilococcus capsulatus; and a fungal strain Trichoderma viride. The bacterial strains metabolize organic soil substrates, fixing carbon in the soil and reducing carbon emissions in the form of gaseous CO ₂ . Additionally, Trichoderma viride promotes the development of new plants. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that a bacterial and fungal mixture can be used in sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture: carbon and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are fixed in the soil, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by limiting carbon volatility, and the water retention capacity and cation exchange capacity of the soil increase. Methods: This method involves the use of CO ₂ sensors and laboratory analyses to quantify substances present in the soil and verify that CO ₂ fixation has occurred. Results: This study provides evidence to demonstrate that CO ₂ Fixator increases the quantity of soil carbon and soil quality. Conclusions: The mixture transforms agricultural soil into a carbon sink while improving soil quality.