Sugarcane for Biofuels Research Kicks-off in Brazil

A US$2.25 million research initiative led by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) has kick-started in Brazil to improve the use of sugarcane for biofuel production. The project is funded by the Technological Innovation and New Management Approaches in Agricultural Research Program (Agrofuturo), with support from the Inter-American Bank of Development (BID) and the government of Brazil, and by the Studies and Projects Financing Entity (FINEP).

Main research lines include the genetic improvement of existing sugarcane varieties for improved resistance to the sugar cane giant borer, the principal pest for the crop in the north of Brazil, and for increased tolerance to drought. On their way are also efforts to identify bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen to reduce the need of added chemical fertilizers, and to develop new biofertilizers containing bacterial extracts. Socio-economic and environmental studies on the potential impact of expanding sugarcane production are also included in the portfolio of projects.

Read the full news (in Portuguese) at http://www.embrapa.br/noticias/banco_de_noticias/2007/janeiro/foldernoticia.2007-01-08.6783822109/noticia.2007-01-12.0346870086/mostra_noticia