The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s (IALR) Plant Endophyte Research Center focuses on beneficial plant bacteria that live inside plants, or endophytes, as sustainable solutions for enhanced agricultural production. Our research team utilizes these naturally occurring microorganisms as powerful biostimulants and biocontrol agents, significantly enhancing plant health, productivity and environmental sustainability.
Our team leverages endophytes to:
- Naturally boost plant growth, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance (biostimulants).
- Provide sustainable, environmentally friendly disease control solutions (biocontrol agents).
- Optimize plant performance, particularly in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems like hydroponics and vertical farming, where we have achieved significant successes.
We maintain active partnerships and non-disclosure agreements with dozens of companies worldwide, facilitating impactful research and rapid innovation. Our collaborative public-private approach uniquely positions IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center as a hub for translating cutting-edge science into practical, market-ready agricultural solutions.
Collaboration and Partnership Opportunities
We actively collaborate with industry partners, universities and government organizations through:
- Contract research
- Intellectual property co-development
- Field and greenhouse testing and validation
- Commercialization pathways for beneficial strains and products
IALR is already working with well-known industry players on licensing agreements and continues to seek other collaborators and research partners.
Peer-Reviewed Successes
In addition to working with partners on applications, our research team has completed many peer-reviewed studies demonstrating endophytes’ potential as both biocontrol agents and biostimulants. Our pioneering endophyte research addresses global challenges such as rising food demand, environmental protection and sustainable agriculture. We’re creating impactful, natural solutions for a healthier future by leveraging biology and technology.
- Increased indoor hydroponic spinach yield by up to 19% using bacterial endophytes.
- Enhanced lettuce productivity by over 20%, significantly improving lateral root development in hydroponic systems.
- Successfully demonstrated biocontrol effectiveness against pathogens like Pythium in cucumbers and lettuce, improving crop yields by up to 42%.
- Improved marketable strawberry yield by approximately 14% using natural biocontrol agents.
IALR’s unique position as a quasi-governmental, non-competitive entity allows our scientists freedom and flexibility to innovate. Our adjacent expertise in the Applied Research division includes biotechnology, analytical chemistry and controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
Additional Research Areas
