Welcome!
The Minas Gerais Network of Biostimulants and Increased Efficiency Fertilizers emerged from collaboration between universities, research centers, and partner institutions to address challenges related to the use of conventional fertilizers and dependence on imported inputs. The initiative was motivated by the need to reduce nitrogen losses and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with ammonia volatilization and greenhouse gas emissions, problems associated with the use of urea. With the participation of institutions such as UFMG, UFV, UFSJ, EMBRAPA Corn and Sorghum (Sete Lagoas), UNIMONTES,UNIFAL-MG, UFAL, and West Virginia University, the network integrates multidisciplinary expertise to develop innovative solutions that promote increased fertilizer efficiency and stimulate plant growth. The network seeks to advance knowledge in the development of biostimulants and fertilizer formulations that are more effective, safe, and suited to tropical and semi-arid soil conditions.
Mission
The Network's mission is to develop advanced technologies in biostimulants and fertilizers with increased efficiency, contributing to the sustainable increase in agricultural production, the reduction of environmental impacts and the reduction of the country's dependence on imported agricultural inputs.
Goals
The main objectives include:
Developing and formulating new biostimulants and urease inhibitors, whether natural, synthetic, or derived from biomass, evaluating the effectiveness and safety of these formulations in different soil types and crops, also considering their effects on microbiota and the environment. Scaling up the production of biostimulants and fertilizers, following good manufacturing practices and meeting regulatory requirements, testing their effects on plant growth, productivity, and loss reduction under real field conditions, as well as training qualified human resources, strengthening research in agricultural nutrition and fertilization not only in Minas Gerais but throughout Brazil.
Coordination
Prof. Ângelo de Fátima
Department of Chemistry
Prof. Ângelo de Fátima is a Full Professor of Chemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Prof. de Fátima earned his B.Sc. and Lic. degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Viçosa (1999), followed by an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (2002), Ph.D. in Sciences (2005), and postdoctoral training in Biochemistry-Signal Transduction (2006) from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). A pioneer in pharmaceutical innovation, he developed the active pharmaceutical ingredient for calixcoca, a potential vaccine for cocaine use disorder. Since 2022, he has served as Full Professor at UFMG's Chemistry Department, specializing in Organic and Biological Chemistry with expertise in: (i) Bioactive molecule synthesis; (ii) Pharmacologically active natural products and analogs; (iii) Vaccines for substance use disorders and (iv) Novel psychoactive substances for forensic studies. As Associate Editor of the Journal of Advanced Research (since 2015), he has shaped scientific discourse. His leadership roles include directing UFMG's Chemistry Graduate Program (2014-2017) and coordinating the Minas Gerais Chemistry Olympiad (20082010). He leads multiple research initiatives, including an INCT project on urease inhibitors and the Minas Gerais Network of Biostimulants and Fertilizers of Enhanced Efficiency. With 175 peer-reviewed publications, 17 book chapters, and 18 patent applications (including one international), Prof. de Fátima stands at the forefront of chemistry innovation in Brazil.
Co-coordination
Prof. Luzia V. Modolo
Department of Botany
Prof. Luzia Valentina Modolo holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Viçosa (1999), a Master’s degree (2001), and a Ph.D. (2004) in Functional and Molecular Biology (concentration area: Biochemistry) from the State University of Campinas, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Biology and Protein Crystallography at the Noble Research Institute, USA (2005-2008), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). She was a Visiting Professor in Prof. Dr. Richard A. Dixon’s group at the University of North Texas (USA) from February 2018 to January 2019. Dr. Modolo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the Institute of Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and an Associate editor of Journal of Advanced Research (Elsevier). She has experience in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, primarily focusing on plant nutrition and cell signaling in plants under environmental stress. She co-coordinates the National Institute of Science and Technology in Urease Inhibitors of Agricultural and Medicinal Interest in Brazil. She is a member of the Minas Gerais Network for Biostimulants and Fertilizers of Enhanced Efficiency. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles in indexed journals (H index according to AD Scientific Index 2025 = 34), has 23 book chapters, edited 4 scientific books, and is the author of 8 patents.