Trends and innovations in mycorrhizal biofertilizers: a technological prospecting study

Exponential population growth, combined with the reduction of arable land, has created a need for increased agricultural production within a smaller physical space and with limited water and nutrient resources. In this context, biofertilizers have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to meet the demand for technologies and products that enhance productivity. The objective of this study was to map the production of technological knowledge and identify the main characteristics of innovation assets developed in the field of biofertilizers, with a particular focus on mycorrhizal biofertilizers, during the first decades of the 21st century. To achieve this, data was collected from international databases, including the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as from the national database of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in Brazil. The search was conducted using simple and combined queries with the keywords "Mycorrhiza" and "Biofertilizer," followed by quantitative and qualitative analyses. The results indicated that the primary patent applicants in this field are companies and universities, predominantly located in North America and Asia. The highest concentration of patent publications occurred between 2010 and 2021, particularly in relation to new biofertilizer compositions and the optimization of production processes for these compounds. Although new technologies in the field of mycorrhizal biofertilizers can be observed, there are still unexplored avenues, and new initiatives will be important for the emergence of innovative solutions.