<smallcaps / >? ? ?microbacterium maritypicum? ? ? ? ?composition and method for fixing carbon in soil by means of said composition comprising the bacterium

Abstract

The present invention describes a composition suitable for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil comprising the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum. The present invention also describes uses of said composition and methods which comprise applying the composition of the invention on soil.

Description

[0001] COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR FIXING CARBON IN SOIL BY MEANS OF SAID

[0002] COMPOSITION COMPRISING THE BACTERIUM MICROBACTERIUM MARITYPICUM

[0003] Technical Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention belongs to the field of agriculture and environmental conservation. In particular, the present invention relates to isolated and biologically pure microorganisms applicable in agriculture and environmental conservation, more particularly, to a method for fixing carbon in soil by means of a compound comprising the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum, and a composition comprising Microbacterium maritypicum.

[0005] Background of the Art

[0006] Carbon is a plant macronutrient which can be absorbed mainly as CO2 through the aerial part of plants. Root absorption allows incorporating carbon in the plant as bicarbonate HCO3, the mobility of which is high. It is also incorporated in the organic fraction of the plant in the form of carboxyl functional group (-COOH), by means of carboxylation reactions.

[0007] Other ways of transport are:

[0008] • Intercellular, as CO2.

[0009] • Through the phloem and xylem, as organic acids.

[0010] • Through the phloem, as disaccharide.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be stored in storage organs as carbohydrates, and it is also incorporated in the organic fraction of the plant through proteins or fats.

[0012] Carbon compounds from plants and algae that existed long ago form fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, that are used today as energy sources. When these fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, resulting in increasing levels of atmospheric CO2. This increase in CO2 levels affects the earth’s climate and is a major environmental concern worldwide.

[0013] Carbon is part of the main structural building blocks of plant macromolecules, furthermore it is also part of very important functional groups that are involved in enzymatic processes. Its assimilation by means of oxidation and reduction processes should be highlighted as the most relevant biochemical properties. Agronomically speaking, carbon is of vital importance in the correct formation of the soil structure and in promoting good root development of the crop. On the other hand, in relation to other macronutrients, this element promotes the appearance of a microbiome that is beneficial for plant health, establishing symbiotic relationships between them, referred to as the rhizosphere.

[0014] Climate change poses a major threat to food security due to its significant negative impact on agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, entailing reductions in yields, biological migration, and loss of ecosystem services which ultimately means a reduction in agricultural income and an increase in food prices. The air CO2 level is close to 0.04% (400 ppm), having increased by 148% since pre-industrial times. Its concentrations vary between 300 ppm and 550 ppm, depending on whether measurement is performed in rural or urban environments (FAO, 2007).

[0015] It should be noted that the notation system used to define the air CO2 level as close to 0.04% is the Anglo-Saxon system, which uses a decimal point to delimit the beginning of decimal places. This notation will be followed throughout the text of the document.

[0016] The fixation or absorption of CO2 in soil can help mitigate these problems while offering a solution to one of the main causes of global warming. Therefore, there is a need to implement a series of CO2 fixation practices, suggested to achieve the maximum potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation and food productivity (FAO, 2007). The present invention addresses the problem of incorporating means which allow improving the fixation of CO2 in soil.

[0017] Summary of the Invention

[0018] A first aspect of the invention refers to a composition comprising the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, preferably wherein the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is present in an amount of between 1x102and 1x1010cfu / g, wherein said bacterium is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium, characterized in that said aqueous medium comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 4.5% and 10% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 1 % and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 3% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 70% and 91.5% of the aqueous medium.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 4.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; between 5% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 3% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 73% and 87.5% of the aqueous medium.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium comprises in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed between 5.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and / calcium chloride; between 6% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 4% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 75% and 84.5% of the aqueous medium.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the one or more chloride salts comprise sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): between 3 and 10% of one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts; between 4.5 and 10% of chloride salts selected from the list consisting of NaCI (sodium chloride), MgCI2 (magnesium chloride), and CaCI2 (calcium chloride), preferably wherein each of said salts is present at least in a 0.1 %; between 1% and 10% of one or more saccharides; and between 70% and 91.5% water.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): between 2 and 6% of one or more peptones; between 1 and 4% of extract of one or more yeasts; between 0.5 and 2.5% of sodium chloride; between 3.75 and 6% of magnesium chloride; between 0.25 and 1.5% of calcium chloride; between 1% and 6% of one or more saccharides; and between 74% and 91.5% water.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed consists on, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): ±30% of 5% of one or more peptones; ±30% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts; ±30% of 1 % of sodium chloride; ±30% of 5% of magnesium chloride; ±30% of 0.5% of calcium chloride; and ±30% of 5% of one or more saccharides;

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±20% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±20% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±20% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±20% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±20% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±20% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±15% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±15% of 3% of one or more yeast extracts, ±15% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±15% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±15% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±15% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±5% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±5% of 3% of one or more yeast extracts, ±5% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±5% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±5% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±5% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises 5% of one or more peptones, 3% of one or more yeast extracts, 1% of sodium chloride, 5% of magnesium chloride, 0.5% of calcium chloride and 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the composition of the first aspect of the invention, aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises ferric citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bromide, boric acid, sodium fluoride, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride, strontium chloride and / or disodium phosphate, preferably wherein each of said components is present at least in a 0.1 %.

[0031] A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention, as defined in the first aspect of the invention or in any of the preferred embodiments thereof, for fixing carbon in soil. A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil which comprises applying on said soil the composition of the invention.

[0032] A more preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method wherein between 1 and 100 liters of the composition of the invention are applied on one hectare of soil.

[0033] In an even more preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, between 1 and 100 liters of the composition of the invention are diluted in between 1000 and 100000 liters of water prior to the application thereof on one hectare of soil, preferably diluted in between 3000 and 30000 liters of water prior to the application thereof on one hectare of soil.

[0034] Brief Description of the Figures

[0035] Figure 1 shows the coupling cylinders and equipment used in CO2 respiration assays. The infrared sensor arm which performs the measurement is observed.

[0036] Figure 2 shows scanning electron microscopy images for a control soil (Figure 2A) and a soil treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention (Figure 2B); both images are at the same scale.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the percentages of moisture and grain size distribution for soil treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention and control soil samples, for asparagus crop soil and cucumber crop soil.

[0038] Figure 4 shows the results of CO2 respiration (mmol rrr2s-1) for soil treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention and control soil samples in conditions of being completely dried and having moisture after 24 h, for asparagus crop soil, strawberry crop soil and cucumber crop soil.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the components of composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention, and compositions B and B’, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w).

[0040] Figure 6 shows the results of CO2 respiration (in tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year) for spinach crop soil treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention and spinach crop soil treated with composition B in conditions of being completely dried and having moisture after 24 h. Figure 7 shows the results of CO2 respiration (in tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year) for grape crop soil treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention and grape crop soil treated with composition B’.

[0041] Figure 8 shows the differences of Glycerol metabolite (mg metabolite / g soil) detected in Spinach soil crops and grapes soil crops for samples of said soils treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention, and samples of soil treated with composition B and samples treated with composition B’.

[0042] Figure 9 shows the differences of Tryptophan metabolite (mg metabolite / g soil) detected in Spinach soil crops for samples of soil treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention, and samples of soil treated with composition B.

[0043] Description of the Invention

[0044] Definitions

[0045] It should be taken into account that, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “a” and “the”, include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term “at least” preceding a series of elements should be understood to refer to each element in the series. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or will be able to determine using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Said equivalents are intended to be comprised in the present invention.

[0046] It is observed that the term “about”, as it is used herein, refers to + / - 30%, preferably + / - 20%, preferably + / - 15%, more preferably + / - 10%, of the indicated value. Also, any given percentage of a component of a composition, refers to + / - 30%, preferably + / - 20%, preferably + / - 15%, more preferably + / - 10%, even more preferably + / - 5% of the indicated value

[0047] As used herein, the term “and / or” among multiple listed elements is understood to comprise both individual and combined options. For example, when two elements are joined by “and / or”, a first option refers to the applicability of the first element without the second. A second option refers to the applicability of the second element without the first. A third option refers to the applicability of the first and second elements together. It is understood that any of these options fall within the meaning, and therefore satisfy the requirement of the term “and / or” as used herein. It is also understood that the simultaneous applicability of more than one of the options falls within the meaning, and therefore satisfies the requirement of the term “and / or”. Throughout this specification and the following claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to mean the inclusion of an integer or step or group of established integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. When used herein, the term “comprising” may be substituted with the term “containing” or “including” or sometimes, when used herein, with the term “having”. Any of the aforementioned terms (comprising, containing, including, including, having), provided that it is used herein in the context of an aspect or embodiment of the present invention, can be substituted with the term “consisting of’, although it is less preferred.

[0048] When used herein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. When used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic novel features of the claim.

[0049] The term “Microbacterium maritypicum" refers to the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum discovered by ZoBell and Upham in 1944, also known as Flavobacterium marinotypicum or Microbacterium marinotypicum. The taxonomy classification is:

[0050] Kingdom: Bacterium

[0051] Phylum: Actinomycetota (actinobacteria)

[0052] Class: Actinomycetes (high G+C Gram-positive bacterium)

[0053] Order: Micrococcales

[0054] Family: Microbacteriaceae

[0055] Genus: Microbacterium

[0056] Specie: Microbacterium marinotypicum

[0057] Therefore, the term “Microbacterium maritypicum" refers to all the strains of said bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, such as, for example, but not limited to, strains MF109, DSM 12512, UBA6732, KMM3898, KCCM43203, S5-5, YL-1 , G10, or H11 , among many other strains, preferably strain DSM 12512, which can be obtained from the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Leibniz Institute DSMZ.

[0058] The term “composition of the invention” refers to a composition suitable for favoring the development of microorganisms, particularly bacteria. The composition of the invention comprises the microorganism Micro bacterium maritypicum itself. It should be noted that the composition is preferably defined as an aqueous composition which, in addition to the microorganism Micro bacterium maritypicum itself, comprises probiotic chemical molecules and compounds such as, for example, but not limited to, salts, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and acids, among others, as illustrated throughout the present invention. Moreover, the composition of the invention may not contain water and may be, for example, lyophilized.

[0059] The term “atmospheric carbon” in the context of the invention refers to carbon dioxide (CO2) found in the earth atmosphere. It is one of the gases that contributes most to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Atmospheric carbon is produced through natural processes such as respiration of living organisms and volcanic activity, but it is also released in large quantities as a result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels or deforestation.

[0060] The term “fixation of carbon in soil” in the context of the present invention refers to the capture or absorption of atmospheric carbon, or CO2, by microorganisms inhabiting said soil. It should be noted that the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum can contribute to this fixation of carbon in soil both directly by means of respiration and indirectly by helping the bacteria present in said soil to flourish, particularly by promoting those bacteria that help to capture carbon from the atmosphere and are beneficial for the plants.

[0061] The term “water retention in soil” in the context of the present invention refers to the capacity of a soil to retain water in its more superficial layers, such that plant and crop roots have access to said water or moisture before it seeps into deeper layers beyond their reach. Water retention in soil can depend on soil structuring, as well as on soil type, and said water can come from different sources such as, for example, but not limited to, irrigation water or rainwater.

[0062] The term “peptones”, in the context of the invention, refers to a protein fragment or a mixture of water-soluble protein fragments, that may be obtained through the partial hydrolysis of proteins from animal or plant sources. Peptones are generally rich in peptides and amino acids and are commonly used as a nutrient source in culture media for the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and other cells. In the context of the invention, peptones serve as a vital component for enhancing the growth and development of the microorganism Microbacterium maritypicum, by providing essential nutrients that support cellular metabolism and proliferation.

[0063] The term “extract of one or more yeasts”, in the context of the invention, refers to a mixture of nutrients obtained from yeast, a unicellular fungus, or from a group of yeasts, or a concentrated preparation derived from the autolysis or enzymatic digestion of yeast cells, which results in a complex mixture of soluble proteins, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, and other growthpromoting compounds. Yeast extract may be used in microbiological culture media as a rich nutrient source to support the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. In the context of the invention, yeast extract contributes essential nutrients that enhance the growth and metabolic activity of the microorganism Micro bacterium maritypicum, thereby promoting its beneficial effects on soil health and carbon fixation.

[0064] The unit “cfu / g” is a measurement commonly used in microbiology to quantify the amount of bacteria or microorganisms present in a sample, “cfu” is the abbreviation for “colony-forming units”, and “g” refers to grams, which is the unit of mass used in measurement. The unit cfu / g is preferably calculated by counting the number of bacterial colonies formed on an agar plate after culturing the sample. Each colony originates from a single bacterial cell or group of bacterial cells and is used as a measurement of the bacterial density in the original sample. Thus, the unit cfu / g indicates the number of viable bacteria present in a sample in a given amount of mass (grams).

[0065] Each embodiment described herein is contemplated as applicable to each of the other described embodiments. Therefore, all combinations of the various elements described herein are within the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated otherwise, in any method claimed herein which includes more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or actions are recited in the method.

[0066] Description

[0067] The major problem in modern agriculture is the gradual and increasingly accelerated loss of soil structure. This leads to a deterioration of the soil microbiome, and accordingly to a loss of genetic expression in crops, making them increasingly dependent on external inputs. The major challenge in current agriculture is not only to protect, but also to improve moisture and nutrient retention.

[0068] On the other hand, atmospheric carbon, in the form of CO2, is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute most to global warming and climate change. Therefore, the increase in atmospheric carbon levels is one of the main environmental concerns today, due to its impact on the global climate and on the health and well-being of ecosystems and life on Earth.

[0069] In this invention, see examples, a tool which improves the fixation of carbon in soil is shown. This has different benefits for crop land:

[0070] Soil structuring,

[0071] Greater water retention,

[0072] Improvement of microbiota, Reduction of metabolites harmful for crops, Increase of metabolites beneficial for crops, and Use as fertilizer for the soil.

[0073] This ultimately translates into a higher production yield, water savings, and cost reductions. Therefore, carbon fixation is beneficial for crop growths, as it fertilizes the soil.

[0074] Furthermore, the fixation of atmospheric carbon in soil contributes to the reduction of global warming and climate change. Finding compositions and methods capable of capturing said carbon present in the atmosphere and returning it to the soil therefore has an increasingly relevant ecological and environmental importance.

[0075] The examples below provide technical results which support what has been indicated above, obtained from different crops and areas in the south of Spain and for different types of compositions. The composition of the invention has been developed for the purpose of regenerating halophilic organisms native to the soil, which produce peptides that are utilized by the crop and the microbiome that encompasses the root. These organisms are similar to the primordial organisms that brought about habitable soils for other microorganisms and plant species, from rocks and extreme salinity conditions. These microorganisms are capable of transforming complex salts which cannot be utilized by the rhizosphere into nutrients that can be assimilated by it, promoting the development of beneficial microorganisms which, among other functions, fix CO2 in soil in organic forms, thereby improving soil structuring and quality.

[0076] Regenerating native halophilic soil organisms with the composition of the invention has an effect similar to that of fertilizing the soil, given that this microbiota, at the end of its life cycle, becomes fertilizer for the soil itself, both in terms of carbon capture and in terms of metabolites and organic and biological compounds available in the soil.

[0077] Furthermore, in the examples in which a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention was applied, neither bactericides nor fungicides were applied on the soil or irrigation water, to prevent a detrimental effect on the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum. The fact that neither bactericides nor fungicides are used furthermore makes this invention environmentally friendly, since soils treated with the composition of the invention can dispense with these chemicals that are harmful for the natural microbiota of the soil.

[0078] An explanation of the relevance of a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention to help capture atmospheric carbon in soil may be that said composition produces a phenotypical genomic expression on Micro bacterium Maritypicum that positively affects its metabolic activity, in the sense that favors removing or not generating metabolites that are known to be detrimental to the development of the microbiota, such as glycerin, as will be further shown in example 5 and can be seen in figure 8. This way, a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention promotes the development of Microbacterium Maritypicum colonies, and also the development of beneficial microbiota, that, in turn, respirates and therefore helps fixate atmospheric carbon in soil, since the fixated carbon remains in the soil at the end of the life cycle of the thriving bacteria.

[0079] In Example 2, the amount of carbon fixed in soils and the amount of water present in samples from farmlands treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention and conventional untreated farmlands were measured for asparagus, strawberry, and cucumber crops. Measurements were performed both in dry conditions, at time t = 0 h, and in wet soils after 24 h.

[0080] Based on the results shown in Figure 3, the higher wetting capacity of the sample of treated asparagus with respect to untreated control asparagus stands out, with there being a gravimetric difference of 4.9%. This clearly shows that there is an improved structuring of the substrate itself in terms of improvement in water retention capacity. In the case of cucumber, differences in improved cross-linking and structuring are again shown in the case of treated soil with respect to control soil, with a difference in the percentage of moisture of 2.9%.

[0081] Figure 4 shows the results of cellular respiration by volume of CO2, measured in mmol rrr2s’1. It can be seen at a glance that, in the dry sample (t = 0), clear differences in the concentration of CO2 can already be observed when comparing the crops, for which the soil has been treated with the composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention, to the control crops, for which the soil has not been treated with said composition. At time zero (t = 0), all the treated samples are superior with respect to their corresponding controls, the case of cucumber being particularly significant with a difference before wetting of 0.15 mmol rrr2s’1. Those differences are even greater after 24 hours of incubation, with differences of 1.45 and 1.37 mmol rrr2s-1for asparagus and strawberry, respectively, and with a much more pronounced difference of 2.73 mmol nr2s-1for the case of cucumber.

[0082] The differences observed in gravimetric moisture indicate that treated soils present greater cross-linking, and therefore greater water retention capacity. This different percentage of moisture that treated soil is capable of absorbing with respect to conventional soil is the direct consequence of the type of structure existing in the soil. While the soil in which a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention has been administered has a segmented block- or sheet-type structure, conventional soil has a granular structure, which causes water to permeate quickly with barely any accumulation capacity. Figure 2 shows two scanning electron microscopy images in which the characteristics of both soils are shown. The image on the left corresponds with granular soil, whereas the image on the right shows a more segmented block-like structure. The magnification of both photographs is the same and the so very different type of structure is clearly observed. This morphological difference suggests that the parameters of cellular respiration are also very different, since the water accumulation capacity is very different, and therefore microbial growth capacity must also be very different, since the latter depends on factors such as the presence of water to a greater or lesser extent, or the presence of bacteria which generate metabolites that promote the development of the bacterial flora. In fact, the parameters of CO2 cellular respiration acquired experimentally as a measurement of microbial growth both in dry conditions and in wet soil, like throughout the incubation process, show precisely this tendency.

[0083] Treated soils present higher respiration at all times, but it is much more pronounced in soil where cucumber had been grown. As for the asparagus and strawberry soil samples, very similar results were obtained, all showing higher carbon concentration in treated soil samples than in conventional samples.

[0084] Additionally, in Example 2, the amount of carbon fixed in soil, the increase of water retention in soil, and the root development (by weight) of the vegetables grown in farmlands treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention and conventional farmlands which are not treated were measured for lettuce, cucumber, strawberry, and asparagus crops.

[0085] For cucumber, a 17.5% increase in root development, a 173% increase in carbon fixation, and a 2.9% increase in water retention were observed in treated soils with respect to control soils. For strawberry, a 22% increase in root development and a 242% increase in carbon fixation were observed in soils treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Finally, for asparagus, a 268% increase in carbon fixation and a 4.9% increase in water retention were observed in treated soils with respect to untreated soils.

[0086] In this manner, it can be seen that the increase in carbon capture is associated with root growth. Furthermore, in the case of asparagus, a significant regeneration of the beneficial microbiota was also observed, thereby displacing Fusarium oxysporum, which is a fungal species that causes vascular wilt.

[0087] In Example 3, the amount of carbon fixed in farmlands treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention and farmlands treated with compoisition B (see example 1 for the composition) were measured for spinach crops. Measurements were performed both in dry conditions and in wet soils after 24 h. The results can be seen in Figure 6.

[0088] When comparing dry samples, the farmland treated with a composition according to one or more embodiments of the invention reports an increase in CO2 absorption of more than 100% compared to the control soil. In terms of wet samples, this difference is less pronounced; however, even so, the treated soil absorbs 61 % more CO2 than the control soil. In average, it a 76.1 % increase of CO2 fixation for soil treated with the composition of the invention.

[0089] In Example 5, the amount of metabolites present in soil samples treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention and soil samples treated with composition B’ was measured for Spinach crop soil.

[0090] As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, there are marked metabolomic differences between the treated soil and soil treated with composition B’, specifically 2 metabolites stand out for their relevance, which are glycerol, and tryptophan. Glycerol is found in higher proportions in conventional soil, and this causes a decrease in native populations of aerobic microbiota, mycorrhizae, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.. In the soil treated with composition Am bv, tryptophan values that reach values beyond normal values are observed, this being a precursor of indoleacetic acid that favors the development of crop roots.

[0091] The examples above mentioned, support the claim that the composition of the invention is suitable for fixing a high quantity of athmospheric carbon in soil, in particular, the respiration may be in the order of 2 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year in spinach crop soil. Wherein said respiration may be in the order of 16 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year in grape crop soil.

[0092] For the reasons set forth in the examples, a first aspect of the invention relates to a composition, preferably an aqueous or lyophilized composition, comprising the bacterium Microbacterium Maritypicum, preferably wherein the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is present in said composition in an amount of between 1x102and 1x1010cfu / g, more preferably in an amount between 1x102and 1x109cfu / g, even more preferably in an amount between 1x102and 1x108cfu / g, even more preferably in an amount between 1x103and 1x108cfu / g, even more preferably in an amount between 1x103and 1x107cfu / g, even more preferably in an amount between 1x104and 1x107cfu / g.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed in a suitable solvent, preferably an aqueous medium, wherein said aqueous medium may comprise water, mineral water, distilled water, deionized water, buffered solutions, saline solutions, and / or other solvents suitable for compositions for microbacteria, such as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), nutrient broths, or other culture media designed to support microbial growth and viability.

[0094] In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition, or the aqueous medium of the composition, further comprises one or more chloride salts, preferably wherein the composition (or the aqueous medium) comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 0.1 % and 20% of one or more chloride salts, preferably between 0.5% and 15% of one or more chloride salts, more preferably between 2% and 12% of one or more chloride salts, even more preferably between 3% and 11% of one or more chloride salts, even more preferably between 4.5% and 10% of one or more chloride salts, even more preferably between 5% and 10%, even more preferably between 5.5% and 9%. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention has more than 1.5% of chloride salts, more than 2%, more than 3%, more than 4%, more than 4.5% of chloride salts. Preferably, said one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, strontium chloride, ammonium chloride, lithium chloride, zinc chloride, manganese chloride, ferric chloride, and cobalt chloride, more preferably said one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride and strontium chloride, even more preferably said one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

[0095] It is understood that the range of chloride salts above mentioned refers to the total percentage of the sum of the one or more chloride salts present in the composition, and does not apply to each of the salts separately. Therefore, a composition comprising 4% of chloride salts, wherein the chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, may comprise 1 % of sodium chloride, 1 % of magnesium chloride and 2% of calcium chloride. Likewise for the rest of the concentration intervals for any list of components provided in this document.

[0096] In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition, or the aqueous medium of the composition, further comprises nitrogen sources. Preferably, comprises one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, preferably wherein the composition (or the aqueous medium) comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 0.1 % and 20% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, preferably between 0.5% and 15% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, more preferably between 1% and 12% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, even more preferably between 2% and 11 % of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, even more preferably between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, even more preferably between 5% and 10%, even more preferably between 5.5% and 9% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention has more than 1 .5% of peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, more than 2%, more than 3%, more than 4%, more than 4.5% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts. Preferably, said one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts are selected from the list consisting of yeast extract, Peptone A, Peptone B, Peptone C, yeast autolysate, yeast cell wall extract, yeast hydrolysate, yeast protein concentrate, yeast nucleotide extract, yeast RNA extract, yeast protein hydrolysate, yeast plasma extract, yeast cell lysate, yeast culture supernatant, and yeast fermentation broth.

[0097] In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition, or the aqueous medium of the composition, further comprises carbohydrate sources. Preferably, comprises one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably wherein the composition (or the aqueous medium) comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 0.1 % and 20% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 0.5% and 15% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, more preferably between 1 % and 12% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, even more preferably between 2% and 11% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, even more preferably between 3% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, even more preferably between 5% and 10%, even more preferably between 5.5% and 9% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides. In some embodiments, the composition of the invention has more than 1.5% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, more than 2%, more than 3%, more than 4%, more than 4.5% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides. Preferably, said one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides are selected from the list consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, starch, cellulose, glycogen, dextran, chitin, agar, pectin, Xylan, mannose, galactose, arabinose, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, cellulose derivative, galactomannan, guar gum, carrageenan, alginate, pullulan, chitosan, xanthan gum, amylose, amylopectin, cyclodextrin, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, organic sugar, brown sugar and heparin, even more preferably said one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides are selected from the list consisting of glucose, sucrose, organic sugar, brown sugar and fructose.

[0098] Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, preferably wherein the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is present in an amount of between 1x102and 1x1010cfu / g, more preferably between 1x102and 1x109cfu / g, even more preferably between 1x103and 1x108cfu / g, wherein said bacterium is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium, characterized in that said composition or aqueous medium comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 1.5% and 20% of one or more chloride salts, preferably between 3% and 15% of one or more chloride salts, preferably between 4.5% and 10% of one or more chloride salts, even more preferably between 5% and 10% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride potassium chloride and strontium chloride, more preferably from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, more preferably wherein the concentration of magnesium chloride is between 2 and 10%; wherein the composition or aqueous medium further comprises between 0.1 % and 20% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, preferably between 1 % and 15% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, more preferably between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and wherein the composition or aqueous medium further comprises between 0.1 % and 20% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 0.5% and 15% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 1.5% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, even more preferably preferably between 3% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides. Preferably, the aqueous medium comprising water. More preferably wherein the concentration of water is between 70% and 96.4% of the composition or aqueous medium, preferably between 75% and 94.5%, more preferably between, more preferably between 80% and 93%, even more preferably between 85% and 91.5%. In some embodiments, water is between 70% and 91.5% of the aqueous medium in percentage by weight. It is understood that the percentage of water may be adjusted depending on the ranges chosen for the components of the composition.

[0099] As explained above in the state of the art, the cellular respiration of certain bacteria present in soil helps to fix carbon in said soil by absorbing CO2 from the air and emitting oxygen, and the examples show that CO2 absorption in farmlands increases significantly when these farmlands are treated with a composition comprising the bacterium Micro bacterium Maritypicum according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Said composition, as can be seen in Example 5, alters soil metabolomics, such that the amount of metabolites associated with vascular pathogens and with the reduction of aerobic microbiota, mycorrhizae, and nitrogenfixing bacteria, such as glycerol or glucose, is reduced, and metabolites having a probiotic effect, favoring the development of bacterial populations capable of enriching the soil with different metabolites, such as with tryptophan, for example, are increased. This favors the development of the microbiota present in the soil, which ultimately allows fixing more carbon in said soil by means of cellular respiration, such that CO2 is absorbed and incorporated in the bacteria.

[0100] The bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum can be obtained from cereal root tissue (see Example 1) by means of the gradient dilution method, separating cells of the cereal root tissue by means of microbiological classification and PCR identification. Alternatively, the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum can also be obtained through depositories accessible to the public. In particular, it can currently be found at least in the depositories of the list comprising: DSMZ under DSM number 12512, ATCC under number 19260, IFO under number 15779, NCIMB under number 1050, NBRC under number 15779, and NRRL under number B-24223. However, it should be noted that the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum may also be obtained from other banks or through other methods not described herein but accessible to one skilled in the art.

[0101] Advantageously, the introduction of the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum improves the absorption of carbon in soil, which has a positive impact on the environment, reduces carbon footprint, reduces global warming and, not only that, also leads to a greater root and aerial development of the plant, increasing the amount of production for one and the same farming area. The introduction of the bacterium Micro bacterium Maritypicum also increases water capture, which advantageously allows taking better advantage of the watering volume and saving water and natural resources, which has a beneficial effect economically and for the environment.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the composition of the invention (used in Examples 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 5) comprises the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum in an amount of between 10 and 1012colony-forming units per gram (cfu / g). Preferably, the composition of the present invention comprises the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum in an amount of between 1.1x102and 5.6x1O10cfu / g. Even more preferably, it comprises the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum in an amount of between 1x103and 1x108cfu / g.

[0103] It should be noted that the mentioned amounts of colony-forming units per gram may vary with a margin of 30%, i.e., for each interval of cfu / g, there can be 30% more or 30% less with respect to what is indicated above. Preferably, this margin is ±20%, more preferably ±10%, even more preferably ±5%.

[0104] Advantageously, composition greatly favors the development of the population of Micro bacterium maritypicum and other beneficial microbiota, once this is applied on soil, which in turn promotes an increase in the fixation of carbon in soil in an effective and measurable manner. It is proven in examples 3 and 4 (see figures 6 and 7) relating to the increase of atmpospheric carbon capture, and example 5 and figures 8 and 9, related to the metabolomic composition of crop soil, that soils that have been treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention, which has a surprisingly high concentration of chloride salts, contributes to a development of the microbiota, which, in turn, enhances atmospheric carbon fixation in soil, as well as soil restructuration (see figure 2 for soil untreated (2A) and soil treated with composition A according to one or more embodiments of the invention (2B), which helps capturing water in the superficial layers of the ground. All together, these effects translate into a better environment for plant growth and more presence of nutrients, without needing common fertilizers, which, in turn, may improve crop yields.

[0105] In a more preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the composition of the invention comprises an aqueous medium. Preferably, the aqueous medium is sterilized water. In another preferred embodiment, this aqueous medium can be distilled water. Alternatively, the aqueous medium can be mineralized water or regular water. It should be noted that this aqueous medium can also be extracted by means of drying or lyophilization, and then can be added again.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, preferably in an amount of between 10 and 1012cfu / g, more preferably between 1x102and 5.6x108cfu / g, wherein said bacterium is dissolved or dispersed in a medium characterized in that it comprises one or more of the elements from the list consisting of one or more peptones, extract of one or more yeasts, one or more salts comprising an alkaline metal and a halogen element, one or more salts comprising an alkaline earth metal and a halogen element, and one or more saccharides, preferably monosaccharides or disaccharides, more preferably organic sugar or brown sugar, wherein said elements are dissolved in an aqueous medium such as water. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous medium may comprise mineral water, whereas in another preferred embodiment, the water of the aqueous solution may comprise distilled water. It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the water of the aqueous solution has been sterilized, since this removes microorganisms that are detrimental to and compete with the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum and therefore favors its growth. Preferably, the water has been sterilized by means of the heat application method. It should be noted that in another embodiment of the present invention unsterilized water could be used. Alternatively, the composition comprising the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum and a suitable medium can be lyophilized, dried, or deprived of water by means of any other method, for example, to facilitate their transport and storage. This lyophilization or drying would allow preserving the composition of the invention and subsequently, in a preferred embodiment, adding water to hydrate the composition and to enable applying it in a simple manner by means of, for example, watering techniques. Lyophilization or drying would also allow adding the composition of the invention to composts, fertilizers, or any other solid or liquid medium that will be applied on the soil, preferably on the soil to which water will then be applied.

[0107] One or more peptones is understood to mean an enzymatic digest comprising one or more amino acids or amino acid fragments, one or more peptides or small peptide fragments, or the mixture of both. In a preferred embodiment, the type of peptone used in the composition of the invention is peptone from porcine and bovine raw material. It should be noted that one skilled in the art may use other types of commonly used peptones with similar properties. Examples of peptones that can be used in the composition are, but not limited to, peptones of animal origin, peptones from soy, peptones from casein, peptones from potato, peptones from corn, peptones from meat, peptones of bovine origin, peptones of porcine origin, peptones of avian origin, peptones from agar, peptone from yeast, peptones from the liver, peptones from gelatin, peptones from strawberry, peptones from lettuce, peptones from asparagus, or peptones from cucumber, among many others.

[0108] Extract of one or more yeasts is understood to mean a mixture of nutrients obtained from yeast, a unicellular fungus, or from a group of yeasts. In a preferred embodiment, the type of yeast used to obtain the extract of yeast of the composition of the present invention is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It should be noted that one skilled in the art may use other types of yeasts known to have suitable nutritional values, and may combine them in a necessary or optimal manner. Examples of the types of yeasts with nutritional properties are, but not limited to, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used in the preparation of bread, beer, and other food products, the yeast Candida kefyr, used in kefir, a fermented milk-based food, the yeast Candida milleri, found in bread and beer, or the yeasts Candida utilis or Kluyveromyces fragilis, which are protein, vitamin, and mineral sources, among many other yeasts.

[0109] It should be noted that, preferably, no bactericides or fungicides are applied in the composition.

[0110] For the salts described in the present invention, it is understood that one skilled in the art may find equivalents with similar chemical properties. In this manner, instead of sodium chloride, it would be possible to carry out the invention with a chloride of another alkaline metal such as, for example, potassium chloride. Similarly, it would be possible to carry out the invention with a salt containing sodium and a halogen element other than chlorine such as, for example, fluorine, bromine, or iodine, where sodium fluoride, sodium bromide, or sodium iodide can thus be used. Similarly, one skilled in the art may find equivalents for the remaining salts according to the families in the periodic table to which they belong such as, for example, equivalents for alkaline earth elements, alkaline elements, metallic elements, non-metallic elements, or halogen elements, among others. In summary, one skilled in the art can use chemical analogs that are known to be biocompatible and are widely used or available in the composition of the present invention.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 2% and 15% of one or more chloride salts, preferably between 4.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, more preferably between 5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, potassium chloride and strontium chloride, preferably are selected from the list comprising magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, potassium chloride; between 0.5% and 15% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, preferably between 2% and 12% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, more preferably between 5% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 0.5% and 15% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 1.5% and 12% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, more preferably between 3% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides. Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises water, being water between 55% and 97% of the aqueous medium, more preferably between 70% and 95% of the aqueous medium, even more preferably 73% and 87.5% of the aqueous medium. It is understood that the percentage of water may be adjusted accordingly to the ranges chosen for the components of the composition.

[0112] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 5.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and / calcium chloride; between 6% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 4% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides. Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises water, being water between 75% and 84.5% of the aqueous medium.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more chloride salts present in the composition or the aqueous medium salts comprise sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride. Preferably, the one or more chloride salts present in the composition or the aqueous medium salts comprise between 0.1% and 9.8% of sodium chloride, between 0.1% and 9.8% of magnesium chloride and between 0.1 % and 9.8% of calcium chloride, wherein the relative concentration of chloride salts with respect to each other is adjusted to fit the composition of the invention. For example, if the composition comprises 4.5% of chloride salts, it may comprise 1% of sodium chloride, 3.4% of magnesium chloride, and 0.1% of magnesium chloride. More preferably the concentration of the one or more chloride salts in the composition or the aqueous medium of the invention is between 4.5% and 10%, wherein said one or more chloride salts comprise between 0.1 % and 9.8% of sodium chloride, between 0.1% and 9.8% of magnesium chloride and between 0.1 % and 9.8% of calcium chloride, wherein the relative concentration of chloride salts with respect to each other is adjusted to fit the composition of the invention. More Preferably the one or more chloride salts present in the composition or the aqueous medium salts comprise sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride and strontium chloride, wherein for each of said salts the composition comprises between a 0.1% and 9.6% in percentage by weight.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts, preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 0.1 % and 10% of one or more peptones and between 0.1 % and 10% extract of one or more yeasts. More preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts, wherein said composition or aqueous medium comprises between 0.1% and 10% of one or more peptones and between 0.1% and 10% extract of one or more yeasts, wherein the relative concentration of one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts with respect to each other is adjusted to fit the composition of the invention.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the me%dium (%w / w): i. between 0.1 % and 15% of one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts, preferably between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts, more preferably wherein there is at least a 0.1 % of one or more peptones and at least a 0.1% of extract of one or more yeasts; ii. between 2.5 and 15% of chloride salts, wherein said wherein said chloride salts comprise NaCI (sodium chloride), MgCI2 (magnesium chloride), and CaCI2 (calcium chloride), preferably between 4.5 and 10% of chloride salts, wherein said chloride salts comprise NaCI (sodium chloride), MgCI2 (magnesium chloride), and CaCI2 (calcium chloride), more preferably between 5% and 10% of chloride salts, wherein said chloride salts comprise NaCI (sodium chloride), MgCI2 (magnesium chloride), and CaCI2 (calcium chloride), more preferably wherein there is at least a 0.1% of each chloride salts; iii. between 0.1 % and 15% of one or more saccharides or polysaccharides, preferably between 1 % and 10% of one or more saccharides or polysaccharides;

[0116] Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises between 55% and 97.3% water, more preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises between 65% and 93.5% of water, even more preferably between 70% and 91.5% of water.

[0117] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): i. between 2 and 6% of one or more peptones; ii. between 1 and 4% of extract of one or more yeasts; iii. between 0.5 and 2.5% of sodium chloride; iv. between 3.75 and 6% of magnesium chloride; v. between 0.25 and 1.5% of calcium chloride; and vi. between 1 % and 6% of one or more saccharides.

[0118] Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises between 74% and 91.5% water.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): i. ±30% of 5% of one or more peptones; ii. ±30% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts; iii. ±30% of 1% of sodium chloride; iv. ±30% of 5% of magnesium chloride; v. ±30% of 0.5% of calcium chloride; and vi. ±30% of 5% of one or more saccharides;

[0120] Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises between 80% and 86% water, more preferably comprises ±30% of 85.5% water.

[0121] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed consists on, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): i. ±30% of 5% of one or more peptones; ii. ±30% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts; iii. ±30% of 1% of sodium chloride; iv. ±30% of 5% of magnesium chloride; v. ±30% of 0.5% of calcium chloride; and vi. ±30% of 5% of one or more saccharides;

[0122] Preferably wherein the composition or the aqueous medium comprises ±30% of 85.5% water.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±40% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±40% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±40% of 1 % of sodium chloride, ±40% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±40% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±40% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±30% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±30% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±30% of 1 % of sodium chloride, ±30% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±30% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±30% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±20% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±20% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±20% of 1 % of sodium chloride, ±20% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±20% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±40% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0126] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±15% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±15% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±15% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±15% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±15% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±15% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±10% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±10% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±10% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±10% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±10% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±10% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±5% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±5% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts, ±5% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±10% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±5% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±5% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises 5% of one or more peptones, 3% of one or more yeast extracts, 1% of sodium chloride, 5% of magnesium chloride, 0.5% of calcium chloride and 5% of one or more saccharides.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises ferric citrate, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises sodium sulfate, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises sodium bicarbonate, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises potassium bromide, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises boric acid, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises sodium fluoride, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises ammonium nitrate, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises potassium chloride, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises strontium chloride, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises disodium phosphate, in a concentration between 0.1 and 5%.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition or the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises ferric citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bromide, boric acid, sodium fluoride, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride, strontium chloride and / or disodium phosphate, preferably wherein said composition comprises between 0.1 % and 5% of each of said components.

[0140] In another preferred embodiment, water has been extracted from the composition of the invention, preferably by means of lyophilization or drying. Preferably, water has been extracted from the medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, preferably by means of lyophilization or drying. In another preferred embodiment, water can be extracted therefrom by means of evaporation, centrifugation, or other suitable water extraction means. Preferably, the composition comprising the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum and a suitable medium can be lyophilized, dried, or deprived of water by means of any other method, for example, to facilitate their transport and storage. This lyophilization or drying would allow preserving the composition of the invention and subsequently, in a preferred embodiment, adding water to hydrate the composition and to enable applying it in a simple manner by means of, for example, watering techniques. Lyophilization or drying would also allow adding the composition of the invention to composts, fertilizers, or any other solid or liquid medium that will be applied on the soil, preferably on the soil to which water will then be applied. In a preferred embodiment, the lyophilization process includes the freezing step, preferably at a temperature between -60 and -5°C, more preferably between -50 and -40°C, the sublimation step, in which water is evaporated by applying a vacuum, then the desorption step, in which water is extracted from the lyophilization chamber used to that end, and subsequently the sealing of the composition under vacuum. It should be noted that one skilled in the art may know the different ways and parameters suitable for lyophilizing the composition of the invention, such as the drying time, the temperature, or the vacuum level applied. Similarly, one skilled in the art may know different ways to extract water or dry the composition of the invention, for example, by means of arranging said composition on a large surface, such that the contact surface of the composition with air is increased, favoring evaporation. Furthermore, the process can also be accelerated by, for example, but not limited to, adding fans or another mechanism to increase airflow, placing the composition in the open air, or placing it under the sun, among other options, in order to accelerate and facilitate drying.

[0141] Advantageously, extracting water from the composition allows substantially reducing the weight of the composition, which is ideal to enable transporting and storing the composition more easily, as well as to increase its service life and / or delay its expiration date. Furthermore, this allows recovering the original composition and / or subsequently diluting it by means of adding an aqueous medium such as water, preferably sterilized water.

[0142] A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention for fixing atmospheric carbon, present in the air in the form of CO2, in soil. It should be noted that the composition of the invention has both probiotic and prebiotic effects; on one hand, it is suitable for the development of the Microbacterium maritypicum bacterial populations which find, in said composition, nutrients and salts needed for them to reproduce and survive, and on the other hand, the nutrients and salts of the composition as well as the metabolites derived from the presence of Micro bacterium maritypicum act, favoring the growth of microbiota beneficial for crops, while said growth, by means of cellular respiration of the bacteria, favors CO2 capture. On the other hand, the actual nutrients created by said beneficial microbiota and the presence of the rest of said microbiota at the end of their life cycle entail a regeneration of soil nutrients similar to or better than the application of fertilizer on the soil.

[0143] Advantageously, this allows reducing global warming effects associated with higher concentration of atmospheric CO2, and it also allows structuring the soil in a segmented manner, in blocks, instead of granular, and this allows increasing water retention in soil. 1

[0144] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil which comprises applying the composition of the invention on said soil. Application on soil can be performed, for example, by means of the incorporating the composition of the invention in irrigation water. The final dilution of the composition of the invention will therefore depend on the irrigation method chosen and on the amount of water required by said method, and which may vary depending on climate conditions, the type of soil, or the type of crop, among other factors.

[0145] Advantageously, this method allows the soil to obtain the composition of the invention, which contains the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum, and in this manner the soil can benefit from the presence of said bacterium, increasing the concentration of fixed CO2, therefore structuring the soil, and improving the amount of nutrients in the soil and the quality of the harvests.

[0146] Another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing water retention in soil, which comprises applying on said soil the composition of the invention. Application on soil can be performed, for example, by means of incorporating the composition of the invention in irrigation water. The final dilution of the composition of the invention will therefore depend on the irrigation method chose and on the amount of water required by said method, which may vary depending on climate conditions, the type of soil, or the type of crop, among other factors. It should be noted that water retention may refer to retention of irrigation water, retention of rainwater, or retention of moisture derived from closeness to bodies of water such as a river or underground water.

[0147] Advantageously, this method allows the soil to obtain a more segmented structure that allows increasing water retention in soil, which is beneficial because it means lower water expenditure with the subsequent cost savings and benefit for the ecosystem.

[0148] Another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil or the retention of water in soil, wherein the application of the composition on said soil is performed in an amount preferably of between 1 and 100 liters per hectare, more preferably between 2 and 50 liters per hectare, even more preferably between 10 and 30 liters per hectare. It should be noted that if the composition of the invention were lyophilized, application on said soil would preferably be performed in an amount of between 4 and 400 grams per hectare, more preferably between 8 and 200 grams per hectare, even more preferably between 40 and 120 grams. Advantageously, this amount of composition is optimal for obtaining the number of bacteria and nutrients suitable for developing a flora beneficial for the soil, in order to capture and fix more CO2 in soil, among other benefits.

[0149] A more preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil or the retention of water in soil, wherein the application of the composition on said soil is performed in an amount of between 1 and 100 liters per hectare, preferably between 2 and 50 liters per hectare, more preferably between 10 and 30 liters per hectare, wherein prior to the application of said composition on soil, this composition is diluted in between 1000 and 100000 liters of water, preferably diluted in between 3000 and 30000 liters of water. This embodiment allows applying the composition of the invention allows using common irrigation methods. It should be noted that these irrigation methods may be highly varied. For example, in one embodiment, between 10 and 30 liters of the composition can be diluted in 3000 liters of water, and they can be applied on the soil with the help of barrels and tractors. These amounts may vary by adding more or less liters of the composition or more or less liters of water. In another example of an embodiment, between 10 and 30 liters of the composition can be diluted in 30000 liters of water, and a sprinkler irrigation system can be used to apply them on soil homogeneously. Again, these amounts may vary by adding more or less liters of the composition of the invention or more or less liters of water. It should be noted that one skilled in the art can use different ways of watering on different surfaces, and therefore the dilution amounts will vary accordingly.

[0150] It should be noted that, preferably, neither bactericides nor fungicides are applied in the composition, or in the water used in the dilution thereof, or in the mixture of both.

[0151] Advantageously, this dilution allows applying the composition of the invention together with irrigation water, thereby facilitating a homogenous application, as well as favoring a wet soil that allows the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum and the rest of the microbiota to benefit from the presence of this bacterium, to have access to water so as to be able to grow and reproduce. This method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil is therefore optimum for developing a flora beneficial for the soil, in order to capture and fix more CO2 in soil, among other benefits.

[0152] Another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil or the retention of water in soil, wherein application on said soil is performed by an irrigation method consisting of watering, spray irrigation, gravity irrigation, drip irrigation, flood irrigation, irrigation by means of cisterns and tractors, irrigation by means of sprinklers, or underground irrigation, among others. It should be noted that one skilled in the art may know or use other ways of irrigation and can therefore apply the composition of the invention in irrigation water and apply same as is normally done.

[0153] Advantageously, this method allows readily applying the composition of the invention, adding it to the suitable irrigation method.

[0154] Another preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil or the retention of water in soil, comprising at least one or more of the steps from the list consisting of coating a plant seed with the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, coating a part of the plant with said bacterium, spraying said bacterium on a part of the plant, spraying said bacterium on the roots of the plant, spraying said bacterium in a furrow in which a plant or seed will be placed, soaking said bacterium in a part of the plant or in an area in which a plant will be placed, propagating said bacterium in a part of the plant or in an area in which a plant will be placed, transmitting said bacterium in a part of the plant or in an area in which a plant will be placed.

[0155] Advantageously, this allows applying the composition of the invention in a localized manner and closer to the plants that will benefit from the effects that said composition has on the soil in its vicinity.A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention for increasing water retention in soil.

[0156] Advantageously, increasing water retention in soil allows saving this natural resource, which is good for the environment and furthermore entails cost savings as it also allows the flora present to develop much more, creating soils richer in nutrients.

[0157] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention as fertilizer. Preferably for coating seeds, parts of plants such as the root, stem, or leaves. Therefore, the application of the composition of the invention on soil is not limited to direct application or application by means of watering. It can be applied indirectly by applying said composition to the seeds that will be planted. It can also be applied on the plant roots, stems, or leaves before or after planting. On the other hand, the composition can be included in solid fertilizers, fertilized soils, or concentrated liquids.

[0158] Advantageously, this way of applying the composition of the present invention in a localized manner allows the plants to benefit optimally from the presence of the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, both for increased root development and for a higher concentration of beneficial metabolites within the absorption volume of the roots, which translates into increased plant development and more generous harvests. Examples

[0159] Experimental techniques

[0160] Sample preparation

[0161] The soil extract samples were frozen at -30°C and subsequently lyophilised for 72 hours. The extraction of the lyophilised soil extract samples was carried out using 700 L of a mixture of CD3OD and phosphate buffer in D2O [pH 6.0, containing the sodium salt of 2,2,3,3-d4- (trimethylsilyl) propionic acid (TSP, 0.01% w / v), and sodium azide (NaN3, 90 M, an enzymatic inhibitor)] in a 50:50 (v / v) ratio on 18 mg of lyophilised extract. The resulting mixture was subjected to sonication in an ultrasonic bath (Figure 2) for 20 minutes at 28°C, vortexed (600 rpm, Mixer / SA 8, Stuart Biocote, Figure 2) for 10 minutes, and finally centrifuged (Minicentrifuge, Gyrozen, Figure 2) at 13500 rpm for 5 minutes. Finally, 500 pL of the supernatants were transferred to 5 mm NMR tubes (Eurisotop, Saint-Aubin, France, Figure 2).

[0162] Acquisition and RMN data processing

[0163] The proton NMR spectra were acquired at 293 ± 0.1 K on a 600 MHz Bruker Avance III NMR spectrometer equipped with a four-channel cryogenically cooled probe. This configuration allows for high-resolution and high-sensitivity measurements (with a dynamic range five times greater than that offered by a standard probe). A thermostatted autosampler with up to 500 positions is utilized. The optimised acquisition parameters are summarised as follows: dummy scans (DS) = 4, number of scans (NS) = 32, FID size (TD) = 65K, spectral width (SW) = 20.0 ppm, acquisition time (AQ) = 2.73 s, recycle delay (D1) = 5 s, receiver gain (RG) = 16, FID resolution (FIDRES) = 0.37 Hz, and mixing time (D8) = 10 ms. The Bruker pulse sequence (1 D noesygpprld) was employed, which consists of a presaturation pulse for the suppression of the residual H2O signal. The phase and baseline of the resulting proton spectra were automatically corrected, and all spectra were calibrated relative to the TSP signal, assigning its singlet a value of 0 ppm. The lock was achieved using the deuterium signal from deuterated methanol (CD3OD). The processing of the proton spectra was carried out using the TOPSPIN software (version 3.6).

[0164] Application of multivariate data analysis techniques

[0165] The bucketing of the proton NMR spectra was performed using the AMIX software (version 3.9.12, Bruker BioSpin GmbH, Rheinstetten, Germany). The buckets were obtained through a simple bucketing process and by normalising the intensity of individual peaks relative to the total intensity recorded in the region of 5H 0.7 to 8.8 ppm. The regions containing residual water (4.70 to 4.92 ppm) and methanol (3.31 to 3.35 ppm) signals were excluded and not considered for subsequent analysis. The resulting data matrix was analysed by multivariate data analysis methods using the SIMCA-P software (v. 17.0, Umetrics, Sweden). Unsupervised models - Principal Component Analysis (PCA) - and supervised models - Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) - were applied to the NMR data. The models were scaled using Unit Variance.

[0166] Carbon respiration measurements

[0167] To perform this assay, the sample was first sieved to obtain soil with a fraction having a grain diameter below 2 mm. The remaining fractions above or below 2 mm (see Figure 3) were calculated in percentage, and the soils were then left to dry at room temperature. Coupling cylinders of the CO2 sensor arm as shown in Figure 1 were prepared. Next, samples were taken at time 0 for dry sample, and a gravimetrically controlled wetting was then performed to calculate the moisture content of said soil. The wetting process was performed slowly to prevent oversaturations of the soil. The soil samples were then subjected to an incubation process to estimate microbial growth evolution through the measurement of CO2, and finally respirometry readings were taken at 0 and 24 hours.

[0168] Soil metabolites identification

[0169] For the structural elucidation of the set of metabolites present in the soil extracts, a set of two- dimensional experiments such as 1 H-1 H COSY, 1 H-1 H TOCSY, 1 H-13C HSQC (edited) and 1 H-13C HMBC were recorded using standard Bruker sequences. The homonuclear TOCSY experiments were obtained by applying a D1 of 1.5 s, a spectral width in both dimensions of 8403.36 Hz, and a receiver gain of 114. The TOCSY spectrum was processed using the sinebell window function (SSB = 2.0). The heteronuclear HSQC experiments were acquired using a D1 of 1.0 s, a spectral width of 7812.50 Hz in the F2 dimension and 37729.66 Hz in the F1 dimension, and they have been processed using the sine-bell function (SSB = 2.0). The heteronuclear HMBC experiments were recorded using the same parameters as for the HSQC experiments, except for the spectral width of F2, which was 7500.00 Hz. The coupling evolution delays were optimised for 1JCH = 145 Hz and nJCH = 8 Hz for the HSQC and HMBC experiments. In addition, the identification of the metabolic profile was carried out with the aid of both public databases - The Human Metabolome Database (HMDB, http: / / www.hmdb.ca) and Complex Mixture Analysis Database (COLMAR, http: / / spin.ccic.ohio- state.edu / index.php / colmar) - and private databases - Chenomx, Metabolite Reference Database (Bruker, bbiorefcode) - as well as bibliographic searches. EXAMPLE 1. Preparation of the composition of the invention

[0170] In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises a Micro bacterium maritypicum bacterial culture and an aqueous solution.

[0171] The bacterial culture can be obtained both from depositories accessible to the public (DSMZ DSM number 12512, ATCC number 19260, IFO number 15779, NCIMB number 1050, NBRC number 15779, and NRRL number B-24223) and by following the bacterial isolation, filtration, and classification method below:

[0172] Several bacterial strains are isolated from cereal root tissue by means of the gradient dilution method. The cereal root tissue is prepared by sieving it with the culture, and microorganism strains are obtained from a selection of endophytes, from which the bacterial strain is filtered by means of microbiological PCR classification and identification, thereby obtaining Microbacterium maritypicum.

[0173] Said bacterium is present in the composition of the invention in an amount which may vary between 1.1x102and 5.6x108colony-forming units per gram (cfu / g).

[0174] With respect to the aqueous solution, in one embodiment of the invention, the formula below is followed (in percentage by weight % w / w):

[0175] Composition A (see figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 )

[0176] Peptone 5%

[0177] Extract of yeast 3%

[0178] Sodium chloride 1%

[0179] Magnesium chloride 5%

[0180] Calcium chloride 0.5%

[0181] Sacharose 5%

[0182] Sterilized water 80.5%

[0183] Bacterial peptone obtained from porcine and bovine raw material is used as peptone. Said peptone is an enzymatic digest of animal origin used as ingredient in the culture medium.

[0184] Extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is used as extract of yeast. Said yeast is a concentrate of the water-soluble portion of yeast cells of several Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, particularly cultured in a molasses-based medium, which have been subjected to autolysis. In order to compare one or more embodiments of the invention with other compositions, to evaluate the importance of the concentration of chloride salts and nitrogen sources in the composition, the following compositions B and B’ were employed (in percentage by weight % w / w):

[0185] Composition B (see figures 7, 8, 10 and 11)

[0186] Peptone 8%

[0187] Extract of yeast 6%

[0188] Magnesium chloride 1 %

[0189] Sacharose 0.2%

[0190] Monopotasic phosphate 0.4%

[0191] Citric Acid 0.2%

[0192] Boric acid 0.01 %

[0193] MnSO4H2O 0.01 %

[0194] Sterilized water 84.2%

[0195] Composition B’ (see figures 7, 9, and 10)

[0196] Peptone 1 %

[0197] Extract of yeast 6%

[0198] Magnesium chloride 1 %

[0199] Calcium chloride 0.5%

[0200] Sacharose 5%

[0201] Monopotasic phosphate 0.4%

[0202] Citric Acid 0.2%

[0203] Boric acid 0.01 %

[0204] MnSO4H2O 0.01 %

[0205] Sterilized water 85.9%

[0206] EXAMPLE 2. Results of assays with the composition of the invention.

[0207] Measurements of the amount of carbon absorbed in soil and the amount of water present in the soil for samples from farmland treated with composition A of Example 1 and samples from untreated or control farmland, by means of respirometry with infrared CO2 sensor, as can be seen in Figure 1 , and measurements of gravimetric moisture, respectively, were performed. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed is proportional to the volume of bacterial respiration and therefore proportional to the biological activity in the soil sample.

[0208] The crops in the soil samples analyzed were asparagus, strawberry, and cucumber, both for crops with treated soil and for crops with untreated soil.

[0209] To perform this assay, the sample was first sieved to obtain soil with a fraction having a grain diameter below 2 mm. The remaining fractions above or below 2 mm (see Figure 3) were calculated in percentage, and the soils were then left to dry at room temperature. Coupling cylinders of the CO2 sensor arm as shown in Figure 1 were prepared. Next, samples were taken at time 0 for dry sample, and a gravimetrically controlled wetting was then performed to calculate the moisture content of said soil. The wetting process was performed slowly to prevent oversaturations of the soil. The soil samples were then subjected to an incubation process to estimate microbial growth evolution through the measurement of CO2, and finally respirometry readings were taken at 0 and 24 hours.

[0210] Figure 3 shows the results of the different percentages by weight of the fractions above and below 2 mm. On one hand, it shows the gravimetric moisture expressed in % (g H2O / IOO g soil) needed for a homogenous humectation of the soil where reading and incubation were performed, for soil samples where asparagus and cucumbers were grown.

[0211] Figure 4 shows the results of CO2 cellular respiration (in mmol m’2s’1) in dry soils, at time 0, and in homogenously wetted soils after leaving them to incubate for 24 hours, for soil samples where asparagus, strawberry, and cucumber were grown.

[0212] Cucumber was grown in Campohermoso, Almeria in 2021. Neither systemic fungicides nor bactericides were used. A 17.5% increase in root development (by weight) was observed. In terms of soils, carbon fixation increased from 1.52 mmol m’2s’1to 5.25 mmol m’2s’1by using composition A of the invention, as can be seen in figure 4. There was also and a 2.9% increase in water retention in treated soils with respect to control soils stand out.

[0213] Strawberry was grown in Moguer, Huelva, in 2021. A clear difference was observed in terms of aerial and root vigor between the plants in which said protocol was followed (1 single application of the composition of the invention of Example 1 at a dose of 20 l / ha) and in which conventional management was followed. In the treated strawberry plant, a 22% increase in the root system and carbon fixation increased from 0.09 mmol m’2s’1to 1.46 mmol m’2s’1by using composition A of the invention, as can be seen in figure 4. Asparagus was grown in Extremadura in 2021. It was observed that, in the crop treated with the composition A of the invention of Example 1 at a dose of 20 l / ha, without using systemic fungicides or bactericides, carbon fixation increased from 0.04 mmol m’2s’1to 1.49 mmol-nr2s'1by using composition A of the invention, as can be seen in figure 4, and water retention increased by 4.9%, with respect to the soil in which conventional crop management was followed. In this plot, there was a significant regeneration of beneficial microbiota, thereby displacing Fusarium oxysporum, which is a fungal species that causes vascular wilt.

[0214] EXAMPLE 3. Comparative study in spinach crop soil (Compositions A and B)

[0215] Measurements of the amount of carbon absorbed by samples from spinach crop soil treated with composition A, and samples from spinach crop soil treated with composition B (see example 1 for the referenced compositions), at a dose of 10 l / ha were performed by means of respirometry with infrared CO2 sensor. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed is proportional to the volume of bacterial respiration and therefore proportional to the biological activity in the soil sample.

[0216] The crops in the soil samples analyzed was spinach, taking place in Malaga in 2022, both for crop soil treated with composition A and crop soil treated with composition B. Coupling cylinders of the CO2 sensor arm as shown in Figure 1 were prepared. Next, samples were taken at time 0 for dry sample, and a gravimetrically controlled wetting was then performed to calculate the moisture content of said soil. The wetting process was performed slowly to prevent oversaturations of the soil. The soil samples were then subjected to an incubation process to estimate microbial growth evolution through the measurement of CO2, and finally respirometry readings were taken at 0 and 24 hours. The results can be seen in Figure 6.

[0217] EXAMPLE 4. Comparative study in grape crop soil (Compositions A and B’)

[0218] Measurements of the amount of carbon absorbed by samples from grape crop soil treated with composition A, and samples from grape crop soil treated with composition B’ (see example 1 for the referenced compositions), at a dose of 20 l / ha were performed by means of respirometry with infrared CO2 sensor. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed is proportional to the volume of bacterial respiration and therefore proportional to the biological activity in the soil sample.

[0219] The crops in the soil samples analyzed was grape, taking place in Murcia in 2022, both for crop soil treated with composition A and crop soil treated with composition B’. Coupling cylinders of the CO2 sensor arm as shown in Figure 1 were prepared. Next, samples were taken at time 0 for dry sample, and a gravimetrically controlled wetting was then performed to calculate the moisture content of said soil. The wetting process was performed slowly to prevent oversaturations of the soil. The soil samples were then subjected to an incubation process to estimate microbial growth evolution through the measurement of CO2, and finally respirometry readings were taken at 0 and 24 hours. The results can be seen in Figure 7.

[0220] EXAMPLE 5. Metabolomics comparative study in spinach and grape crop soils (Compositions A, B and B’)

[0221] Metabolomics measurements were performed on soil samples from spinach crops in Malaga in 2022 (from the same soil as example 6), and on soil samples from grape crops in Murcia in 2022 (same soil as example 7). A Bruker Avance III 600 spectrophotometer, equipped with a temperature-controlled SampleJet autosampler with up to 480 positions, was used in this study.

[0222] Figure 8 shows the concentration, in milligrams of metabolite per gram of soil, of Glycerol in different samples of spinach crop soil treated each sample with composition A, B and B’ respectively, and different samples of grape crop soil treated each sample with composition A, B and B’ respectively (see example 1 for the referenced compositions). It is noted that glycerol is known to hinder bacterial growth in soil, therefore, as can be seen in figure 10, the composition of the invention (A) is more beneficial for microbiota development in crop soil than compositions B and B’, since soil treated with composition (A) ends up with less Glycerol.

[0223] Figure 9 shows the concentration, in milligrams of metabolite per gram of soil, of Tryptophan in different samples of spinach crop soil treated each sample with composition A and B respectively (see example 1 for the referenced compositions). It is noted that Tryptophan is known to benefit bacterial growth in soil, therefore, as can be seen in figure 10, the composition of the invention (A) is more beneficial for microbiota development in crop soil than compositions B and B’, since soil treated with composition (A) ends up with more Tryptophan.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum, preferably wherein the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is present in an amount of between 1x102and 1x1O10cfu / g, wherein said bacterium is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium, characterized in that said aqueous medium comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w), between 4.5% and 10% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; between 3% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 1% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides, preferably between 3% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 70% and 91.5% of the aqueous medium.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 4.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; between 5% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 3% and 10% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 73% and 87.5% of the aqueous medium.

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises between 5.5% and 7% of one or more chloride salts, wherein the one or more chloride salts are selected from the list consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and / calcium chloride; between 6% and 10% of one or more peptones and / or extract of one or more yeasts; and between 4% and 8% of one or more saccharides and / or polysaccharides; being water between 75% and 84.5% of the aqueous medium.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more chloride salts comprise sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts.

6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w):i. between 3 and 10% of one or more peptones and extract of one or more yeasts; ii. between 4.5 and 10% of chloride salts, wherein said chloride salts comprise NaCI (sodium chloride), MgCh (magnesium chloride), and CaCh (calcium chloride), preferably wherein each of said salts is present at least in a 0.1%; iii. between 1 % and 10% of one or more saccharides; and iv. between 70% and 91.5% water.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 , 4, 5 or 6, wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed comprises, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): i. between 2 and 6% of one or more peptones; ii. between 1 and 4% of extract of one or more yeasts; iii. between 0.5 and 2.5% of sodium chloride; iv. between 3.75 and 6% of magnesium chloride; v. between 0.25 and 1.5% of calcium chloride; vi. between 1 % and 6% of one or more saccharides; and vii. between 74% and 91.5% water.

8. The composition according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the aqueous medium in which the bacterium Microbacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed consists on, in percentage by weight with respect to the total weight of the medium (%w / w): i. ±30% of 5% of one or more peptones; ii. ±30% of 3% of extract of one or more yeasts; iii. ±30% of 1% of sodium chloride; iv. ±30% of 5% of magnesium chloride; v. ±30% of 0.5% of calcium chloride; and vi. ±30% of 5% of one or more saccharides; vii. ±30% of 85.5% water9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±20% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±20% of 3% of extract of one or moreyeasts, ±20% of 1 % of sodium chloride, ±20% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±20% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±20% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±15% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±15% of 3% of one or more yeast extracts, ±15% of 1% of sodium chloride, ±15% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±15% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±15% of 5% of one or more saccharides.11 . The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises ±5% of 5% of one or more peptones, ±5% of 3% of one or more yeast extracts, ±5% of 1 % of sodium chloride, ±5% of 5% of magnesium chloride, ±5% of 0.5% of calcium chloride and ±5% of 5% of one or more saccharides.

12. The composition according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, comprises 5% of one or more peptones, 3% of one or more yeast extracts, 1% of sodium chloride, 5% of magnesium chloride, 0.5% of calcium chloride and 5% of one or more saccharides.

13. The composition according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said aqueous medium in which the bacterium Micro bacterium maritypicum is dissolved or dispersed, further comprises ferric citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bromide, boric acid, sodium fluoride, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride, strontium chloride and / or disodium phosphate, preferably wherein each of said components is present at least in a 0.1%.

14. Use of the composition according to any of claims 1 to 13 for fixing atmospheric carbon in soil.

15. A method for increasing the fixation of carbon in soil which comprises applying on said soil the composition according to any of claims 1 to 13, preferably wherein between 1 and 100 liters of the composition according to any of claims 1 to 13 are applied on one hectare of soil, more preferably wherein the between 1 and 100 liters of the composition are diluted in between 1000 and 100000 liters of water prior to the application of the composition in one hectare of soil.

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