Soy in Flanders - Results
Project Soy over time
The citizen science project 'Soja in 1000 tuinen' (Soy in 1000 gardens) was initiated by a consortium including VIB, UGent, ILVO, KU Leuven, and volunteers to identify soil bacteria that can aid in soybean cultivation in Belgium. Despite soybeans being a vital protein source, they are largely imported from South America. To promote local cultivation, the project created a library of beneficial bacteria for Belgian soils and climate.
The project succeeded on multiple fronts. It effectively integrated citizen science with research, collecting data on participation and data quality. It also gathered valuable information on plant parameters, soil types, and microbial contexts, identifying 1007 bacterial strains, including 31 Rhizobium spp. and Bradyrhizobium spp. Field tests showed that four strains outperformed or matched the commercial control strain G49. These strains are being patented to improve soybean yields.
The results will be published in at least six scientific journals. To maximize impact, the team prepared reports and guidelines for agricultural companies and farmers. Outreach initiatives aimed at both specialized and general audiences were conducted to raise awareness about legumes and microbial roles in sustainable cultivation. Information will be shared with interested agricultural companies such as Protealis, Globachem, Rhizobacter, BASF, Bayer, and Alpro.