Takeouts of 2300+ Trials with Biofertilizers: Challenges and Opportunities

Dmytro Yakovenko

Head of International Department at BTU

The intricate relationship between microbial biofertilizers and soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture. We collect insights from over 2300 trials conducted by BTU, highlighting the profound impacts of microbial interventions on plant productivity. 

With a remarkable success rate of 90.47%, these trials underscore the significant role of microbial biofertilizers in enhancing soil health and crop productivity. Comprehensive data analysis further reveals how soils respond to microbial interventions across various pH levels, providing valuable insights for tailored applications in diverse environments.

ABOUT BTU

CROP-SPECIFIC RESULTS

So, in over 90% of studies, the biological products positively influence yield with an average 10% increment over the control. Interestingly, the best increase is seen in root crops, vegetables, and legumes, followed by industrial crops and cereals.

EFFICIENCY BY PRODUCT CATEGORIES

Products like micronutrients and humic substances showed an average yield increase of around 11%. Mycorrhiza and inoculants, when used together, showed a synergistic effect, increasing yields by 16%.

We conducted an analysis for different categories of products. The average yield increase from micronutrients was around 11%, similar to humic substances. Mycorrhiza alone showed a slightly lower increase of nearly 7%, but when combined with inoculants, the increase was 16%. Inoculants alone also resulted in an 11% increase. This synergy demonstrates that combining certain biofertilizers can yield significant benefits, though this is not always the case.

Typically, you need to be selective. For instance, if a phosphorus solubilizer increases yield by 10%, adding mycorrhiza won't always yield an additional increase. Therefore, it's important to choose solutions that are most suitable for your specific conditions. On average, a 10% yield increase is achievable with most biofertilizers.

Product Highlights

	AZOTOHELP  is a composition of cells of the natural nitrogen-fixing bacterium Agrobacterium pusense. It is a natural growth stimulator, increases seed germination energy, and stimulates the development of the root system and plant groundmass. This biological fixes and binds atmospheric molecular nitrogen up to 30 kg/ha per year on average.
	GROUNDFIX  is a biological that increases the utilization rate of applied mineral fertilizers by 1.2-1.5 times. It mobilizes inaccessible forms of phosphorus and potassium into readily available forms, thanks to which it is possible to mix up to 30% of complex fertilizers. Besides it improves the development of the root system and processes of assimilation of nutrients, accumulation of sugars in the node of the bush, etc.
	ECOSTERN  is a concentrated preparation specially developed for decomposition of after-harvesting residues. It allows you to manage plant residues after winter and accumulate organic matter. It reduces the application of nitrogen fertilizers by up to 40% for decomposition. Ecostern restores soil health, neutralizes phytotoxins, increases biological activity, improves physical and chemical indicators.
	MYCOFRIEND is mycorrhiza developing biological product. It provides root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and balanced mineral nutrition. Also, it increases the absorption area of the root system and improves water retention.

APPLICATION METHODS: 

Various methods of application, such as soil application, seed treatment, and foliar sprays, all showed positive impacts, with combined methods yielding the best results. In our quest to maximize the benefits of biofertilizers, we've analyzed various methods of application. Here are the key insights from our extensive trials:

Soil Application

Soil application is one of the most common methods for using biofertilizers. From more than 400 trials, we observed an average yield increase of 10.4%. This method involves directly incorporating biofertilizers into the soil, ensuring that beneficial microorganisms have direct contact with plant roots.

In-Furrow Application

The in-furrow application method, where biofertilizers are applied in the seed furrow at planting time, has gained popularity due to its efficiency and lower rates of biological inputs. Despite using fewer biologicals, this method still yielded an average increase of 5% from over 200 trials.

Seed Treatment

Applying biofertilizers as a seed treatment is another effective method. By coating seeds with beneficial microorganisms before planting, we observed yield increases of nearly 10%. This method ensures that the plants are supported by beneficial bacteria and fungi from the very beginning of their growth cycle.

Combined Methods

Combining different application methods, such as seed treatment, soil application, and foliar sprays, resulted in even more significant yield increases. When used together, these methods increased yields by more than 15%. This synergistic approach maximizes the exposure of plants to beneficial microorganisms throughout their growth stages, leading to better overall health and productivity.

Our analysis demonstrates that various methods of applying biofertilizers can significantly enhance crop yields. While each method offers its advantages, combining multiple application techniques provides the most substantial benefits. By optimizing how we use biofertilizers, we can improve agricultural productivity and sustainability, ultimately leading to more robust and resilient farming systems.

SOIL PH AND BIOFERTILIZERS

In our database of nearly 1000 trials with pH level data, we found interesting results. We have over 100 trials on low acidic pH levels showing a significant yield increase, especially in seed treatment trials and some vegetable trials. In soils with pH levels from 5 to 6, common in Ukrainian soils, we observed a yield increase of around 9-10% 

. Most of these trials involved cereals and corn, which showed similar yield increases.

Overall, biofertilizers perform well across different soil pH levels. This answers a common question from our partners about the effectiveness of bacterial products in acidic soils. While bacterial products generally prefer neutral or higher pH, our data indicates they are still effective in acidic soils. Thus, bacterial biofertilizers can be applied across a wide pH range. Fungi-containing products show similar results.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF BIOFERTILIZERS

A common question we encounter is how long bacteria from biofertilizers can survive and remain effective in the soil. Based on our extensive research and trials in Eastern and Central Europe, we have evidence that the effects of biofertilizers can last for at least two years.

Our data includes numerous trials showing significant yield increases even a year after the initial application. For example, in Serbia, we conducted one of our first trials five years ago. We applied Groundfix before planting corn and observed better crop development. Although we didn't receive the harvest results, a follow-up visit revealed that the subsequent crop, winter wheat, also demonstrated improved growth where Groundfix had been applied the previous year. This indicates the long-term benefits of biofertilizers.

CARBON FARMING AND BIODIVERSITY

Products like Ecostern have been shown to increase labile carbon in soil and enhance soil biodiversity, contributing to sustainable farming practices.

In recent years, carbon farming has become a significant trend in agriculture. This method focuses on enhancing soil health and sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change. Our ongoing projects have provided valuable insights into how biofertilizers, particularly Ecostern, contribute to these goals.

Our data shows that applying Ecostern can positively influence the accumulation of labile carbon in the soil. This is crucial as labile carbon plays a vital role in soil fertility and structure, enhancing the soil's ability to support plant growth.

In collaboration with Kernel, a company managing half a million hectares in Ukraine, we conducted a comprehensive study on soil biodiversity. We monitored the development of saprotrophs, a group of fungi that decompose organic matter, and specifically the amount of Trichoderma fungi in the soil. Our results indicated that the application of different formulations of Ecostern nearly doubled the presence of Trichoderma compared to control plots.

Additionally, we measured the enzymatic activity of the soil, a critical indicator of soil health. In experiments with sterilized soil, Ecostern significantly restored enzymatic activity measured with BIOTREX to near-normal levels, demonstrating their effectiveness in revitalizing soil ecosystems. 

Field studies with Ecostern confirmed the possibility of Ecostern to improve enzymatic activeness of soil by 10-30%, at the same time improving the functional biodiversity of the soil. 

In summary, our research underscores the potential of biofertilizers like Ecostern in advancing soil regeneration initiatives. These products help build resilient, fertile soils that can sustain high agricultural productivity while contributing to environmental conservation efforts.

ECONOMIC AND PRACTICAL BENEFITS

Overall, we have conducted thousands of trials and have extensive experience applying biologicals across millions of hectares. Our research indicates that biofertilizers offer significant economic benefits, the return on investment for various biological solutions often starts at over 100%, and in some cases, exceeds 500%. This makes biologicals highly economically efficient. In trials, we observed that reduced fertilization schemes supplemented with biofertilizers can yield comparable or even better results than traditional 100% fertilization schemes, leading to substantial cost savings for farmers. 

Our extensive research and trials underscore the immense potential of biofertilizers in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. By leveraging these innovative solutions, we can improve crop yields, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and promote healthier soil ecosystems.

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