How Our Products Benefit Soil and Promote Plant Growth

How Our Products Benefit Soil and Promote Plant Growth

Bio Soil Enhancers 2

Functions of Products Containing SumaGrow

• Nitrogen fixation• Phosphate solubilization• Mobilization of available plant nutrients• Production of phyto-hormones• Stabilization of pH• Water retention values

May 2014


• Products with SumaGrow inside include Rhizobium bacteria that live in root nodules of legumes and are responsible for more than 90% of all nitrogen fixation. These symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria invade the root hairs of host plants where they multiply and stimulate the formation of root nodules. With the nodules the bacteria convert free nitrogen to nitrates which the host plant uses for its development. Nitrogen fixation by bacteria associated with legumes and free living nitrogen fixing bacteria in soil are of prime importance in agriculture

What sets SumaGrow apart?

May 2014

Symbiotic Plant-Microbe Interactions

• Plant provides the photosynthate to the rhizosphere and soil microbes in turn provide the plant– Fixed nitrogen– Solubilization of minerals

for plant availability– Recycling of nutrients– Improvement of soil

structure

Trichoderma

• Free living and fast growing fungi in most soil and root ecosystems

• Promote plant growth by phosphate solubilization.

Mechanisms: Antibiosis, antagonism, competitive exclusion and production of phytohormones



• A desired spectrum of organisms that stimulate plant growth by solubilizing phosphate and providing the plant all major essential micronutrients

• Several microbial groups having the ability to stimulate plant growth by producing phytohormone, growth factors, and metabolites

• Multiple strains of decomposers convert crop residues and contribute organic matter to soil

• Non-rhizobial nodulating bacteria that fix nitrogenMay 2014



• Phosphate solubilizers– Bio Soil products include different bacterial species

that solubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate compounds, such as tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and rock phosphate

– The principal mechanism for mineral phosphate solubilization is the production of organic acids and acid phosphates

– Solubilization is the action of organic acids synthesized by microorganismsMay 2014

Phosphorus in Soils

Unavailable P

Available P

Total P in many soils (0 to 6 in) ranges from 400 to 1,000 lbs / acre . . . but only a fraction of that

is available for plant uptake each season

Phosphorus Continued• Energy storage and transfer

– Phosphate compounds are “energy currency”

– Such as ADP and ATP• Structural component of

biochemicals• Seed formation• Calcium and magnesium phytate• Maintenance and transfer of

genetic code• Root growth, rapid crop

establishment• Early maturity, quicker recovery



• pH Control Agents– Products with SumaGrow inside include microbes

that colonize fast and produce organic acids and microbes that colonize slow and produce alkaline conditions. These microbes are specifically selected to achieve a consistent balanced pH of 6.4-7.4

May 2014


SumaGrow and Soil pH

• In a healthy balance of microbial proportions, the pH of the soil will automatically stabilize at around 6.4 with SumaGrow, which is the “perfect soil pH” not only for organic/biological agriculture, but is also the ideal pH of sap in a healthy plantMay 2014


Liquid Humates

• Humic Acid, an essential carbon source for soil microbes, is used as a carrier to prepare Bio Soil products. Humic acid is rich in organic matter with a high water-holding capacity and provides a nutritive medium for growth of Rhizobia and other bacteria and fungi

• Humic acid helps in building up of soil humus and enhances the natural processes, such as microbial activity which can be sustained over a long period of life. Hence the humic acid has been selected as the carrier for developing the present formulation

May 2014


Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

• SumaGrow enhances and protects the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil to provide the essential nutrients needed for plant growth

• In sandy soils with a low CEC, Bio Soil’s combination of humic acid and microbes will chelate and hold the plant nutrients and moisture for the plant uptake and initiate the process for rebuilding the organic matter necessary for sustainable soil health

May 2014


CEC

• CEC protects soluble cations from leaching out of the plant root zone

• These ions are rapidly exchangeable with other soluble ions, so when root uptake depletes the nutrient supply, they replenish plant-available cations in the soil solution.

• Cation exchange is the major nutrient reservoir of K+, Ca2+, and

Mg2+, is important for holding onto N in the ammonium, (NH4

+) form, and to some extent supplies micronutrient trace metals like Zn2

+ and Mn2

+. • Cation exchange also helps soils resist changes in pH in addition to

retaining plant nutrients.May 2014


Plant Nutrients Bank

May 2014


Essential ElementsThese nutrients include all 16 essential

elementsCarbon

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Potassium

Calcium

Magnesium

Sulfur

Boron

Chlorine

Copper

Iron

Manganese

Molybdenum

ZincMay 2014


In Summary• SumaGrow can overcome the heavy dependency of

chemicals which has caused tremendous problems of environment degradation and human health

• Fertilizers and pesticides are prone to wash off in heavy rains and require repeated treatments during the crop period, but the SumaGrow will not be subjected to any of this and will be stable in its function as it is a mixed consortium of potential, communicative, and inter-dependent, competitive, stable bacterial and fungal population to supply nutrients continuously

May 2014


Wheat – Texas

May 2014


China Wheat Results(Triticum aestivum)

SumaGrow tillers on left, Control on right

May 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers 20May 2014


Arise Trial Results

May 2014


Arise Trial Results

TRT: 100 SG100% Decrease

SG50% Decrease

7/20 Runoff 77.0 40.0 48.05% 36.5 52.60%

9/30 Runoff 37.0 19.5 47.30% 16.0 56.76%

7/20 Nitrates24.0 12.5 47.92% 15.5 35.42%

9/30 Nitrates37.0 19.5 47.30% 16.0 56.76%

May 2014


Arise Trial Results

TRT: 100 SG100 % Increase SG50 % Increase

Yield (bu/ac) 119.3 145.15 21.67% 142.2 19.2%

Chlorophyll 40.2 54.0 34.33% 53.2 32.2%

Formazan 314.0 406.5 29.46% 444.5 41.6%

May 2014


Mississippi– Corn Trials

Control – R1 Stage

May 2014


0.5 ga/ac SG – R1 Stage

May 2014


1.0 ga/ac SG – R1 Stage

May 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

Mississippi– Soybean Trials

27

Control After Herbicide

May 2014


Control

May 2014


0.5 ga/ac SG @ Herbicide

May 2014



1.0 ga/ac SG @ Herbicide

May 2014



Iron Chlorosis

May 2014


Iron Chlorosis – 1.0 ga/ac SG

May 2014


Treated

UntreatedMay 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

Timothy Mix

36

Treated

UntreatedMay 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

MS Cattle Forage Gain Trial

• Treatments:– Control: 60 units N/ac.– SG1: 50% Fert + 0.5 ga/ac SG– SG2: 100% SG

• 4 Total acres stocked at 1.75 hd/ac.• Calves randomly assigned to treatments. • 75 Day Grazing Trial. • Warm season perennials. 37May 2014


MS Cattle Forage Gain Trial

Trt. Head/Ac Gain/Head/Trt Gain/Ac $ per LbValue

Gain/Ac $$ Adv

Control 1.75 36 63.00 $1.70 $107.10

SG 1 1.75 93.34 163.35 $1.65 $269.52 $162.42

SG 2 1.7524.0 68.5 119.88 $1.65 $197.79 $90.69

May 2014


Virginia Gain Test Trials• In conjunction with the Lakota

Ranch Forage Bull Test (sponsored by VA BCIA & VA Tech).

• Treatments:– SG– NPK– Control

• 12 bulls per group (3)• Started Oct. 17, 2011. • Fescue/Clover pastures.• Groups rotated after each

weighing. 39May 2014


Lakota Forage Gain Bull Test

SGNPK

Control

1.71.81.9

22.12.2

ADG (lbs/day)

ADG2.11a

1.91b

1.84b

a,b Within a column, means without a common superscript differ (p<0.05). May 2014


Virginia Heifer Gain Trial

• 40 yearling heifers.• Two Treatments:

– SG– Control

• Rye/Ryegrass & Turnips.

• Heifers rotated between treatments.

May 2014


Lakota Heifer Gain Test

SGControl

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

ADG (lbs/day)

ADG1.89a

1.74b

a,b Within a column, means without a common superscript differ (p<0.05).

May 2014

Murray State University

• Stocker Grazing Trial:– Summer Annuals

• BMR Sorghum– Treatments:

• 1.0 ga/ac SG• 2.0 ga/ac Milk• 100 lb/ac NH4NO3• Control

43


Murray State Trials

Variable SG Raw Milk NH4NO3 Control

Brix 5.00a 4.75a 4.25b 3.75c

ADG 2.44a 2.07b 2.41a 1.99b

a,b,c Within a column, means without a common superscript differ (p<0.05). May 2014


Murray State Trials

SG Milk Fert Control

0123456

ADG (lbs/day)Brix (%)

ADG (lbs/day)Brix (%)

2.07b1.99b

6.00a

4.76b 4.26b3.76c

2.44a

2.41a

a,b,c Within a column, means without a common superscript differ (p<0.05).

May 2014


Toolkit

• Refractometer• Soil Penetrometer• Soil Moisture & pH probe• Nitrogen meter• Soil analysis• Soil health analysis (PLFA test)May 2014


Soil Temperature

May 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

Soil Porosity

48May 2014


MN Potato Trial Results

Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp Soil pH Soil Moisture Brix Potato

Brix

C 8.81 73.50 6.70 46.25 5.63 4.69

SG 7.69 72.88 7.00 50.00 10.19 7.31May 2014


MN Blue Corn Trial – Preliminary Results

Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp

Soil pH

Soil Moisture

Plant Brix

Corn Brix

Ear Wt.

Ear Lgth. Soil N

C 7.4 69.25 6.57 58.12 6.77 7.56 210.62 8.02 163.75

SG 5.5 69.62 6.86 60.62 10.62 11.93 285 8.88 189.37

May 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

Audubon – MDC Trials

51

Trt LOC Soil Temp Soil Compaction Soil pH Soil Moist. Brix

C Iona 67.67 11.00 6.46 54.17 NA

SG1 67.17 8.08 6.64 62.50 NA

SG2 67.08 7.67 6.77 61.67 NA

C Frank 64.00 12.44 6.61 53.00 4.41

SG1 64.00 10.85 6.79 54.00 6.25

SG2 63.00 9.13 6.86 58.00 6.63May 2014


Montana Forage I

Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp Soil pH Soil Moisture Brix

C 9.33 62.44 6.61 37.78 5.28

SG 8.67 61.67 6.78 46.11 7.28

May 2014


Montana Forage III


C 15.61 60.22 6.88 44.44 4.50

SG 12.89 61.33 6.98 61.11 6.44May 2014


Montana Wheat I


C 10.50 70.89 7.09 45.00 3.94

SG 8.67 63.33 6.96 66.44 5.39

May 2014


Montana Wheat III


C 4.06 59.78 6.52 73.89 4.50

SG 2.44 60.00 6.82 76.67 6.06

May 2014


Common Questions…

• You’re telling me to cut my fertilizer???• Who is going to pay for decreased yields & profits?• Where is your proof of claims? Data?• Who else is using this product?• SG may work in Michigan, but my farm, state,

region is different.• How much does this cost per acre?

May 2014


What Are Farmer’s Realistic Expectations?

• Reasonable ROI.• Improved Yields and/or quality.• Tangible benefits over current fertilization

program.– If current program is working, why change?

• Equal or better performance at lower cost.• What are short term & long term benefits and

expectations? May 2014


What Can SG Do That Fertilizer Can’t?

• Increase soil organic matter and CEC• Unlock bound nutrients for plant use• Improve water infiltration/reduce runoff• Improve soil texture and aggregation• Buffer soil pH• Increase BRIX and end product quality• Improve fertilizer efficiency• Lower input costs• Improve plant stress tolerance

May 2014


What Are Short Term Benefits?

• Improved Yields – Quality and/or quantity.• Better germination & seedling vigor.• Better overall stand.• Increased stress tolerance.

– Better plant immunity…• Improved soil porosity, soil aggregation, water infiltration,

retention.– Know what this means in real life….

• Reduced runoff• Release of bound nutrients.

May 2014

Bio Soil Enhancers

Long Term Benefits?

• Improved Soil OM, fertility, overall health.• Soil pH buffering capacity.• Improved soil porosity, water infiltration & retention,

less runoff and erosion. • Fewer issues with standing water, drought impact.• Improved productivity with LOWER Input Costs!!!!!• Environmental Benefits.

60May 2014


Three Categories of Farmers

• Conventional & skeptical.• Curious and want more information.• Those already active in sustainable farming and

looking for products that will help. May 2014


Economic Benefits

• Avg Fertilization costs for acre of corn in Mississippi = $200 to $250/acre to produce 150 - 200 bu/ac.

• Shoot for $1.00 to $1.50/bu in fertilizer costs.• If reduce fertilizer 50% = $100 to $125/ac +

$50/ac SG = $150 to $175/ac total cost. • Savings of $50 to $100/ac.

May 2014


Economic Benefits

• If no yield increase but equal yield, Farmer saved $50 to $100/ac.

• Assume 150 bu/ac avg yield & $5.00 corn:– At 5% yield increase = 157 bu/ac = $35/ac– At 10% yield increase = 165 bu/ac = $75/ac

• Total value @ 5% increase = $85/ac.• Total value @ 10% increase = $125/ac.

May 2014


• If yield decreased 5% = Lose $35/ac in corn value.

• However, with $50/ac in reduced costs, farmer still made $15/ac more in net profits.

May 2014


Value of Soil Organic Matter (1.0% SOM Nutrients/Acre)

Nutrients Nutrient (Lbs)

Unit Value/lb Value/Ac

Nitrogen 1000 $0.56 $560

Phosphorus 100 $0.67 $67

Potassium 100 $0.54 $54

Sulfur 100 $0.50 $50

Carbon 10000 $0.037 $20

Value of 1.0% SOM in Nutrients/Acre $751

Source: J. Soil and Water Conserv. B. Hudson. 49 (2) 189-194 5.0% SOM = $3755May 2014


Value of Soil Organic Matter

• Basic Rule of Thumb

• For every 1.0% increase in SOM, input costs can be reduced by 10-15%.

May 2014


Can we control runoff with OM?

• 2% OM will hold 28,000 gallons of water/acreor 21% of a rainfall.



May 2014


Soil OC Water Holding Capacity

Organic Carbon (%) Water Per Acre (Gallons)

1% 14,400

2% 28,800

3% 43,200

4% 57,600

5% 80,000

8% 128,000May 2014


Thank YouMay 2014

Documents

How Our Products Benefit Soil and Promote Plant Growth