How Our Products Benefit Soil and Promote Plant Growth
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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
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• 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?
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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
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What sets SumaGrow apart?
• 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
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What sets SumaGrow apart?
• 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
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What sets SumaGrow apart?
• 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Plant Nutrients Bank
May 2014
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Essential ElementsThese nutrients include all 16 essential
elementsCarbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Boron
Chlorine
Copper
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
ZincMay 2014
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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
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Wheat – Texas
May 2014
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China Wheat Results(Triticum aestivum)
SumaGrow tillers on left, Control on right
May 2014
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Arise Trial Results
May 2014
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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
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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
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Mississippi– Corn Trials
Control – R1 Stage
May 2014
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0.5 ga/ac SG – R1 Stage
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1.0 ga/ac SG – R1 Stage
May 2014
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Mississippi– Soybean Trials
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Control After Herbicide
May 2014
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Control
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0.5 ga/ac SG @ Herbicide
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1.0 ga/ac SG @ Herbicide
May 2014
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Iron Chlorosis
May 2014
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Iron Chlorosis – 1.0 ga/ac SG
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Treated
Untreated
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Timothy Mix
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Treated
Untreated
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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
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MS Cattle Forage Gain Trial
Trt. Head/Ac Gain/Head/Trt Gain/Ac $ per LbValue
Gain/Ac $$ Adv
Control1.75 36 63.00 $1.70 $107.10
SG 11.75 93.34 163.35 $1.65 $269.52 $162.42
SG 21.7524.0
68.5 119.88 $1.65 $197.79 $90.69May 2014
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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. 39
May 2014
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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
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Virginia Heifer Gain Trial
• 40 yearling heifers.• Two Treatments:
– SG– Control
• Rye/Ryegrass & Turnips.
• Heifers rotated between treatments.
May 2014
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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).
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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
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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
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Murray State Trials
SG Milk Fert Control
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
ADG (lbs/day)Brix (%)
ADG (lbs/day)Brix (%)
2.07b1.99b
6.00a
4.76b 4.26b
3.76c
2.44a
2.41a
a,b,c Within a column, means without a common superscript differ (p<0.05).
May 2014
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Toolkit
• Refractometer• Soil Penetrometer• Soil Moisture & pH probe• Nitrogen meter• Soil analysis• Soil health analysis (PLFA test)May 2014
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Soil Temperature
May 2014
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Soil Porosity
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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
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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
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Audubon – MDC Trials
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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
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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
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Montana Forage III
Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp Soil pH Soil Moisture Brix
C 15.61 60.22 6.88 44.44 4.50
SG 12.89 61.33 6.98 61.11 6.44May 2014
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Montana Wheat I
Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp Soil pH Soil Moisture Brix
C 10.50 70.89 7.09 45.00 3.94
SG 8.67 63.33 6.96 66.44 5.39
May 2014
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Montana Wheat III
Trt Soil Compaction Soil Temp Soil pH Soil Moisture Brix
C 4.06 59.78 6.52 73.89 4.50
SG 2.44 60.00 6.82 76.67 6.06
May 2014
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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• 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
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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
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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
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Can we control runoff with OM?
• 2% OM will hold 28,000 gallons of water/acreor 21% of a rainfall.
• 5% OM will hold 80,000 gallons of water/acreor 53% of a rainfall.
• 8% OM will hold 128,000 gallons of water/acreor 85% of a rainfall.
May 2014
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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
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Thank You
May 2014