THIS IS HOW IT WORKS IN THE SOIL

Soil microorganisms mobilize biogenic elements from organic and mineral soil forms that are important for plants. They release or secrete various vitamins, antibiotics and growth-supporting substances (stimulants) into the environment. Therefore, microbial life in soil determines a whole range of processes that are responsible for the course of various physical and chemical processes which specifically affect the nutrient supply to the plant roots. Soil bacteria significantly affect the overall soil productivity and the quality of plant production. They fix atmospheric nitrogen, make hard-to-access forms of nutrients available, e.g. phosphorus, they participate on the mineralization of organic substances and accelerate the decomposition of plant residues or primary organic matter in the soil, which affects the soil-forming process and the soil properties.

Due to the composition of AZOTER bacterial fertilisers, the microbial life in the soil is restored, so the fertility and soil productivity is increased. It also has a positive impact on the quality of crop production. AZOTER bacterial fertilisers contain three types of bacteria strains involved in non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. They support decomposition processes of organic matter in the soil, they help important macro biogenic elements in the soil, especially phosphorus, to be available from insoluble form to accessible form. Due to the high concentration of bacteria contained in the fertiliser, the application of AZOTER fertiliser significantly increases the amount of bacterial microflora in the soil. AZOTER fertiliser contains strains of Azotobacter chroococcum bacteria and Azospirillum brasilense bacteria, which are involved in non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and make atmospheric nitrogen available for plant consumption. On the other hand, bacterium Bacillus megaterium is involved in making phosphorus available.

60-80 kg

in optimum conditions 100-150 kg

Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen

Nitrogen is one of the basic macro biogenic elements. It is referred to as a “growth engine” element. Nitrogen reserves in soils directly depend on humus reserves. Since rocks practically do not contain nitrogen, soil enrichment with this element is closely connected to the biological accumulation of free atmospheric nitrogen. The atmosphere is a rich source of nitrogen (nitrogen content is 78.09 percent by volume). When it is converted to an area of 1 ha, it represents an amount of 75,000 tons of N2. The problem is the strong triple bond between nitrogen atoms, which prevents plants from absorbing atmospheric nitrogen and involving it in their metabolism. Microorganisms can break this strong triple bond with their enzyme apparatus. The increase in the efficiency of fixing atmospheric nitrogen using bacteria was achieved by the appropriate selection of strains that are promising very effective non-symbiotic binding of atmospheric nitrogen and can be reproduce very intensively after its application to the soil. This significantly increased the amount of fixed nitrogen available for plant uptake. AZOTER bacterial fertilisers contain highly effective strains of non-symbiotic bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum brasilense), which can synthesize – fix a large amount of nitrogen during the growing season of cultivated plants. The amount of nitrogen fixed and available for plants consumption ranges between 60-80 kg. Under optimal conditions, it ranges between 100-150 kg N ha-1, which reduces the consumption of classic nitrogenous industrial fertilisers approximately by a half. As a result, it considerably improves the economics of crop cultivation.

30-40 kg

in optimum conditions 60-80 kg

Availability of phosphorus from insoluble forms

The total phosphorus consists of both organic and inorganic fractions, while in most types of our soil, inorganic phosphorus is slightly dominant (25 – 98%) over organic phosphorus (2-75%) because of the predominantly mineral disposition of soils. A substantial part of the phosphorus (92-99%) found in the soil is inaccessible to plants. Only 1-8% of the total P supply can be used by plants in the growing process. Making phosphorus available into water-soluble form in the soil is made also biologically. Good biochemical activity of soil microflora positively affects the release of phosphorus from poorly soluble compounds. Bacillus megaterium releases bound forms of phosphorus, it converts existing tricalcium phosphate in the soil to dicalcium phosphate, and thus makes phosphorus compounds available to cultivated plants. The amount of phosphorus released this way at the end of the growing season corresponds to approx. 30-40 kg of phosphorus per hectare. Under optimal conditions, the amount is up to 60-80 kg of phosphorus per hectare.

30-40 kg

Potassium mobilization and acceleration of decomposition processes of post-harvest residues

Applying AZOTER in combination with cellulose, the number of bacteria in the soil, which decompose post-harvest residues, increases rapidly. These bacteria speed up the decomposition process of soil organic matter and post-harvest residues. The rapid decomposition and mineralization of soil organic matter are conditioned by the simultaneous activity of diverse groups of microorganisms (e.g. azotobacter and cellulolytic bacteria). In this process, the activity of microorganisms leads to mobilization – the release of potassium from difficult-to-dissolve organic compounds into forms which are accessible to plants. The amount of potassium released in this way is at the level of 30-40 kg per hectare.

The use of AZOTER stimulating effect in accelerating the decomposition processes of post-harvest residues (cereal straw, oilseed rape, corn) is important, because some crops leave a large amount of lignocellulosic post-harvest residues on the field after harvesting the main product, with a wide C:N ratio. If it is not decomposed, it can inhibit the germination of sown seeds. It is also a breeding ground for various types of moulds that infect young emerging plants in the initial stages of growth, which has a harmful effect on the health of cultivated crops. It has a negative impact on the harvest.

WE INCREASE THE SOIL FERTILITY ALONGSIDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Benefits of AZOTER bacterial fertiliser:

reduces the consumption of conventional nitrogen based industrial fertilisers by approx. a half, because it binds atmospheric molecular nitrogen – the amount of nitrogen fixed, and which is acceptable by plants is at the level of 60-80 kg. Under optimal conditions, it is up to 100-150 kg N ha-1 (the amount of atmospheric nitrogen all over an area of 1 ha is 75,000 tons)
increases the efficacy of the mineral nutrition applied and the existing nutrient supply in the soil
compared to other fertilisers of bacterial origin, it contains the absolute highest density of vital bacteria (minimum is 4.109 CFU in 1 ml of fertiliser)
improves the biological properties of soils, and it restores microbial life in the soil
increases and makes phosphorus available for plants from insoluble compounds. The amount of released phosphorus for plants is up to 30-40 kg P per hectare. In optimal conditions, it is up to 60-80 kg of phosphorus per hectare
supports the decomposition process of post-harvest residues, straw and organic matter in the soil, which causes a gradual increase of soil fertility and creates a suitable seed bed
accelerates the release of nutrients and the decomposition of applied digestates
has synergistic effect and increases the effectiveness if applied with organic fertilisers (manure, liquid manure, slurry and green manure)
positively affects the structural properties and grain size of the soil
improves the air and water regime in the soil, which has a beneficial effect on the nutrient’s acceptability from the soil
“The bacteria found in the AZOTER fertilisers acts neutrally.The environment in which they settle is gradually adjusted to the value of a neutral soil reaction”
makes the soil healthier and increases soil fertility
improves the plant fitness by increasing the defence mechanism of the plant
increases the quantity and quality of production (reduction of mycotoxins and nitrates)
positively affects the overall economy of the cultivation system
it is also used in organic agriculture