Harnessing The Power of Nature
Plant-Microbe Interactions Are An Important Driver of Crop Productivity
Crop production can be dissected into 3 distinct yet overlapping elements. The first is the Chemical aspect, which would categorize fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. The second being the Physical aspect, which is tillage, irrigation, and equipment. The final element would be the Biological aspect of production, being the biological and microbial sector. Correctly addressing all three components in a holistic fashion is crucial to ensure crop health and productivity to maximize the growers ROI. However, production practices are oftentimes negligent to the biological element – the plant/soil microbiome. Microbes are constantly present in nature – there are more microorganisms in one gram of soil than there are humans on Earth. Something so abundant in nature should speak to how important they are to all living things! Many of these soil-colonizing microbes have a mutualistic, symbiotic relationship with their host plant, meaning both the microbes and the plant benefit from the interaction. In the context of agriculture, an abundant, diverse microbiome has been demonstrated to affect crop health in the following ways:
AgriGro is the leader in prebiotic technology for agricultural use, providing a line of products that boosts the soil’s native biological activity creating a healthier production environment. As a result, plants treated with FoliarBlend, IgniteS2, and other prebiotic formulations reap the benefits of a healthy microbiome and can allocate more energy to primary metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and reproduction. This phenomenon is studied extensively from the molecular level to field-scale, and consistently demonstrates healthier soils, higher-yielding crops, and an enhanced plant-microbe symbiosis following treatment with AgriGro products.
Plant-Microbe Interactions Are An Important Driver of Crop Productivity
Crop production can be dissected into 3 distinct yet overlapping elements. The first is the Chemical aspect, which would categorize fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. The second being the Physical aspect, which is tillage, irrigation, and equipment. The final element would be the Biological aspect of production, being the biological and microbial sector. Correctly addressing all three components in a holistic fashion is crucial to ensure crop health and productivity to maximize the growers ROI. However, production practices are oftentimes negligent to the biological element – the plant/soil microbiome. Microbes are constantly present in nature – there are more microorganisms in one gram of soil than there are humans on Earth. Something so abundant in nature should speak to how important they are to all living things! Many of these soil-colonizing microbes have a mutualistic, symbiotic relationship with their host plant, meaning both the microbes and the plant benefit from the interaction. In the context of agriculture, an abundant, diverse microbiome has been demonstrated to affect crop health in the following ways:
AgriGro is the leader in prebiotic technology for agricultural use, providing a line of products that boosts the soil’s native biological activity creating a healthier production environment. As a result, plants treated with FoliarBlend, IgniteS2, and other prebiotic formulations reap the benefits of a healthy microbiome and can allocate more energy to primary metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and reproduction. This phenomenon is studied extensively from the molecular level to field-scale, and consistently demonstrates healthier soils, higher-yielding crops, and an enhanced plant-microbe symbiosis following treatment with AgriGro products.
Increased Plant Biomass
AgriGro’s prebiotic technology has been proven to enhance the growth of above- and below-ground plant tissues, which translates to having a larger root system. This increases the plants ability to increase water retention, enhance nutrient absorption and improved tolerance to abiotic stress. To prove this, in a replicated study conducted by Arkansas State University, the application of AgriGro’s prebiotic technology increased above-ground corn biomass by an average of 34% while increasing root biomass by 45%.
Increased Plant Biomass
AgriGro’s prebiotic technology has been proven to enhance the growth of above- and below-ground plant tissues, which translates to having a larger root system. This increases the plants ability to increase water retention, enhance nutrient absorption and improved tolerance to abiotic stress. To prove this, in a replicated study conducted by Arkansas State University, the application of AgriGro’s prebiotic technology increased above-ground corn biomass by an average of 34% while increasing root biomass by 45%.
Improved Nutrient Availability and Uptake
Crop health is affected drastically by the bioavailability of essential nutrients, as well as accompanying soil microbiology and chemistry. In a 2-year, replicated study conducted by the University of Missouri, AgriGro’s prebiotic regimen increased the Microbiological activity in corn trials.
The effects of increased enzymatic activity are reflected by nutrient status in soil and crop tissues. In a study conducted by Dr. David Sasseville at Lincoln University, prebiotic application significantly increased macro- and micronutrient levels in the soil and leaf tissues in comparison to controls while reducing sodium toxicity. These findings were consistent with a replicated study at Arkansas State University that realized heightened levels of macronutrients in prebiotic-treated corn plants.
Improved Nutrient Availability and Uptake
Crop health is affected drastically by the bioavailability of essential nutrients, as well as accompanying soil microbiology and chemistry. In a 2-year, replicated study conducted by the University of Missouri, AgriGro’s prebiotic regimen increased the Microbiological activity in corn trials.
The effects of increased enzymatic activity are reflected by nutrient status in soil and crop tissues. In a study conducted by Dr. David Sasseville at Lincoln University, prebiotic application significantly increased macro- and micronutrient levels in the soil and leaf tissues in comparison to controls while reducing sodium toxicity. These findings were consistent with a replicated study at Arkansas State University that realized heightened levels of macronutrients in prebiotic-treated corn plants.
Influence on the Plant-associated Microbiome
Furthermore, AgriGro’s cutting-edge technology stimulates native microbial communities in rhizospheric and bulk soils. EMSL Analytical, Inc. quantified colony forming unites (CFUs) and demonstrated that prebiotic application increased microbial activity in soil by 5,000% within 72 hours when compared to a control. Also, studies conducted by the University of Missouri showed that AgriGro technology increased levels of manganese-reducing bacteria and Pseudomonas fluorescens in corn and soybean rhizospheres. Both bacteria promote crop growth and are found in commercial biological products. Other studies revealed that prebiotic application increased CFU counts for beneficial species of Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and Bacillus while reducing levels of disease-causing Fusarium species and parasitic nematodes. To investigate the impact of AgriGro’s technology on the entire microbiome, metagenomic analyses were performed at the University of Missouri. These results indicated that bacterial richness and diversity were both increased within the rhizosphere of corn as a result of prebiotic application. These studies collectively demonstrate that AgriGro’s prebiotic formulations improve the structure and function of the soil microbiome, improving crop growth characteristics in optimal conditions and in the presence of biotic and abiotic stress.
Influence on the Plant-associated Microbiome
Furthermore, AgriGro’s cutting-edge technology stimulates native microbial communities in rhizospheric and bulk soils. EMSL Analytical, Inc. quantified colony forming unites (CFUs) and demonstrated that prebiotic application increased microbial activity in soil by 5,000% within 72 hours when compared to a control. Also, studies conducted by the University of Missouri showed that AgriGro technology increased levels of manganese-reducing bacteria and Pseudomonas fluorescens in corn and soybean rhizospheres. Both bacteria promote crop growth and are found in commercial biological products. Other studies revealed that prebiotic application increased CFU counts for beneficial species of Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and Bacillus while reducing levels of disease-causing Fusarium species and parasitic nematodes. To investigate the impact of AgriGro’s technology on the entire microbiome, metagenomic analyses were performed at the University of Missouri. These results indicated that bacterial richness and diversity were both increased within the rhizosphere of corn as a result of prebiotic application. These studies collectively demonstrate that AgriGro’s prebiotic formulations improve the structure and function of the soil microbiome, improving crop growth characteristics in optimal conditions and in the presence of biotic and abiotic stress.
Increased Economic Yield
Thus far, we have described how AgriGro’s prebiotic technology increases agronomic performance and promotes soil health, but how do these soil and plant benefits translate to yield? In a 3-year study spanning 10 locations and 14 genotypes, KMR Research saw an 8.73 bu/ac increase in prebiotic-treated corn when compared to controls. Similarly, a replicated soybean yield trial at Mississippi State University achieved a 6.05 bu/ac yield increase over controls. In 2021, Axis Seed saw an average yield improvement of 10 bu/ac across 18 corn varieties treated with AgriGro’s prebiotic technology. These are just a few recent isolated reports reflecting 40 years of increased yields and ROI for growers. For an extensive list of yield trials with AgriGro, click the link below.
Increased Economic Yield
Thus far, we have described how AgriGro’s prebiotic technology increases agronomic performance and promotes soil health, but how do these soil and plant benefits translate to yield? In a 3-year study spanning 10 locations and 14 genotypes, KMR Research saw an 8.73 bu/ac increase in prebiotic-treated corn when compared to controls. Similarly, a replicated soybean yield trial at Mississippi State University achieved a 6.05 bu/ac yield increase over controls. In 2021, Axis Seed saw an average yield improvement of 10 bu/ac across 18 corn varieties treated with AgriGro’s prebiotic technology. These are just a few recent isolated reports reflecting 40 years of increased yields and ROI for growers. For an extensive list of yield trials with AgriGro, click the link below.
The Future of Agriculture, Available Today
The next Agricultural Revolution will likely entail the use of microbiomes to improve plant growth and development. At AgriGro, we are helping initiate that revolution by employing cutting-edge scientific tools to boost crop yield in an all-natural, sustainable manner. Environmental stewardship in this fashion benefits not only the present-day grower, but protects the livelihood of future generations.
The Future of Agriculture, Available Today
The next Agricultural Revolution will likely entail the use of microbiomes to improve plant growth and development. At AgriGro, we are helping initiate that revolution by employing cutting-edge scientific tools to boost crop yield in an all-natural, sustainable manner. Environmental stewardship in this fashion benefits not only the present-day grower, but protects the livelihood of future generations.
