While synthetic nitrogen can be a useful tool for nutrient management, over-application results in detrimental costs for farmers, polluted watersheds, degraded soil health, and a disrupted natural nitrogen cycle. On most farms, approximately half of the synthetic nitrogen applied is lost through run off, denitrification, and erosion, among other factors. This excess nitrogen pollutes our waterways and disrupts natural microbial activity.
In healthy soils, plants obtain their nutrients from the work of microbes, which convert nutrients to bioavailable forms and deliver them to plants. However, synthetic applications of nitrogen harm the microbial populations responsible for cycling nitrogen. When these microbes are “out of a job,” they become lethargic and are no longer supportive to the health of the system.
EnSoil Algae™, a concentration of living Chlorella vulgaris, supports growers in achieving nitrogen reduction goals. BeCrop and RhizeBio tests show increases in nitrogen cycling with application of EnSoil Algae™, because the algae signal nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert soil and atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms, even in the presence of synthetic inputs.
Additionally, EnSoil Algae™ promotes a more efficient use of synthetic inputs with less waste and pollution. Nitrogen exists in the bacterial cells within the soil, preventing leaching and ensuring availability for plants when needed—even under drought stress. Haney testing after EnSoil Algae™ application has shown that excess nitrogen remains in the soil post-harvest, ready for plant uptake in the next growing season.
Nitrogen Reduction Testimonials
“A consistent result is that EnSoil Algae™—when compared with the control—effectively promoted squash yield when measured by number of fruits or total weight of the crop. This was true when it was used alone or in combination with synthetic fertilizer. A winning combination was 25% of the usual fertilizer input plus foliar application of algae (a 46% increase in crop weight). However, soil application of EnSoil Algae™ alone looked quite good as well (a 40% increase).” — Clemson University, SC
“On 31 acres of Bahia grass, Don Brewer tested a 50% reduction of NPK on his 1st cutting and a 33% reduction on his 2nd cutting. Both cuttings also received an application of EnSoil Algae™, purchased at $20/acre. He gained $240.56 total ($7.76 per acre gain). Projected across 400 acres with 3 applications, he could buy EnSoil Algae™ at 9$ per acre using the volume discount, and gain $18.70 per acre, saving a total of $22,440.” — Suwannee Ranch 505, FL
“Over-application of N and P is the primary reason for negative water quality issues on farm. We had an ROI goal of 15% at 230bpa. With EnSoil Algae™, we returned 250bpa without the last 40 units of N. Projected across the whole farm this nets $180K +.” — Paulman Farms, NE
In 2023, Jay Lane applied EnSoil Algae™ on 250 acres of soybeans and did not use any chemical fertilizer. His yield increased by 13 bu/acre with EnSoil Algae™ compared to his control and he made an additional $175/acre. In addition to his return on investment, Jay’s soybeans showed faster maturation. Jay says, “It’s modulating at its second trifoliate, already fixing its own nitrogen!”
EnSoil Algae™ helped Jay’s soybeans utilize and cycle nitrogen more efficiently and built confidence in his decision to eliminate synthetic nitrogen while boosting his yield and his return on investment.
