EnSoil-Algae
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Knowledgebase

The Science Behind EnSoil Algae™

Knowledgebase - chlorella
Chlorella vulgaris: a Living Green Algae that Happens to be a Powerful Bio-stimulant

Micro-application of live Chlorella vulgaris has been studied as a Plant Bio-Stimulant (PBS) for the last 50 years. These are the claims we make for EnSoil Algae™ (ESA), a culture of Chlorella vulgaris, based on a large body of research.

Although EnSoil Algae™ may be used as a replacement for NPK fertilizers, it is a bio-stimulant, not a fertilizer. As defined by the US Farm Bill of 2018, it is “a substance or micro-organism that when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress (drought or salinity), crop quality and yield.”

Published international research and our experience confirm that the bio-stimulant, live Chlorella vulgaris—EnSoil Algae™—promotes plant growth and health and volumes of soil testing has shown a positive effect on fertility.

Soil Health and Fertility, Naturally

Plants live in a symbiotic arrangement with microbes and the soil around the roots, known as the rhizosphere, is essentially the plant’s biome. The rich mixture of microorganisms living there performs a number of tasks critical to plant growth and health. Soil bacteria “fix nitrogen” by converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds that are absorbed by plant roots and used for photosynthesis and the production of organic compounds like amino acids and proteins.
Synthetic formulations of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium such as chemical NPK are applied in forms that can be directly absorbed by plant roots to enhance growth. NPK works as a fertilizer and plant growth agent, but it does nothing for soil health. Over time soil fertility diminishes because natural bacterial and fungal life diminishes, since there is degradation of bacterial and fungal life. This leads to a cycle of dependency on NPK.
As PBS, EnSoi Algae™ is a naturally occurring microorganism that is used for the purpose of stimulating natural processes in plants or in the soil in order to improve nutrient and/or water use efficiency by plants, help plants tolerate abiotic stress, or improve characteristics of the soil as a medium for plant growth. And when applied to seeds, plants, the rhizosphere, soil or other growth media, a PBS acts to support a plant’s natural nutrition processes independent of the biostimulant’s nutrient content, so it may be used either by itself or in combination with other substances or microbes for this purpose.
Knowledgebase -soil fertility

How to Measure Efficacy

Enlightened Soil Corp uses the following to measure efficacy of EnSoil Algae™. We integrate various combinations of recommended testing and industry standards into the grower’s sampling protocol to gather data pertinent to our grower’s success.
Visual Plant Observations:
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Color / vibrancy
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Uniformity / lack of variation
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Thicker stems
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Increase in flower/fruit
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Larger root mass
Visual Soil Observations:
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Soil structure / porosity
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Fine aggregates
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Color/smell (dark and sweet)
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Increase in earthworm counts
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Deeper rooting depth

Haney Soil Test

The Haney Soil Test mimics biological activity in the soil and provides nutrient recommendations by measuring dynamic carbon, a nutrient that cycles through the following forms: Soil Organic Matter (SOM), Water Extractable Organic Carbon (WEOC) and carbon dioxide gas (CO2). Haney tests use an extract to test soils called H3A, which has a neutral pH to prevent harm or disruption to the soil microbes and structure. Soil samples are dried and ground to a standard grain size, then wet and dried to mimic a standard cycle of rain/watering and drying. Growers benefit from Haney soil testing by receiving data on active nutrient cycling to inform goals such as long term soil health, water infiltration and retention, and cost reduction of fertilizer.

PFLA Test

PFLAs (phospholipid fatty acids) are essential parts of microbial cell membranes. This test indicates the microbial community structure and biomass, which are heavily influenced by the biological community of microbes and plants, environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, pH, etc.), soil type, organic matter, management practices, and nutrient cycling in the soil. PFLA testing provides data on gram positive and negative bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizae and saprophytic fungi, protozoa, and other microbial groups.

Rhize Bio

Rhize Bio uses advanced metagenomic technology and sequencing platforms to measure biodiversity and predict soil functionality.This type of soil testing provides raw soil DNA sequencing data in a user-friendly report including data on number of microbial species, community evenness, resistance to drought and disease, disturbance ratings, and nutrient cycling potential, thus supporting growers in making informed management decisions.

Biome Makers

Biome Makers performs and analyzes the BeCrop® Test, a soil microbiome analysis tool to explore soil nutrient cycling capacities, soil health, and biodiversity on any field. BeCrop® Tests analyze yield improvements, predict disease risks, and monitor farm management practices to support growers in making informed and cost-effective decisions.

Plant Tissue Analysis

Plant tissue analysis shows the nutritional content in the sampled part of the plant. Typically growers will sample varying parts of the plant and at varying points in the plant’s life cycle depending on the crop.

BRIX Analysis

Brix measures the level of soluble solids in a plant including sugars, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. A Brix reading indicates the nutrient level in a crop, specifically the sugar content, indicative of photosynthetic capacity. Brix sap analysis measures the light refraction of of the plant’s sap.

Spectrometers

Plant tissue analysis shows the nutritional content in the sampled part of the plant. Typically growers will sample varying parts of the plant and at varying points in the plant’s life cycle depending on the crop.

Plant and Soil Biology Terms

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Photosynthesis: the process by which plants take in energy from the sun, carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere, and water to produce energy in the form of sugars (glucose) and oxygen gas
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Chlorophyll: the natural green pigment found in plants that helps to absorb the sun’s energy
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Bio-stimulant: any biological substance or microorganism applied on plants to stimulate natural processes including improving nutrition efficiency and density of the plant, stress tolerance and adaptation, soil water holding capacity, and soil health including microbe activity. EnSoil Algae™ is a powerful bio-stimulant

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Soil microbe: a bacteria, archaebacteria, fungi, virus, or protozoa living in soil. A gram of soil can contain millions of microbes

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Pathogen: a microbe that can cause disease or harm
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Endophyte: a soil microbe that can move internally into plant roots and root hairs
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Root exudates: substances released by plant roots (typically into the soil)
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Rhizosphere: the region of soil directly influenced by soil microbes and their relationships to plant roots and root exudates
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Rhyzophagy: a cycle occurring in the rhizosphere (the ecosystem of the soil) where microbes move between endophytic states (meaning inside the plant or algae cells) and free-moving in the soil. This includes an oxidation (oxygen-related chemical interaction) phase where nutrients, brought in by the microbes, are extracted from the microbes and benefit the plant

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Synthetic NPK Input: a chemically produced fertilizer aimed to add Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) to the plant, containing no biologicals

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Nitrogen Fixation: the process where soil microbes take in Nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere to chemically bond to other elements, forming compounds (nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia) used by plants for growth and health 

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The three main Soil Nutrients are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Nitrogen promotes plant growth and is found in chlorophyll. Phosphorus helps the plant use energy from the sun and promotes root growth. Potassium helps the plant be resistant to diseases. There are other soil nutrient including Calcium, Magnesium and others found in small amounts

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Symbiosis: a relationship between living organisms where all organisms benefit in some way
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Enzyme: a protein produced by a living organism that speeds up or triggers a chemical reaction
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Autotroph: an organism that can make its own food from the sun’s energy and other naturally occurring materials
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Heterotroph: an organism that eats other organisms for energy and food
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PLFA tests: (Phospholipid fatty acid analysis) tests that detect microbial biomass and ratios of different types of biomass (i.e. bacteria, fungi, etc.)
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Genomics: study and application of an organism’s genetic material (DNA)
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Spectrometer: a device that records and measures electromagnetic radiation (light) waves interacting with a sample of something, specifically how the sample reflects/absorbs/transmits EM waves
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Porosity: measurement of void spaces in a material (specific to the soil, would be how much space water/air could fill in relation to biomass)
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Brix analysis: a test measuring BRIX (sugars, vitamins, minerals, proteins) inside a plant’s sap. This is done by measuring light reflection

Jessica Murison - “My mission is to improve the lives of farmers in pursuit of advancing environmental conservation technology.” While pursuing a Crop Science degree with a minor in Biotechnology from California Polytechnic State University, Jessica got first hand exposure to the significance California agriculture systems have on our daily lives. She then dedicated her next chapter to farming commodity seed crops in a fast-paced multi-season program, and gained more insight into agriculture technology's impact around the world. This fueled her pursuit of an M.S. in Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering from University of Hawaii Manoa.
Jorge Abrego​ - “Coming to Enlightened Soil Corp in the capacity of Chief Marketing Officer is a fantastic opportunity. It's a privilege to impact the trajectory of a company whose proprietary living-cell algae technology is dedicated to helping farmers implement a profitable regenerative agriculture business model.” With over 27 years of advertising agency and B2B marketing experience, Jorge thrives on developing multi-disciplinary marketing strategies for hastening the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. As the recent Advertising Director at Acres U.S.A., Jorge has worked with a multitude of forward-thinking input companies in executing their GTM strategies and educating farmers on emerging techniques and science-based insights.
Camille lives by the words "when in doubt, ask nature." A true believer that our living world holds the answers we all are looking for, Camille holds a Bachelors of Arts in Education from Colorado College and a permaculture design certificate from Earth Activists Training. Prior to joining the ESC team, Camille worked as an emergency medical technician, taught middle school science, and farmed organic vegetables, grass-fed beef, and pasture-raised pork and poultry. Now rooted in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her partner and puppy, Camille spends her time writing poetry about the living and dying world, dancing to groovy live music, and trying to ground herself in the present moment.
Yazmeen holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and Sustainability from the College of Charleston. She has always been especially keen on protecting the environment and all living beings it embodies and feels most at home in nature hiking, surfing, meditating and digging her toes in dirt- the foundation of our life. She practices gratitude for Earth by committing to sustainable practices and being vegan. Yazmeen discovered that she could have the most significant impact on the environment through business after being apart of ImpactX. It is a rare and beautiful thing to completely intertwine one's passion with one's career, and Enlightened Soil has given Yazmeen the opportunity to do this. She held an 18-month Sales & Marketing Internship with Enlightened Soil Corp, managing social media channels and engaging in market research.
Stuart Williams is a pioneer of (1993 co-creator of the platform called “Making A Profit While Making a Difference” - for which he has been granted a Trademark), and a global leader in Impact Investing, Impact Entrepreneurship, and the Leadership and Management strategy known as Profit for Purpose. He is the creator of Impact Economics (Inclusive Capitalism) which is the future of Business, Capitalism, and Resilient and Inclusive Communities. After a rigorous 6-year pilot in Charleston, SC, Impact Economics is now being scaled across the world. It builds communities that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable for all of their residents. During his career, he has helped create almost $1B in realized shareholder value for the companies he started and sold, and or was an executive at. He is a renowned “Impact Ecosystems Architect”, advising Governments, Corporations, Families of Wealth, Community Leaders, and Foundations on how to embed Profit and Purpose strategies into their business, and personal, and public lives. He designed and still helps teach the award-winning, 6 credit ImpactX Class at the College of Charleston, plus Charleston’s free community class focused on inclusive Impact Entrepreneurship. Both classes allow people to participate in and personally benefit from the creation of a sustainable future. He is the founder of the Stuart Williams Impact Scholars program at The College of Charleston and of Impact Life Corp., a South Carolina Public Benefit Corporation purposed to help change the lives of unpaid family caregivers. He also mentors people wishing to make their Impact Dreams come true and created In Place Impact's global scholarship program, providing needs-based scholarships for people wishing to Make A Profit While Making a Difference in their own communities. Stuart is a Founder, CEO, Chairman, Speaker, Author, Mentor, and Board Member, and believes that: "What is in our heads makes us marginally dangerous to the status quo, but what is in our hearts makes us a global force to be reckoned with".
Andrew received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University in 2003. He has 13 years of experience researching the taxonomy, life cycle, and ecology of Algae. He started his career at Baruch Marine Lab in Georgetown SC while still in school in 2001, and continued his work at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in Charleston, SC until 2009. He then transitioned over to work for the NOAA Phytoplankton Monitoring Network where he worked until shifting into research related to the taxonomy and distribution of deep-sea corals in 2014. Andrew says that "all of the work I’ve been a part of through the years has been driven by a desire to understand and conserve the balance of the natural environment, and I’m looking forward to applying that knowledge through Enlightened Soil Corp to improve global soil quality.
Frankie Riggs is a Charleston native who holds an M.A. in English from Bowling Green State University (OH). For over 20 years, she taught writing, literature, and communications at the college level. Frankie also has experience as a content writer, producing copy for several advertising companies that specialize in digital marketing. Additionally, she has a background in visual art. All of these skills have come in handy in her role as Director of Creative Marketing. She creates video ads for social media, produces En-Soil University instructional videos, and is the main contributor to brand content. ​ Years ago, Frankie decided that it was important to know where food comes from. Making educated consumer choices can affect both personal health and ecological sustainability. With that in mind, she is supportive of the local farming and fishing industry in SC, and is fascinated with organic gardening, wild-harvesting, and the healing properties of natural foods. When she found out George and Dale were starting a business that produces a live algal soil amendment for regenerative farming, she knew she wanted to help them out in any way she could. In May of 2020, Frankie began the detailed process of product licensing and registration in each of the 50 states. Along with marketing responsibilities, she is ESC's Compliance Coordinator, making sure the EnSoil Algae brand remains compliant with state agricultural regulators.
Chris Spaulding A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, and a graduate of Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy in Salisbury, MD, Chris had dedicated nearly 20 years to a career in law enforcement and protection services before transitioning to Hydro Engineering. As Director of Operations at Watertech Equipment in Charleston, SC, Chris focused on documenting performance outcomes and Quality Assurance. While at Hydrozonix in Odessa, TX, he managed deployment, operations, and maintenance of advanced oxidation systems using ozone technology along with in-situ aeration applications. Subsequently, he went on to become Director of Operations at Blue Nano Technologies in Stuart, FL, a water remediation/treatment company. Chris says that "by joining the Enlightened Soil Corp team, I can leverage my knowledge of nano-bubble oxygen/ozone technology and dedicated myself to creating the pristine cultures Chlorella vulgaris needs to make En-Soil Algae."
Jennifer Wicker With decades of experience as an educator, and more than 10 years managing Sweetgrass Garden, Co-op, Jennifer is the face and voice of our EnSoil University instructional videos. In addition, Jennifer’s role at Enlightened Soil Corp is to work with George conducting on-farm research at Sweetgrass Garden, as well as local pastures using En-Soil on a wide variety of soils. Jennifer also is a successful grant writer, bringing in multiple grants, annually, to support on-farm research and business development. She also enjoys selling EnSoil, and works with sales and marketing with a focus on pastureland, produce farms, and private homes.
Tucker has spent his career in business development in the Charleston community. Originally from El Paso, TX with stops at The University of Mississippi and Atlanta, GA, he found a home in Charleston with his wife, Merideth, and their two daughters. His 20-year career in business has included contribution and leadership efforts for three successful tech startups that have grown to maturity. His focus is on business development and building meaningful relationships. All of his business experiences share important characteristics: innovative products, driven and compassionate people, and an obsessive commitment to service. Like many of the best things in his life, Tucker was lead to Enlightened Soil Corp by his wife. He feels this is a lifetime opportunity to help dedicated people realize the vision of a planet with healthy soil free of synthetic-chemical fertilizers. We will "do well by doing good" by finding like-minded people and recognizing how we can help their businesses and their missions succeed along with our own.
Merideth is a native of Mississippi and grew up exploring and photographing the vast backroads, gardens, farms, and dairies in her family history. Her experiences in these landscapes really shaped her purpose in life. A life-long learner, with a curiosity and wonder that can be attributed to her dad. She received a Journalism degree at the University of Mississippi and followed with a concentrated study of traditional and alternative photography at the Creative Circus in Atlanta, GA. She went on to work for several publications before starting her own freelance photography business in 2008. Merideth has raised two daughters in Charleston, SC. She was drawn to the community, its beauty, and to the familiar rural landscapes of home. An avid grower of food, a constant promoter of permaculture, and gardens that support life, Merideth has evolved a 15-year hobby into a new career. Merideth is a certified permaculturalist and a master rain gardener. She is focused on permaculture and regenerative methods for land repair and water protection. Merideth’s first encounter with EnSoil Algae and the way it nourished the soil and the plant life is a milestone day in her life. The knowledge we need to design and develop a sustainable and regenerative culture has been provided by our ancestors and from all living systems in place on Earth. Eureka! All we need to do is to listen. Driven by a deep desire to help heal people, communities, and to heal Mother Earth, Merideth find’s her fulfillment in helping people realize their dreams and supporting these dreamers at grassroots levels. She believes our strength is in our ability to collaborate to promote balance and resilience. We can do so much better. She is passionate about connecting humans with nature and with each other. She is here to act as a bridge in our community to foster those connections that ensure a sacred, healthy ecology and fair and balanced economy.
Dale Snyder : A native of Ohio, Dale was born and raised on the west side of Cleveland. He holds a B.A. in Literature from Ohio University and an M.A. in English Literature from Eastern Michigan University. In addition, he studied Television Production and Direction at New York University, all of which led to a 30-year career in the media industry, including management positions at TeleRep in NYC, WTAT-TV in Charleston, WJZY-TV in Charlotte, ABRY Communications in Baltimore, and Litton Entertainment in Charleston. After retiring from television, Dale joined the board of Sweetgrass Garden Co-op, Inc., a not-for-profit farm dedicated to growing healthful produce for the poor and hungry on Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island, SC. In keeping with the farm’s mission to alleviate food scarcity, he completed Trident Technical College’s Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture course in 2010, graduated in the first class of Clemson’s SC New and Beginning Farmers Program in 2011, attended Clemson’s NxLevel Entrepreneurship course in 2012, and was named to the board of the Sea Island Hunger Awareness Foundation in 2017. Today, Dale is the Farm Manager at Sweetgrass Garden on Johns Island, where he oversees the practices of Hueglekultur and organic growing. Dale has worked on a number of trial-based grants that explore the efficacy of natural soil amendments. Dale says that "getting involved with the team at Enlightened Soil Corp has taken my interest in natural farming to the next level".
Dr. George Taylor is a life-long gardener, and one of the founding members of the Sweetgrass Garden Co-op, a non-profit community garden on Johns Island, SC. In addition to working the garden, he has participated in a number of field trials and SARE grants testing organic fertilizer approaches. That is how he developed an interest in live algae as a biofertilizer. He was asked to conduct randomized studies comparing live algae with mushroom compost and unfertilized soil. Because of positive results with multiple plant species, he became an early investor in Enlightened Soil Corp. Today, he continues to do field trials and is testing algae’s effectiveness as a bio-stimulant in different settings, most recently, turf. Current studies will determine the optimal application schedule. In his non-gardening life, he is a professor of medicine (cardiology) at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has had broad experience as a clinical researcher and has observed that the design of research trials in medicine and agriculture are remarkably similar.