Water protection is at the core of what we do at Enlightened Soil Corp – not just because it’s essential for agricultural success, but because it’s fundamental to environmental resilience. Our hearts go out to those impacted by recent water-related crises, from the devastating floods in Asheville to the ongoing fires in LA. These events highlight the urgent need for proactive and effective water management strategies to mitigate risk and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.
Soil: The Foundation for Effective Water Management
Soil function driven by biodiversity is the foundation for effective water management. A thriving soil food web, the complex community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes, creates the soil structure necessary for water infiltration and holding capacity– key components of managing water on the farm. Year-round living roots ensures a thriving soil food web. This is why cover crops are central to regenerative practices. Living roots stimulate soil biology by providing a constant source of food and energy and creating pathways for air and water to penetrate the soil, improving overall structure and function. Practices such as excessive tillage, overuse of synthetic fertilizers, and monocultures, negatively impact soil, making water management more difficult. Prioritizing soil function is crucial for a resilient, productive, and profitable agricultural system.
EnSoil Algae™: A Simple and Powerful Tool for Water Management
A breakthrough in living biostimulant technology, living green algae cells:
- Stimulate and diversify the soil’s microbial community, creating the pores and channels that allow water to infiltrate the soil and be stored for later use.
- Significantly increase soil organic matter (SOM). Increased SOM acts like a sponge, dramatically improving the soil’s capacity to hold water. Just a 1% increase in SOM can substantially increase water holding capacity, reducing the risk of drought stress and the need for irrigation (Minasny & McBratney, 2017).
- Release phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, crucial for plant drought tolerance.
Essentially, EnSoil Algae™ activates a highly-functioning soil environment that excels at capturing, storing, and making water available to plants, critical during dry periods.
Evidence
- Liz Haney, Soil Regen: “We have seen increases in water-soluble and total organic matter. Water-soluble organic carbon is the key food source for the microbial community, responsible for nutrient cycling. Increased soil organic matter increases water holding capacity and carbon sequestration.”
- Dr. Yadi Wang: “These results indicate that EnSoil Algae™ accelerates microbial activity. The higher amount of organic nitrogen in soil suggests more efficient plant metabolic processes, including nutrient uptake, water use efficiency, and the development of self-defense mechanisms.”
Reestablishing and Rebalancing Water Cycles
Effective water management aims to restore balance to the natural water cycle. Healthier soils, capable of absorbing and retaining more water, reduce runoff and erosion—preventing the loss of valuable topsoil, nutrients, and applied inputs. This translates to improved long-term soil fertility, consistently higher crop yields, and greater productivity. Reduced irrigation needs save farmers money and increase drought resilience. Ultimately, these improvements contribute to a more profitable farming operation.
