Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for crop production, directly impacting root development, flowering, and yield. However, much of the phosphorus in soil is bound and unavailable to plants.
Optimizing phosphorus mobilization is crucial for ensuring crops have access to this vital nutrient, maximizing growth potential and reducing reliance on external fertilizer inputs. This is why we were particularly excited to see such compelling phosphorus mobilization data from our recent trials, as we know EnSoil Algae™ can support growers in tapping into existing soil resources right below their feet!
Check out the data below:
Total Acre Trial
EnSoil Algae™ dramatically improved phosphorus acquisition in a recent corn trial with Total Acre grower Mike Jenks in IA. Based on early-season Haney and PLFA testing, Jenks strategically cut his nitrogen by 50% and added EnSoil Algae™ as one of his treatments.
In this treatment, we saw a 45% increase in available phosphorus (108.5 lbs/acre vs 75 in the control) and a 700% jump in arbuscular mycorrhizae (253.89 ng/g vs 30.51 in the control).
Southern Valley Trial
At Southern Valley in GA, a highly statistically significant increase of 3.95% occurred in microbial populations that activated phosphorus pathways in the EnSoil Algae™ treated block of peppers (utilizing BeCrop analysis).
Roots to Shoots Trial
Across multiple farms in the RhizeBio Roots to Shoots Trial, available soil phosphorus in corn treated with EnSoil Algae™ jumped 8%, and inorganic phosphorus increased 13% at V4-V6. Because peak phosphorus demand does not occur until later in the growth cycle, this increase represents a “storage” of nutrients for later consumption by plants.
At silking, phosphorus cycling in the microbiome was 13% higher, directly correlating with increased phosphorus in plant tissue.
This trial utilized the following tools: Haney soil testing, RhizeBio metagenomic tests, and tissue testing.