EnSoil-Algae
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White Papers & Articles

The following is a bibliography of peer-reviewed research from around the world, documenting the effectiveness of live algae as an agricultural bio- stimulant.

Acres USA Magazine

Green Living

by George Taylor
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Abd-El-Baky HH, et al. “Algal extract improves antioxidant defense abilities and salt tolerance of wheat plants irrigated with sea water.” African J Biochem Res (2008) 2:151-164.

The algal extract mitigated effects on growth, and they documented a boost in antioxidant enzyme activity (salt is an oxidative stress).
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Agwa OK, Ogugbue CJ, Williams EE. “Field evidence of
Chlorella vulgaris potentials as a biofertilizer for Hibiscus
esculentus (okra).” Int J Agric Res. (2017) 12:181-189.

They compared chlorella vulgaris with poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (one of the few studies to do a head-to-head comparison with NPK), and reported soil analysis. Growth promotion with algae and NPK was similar, and both outperformed manure. They found an increase in organic matter and organic carbon with algae treatment. At six weeks post-germination, organic matter increased from 4.4% to 5.9% with chlorella. It remained at 4.6% with NPK. Chlorella also boosted the chlorophyll content.
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Albrecht, Ute. “Plant biostimulants: definition and overview of categories and effects.” UF/IFAS Extension Service, Univ of Florida. (2019), Publication HS1330.

A good description of the concept. He included seaweed (a macro-algae) but did not mention micro- algae. Live micro-algae as a soil amendment is relatively new to North America, although well
researched and in use around the world.
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Bumandalai O., Rentsenkhand T. “Effect of chlorella vulgaris as a biofertilizer on germination of tomato and cucumber seeds.” Int. J. Aquat. Biol (2019) 7:95-99.

Documented increased growth with emphasis that the effect on root growth was greater than the effect on shoots. That has been observed in multiple studies.
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Florenzano G, Balloni W, Materassi R. “Algal organic matter and plant growth.” (1978) Zentrakbk Bakteriol Naturwiss 133:379-84.

One reason for citing this is the date of publication— 42 years ago. A quote: “…it has been shown that micro-algae actively interact with higher plants at the level of the root apparatus. These interactions give rise to favorable effects on the growth of seedlings…Biosynthesis of growth-promoting substances by micro-algae must be considered a factor in the explanation of these results.” This was written a couple decades ahead of the identification of bacterial enhancer compounds. The point is that the science and use of micro-algae as a bio-stimulant are not new.
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Hajanl-Jafari T, et al. “Effect of chlorella vulgaris on growth and photosynthetic pigment content in Swiss chard.” Pol J Microbiol (2020) 69:235-238.

They found a 10-fold increase in chlorophyll-a content with foliar and soil application. There were substantial increases in leaf number, length, and weight, as well as root length and weight.
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Hajnal-Jafari, TI, Duric S, Stamenov DR. “Influence of green algae Chlorella vulgaris on initial growth of different agricultural crops.” Matica Srpska Journal for Natural Sciences. (2016) 130: 29-33.

They studied wheat, maize, lettuce, and beans, and found enhanced growth with Chlorella (soil application). Like others, they found that the effect on root mass was greater than on the above-ground plant. Soil analysis showed an increase in total bacterial number (foliar application only).
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Kusvuran A, Kusvuran S. “Using microbial fertilizer as biostimulant alleviates damage from drought stress in Guar Seedlings.” International letters of natural sciences. 2019. ISSN: 2300-9675, 76:145-157.

Chlorella vulgaris was added to irrigation water (a common method of application). There was enhanced growth and drought resistance. This is neat science: they outlined the mechanism of drought resistance (an increase in antioxidant compounds), and how it is augmented by Chlorella vulgaris.
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Kim JM, Shim CK, et al. “Effect of biostimulator chlorella fusca on improving growth and qualities of Chinese chives and spinach in organic farm.” The Plant Path J (2019) 34:567-574.

Chinese chives are used to make Kimchi, a national dish, and so are an important crop in South Korea. There was increased yield and chlorophyll content. The chives, a perennial grass, did not grow taller, but instead, thicker (thus increasing fresh weight). We have seen this with lawn application: the turf is thicker. They also noted resistance to grey mold disease.
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Mulvaney, RL, Khan SA, Ellsworth TR. “Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers deplete soil nitrogen: a global dilemma for sustainable cereal production.” J Environ Quality (2009) 38:2295-2314. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2008.0527

Khan SA, Mulvaney RL, Ellsworth TR, Boast CW. “The myth of nitrogen fertilization for soil carbon sequestration. “ J Environ Qual (2007) 36:1821-32. DOI: 10.2134/ jeq2007.0099

• These two papers from the University of Illinois show that soil content of nitrogen and organic carbon declines with prolonged use of NPK. Organic matter measured with routine soil testing is roughly equivalent to organic carbon. Thus, with extended use, NPK causes a decline in fertility.

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Righini H., Roberti R., Baraldi E. “Use of algae in strawberry management.” J Applied Phycology. 2018. 30: 1-14. (Italy)

A review article that cites the growth-enhancing properties of live algae. In addition, it comments on microalgae as a natural source of antifungal compounds. In addition to enhanced growth, they described longer shelf life for strawberries. There is a substantial bibliography.
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Singh S. “A review on possible elicitor molecules of cyanobacteria: their role in improving plant growth and providing tolerance against biotic or abiotic stress.” J Applied Microbiology (2014) 117:121-1244. (India)
A description of the growth-enhancing compounds— enhancers—produced by microalgae as well cyanobacteria. It is a good description of the “growth hormone” concept, and it also reviews compounds produced by algae that activate a plant’s immune system. He also points out that algae can work in concert with nitrogenous fertilizer (NPK). It can be mixed in the tank with NPK as well as herbicides and pesticides (interestingly, herbicides do not kill algae).
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Taha TM, Youssef MA. “Improvement of growth parameters of Zea mays (corn) and properties of soil inoculated with two Chlorella species.” Rep Opin (2015) 7:22-27.

In addition to enhanced growth, they described an increase in soil organic matter. Improved soil health is a consistent finding with live, micro-algae application. Chlorophyll content was higher.
Chris Spaulding II is a dedicated United States Coast Guard veteran with a strong foundation in mechanical systems and engineering. With experience spanning multiple mechanically driven industries, Chris has honed a diverse skill set that combines technical expertise with practical application. Throughout his career, he has embraced a lifelong passion for mechanics and engineering, continually seeking opportunities for growth and development. This relentless pursuit of knowledge has equipped him with a robust understanding of complex mechanical systems and a keen ability to innovate and solve problems. As a veteran, Chris embodies the values of discipline, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. He is dedicated to leveraging his experience and passion to contribute to the growth of Enlightened Soil Corp.

Matt Salerno - I was raised in upstate South Carolina and graduated from The College of Charleston with a bachelor's degree in Communications. I enjoy attending music festivals and concerts, watching sports with my friends, hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, rescuing animals and traveling to new places. I have a strong understanding that our earth is in need of major help and that humans have to learn to adapt and give back if we want a future for our grandchildren on this planet. After joining ESC, I now have a great opportunity to make a difference in the world and contribute to rebuilding our damaged soil and decreasing carbon from the atmosphere, creating healthier plants, healthier animals, healthier food, healthier people and all in all, a healthier planet.

 

Trey dePoincy - A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Trey dePoincy has had a passion for agriculture from a young age. He began working on a corn and soy farm at age sixteen before pursuing a military career in logistics and search and rescue. Since leaving the Navy, he has begun a degree in agribusiness management and has focused on sustainable and regenerative farming methods. Trey enjoys woodworking, raising chickens, and  spending time outdoors with his wife in their home of North Florida. By managing the Ensoil production facility in North Florida, Trey is able to combine his knowledge of logistics with the desire to improve the world around us through the promotion of economical and regenerative agricultural practices. 

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 is a Charleston native who holds an M.A. in English from Bowling Green State University (OH). As the Chief Compliance Officer, she oversees domestic and international agricultural regulatory compliance, facilities licensing, product registrations, product label design and OMRI listing certificates for the US and Canada.

She believes it is important to know where the food we consume originates, as educated consumer choices 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 regenerative/organic gardening, wild-harvesting, and the healing properties of natural foods. 

When George and Dale started studying the effects of live algae on soil at Sweetgrass Garden, she knew she wanted to be involved in the process of building the EnSoil Algae brand. In the spring of 2020, she began the process of registering EnSoil Algae for sale and use in the United States and became Enlightened Soil Corp’s first full-time employee.

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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.