The Science Behind En-Soil Algae
Chlorella vulgaris : a Humble Green Algae
that Happens to be a Powerful Bio-stimulant
Although En-Soil Algae may be used as a replacement for NPK fertilizers, it's important to understand that En-Soil, unlike NPK, does not provide nutrients directly to soil and plants. Rather, En-Soil Algae is a bio-stimulant. 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), or crop quality and yield." (Read our "Intro to Bio-Stimulants").
Published international research and our experience confirm that the bio-stimulant, live Chlorella vulgaris—En-Soil Algae—promotes plant growth and health. Soil testing has shown a positive effect on fertility. Furthermore, it is a green product, a culture of the single-cell green algae, C. vulgaris. Using sterile water, light and air, it is grown in bioreactors—200-liter vertical tanks—in clean laboratory conditions. There is minimal energy input.
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This is how we make En-Soil Algae:
Algae Starter + Water + Light + CO2 More Algae + O2
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En-Soil is Nontoxic
While En-Soil Algae is prepared only for agricultural use, Chlorella vulgaris is nontoxic, and has been used for human and animal consumption. This means that it is safe for pets or children to play on grass immediately after application. A client with a horse farm moved horses from the pasture before applying synthetic chemical fertilizer (NPK), but with En-Soil Algae that isn’t necessary.
Let's Take a Deeper Dive into the Science:
Nature's Way vs. Commercial Agriculture's
The following is a general review of the scientific literature as well as our research, and discusses 1) how live algae works as a biostimulator, and 2) its positive effects on plant and soil health.
How Nature Creates Healthy Soil
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Here we explain the basics of soil biology and how
En-Soil Works.
The Impact of Commercial Agriculture & NPK Dependency
We discuss how NPK works and why it can have negative, long-term effects when overused.
Moving to Regenerative Agriculture with Bio-Stimulants
An overview about the direct and indirect effects of En-Soil on soil and plants, and why En-Soil is synonymous with regenerative agriculture.
An Overview of Benefits of Chlorella Vulgaris as a Bio-stimulant
(Benefits are briefly summarized below with more detail provided in Appendices)
Our Procedure for Verifying En-Soil Algae's Guaranteed Analysis of 10 million CFU/mL
Enlightened Soil Corp conducts cells counts using the industry standard methods outlined by Andersen and Throndsen (2003; Manual on Harmful Marine Algae; Eds Hallegraeff, Anderson and Cembella.) Click image for the full methodology.
En-Soil's On-going Research Trials and Soil Testing
Enlightened Soil Corp understands that we are only beginning to understand the full benefits of C. vulgaris as an agricultural bio-stimulant. There is so much more to discover about this miraculous, single-cell plant and how it may be applied to soil and plant health. That's why we stay engaged in our ongoing research. We want to share not only what we are learning, but our excitement, as well!
Appendices
Brief Report:
Detrimental effects of synthetic chemical fertilizer (NPK)
Two Reports:
Description of C. vulgaris' effectson turf, with a focus on
Haney Testing.
Brief Report:
Abiotic Stress: The protective effects of algae on salt and
drought tolerance
Brief Report:
The effect of C. vulgaris as a bio-stimulant on plant color.
Horse Farm Case Study:
Harmful Algae Bloom & C. vulgaris