Below is an excerpt from our latest research paper. Access to the full study, as well as more research and published results, are available at here at www.pittmoss.com/scientific-studies.
PittMoss® as a Delivery Mechanism for Biofertilizers and Inoculants
Charles L. Bethke, Ph.D., Horticultural Soils and Nutrition Consultant & Margaret Cullinan, Soil Scientist
Advancements in agriculture are rapidly moving towards integrating microbiological enhancements that provide more sustainable plant nutrition, disease control, and growth enhancements. These microbiological enhancements are referred to as biofertilizers. A recent comprehensive review of the use of biofertilizers in commercial agriculture has been developed as part of a multinational, cooperative effort sponsored by the European Union. This effort was dubbed the Bio-FIT Biofertilizer Project (European Union, 2020). Key in their discussions are characteristics needed for effective and dependable delivery systems for incorporation into soils and seed inoculation. These properties are essential to maintain the viability of living organisms in storage as well as promote easy application.
The Bio-FIT review presents a summary of those characteristics with a focus on seed and soil inoculation:
“A good carrier should have the following qualities:
→ Highly absorptive (water-holding capacity) and easy to process;
→ Non-toxic to microorganisms;
→ Easy to sterilize effectively;
→ Available in adequate amounts and low cost;
→ Provide good adhesion to seeds;
→ Has good buffering capacity;
→ High organic matter content and water holding capacity of more than 50%.”
The observations noted in this paper lead us to conclude that PittMoss® has the necessary physical, chemical, and biological properties to make it an optimal carrier for biological inocula. The use of PittMoss® in this way could improve applications of inocula to soil in agriculture and forestry systems. Inoculated PittMoss® particles would then carry carbon, and possibly other critical associated
micronutrients, which ensure microbial growth and survival until the microbes develop plant root associations. The applications are vast, and the market for such products is large. PittMoss® is therefore perfectly positioned to become a leader in sustainable biofertilizer delivery systems in multiple industries.
Link to Full Study: PittMoss as a Delivery Mechanism for Biofertilizers and Inoculants
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