Adapting soils to the impacts of climate change such as erosion, salinity and reduced moisture content is imperative for a resilient agriculture sector. There is a wealth of knowledge among farmers all over the world on how to maintain healthy soils, from no-till farming and cover crops to the use of fertilizers and composting.
Innovation examples
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Innovation examplesMicrodosing and precision fertilization in Africa
Getty Images Plus /© HiramanMicrodosing is a fertilizer placement technique. It was developed by researchers at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a CGIAR member organization. By applying small doses of fertilizer in the planting hole together with the seed during sowing, or at the base of plants a few weeks after planting, farmers can use fertilizers more efficiently and reduce costs. The technique has proven especially appropriate for resource-poor small-scale farmers. The concentration of nutrients at source helps roots grow out quickly while maintaining nutrient and water use efficiency, strengthening the plant in adapting to late-season droughts and other climate variabilities.[1] A study evaluating the microdosing of fertilizer to sorghum in the Amhara region in Ethiopia pointed to a yield increase of up to 174 percent using only half the recommended amount of fertilizer.[2] Fertilizer microdosing is now becoming the most common technique deployed by smallholder farmers in regions where the high cost of inorganic fertilizer is a constraining factor, particularly across Sub-Saharan West Africa.[3]
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Innovation examplesZero and no-tillage farming
Getty Images / © Alex Rodrigo BrondaniThese two farming methods disturb the soil as little as possible. Low- or no-till farming increases nutrients in the soil, prevents erosion, water loss and soil compaction, and saves fuel.[1] Adoption of no-till practices has grown steadily since 1994. No-till, low-till or zero-till farming (also called conservation agriculture in some regions) entails leaving the soil undisturbed to the extent possible by avoiding tillage before sowing and planting, and leaving plant residues on the soil surface after harvest. It is considered a highly effective soil conservation system. Research shows that sustained no-till practices result in soil, water and biological systems that more closely resemble native soils. No-till systems also provide cover for wildlife if stubble from the previous crop is left to lie on the field.[2] The United States is the country with the largest area under no-tillage, followed by Brazil, Argentina and Canada. The technology is growing rapidly. First adopted on 45 million ha worldwide, no-till farming had grown to cover 111 million ha by 2009. South America has experienced the fastest adoption rates.[3] No-till farming has many benefits, but it relies heavily on herbicides for weed control and termination of cover crops. Innovation is needed, with new research suggesting that integrated weed-management methods could be one solution.[4]
Proven technologies
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesAnimal-operated planter-fertilizer
Indústria Mecânica Knapik Ltda Epp
Photo: © Indústria Mecânica Knapik Ltda EppThis combined planter and fertilizer eliminates the need for tractors. It is suitable for a no-tillage system because it avoids soil compaction. The device has been developed for animal traction and can be used for direct and conventional planting of beans, corn, soybeans, sorghum and other grains. The product is suitable for small farms and not recommended for areas larger than 15 ha. Internal parts are made of non-corrosive material (plastic, nylon, stainless steel).
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Low
- Country of origin: Brazil
- Availability: Brazil
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesSimultaneous seed and precision nutrient application
Blacksoil
Getty Images /© ArtistGNDphotographyBlacksoil provides precision fertilization through a fertilizer formula adapted to the specific agricultural context and seeds in question. The company maps various environments in different regions and develops tailor-made fertilizers to avoid crop damage (phytotoxicity). Liquid fertilizer is applied using a device developed by the company. It enables the simultaneous application of seeds, water and liquid fertilizers to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The machine can be mounted to any seeder. The company currently operates in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Expansion through distributors in the different regions is planned.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: Argentina
- Availability: Latin America
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesFungi-based biofertilizers
BIOPRODUCTS MYCONATIVA LTDA.
Photo: © BIOPRODUCTS MYCONATIVA LTDA.MYCONATIVA provides biofertilizer products obtained from fungi. They are designed to improve soils, save water and increase agricultural productivity in the face of climate change. Products can be applied to fruit trees, crops, garden plants, as well as part of various bioremediation and ecosystem conservation efforts. Yegun Nativa® Irrigation (PM) is a bioproduct based on native soil-borne fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal) isolated from the La Araucanía region of Chile. It enables the formation of a symbiotic relationship between fungi and the roots of plants. The fungus increases water absorption, macro- and micronutrients and plant resistance to disease. This benefits plants that live in environments high in water stress, salinity and contamination. Its formulation allows nutrients to be applied together with irrigation water, without adding harmful elements.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: Chile
- Availability: Chile
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesLiquid biostimulant for soil improvement
Bio-CO2
Getty Images /© Elen11This technology consists of a liquid biostimulant for soil improvement. It is in the form of a natural concentrate obtained from Spirulina cyanobacterium. The product acts as a humic substance (organic compounds of humus make up an important fraction of soil) in the growth and development of crops. It contains high levels of free amino acids, nutrients, minerals and trace elements with a high cation exchange capacity (a measure of soil fertility). This stimulates microbial activity in soil and provides levels of micronutrients necessary for plant strengthening and disease resistance. The technology is applied directly on the ground in agricultural and forestry crops in recommended dosages.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: Chile
- Availability: Worldwide
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesBokashi composting
Bokashi Bran
Getty Images /© AnSyvanychBokashi (Japanese for “fermented organic matter”) is a traditional method of composting commercialized in Japan in the 1980s. Unlike traditional composting, Bokashi is an anaerobic process. It requires separating organic materials from oxygen to the greatest extent possible, for example using closed buckets. The technique entails layering organic matter with an inoculant usually consisting of wheat germ, wheat bran or sawdust combined with molasses. A key ingredient is effective microorganisms (EM), such as lactic acid bacteria or yeast. Although EM Bokashi™ is trademarked, the technology is now available the world over. For example, Bokashi Bran is a company based in South Africa that offers Bokashi systems for both home and commercial kitchens. Products include composting ingredients, as well as the vessels required for composting, such as large-scale macerating machines where the food is dewatered before being treated with Bokashi.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Low
- Country of origin: South Africa
- Availability: South Africa
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Proven technologiesUse of microorganisms to increase soil fertility
Korin Agricultura
Getty Images /© SinhyuFertibokashi is a commercial biological soil improvement product developed by the Korin Agropecuária Group founded in 1994. It was generated from the trademarked effective microorganisms (EM) bokashi technique. This involves capturing organisms in nature, especially in inhospitable environments such as volcanoes, the seabed and air currents. Unlike conventional composting, input matter is fermented by bacteria rather than decomposed. The functional groups of microorganisms are selected for their ability to colonize quickly. The product is currently in its eighth iteration regarding selection of bacteria strains and the fungi and yeasts added to soil to promote mineral absorption by roots.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: Brazil
- Availability: Brazil
Frontier technologies
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Frontier technologiesNitrogen-fixating biofertilizer
Kula Bio
Getty Images /© Ju PhotographerKula Bio uses non-genetically-modified organism (GMO) bacteria to fixate nitrogen from the air into soil. It can be applied to both conventional and organic crops and helps farmers improve crop yield and reduce environmental impact. Bacteria in the biofertilizer are fortified before being applied to a field, and provided with a carbon-rich energy source enabling them to build larger reserves of energy and nutrients. By fixating nitrogen on a needs-basis, the risk of nitrogen run-off and waste is reduced compared to industrial fertilizers. When the bacteria run out of energy, they decompose naturally and in so doing increase organic carbon in the soil.
- Contracting type: N/A
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: United States
- Availability: N/A
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Frontier technologiesNitrogen-fixating microbes
Pivot Bio
Getty Images /© Tomasz KlejdyszPivot Bio Proven is an alternative to conventional fertilizers, in which nitrogen-producing microbes applied during planting form a symbiotic relationship with corn plants. Because it adheres directly to the corn plant root, it does not run off during weather events. Crop nutrition to increase crop yield is provided by the microbes’ taking nitrogen from the air to create ammonia, which is then supplied to the plant during critical growth stages. Once the corn begins to grow, bacteria attaches to the plant root and feeds on the sugar in the corn roots. This startup is scaling up to begin manufacturing, which will happen in a decentralized way nearby farms, in part because the product does not have a long shelf life.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: High
- Country of origin: United States
- Availability: N/A
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Frontier technologiesSoil analytics using genomics and machine learning
Trace Genomics
Getty Images /© Khanchit KhirisutchalualTrace Genomics provides advanced chemical and biological analysis of soil using soil DNA diagnostics and metagenomics sequencing. Services support farmers, agronomists and biological product companies in understanding and quantifying the complexity of soil and management practice impact. Improved understanding of soil health and activity can allow for better management decisions such as where crops would benefit from biofertilizers. By understanding the soil microbes responsible for nutrient cycling functions and soil pathogens, the service may enable better planning in the face of unpredictable growing conditions and crop market prices.
- Contracting type: Service
- Technology level: High
- Country of origin: United States
- Availability: Worldwide
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Frontier technologiesSoil conservation in desert environments
Dake Rechsand
Getty Images /© Sebastian CondreaIn the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Middle Eastern countries, a dry environment and high soil salinity pose challenges for agriculture. Dake Rechsand, based in the UAE, provides a “breathable sand” technology named Rechsand, suitable for soil conservation in such environments. This hydrophobic sand enables water to be retained for extended periods by stopping it from percolating down to the groundwater or soils below roots.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: China, South Africa
- Availability: UAE, United States, India, China, South Africa
Horizon technologies
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Horizon technologiesGraphene for improved fertilizer
The University of Adelaide
Getty Images /© vchalThe material graphene as a fertilizer carrier for improved efficiency has caught researchers’ attention, including at Adelaide University. It has been demonstrated that effective slow-release fertilizers can be produced by loading essential trace elements onto graphene oxide sheets. This material enables fertilizer use to be more targeted and increases nutrient absorption of plants (i.e., their ability to bind to more of the nutrient ions plants need). Graphene-based carriers have so far been demonstrated with the micronutrients zinc and copper. Work is continuing with macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate. Current challenges include producing graphene in large qualities at a decent quality.[1]
- Contracting type: N/A
- Technology level: High
- Country of origin: Australia
- Availability: N/A
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3. Agriculture and forestry / Healthy soils / Horizon technologiesSoil additive for increased water uptake
Carbon Neutral AgSciences
Getty Images /© JJ GouinBountiGel is a soil additive that comes in both powder and granular forms. When added to soil it can absorb up to 150 times its weight in water while retaining its mechanical strength. It does this by holding excess water near a plant’s roots as a reserve for dry spells. Researchers at University of California, Davis, found the product caused broccoli crops to grow 30 percent larger despite using 25 percent less water. The product also claims to be eco-friendly and last three years before biodegrading into the soil.
- Contracting type: For sale
- Technology level: Medium
- Country of origin: United States
- Availability: United States
REDD stands for “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation”. The “+” represents forest conservation and management.
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