Biofertilizers are not only a solution for nourishing crops but also for improving soil moisture retention and promoting its biodiversity. This is the best way to help plants develop strong roots that are ready to withstand the summer.
As spring sets in, the weather change is gradual. And biofertilization can be a good option to address some of the nutritional deficiencies that plants may face. With the gradual rise in temperatures, and as the season before summer, spring is a good time to ensure some availability of water and nutrients for our crops.
In fact, biofertilizers are not just a way to nourish plants; they also improve soil moisture retention and promote its biodiversity—something we often talk about at MAFA. In other words, plant nutrition begins with nourishing the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. This is the best way to help plants develop strong roots and prepare them to survive the summer.
As we all know, choosing the right time to apply biofertilizers is crucial, as it can make the difference between an adequate, high-quality yield and a poor one. We must remember that fertilization nourishes the plant and, therefore, enhances its ability to resist pests and diseases. However, if we don’t assess temperature, soil moisture, and the state of the crop before applying biofertilizers, we risk achieving the opposite of what we intend. Applying them during periods of heavy rain can be harmful, since nutrients can leach away, just as applying them in excessively dry soil can hinder proper absorption.
Why is spring a good time for biofertilization?
Although it’s important to consider the possibility of frost and heavy rainfall during these months, spring is the most suitable time of year to nourish crops.
That said, agricultural biofertilization is continuously evolving, thanks to ongoing research and the optimization of methods. Our R&D department is specifically focused on developing products that enhance both application methods (fertigation, foliar, root application, etc.) and overall nutrient efficiency.
Additionally, the adoption of technology in agriculture is also revolutionizing biofertilization. Thanks to precision agriculture—based on sensors, drones, and monitoring systems—more targeted applications can be carried out based on agronomic data to maximize effectiveness and minimize costs.
The importance of the timing of application
That is why the timing of biofertilizer application is crucial and must consider the natural cycles of the soil and agricultural ecosystems if we want to work towards sustainable and responsible agriculture with minimal environmental impact. It is also highly recommended to understand the nutritional needs of our crop once we have analyzed the fertility level of our soil and the contributions provided by the irrigation water.
Although work on them has been ongoing for years, research and formulation of biofertilizers have increased following the new EU legislation, which mandates a 50% reduction in agricultural chemicals by 2030.
Types of biofertilizers
What types of biofertilizers have been worked on in recent years? Mainly:
- Nitrogen fixers. They reduce the need for chemical supplements thanks to bacteria such as Rhizobium, Azospirillum, and Azotobacter, which naturally exist in the soil and help fix nitrogen in plants.
- Phosphorus solubilizers. These are also made with bacteria found in the rhizosphere, which lower the soil pH and promote the dissolution of phosphorus in the soil.
- Phosphorus capturers. Through the application of fungi like mycorrhizae, we can encourage the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil and protect the plant against certain pathogens.
- Growth promoters or PGPR (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria). These help enhance plant vigor through microorganisms that naturally produce growth regulators.
However, as we have already mentioned, the key is to thoroughly understand the productive capacity of our field, the amount and distribution of rainfall, the phenological and nutritional state of the crops, soil fertility, and the nutrient contribution from irrigation water, among other factors. Only then can we adopt a biofertilization strategy, since nutrient needs vary throughout the different vegetative phases of the plant.
