Anglo American and Biome Makers have formed a collaboration to assess the impact of low-carbon fertiliser Poly4 on the soil microbiome
Biome Makers and Anglo American have teamed up on a joint research project focused on the impact of Poly4, Anglo American’s new low-carbon fertiliser, on the soil microbiome.
The collaboration involves soil trials designed to analyse and verify the effects of Poly4, a multi-nutrient fertiliser, on soil microbiome composition and functionality. These trials are being conducted on tomatoes and wheat in Spain.
“As the importance of the soil microbiome in agriculture gains momentum, Biome Makers BeCrop Technology is delivering detailed insight into the impact of fertilisers on soil biology,” the company stated.
“Our collaboration with Anglo American shows our commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through applied science,” said Dr Alberto Acedo, chief scientific officer at Biome Makers. “By leveraging BeCrop’s proprietary microbiome analysis tools and global soil database, we are able to provide companies like Anglo American with strong evidence of the positive effects of emerging ag input products on soil health.”
The company said that the soil trials confirmed that Poly4, “when applied with a targeted approach, is environmentally friendly and preserves native soil microbiome biodiversity”. It also boosts microbial nutrient mobilisation of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and chlorine (Cl), improving plant nutrient uptake and growth.
The research also showed a reduction in soil electrical conductivity, thanks to the activation of calcium and chlorine microbial mobilisation, further supporting healthy soil ecosystems, the company stated.
Dr Kathryn Bartlett, soil science principal at Anglo American’s Crop Nutrients business, commented, “The results from these experimental trials not only demonstrate the efficacy of Poly4 as a sustainable multi-nutrient fertiliser, but also highlight its potential to improve soil health generally in agricultural systems.
“Biome Makers’ BeCrop Technology was fundamental to the study and confirms that Poly4 exhibits differentiated impact on the soil microbiome, promoting beneficial microbial functionality and increasing nutrient availability to the crop from the soil, which is incredibly important for long term soil health and therefore future food security.”
Biome Makers said it was dedicated to helping ag-input manufacturers understand the impact of their products on soil microbiome composition and functionality.
“The company has partnered with leading agricultural companies like Syngenta, Bayer, Disagro and UPL to demonstrate how leveraging soil biology data can foster healthier soils, enhance ecosystem services and ultimately promote more sustainable farming practices,” it said.
