AS THERE SYNERGY BETWEEN NO-TILL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY?

In any business, efficiency is measured by profit. However, agriculture is unique—success is defined not only by financial gain but also by the health of the soil within a specific farming system. If one focuses solely on yield while allowing for soil degradation, that business cannot be considered effective. Investing in soil fertility is a much more advantageous strategy.

Mykhailo Draganchuk (no-tiller, farmer)

"Not all farmers are prepared to radically transform their farming systems. Some have abandoned plowing or reduced tillage volumes, which is already a step forward. Many have started implementing cover crops, bioproducts, diversified crop rotations, and livestock integration. These are all positive steps. Mistakes made while adopting these technologies serve as the best teachers. If a farmer aims to improve soil quality—not just chase profits—they may need to take a step back before moving forward. Excessive rigidity is the enemy of meaningful progress,” Draganchuk emphasized.When asked how many years it would take a conventional farm to transition to a no-till system fully, he responded:“There are no universal standards. If there is a willingness to change, there are hundreds of ways to implement the system effectively. Conventional farming requires significantly more machinery and inputs, while no-till farming only requires a seeder that can operate in untilled soil. Moreover, it is not necessary to purchase one right away—there is an expanding market for agricultural machinery services that allows you to test equipment in action. “The human factor is key. Some farmers have switched 3,000 hectares to no-till in a single year. They know what they're doing, prepare in advance, and believe in success. Others need to observe and analyze more carefully. In such cases, we recommend splitting a field: use conventional tillage on one half and minimal tillage on the other. Then, compare input costs, evaluate soil conditions, and assess results holistically. The method that aligns with your philosophy of soil care will determine your path forward—whether to expand or scale back. There are no fixed rules”. Synergy Between No-Till and Biotechnologies Many farming operations already have achieved a strong synergy between no-till practices and biotechnological solutions. This is no surprise, as beneficial microorganisms and fungi thrive best in undisturbed soils not subjected to mechanical intervention.“Microbial products are becoming key elements in regenerative agriculture. They support soil health by activating the native microbiota. Relying solely on natural processes is good—but we can also support and accelerate them. There’s no need to wait decades or centuries. Instead, we can introduce beneficial bacteria that enhance natural soil processes,” emphasized Mykhailo Draganchuk.Biotechnological Solutions for No-Till Tetiana Khomenko, Commercial Director of the biotechnology company BTU, elaborated on modern biotech approaches for no-till farming. She noted that intensive farming practices exhaust soils and that even large applications of mineral fertilizers fail to provide sustainable results. No-till, however, supports crop production and actively improves soil structure and fertility. This aligns closely with BTU’s mission to “keep the Earth alive.”

Tetiana Khomenko, Commercial Director of the biotechnology company BTU

According to Mrs.Khomenko, some factors in agriculture are uncontrollable, such as the weather, while others—like soil biology and plant nutrition—can be managed. “Can we manage the rhizosphere and plant stress?” she asked.Preserving soil health means minimizing tillage, maximizing living roots, increasing the area under cover crops, and fostering biodiversity. The more plant diversity there is, the more varied the food sources for soil microorganisms—and the richer the soil microbiome becomes. This diversity is crucial for system resilience. The success of regenerative agriculture depends significantly on the knowledge and competence of the agronomist. Understanding how soil ecosystems function, evaluating soil conditions, and applying methods that positively influence microbial life are key.“In the rhizosphere, there is a phenomenon called rhizophagy, during which a plant absorbs microorganisms containing nutrients within their cells. The root takes up these microbes, and their nutrients are extracted. Then, the now ‘naked’ bacteria (without cell walls) are released back into the rhizosphere through root hairs, where the cycle begins again. A deficiency in beneficial microbes may become a limiting factor. We recommend inoculating seeds with carefully selected soil microorganisms that perform well in the rhizosphere to avoid this. As a result, the plant develops a stronger root system, more vegetative biomass, and ultimately—higher yields,” Khomenko explained.

How Biologicals Support Cover Crop Development Given that climate change has significantly impacted agricultural production—mainly affecting the retention of productive soil moisture—a unique study to examine how bioinoculants influence the growth and development of a cover crop mixture. The aim was to demonstrate that microbial products can enhance vegetative biomass, biometric indicators of aboveground and root parts, and photosynthesis. Improving these traits helps plants better withstand climatic stress and retain soil moisture.BTU-developed bioproducts such as Mycofriend® and Rizoline® were used for the trial. The cover crop mix included common vetch, phacelia, oil flax, Sudan grass, and Alexandrian clover seeds. Throughout the study, the following parameters were observed: seed germination, biometric traits, plant mass, and physiological characteristics of the cover crops.The experimental setup included three treatments: – untreated seeds. – seeds treated with Mycofriend®at 100 g/ha. – seeds treated with a combination of Mycofriend® + Rizoline at 100 g/ha.Results showed that seed inoculation significantly improved germination and early growth indicators. For example, Sudan grass seeds treated with Mycofriend® demonstrated a 121% increase in root development compared to the control. The biomass of both root and aboveground plant parts in the treated groups was substantially greater. In the group treated with the combined inoculants, root biomass doubled, and aboveground biomass increased by 59% compared to the control. In addition, the treatments positively affected photosynthetic activity, especially in Sudan grass plants. The impact of bioinoculants on the biometric indicators of cover crop seedlings.

Options		Indicators
Options		underground part, mm	root growth, %	aboveground part, mm
Vicia	control	32.33		16.67
	Mycofriend®	43.33	34.0	20.67
	Mycofriend®+Rizoline®	49.33	52.6	23.33
Phacelia	control	22.00		31.00
Phacelia	Mycofriend®	20.33	-7.6	30.00
Flax	control	47.00		23.67
Flax	Mycofriend®	50.33	7.1	32.00
Sudan grass	control	11.00		6.33
Sudan grass	Mycofriend®	24.33	121.2	20.67
Clover	control	19.00		32.67
Clover	Mycofriend®	20.67	8.8	36.00

Evaluation of the impact of bioinoculants on the growth performance of vicia seedlings (fourth day) Effect of bioinoculants on plant fresh weight

How Biotechnologies Support Soil Health Soil health is its continual ability to function as a living ecosystem—supporting biological productivity, improving air and water quality, and sustaining high yields of crops. To assess soil health and resilience, it is essential to study the richness and diversity of its microbiome and the number of microorganisms across different functional groups. This helps monitor key indicators such as changes in organic matter content and shifts in microbial composition (e.g., pathogen accumulation, counts of beneficial microbial groups).BTU specialists assess soil microbiota using classical microbiological methods, advanced tools such as Biotrex, and molecular-genetic diagnostics.So, how do microbial preparations work in practice to restore soil fertility?According to Tetiana Khomenko, bioproducts must be applied as early as the post-harvest stage. Plant residues and soil may harbor disease pathogens that threaten the next crop. At this stage, it's crucial to eliminate infection sources and repopulate the soil with antagonistic microbes. The product Ecostern® for no-till is ideal in the fall after harvest. During summer, Ecostern® Bacterial, which contains heat-resistant bacteria, is recommended. Another way to introduce beneficial bacteria and fungi into the rhizosphere is through seed inoculation. A simple approach involves applying microbial products using a planter or applicator during seeding. Products like Mycofriend® (mycorrhiza-forming products) contain both rhizospheric bacteria that stimulate mycorrhiza formation and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis (Glomus).“Mycorrhization and inoculation promote the development of a robust root system that enhances nutrient and water uptake. As a result, farmers can expect an average yield increase of around 10% across different crops,” said Khomenko.She also emphasized that no-till systems support healthier soils and can minimize the need for chemical fungicides and insecticides. Today, some farms have not used chemical crop protection for over 15 years, relying instead on crop rotation and a balanced soil microbiome. These farms rarely use biological protection, as healthy soils naturally suppress pathogens. However, products like Fitocid® and Trichoderma® offer effective biological control if harmful organisms appear.“Each situation requires an individual approach—there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, fundamental tools have been tested across diverse conditions, farming systems, and rotations. Long-term research has shown that Ecostern® improves soil health, enhances the microbiome, boosts biodiversity, and supports carbon sequestration. This makes it a core input regardless of crop or cultivation method. Supporting beneficial soil microbiota on an ongoing basis is essential because soils are exposed to many harmful factors—fungicides, herbicides, toxic chemicals, and tillage. These agents not only target pathogens but also destroy beneficial microbes. When we disrupt natural cycles, we must also take responsibility for restoring them,” Khomenko stressed.

On average, biological products increase yields by more than 10%. According to BTU’s research database, which was compiled over 15 years and analyzed 2,300 trials, biological products deliver average yield increases of over 10%. Depending on the crop, application method, or product category, yield gains ranged from 6% to nearly 20%. Once production processes are stabilized over several years, bioproducts can be applied in a maintenance mode once a year to preserve the soil's biological productivity.

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