RESTORING SOILS WITH BIOLOGICALS

Introduction: The Importance of Soil Health and Sustainability

Soil health is the foundation of sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience. It refers to the ability of soil to function as a living ecosystem, sustaining plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil ensures nutrient cycling, water retention, carbon sequestration, and resistance to degradation. However, global agricultural practices have led to soil depletion, requiring effective restoration methods.

Biological indicators, such as microbial biodiversity, enzymatic activity, and carbon content, are crucial metrics in assessing soil health. Biological products, such as those developed by BTU, play an essential role in restoring soil fertility, improving soil structure, and enhancing nutrient availability. The application of microbial biofertilizers, such as Ecostern, Azotohelp, and Groundfix, has shown substantial benefits in improving soil functionality, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers, and mitigating environmental impacts.

With over 2,300 field trials, BTU has accumulated extensive experience in applying biological solutions under diverse agricultural conditions. Each year, BTU's biologicals are used on over 4 million hectares, significantly contributing to the ecologization of agriculture and sustainability. The company operates in 20 countries worldwide and actively seeks strategic partners to expand its innovative biological solutions globally.

Carbon Sequestration

Biological products significantly contribute to carbon sequestration by enhancing the retention of atmospheric CO₂ in soil as organic matter. This process is essential in mitigating climate change and improving soil fertility. Field studies have demonstrated that applying Ecostern increases labile carbon accumulation in soil, directly contributing to improved soil structure and long-term fertility.

According to data from BTU field studies, the use of biologicals increased labile carbon in the soil by 0.11–0.18% over three years. In collaboration with Kernel, a large-scale agricultural company in Ukraine, it was found that the application of Ecostern nearly doubled the presence of Trichoderma fungi, which play a critical role in soil organic matter decomposition. These results highlight the potential of biologicals in carbon farming, helping build resilient and fertile soils.

Soil Density and Structure

Soil density and compaction influence root penetration, water movement, and microbial activity. Intensive farming practices often lead to soil degradation, requiring biological solutions for restoration. Ecostern, a microbial-based stubble decomposer, has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving soil structure by accelerating organic matter decomposition and enhancing microbial interactions in soil aggregates.

Field studies show that applying Ecostern reduces the application of nitrogen required for decomposition of afterharvest residues by up to 40%, demonstrating its ability to enhance microbial decomposition processes. Furthermore, it has been observed to improve soil porosity and moisture retention, ensuring better aeration and nutrient availability for crops.

Biodiversity in Soil

Soil biodiversity plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and disease suppression. The excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides negatively impacts microbial diversity, leading to an imbalance in soil health. Biologicals restore microbial populations and introduce beneficial microorganisms that promote sustainable soil ecosystems.

Experiments conducted by BTU have shown that the application of Ecostern and other biologicals significantly increases microbial diversity, improving the soil's functional biodiversity by 10–30%. This enhanced microbial activity contributes to nutrient mineralization, soil aeration, and increased organic matter decomposition, ensuring long-term soil fertility and resilience.

Enzymatic Activity as an Indicator of Soil Health

Enzymatic activity is a critical parameter in soil health assessment. It reflects the biochemical processes occurring in the soil, including organic matter decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and phosphorus mobilization. Ecostern has been shown to restore enzymatic activity in degraded soils, playing a vital role in soil remediation efforts.

Field research indicates that enzymatic activity measured using BIOTREX technology improved significantly with the application of Ecostern, restoring it to near-normal levels. This suggests that biologicals enhance the metabolic processes of soil microorganisms, improving soil fertility and plant nutrition.

Restoration of Soils Damaged by Military Actions

The war in Ukraine has resulted in extensive soil degradation due to explosions, heavy metal contamination, and hydrocarbon pollution. BTU has developed a comprehensive bioremediation strategy to restore these damaged soils, leveraging the detoxifying capabilities of biologicals such as Ecostern Detox.

Studies conducted on war-affected soils show that after 90 days of applying Ecostern Detox, microbial communities in contaminated areas began to recover, approaching natural soil conditions. Additionally, plant biomass in treated areas increased by 7–10%, and when combined with mineral amendments, growth gains exceeded 24%. This demonstrates the potential of biologicals in remediating war-damaged soils and restoring agricultural productivity.

BTU’s 20-Year Experience in Soil Restoration After Oil Extraction

For over two decades, BTU has been involved in the remediation of oil-contaminated soils, working with companies such as Ukrnafta to restore land affected by hydrocarbon spills. The company’s expertise in bioremediation has resulted in highly effective solutions for detoxifying oil-polluted areas.

In early remediation projects, BTU successfully restored soil fertility in oil-polluted lands within a single season by applying microbial-based bio-preparations. These bio-preparations accelerated hydrocarbon degradation, allowing vegetation to regrow quickly. Today, these same technologies are being applied to rehabilitate soils affected by industrial pollution and war-related environmental damage.

Conclusion

The integration of biologicals into soil restoration strategies presents a sustainable and efficient solution for degraded lands. From carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement to bioremediation of war-affected soils, BTU’s biological solutions, such as Ecostern, Azotohelp, and Groundfix, provide effective tools for improving soil health.

Decades of research confirm that biologicals enhance carbon retention, improve soil structure, increase microbial diversity, and stimulate enzymatic activity. With ongoing patenting initiatives, large-scale field trials, and innovative bio-preparations, BTU continues to lead in the field of sustainable agriculture and soil restoration. The company is actively looking for strategic partners worldwide to introduce its biological innovations on a global scale.

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