When the fertilizer is plant-based

In the grand scheme of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers on the market, there is also a category of those produced with exclusively plant-based matrices, which deserve a dedicated study.

For Agribios, this is an important production line, marked with the Filiera Vegetale Controlled® brand and obtained by taking particular care in the choice of raw materials.

After all, as we frequently state in our articles and in our podcast “Fertile Soil”, organic matrices are not all the same, neither from the qualitative point of view nor from that of the agronomic performance able to shine if used in the formulation of a fertilizer.

The vegan production orientation is still niche but constantly growing, and requires having available fertilizers and soil conditioners exclusively plant-based.

As reported by WWF on the occasion of the most recent World Vegan Day (celebrated last November 1, 2024), today 10% of Italians declare that they have vegetarian dietary guidelines, and  2% of them adopt a vegan diet.

In addition, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore, several major agri-food brands are focusing with ever greater conviction on exclusively plant-based lines of products.

Even in organic farming, the use of plant-based organic fertilizers is considered a valid alternative to the use of fertilizers containing organic matrices of animal origin.

Finally, plant matrices often contain compounds with a biostimulating action or capable of promoting the activity of useful microorganisms already present in the rhizosphere or supplied with inoculated fertilizers.

The quality of Agribios fertilizers is based on three fundamental pillars:

• the quality of the organic matrices used;
• the natural maturation process to which the matrices are subjected, without drying, which favours the humification and the elimination of any unwanted microbial charges;
• the expertise in the formulation that allows the maximization of effectiveness (and its duration over time).

The first point leads to the other two. Agribios starts from the assumption that using by-products of various origins as matrices for its fertilizers is a way to actively contribute to the reduction of waste and to the development of circular economies in the agricultural and agro-industrial sector, but at the same time it believes that plots cannot become places where low agronomic quality materials are disposed of. This is why Agribios does not contemplate the use of compost, industrial sludge, urban solid waste and residues from cuttings and pruning as a source of organic matter for the production of fertilized products: these matrices are unable to ensure sufficient quality and purity, in composition and microbiological terms.

At Agribios, we use different plant matrices for the formulation of fertilizers, including:

• Neem cake, used to obtain fertilizers useful in creating environments that are unfavourable to the development of parasites and nematodes in the soil;
• borlands, used for the production of fertilizers suitable for the treatment of tired and difficult soils;
• olive pomace pulp and other by-products of the food industry used in the production of soil conditioners and organic fertilizers due to its high content of organic matter, organic carbon and humic and fulvic carbon, to which Nitrogen is added, in the form of proteins, but also Potassium, Calcium and Phosphorus.

Vegastar 3.5.12 is a new concept organic organo-mineral fertilizer that involves the exclusive use of organic plant-based matrices. Ideal for base application for all agricultural crops, complete, rich and balanced, Vegastar 3.5.12 promotes intense microbial activity in the soil with a positive effect on fertility and combines the fertilizing action of the organic vegetable component with the availability of readily effective nitrogen, thanks to the presence of free amino acids that perform a biostimulating action in synergy with humic acids. It also contains Sulphur and Zinc in a form that is highly assimilable from plant roots

Bio Aktiveg, 100% plant-based, is a soil activator made with humidified organic matter added to bacterial and fungal inoculums. In addition to providing organic matter and nutrients, it promotes and directs the proliferation in the soil of microorganisms useful for the development of plants. The presence of Trichoderma harzianum and viride and rhizosphere bacteria in the inoculum limits the development of pathogens responsible for root system diseases such as Fusarium, Pythium, Armillaria, Sclerotinia, Phytophtora and Rizoctonia. The use of Bio Aktiveg makes it possible to improve the health of the crop, increase yields per hectare of cash crops, improve the visual appearance of ornamental plants and turfs and provide appropriate support for the development of microorganisms.

Humovegetal 500 is an organic nitrogen fertilizer produced exclusively with organic matrix of vegetable origin, in particular with exclusive vegetable protein cakes, rich in organic nitrogen, carbon and a wide range of amino acids, vitamins and microelements.

The presence of organic carbon improves root absorption capacity and soil health. Carbon is also a source of nutrients for microorganisms, controls abiotic stresses and increases the solubility and availability of nutrients. Due to its properties, Humovegetal 500 is particularly recommended in regenerative agriculture.