While farmers can’t control the weather, they can influence crop performance by strengthening soil biology and improving nutrient efficiency. By feeding the soil microbiome with sugars, humics, fulvics, balanced fertility, and targeted biological inputs, growers can increase nutrient density, resilience, and long-term yield potential.
No matter how large the investment and effort you put into your crops, Mother Nature still has the final say on how successful your growing season is. She’s running the show, but you can still nudge her in the right direction to improve the nutrient density and yields at your operation.
At ST Biologicals, you often hear us say that you as a farmer need to earn the right to get to the next level of nutrient density in your crops. You do that by putting in the work to feed and protect your soil microbiome.
Our mentors estimate that nearly all farmland in the United States—98 to 99 percent—do not have the healthy soil required to take their yields to the next level. However, the majority of farmers want to improve their soils, but just don’t know where to get started or whom to ask for help.
If that’s you, the ST Biologicals mentors are here to help you succeed. Reach out to us today for one-on-one support. In the meantime, let’s take a deep dive into the elements of a successful program that nurtures your soil microbiome and increases the nutrient density of your crops.
Sugars Improve Nutrient Density in Crops
Sugar is the food your plants and your soil microbiome rely on for sustenance. The Microbial Metabolite Transport System (MMTS) sugars are specialized sugars that feed the soil microbiome AND stimulate plant metabolic activity. They feed the microbial populations that increase nutrient availability to plants and improve nutrient cycling. MMTS sugars also support early plant vigor, setting your crop up for success.
Dry Humic Substances and Soil Health
Dry humic and other humic substances are organic compounds that form from decomposed plant and microbial material in the soil. Dry humic substances improve soil structure and increase your soil’s ability to hold water. They also help your plants hold onto nutrients by increasing their CEC, or cation exchange capacity. Dry humic substances are long-lasting and promote long-term soil fertility.
Fulvic Acids and Soil Health
Fulvic acids are present in humic substances and readily move nutrients from the soil into plant tissues. Biologically active, fulvic acids enhance nutrient chelation and improve micronutrient availability to plants. They even increase nutrient transport across plant cell membranes, making them an ideal tool for improving nutrient efficiency both in soil and by foliar application.
Acid Fertilizers for Nutrient Availability
Farmers can use acid fertilizers to improve nutrient solubility in alkaline soils. Used carefully and in appropriate amounts, they lower the pH in the plant root zone of your soil to increase the plant-availability of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and manganese.
Fungicides and Biopesticides to Protect Crops
Organic fungicides and biopesticides can safely protect your row crops from diseases such as powdery mildews, Botrytis, and rusts as well as mites and insects.
Broad-Spectrum Biologicals to Supercharge Growth
A diverse microbial population in your soil improves nutrient uptake and plant tolerance against drought, salt, heat, and stress. Years of tillage and synthetic inputs can deplete beneficial microorganisms. Adding biology back in helps restore soil function and increase crop resilience.
Manures and Compost Teas
Manures, compost tea, earthworm castings, and fermented products are all traditional methods of adding back microbes, but they take an experienced hand to create and apply appropriately. Manure can increase soil salinity, especially during drought. Improperly brewed compost tea can spread pathogens rather than beneficial microbes. Similarly, fermentation doesn’t always result in a balanced microbial population.
Get the Right Help
The ST Biologicals mentors work with you to develop a custom program to improve nutrient density at your operation. We can recommend the right combination of regenerative ag products and techniques that work with Mother Nature to help improve soil health and your yields. Get in touch with us today to get started on your program. We’re here to help you succeed. When soil speaks, we listen.
Nutrient Density FAQs
How can a farmer earn the right to higher nutrient density on their operation?
Farmers can earn the right to higher nutrient density by focusing on healthy soil biology first. When the soil microbiome is fed and protected, it improves nutrient cycling, availability, and plant uptake, allowing crops to reach higher performance levels naturally.
How do sugars, humics, and fulvics improve soil health?
Sugars feed beneficial microbes and stimulate plant metabolism, humic substances improve soil structure and nutrient retention, and fulvic acids enhance nutrient chelation and transport into plant tissues.
Are traditional inputs like manure and compost tea enough?
They can be helpful, but they require careful management. Poor-quality manure or improperly brewed compost tea can increase salinity or introduce pathogens, so a balanced, well-designed program is critical.
Why work with a soil health mentor or consultant?
With so many products and approaches available, a customized plan ensures inputs are applied strategically and safely. Expert guidance helps maximize return on investment while improving soil function and crop resilience over time.
