QUESTION:
What are agricultural biologicals?

Fig. 1: A close-up of Trichoderma, a beneficial microbial strain found in many Locus AG products.

ANSWER: Biologicals is the umbrella term for a diverse group of agricultural products made from living, naturally occurring microorganisms as the primary active ingredients. The history of biologicals is as old as agriculture itself, as humans have been working in tandem with living organisms to grow crops for centuries.

Fertile soil is teeming with microorganisms: one single tablespoon of soil contains approximately 50 billion microbes. Biological products leverage the microbiome by identifying and unlocking the key benefits microbes provide to crops.

Biological products commonly include the microbial strains of:

• Bacteria: Strains of Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, Streptomyces, and Bacillus.
• Fungi: Strains of Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae
• Yeast: Wickerhamomyces

Beneficial microbes perform several vital functions within the soil ecosystem, from breaking down crop residues to cycling nutrients and stimulating root growth.

As microbes reproduce, they release metabolites and organic acids that directly increase the solubilization and movement of nutrients, including the macronutrient trio, N-P-K: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The microbial strains in agricultural biologicals are typically selected for their ability to benefit:

• Nitrogen-fixation
• Plant root development
• Nutrient and water use efficiency
• Crop quality and productivity
• Soil carbon sequestration and storage
• Reduce GHG emissions

Biological products come in either GMO or non-GMO formulations, but are always derived from natural materials.

QUESTION:
What are agricultural biologicals used for?

ANSWER: Agricultural biologicals are highly versatile and can be used in both organic and conventional crop production for a wide variety of crops to enhance crop productivity and overall agronomic performance.

There are a few main categories that biologicals fall into:

1. Biocontrols: Are used to suppress fungal and bacterial diseases, pests, nematodes, and weeds.
2. Biostimulants: Are used to stimulate the natural processes of plants, improving nutrient uptake and use efficiency, and boost crop productivity.
3. Biofertilizers: Are used to fix nitrogen.
4. Soil amendments: Are used to improve nutrient availability to promote growth.

The purpose of biologicals is to help give crops the best possible chance to thrive by improving the quality of the soil they are grown in. Rather than replacing other inputs, biologicals are formulated to complement other products and enhance overall input efficiency.

QUESTION:
How are agricultural biologicals formulated?

ANSWER: Agricultural biological products can come in liquid form, dry application form, wettable powders, and a new dry box applied formulation. Rather than being applied at the time of irrigation, box applied biologicals are mixed with a carrier and put into the dry hopper along with the seeds—eliminating the need for refrigeration for storage or any additional costly equipment to apply them.

Fig. 2: A picture of uncoated seeds (left) and seeds coated with Locus AG box applied biologicals for row crops (right).

READ MORE: ALL ABOUT BOX APPLIED BIOLOGICALS

Different agricultural biological formulations are made for different use cases.

Biological applications include:

1. Seed or in-furrow treatments: Seed treatments are applied on the seed either directly or as an in-furrow treatment and offer the advantage of keeping the biological closer to the germinating seed and emerging root system of the crop.
2. Root and soil application: Root and soil applied biologicals are commonly used through the irrigation system and are used to stimulate the activity of the natural microbiome to enhance nutrient mineralization.
3. Plant (foliar) treatments: Foliar biologicals are applied as a spray directly to the leaves of the plant to support plant growth and nutrient absorption, particularly during the flowering growth phase.

Certain biologicals contain endophytic strains of microbes, which reside within the plant tissues and form a symbiotic relationship with the plant. These strains continue to support the plant as it grows, providing key benefits all throughout the plant lifecycle.

The decision on which biological product to choose should take into account what will best complement an existing farm management plan, current access to equipment, and any crop issues or needs that are being addressed.

QUESTION:
What are the key benefits of agricultural biologicals?

ANSWER: While there are numerous benefits to using agricultural biologicals, most fall under the three primary categories of:

1. Environmental benefits
2. Crop quality benefits
3. Grower ROI

Agricultural biologicals are shown to improve:

• Root strength and growth
• Nutrient uptake
• Crop yield and quality
• Plant vigor
• Fertilizer and other input efficiency
• Soil carbon sequestration
• Soil quality and structure
• Grower ROI
• GHG emissions

However, not all agricultural biologicals are created equal. Strain specificity matters, and the symbiotic relationship of a few microbial strains is measurably more powerful than a higher number of weak or competing strains. The most effective biologicals will contain microbes that are precision targeted for specific crops or cropping systems.

Agricultural biologicals can also accelerate and bolster the benefits from previous crop management efforts like fertilizers, manure, and conservation tillage.

The payoff of using a quality biologicals often well exceeds the cost. The profits generated by increased yields can cover, and often surpass, the cost of the biological products themselves.

READ MORE: 5 Visible Signs Your Agricultural Biologicals Are Working

QUESTION:
Why should farmers invest in agricultural biologicals?

ANSWER: With 20% of farmers worldwide either currently using or interested in using biologicals on their farm, it’s clear that farmers understand the urgency in acting now. Any farmers who remain hesitant are likely overwhelmed by the high number of products on the market and have uncertainty of which ones are right for their farm.

Already present challenges such as deteriorating soil quality, water shortages, to the rising cost of fertilizers, mean that growers cannot afford to use products that aren’t directly increasing the efficiency and profitability of their crops. The right biological product can provide significant support in tackling many of these issues.

QUESTION:
How Do You Choose Between Different Biologicals on the Market?

ANSWER: Locus AG presented a webinar with Strip-Till Farmer sharing helpful guidance for farmers who are considering the use of biologicals. Watch the video replay to get the details.

QUESTION:
What are the Advantages of Choosing Biologicals Made in the USA?

There are distinct advantages to choosing biologicals made in the USA. Some of these advantages include:

1. Quality control – products are subject to local production regulations and monitoring
2. Availability – less likely to be impacted by global supply issues
3. Freshness and potency – often delivered within a shorter timeframe, meaning fresher, more potent microbes
4. Economic contribution – generates employment and profitability in manufacturing, sales, distribution and retail

READ MORE: 4 Reasons to Choose Biologicals Made in the USA

QUESTION:
Why should farmers choose Locus AG biologicals?

ANSWER: Locus AG offers several agricultural biological products that contain superior microbial strains precision targeted to provide far-reaching benefits to both crop productivity and profitability.

These crop-specific formulations are third-party verified and proven to increase nutrient uptake, enhance plant vigor, improve soil quality, and boost yields and grower ROI.

GET MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION: LOCUS AG AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGICALS

Locus AG biologicals are produced in the USA, available for immediate shipment, and are supplied through many major agricultural distributors and retailers. 

Locus AG biologicals are not just nice-to-haves; they are Simply Vital to farming success. Leave us a message below to get started.