Soybean inoculant: Rhyzobium inoculant range, various strains

N-fixing bacteria to reduce chemical fertilizer use

Stimuplant is a specialized range of inoculants designed for various legume crops. It capitalizes on a unique symbiotic relationship between the legume plants and a beneficial bacterium known as Rhizobia. This natural partnership results in the addition of significant nitrogen levels to the soil, ranging from 40 to 150 kg per hectare.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Farmers benefits directly from the Stimuplant product through cost savings on fertilizers, improved yields, and sustainable farming practices.

Others: Positive medium

Extension agents can promote the technology to support sustainable agriculture, researchers can leverage the product’s success to study soil fertility, and policymakers benefit from its alignment with environmental goals.

The poor: Positive high

Low-income farmers benefit significantly from the reduced need for costly synthetic fertilizers and improved soil fertility, which contributes to higher yields and better income opportunities.

Under 18: Positive low

While children and adolescents indirectly benefit from improved family income and food security due to better crop yields, they are not directly involved in agricultural production.

Women: Positive medium

Many women involved in smallholder or subsistence farming benefit from the reduced labor requirements and lower input costs associated with Stimuplant, which can enhance their productivity and profitabilit

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

The natural, symbiotic relationship fostered by the Rhizobia bacteria is more adaptable to fluctuating environmental conditions than many synthetic inputs, offering a more climate-resilient solution.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

By ensuring consistent nitrogen availability even under stressed conditions, Stimuplant can help stabilize or improve crop yields, contributing to local food security.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Stimuplant contributes to biodiversity both within the soil and on the surface. Rhizobia inoculation fosters a healthy soil microbiome, encouraging beneficial bacteria and organisms, which are essential for resilient agricultural ecosystems.

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Since synthetic fertilizers are energy-intensive to produce, reducing their use through Stimuplant’s nitrogen fixation technology lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertilizer manufacturing, transport, and application.

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Lower chemical input benefits surrounding ecosystems by reducing the potential for algal blooms and water contamination.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

By fostering a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobia bacteria, Stimuplant adds 40-150 kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Water use: Same amount of water used

Healthier soil structure from biological inoculants can improve water retention, making soils more resilient to droughts and reducing water needs for crops.

Problem

Nitrogen Limitation for Growth: Plants, especially legume crops, encounter restricted availability of nitrogen (N) in the soil, hindering their growth.
Soil Degradation from Fertilizer Reliance: Overdependence on chemical fertilizers has contributed to soil degradation over time.
Economic and Food Insecurity: The aforementioned issues collectively result in economic challenges and food insecurity for farmers.

Solution

UPL Powder Carrier Technology: Leveraging UPL powder carrier technology provides a protective shield for bacteria, safeguarding them against harsh environmental conditions like high temperatures and pH fluctuations.
CERES Organic Certification: The technology carries the prestigious CERES organic certification, ensuring compliance with rigorous organic standards.
Tailored Packaging for Smallholder Farmers: The packaging is specifically designed to suit the practical needs of smallholder farmers, enhancing accessibility and usability.
Extended Shelf Life: The powder formulation extends the shelf life of the product, offering a longer period of usability (9 months instead of 6), contributing to reduced wastage and increased efficiency.

Key points to design your project

The Rhyzobium inoculant range technology enhances agricultural inputs, aiding in increased crop yields and food security while reducing wastage. It promotes sustainable consumption and production, contributes to climate resilience in farming, and supports sustainable land management practices, thus preserving biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems.

To incorporate this technology into your project and develop a list of project activities along with prerequisites, follow these steps:

Estimate the quantity of products required based on the technology cost, ranging from approximately USD 15-25 per hectare.
Consider the accessibility of the technology in South Africa and calculate delivery costs to the project site, including potential import clearance and duties.
Arrange training and support from a team of trainers during project installation, and include the cost for training and post-training support.
Develop communication materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to promote awareness and understanding of the technology.
Optimize the effectiveness of the improved maize variety by companion planting with soybean varieties resistant to pests and diseases, particularly Asian Rust. Additionally, prioritize fundamental nutrient fertilization, focusing on elements like Super Phosphate or tailored fertilizer blends for grain legumes.
Collaborate with agricultural development institutes and agro-dealers to facilitate the implementation of the technology in your country.

Cost: $$$ 15—25 USD

Product cost /ha

ROI: $$$ 35 %

Yield increase

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Africa	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Stimuplant enhances soil fertility naturally by introducing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, improving legume yields.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

By promoting organic soil fertilization and sustainable farming practices, Stimuplant encourages responsible resource use and supports sustainable food production systems.

Goal 13: climate action

Its contribution to soil health also improves resilience to climate stresses like droughts, aiding climate adaptation in farming.

Goal 15: life on land

The natural nitrogen addition promotes biodiversity in the soil ecosystem and improves soil health, reducing the risk of land degradation.

Seed treatment process :

For large quantities use a concrete mixer.

For small quantities use a plastic bag as follow:

Add the inoculant, seed (e.g., 1kg), and sticker as per the label instructions to the plastic bag.
Do not use water with groundnut seeds.
Close the bag and swirl it until all seeds are treated.
Allow the treated seeds to dry in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.

Plant directly after inoculation and drying.

Avoid planting seeds with nitrogen fertilizer for up to 8 weeks, as it can harm the nodulation process.

Also, avoid direct contact with Superphosphate during and after inoculation.

Last updated on 25 October 2024