Challenge:
Substitution of peat (non-renewable) with other organic materials to enhance the circular economy
Veganic strategy: Fertic and Regesoor
Summary
We propose combining FERTIC® – a sodium- and chloride-free liquid fulvic-acid fertilizer derived from sugar-beet vinasse – with REGESOOR® – a multi-strain rhizobacterial inoculant – to create a peat-free fertilization system. This solution valorizes an agricultural by-product into plant nutrients, embodying circular economy principles. FERTIC® supplies fulvic acids and phytohormones that enhance nutrient uptake, soil structure, and water retention, while REGESOOR® deploys seven high-density PGPR strains to solubilize nutrients, chelate heavy metals, and boost plant stress resilience. Together they improve soil health and crop performance, replacing peat with an eco-friendly bio-based alternative.
Foreseen impact
Environmental:
By eliminating peat use, our solution prevents the release of ancient carbon stored in bogs, thus cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting critical wetland habitats. Converting vinasse into FERTIC® reduces waste and recycles organic matter on-farm. Trials have shown fulvic amendments raise soil organic carbon (a stable carbon sink) and enhance nutrient retention. The PGPR in REGESOOR® reduce the need for synthetic NPK fertilizers, thereby minimizing runoff pollution. Together, these effects contribute to healthier soils and cleaner waterways.
• Economic: Valorizing a by-product like vinasse adds economic value and can offset disposal costs. Improved nutrient use efficiency means farmers need less chemical fertilizer for the same yield (DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14249). Reported field trials with similar PGPR consortia show maize yields increasing ~20% (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1426166), which translates to higher revenue. Growing regulatory and market pressures create demand for peat-free inputs, opening new business opportunities. Overall, the system is designed to be cost-effective (using low-cost inputs) and to increase profitability through higher yields and reduced input costs.
Agronomic: Field studies confirm that Bacillus inoculation raises crop yields significantly. FERTIC®’s fulvic acids and hormones boost root development and nutrient uptake, resulting in more vigorous plants. Enhanced soil microbiomes from REGESOOR® improve nutrient cycling and can suppress soil-borne diseases over time. Farmers will see better crop uniformity and resilience under stress (drought, salinity, heavy metals), translating into stable long-term productivity. These improvements in soil health ultimately sustain fertility for future seasons.
By eliminating peat use, our solution prevents the release of ancient carbon stored in bogs, thus cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting critical wetland habitats. Converting vinasse into FERTIC® reduces waste and recycles organic matter on-farm. Trials have shown fulvic amendments raise soil organic carbon (a stable carbon sink) and enhance nutrient retention. The PGPR in REGESOOR® reduce the need for synthetic NPK fertilizers, thereby minimizing runoff pollution. Together, these effects contribute to healthier soils and cleaner waterways.
• Economic: Valorizing a by-product like vinasse adds economic value and can offset disposal costs. Improved nutrient use efficiency means farmers need less chemical fertilizer for the same yield (DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14249). Reported field trials with similar PGPR consortia show maize yields increasing ~20% (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1426166), which translates to higher revenue. Growing regulatory and market pressures create demand for peat-free inputs, opening new business opportunities. Overall, the system is designed to be cost-effective (using low-cost inputs) and to increase profitability through higher yields and reduced input costs.
Agronomic: Field studies confirm that Bacillus inoculation raises crop yields significantly. FERTIC®’s fulvic acids and hormones boost root development and nutrient uptake, resulting in more vigorous plants. Enhanced soil microbiomes from REGESOOR® improve nutrient cycling and can suppress soil-borne diseases over time. Farmers will see better crop uniformity and resilience under stress (drought, salinity, heavy metals), translating into stable long-term productivity. These improvements in soil health ultimately sustain fertility for future seasons.
About the solver
Veganic S.L. (Valencia, Spain) is a pioneer in organic agricultural biosolutions. With 25+ years in biocontrol and biostimulant development, Veganic specializes in 100% biological products (biofungicides, biostimulants, organic fertilizers) that optimize soil health and yields (http://veganic.bio). The company’s proprietary platform harnesses exclusive microbial consortia (strains registered under CECT culture collection) for targeted crop enhancement. Both FERTIC® and REGESOOR®) are certified for organic farming and backed by scientific R&D. Extensive studies (and publications) support the efficacy of its microbes. In developing FERTIC® and REGESOOR®, Veganic combines expertise in humic biostimulants and PGPR inoculants, integrating patented know-how and data-driven agronomy. The team collaborates with independent research institutes for field validation and holds relevant intellectual property in biofertilizer technology.
Indicative budget/Phases
1. Preliminary study (≈€10,000): Laboratory evaluation of FERTIC® composition and REGESOOR® viability; compatibility and phytotoxicity tests; greenhouse assays for dosage optimization; formulation and application protocol development.
2. Field trials and microbiome analysis (≈€100,000): Multi-location trials on representative crops (e.g. horticulture, cereals) comparing the FERTIC®+REGESOOR® treatment against peat-based and conventional controls. Assessments will include crop yield, plant health, and soil physicochemical parameters. Soil samples will undergo microbiome sequencing to quantify changes in microbial diversity and beneficial taxa. Data analysis will verify peat-substitution effectiveness and circularity benefits.
3. Regulatory registration (TBD): Compile efficacy and safety data for registration under relevant frameworks. Budget will cover required toxicological and environmental impact assessments, as well as registration fees and documentation.
2. Field trials and microbiome analysis (≈€100,000): Multi-location trials on representative crops (e.g. horticulture, cereals) comparing the FERTIC®+REGESOOR® treatment against peat-based and conventional controls. Assessments will include crop yield, plant health, and soil physicochemical parameters. Soil samples will undergo microbiome sequencing to quantify changes in microbial diversity and beneficial taxa. Data analysis will verify peat-substitution effectiveness and circularity benefits.
3. Regulatory registration (TBD): Compile efficacy and safety data for registration under relevant frameworks. Budget will cover required toxicological and environmental impact assessments, as well as registration fees and documentation.