Soil health expert Paul Zorner discusses potential benefits of the approach in reducing greenhouse gases and increasing yields
Soil “Probiotics” Highlighted as Solution to Plant Productivity and Carbon Reduction at World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
SOLON, Ohio (July 8, 2019) Business leaders, investors and policy makers from around the world are convening in Des Moines, Iowa, this week to discuss the latest solutions in ag tech—such as the use of fresh soil “probiotics”—during the 2019 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology. The quickly-growing agriculture trend will be highlighted during a technical presentation by soil health expert and Locus Agricultural Solutions (Locus AG) CEO, Paul Zorner, on Tuesday, July 9 at 11:00 a.m. CST.
Known as one of the world’s largest industrial biotechnology events, the Congress focuses on bio-based products in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Locus AG’s biological soil treatments, which are produced from non-GMO microorganisms and tailored to local pain points through industry-first fermentation technology, have quickly gained traction as a natural and sustainable management tool for growers looking to increase plant vigor, productivity and carbon sequestration.
Field trial data demonstrates that ongoing soil “probiotic” treatments amplify soil carbon sequestration by up to 4.4 metric tons of CO2 equivalents per acre annually over standard grower practice, while increasing plant productivity by up to 40% or more—making it the first sustainable growing technique that reduces carbon footprints without profit loss.
“Soil ‘probiotics’ have the potential to make a rapid and substantial impact on the world’s carbon crisis by accelerating the ability of agricultural soils to sequester atmospheric carbon,” Zorner said. “The approach is a powerful economic engine that can be effectively deployed immediately, and we hope to educate and empower the World Congress audience on the benefits the method offers to growers, society and the environment.”
Under Zorner’s leadership, Locus AG has gained a variety of national recognitions for its innovative work using industry-leading distributed fermentation systems to develop a broad portfolio of microbial, natural and diagnostic products that improve soil health, soil carbon sequestration and disease and insect control. The company’s initial “probiotic” treatments are the foundation of a significant corporate initiative to reduce greenhouse gases, drive adoption of regenerative agricultural practices and create additional grower income streams.
Application details and treatments results will be discussed during Tuesday’s presentation. Contact Locus AG for more information or to schedule a meeting with Paul Zorner during the World Congress.
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About Locus Agricultural Solutions®
Locus Agricultural Solutions® (Locus AG) uses unique, microbrewery-type production technology to develop non-GMO, organic soil “probiotics” that sustainably feed the world, improve plant vitality and minimize environmental impact—starting from the ground up. The treatments are customized to local conditions, soil types and plant types, and are delivered refrigerated for maximum freshness. Ongoing treatments result in improved plant resilience and vigor, higher productivity, more soil carbon deposition and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The cost-effective solutions are easily applied without changing standard practices and specifically address top challenges, including soil health, plant productivity and climate change—while improving user profits. Locus AG leverages its core scientific capabilities from its parent organization, Locus Fermentation Solutions (Locus FS), an Ohio-based green technology company. For more information, visit locusfs.com/.