Cyanobacteria and soil regeneration

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Cyanobacteria has been researched and found to be an effective tool in soil reclamation. It also can be helpful for agricultural soils says Ben Cloud, CEO of Biodel Ag based in Arizona. He says it can help with salinity issues, fertilizer and nutrient uptake, and water efficiency.

Cloud… “Well, I think in the US we've generally looked to go with other microbial products to improve soil health. But, cyanobacteria outside of the US is really rather well known and well utilized. So we're really just bringing it into the US market. I began working on cyanobacteria some in 2005. And, we had determined by the time we got to 2012, we ran a large pilot facility and had determined that the cyanobacteria bacteria was truly effective in reclaiming depleted soils. And, since most of our soils are depleted, you know, this is a really great product to initiate the regenerative process.”

Biodel’s product is called Sequester, and Cloud says it’s the first cyanobacteria-based soil amendment.