The low availability of Nitrogen and Phosphates in many soils limited agriculture for hundreds of years. Then, we discovered how to create inorganic fertilizers within the petrochemical industry, and fertilizer use and agricultural production worldwide skyrocketed. However, the benefits of inorganic fertilizers have been offset by the extensive environmental harm they cause. Agricultural runoff water from farmlands, laden with phosphates and nitrates, lead to algal overgrowth (eutrophication) in rivers, streams, and lakes. This, in its worst form, results in anaerobic conditions and the loss of water bodies’ ability to support life.
Increasing Urban Farming Yields Sustainably With Algal Biofertilizer
While activists around the world are calling for sustainable alternatives to inorganic fertilizers, researchers believe that they may have found an organic alternative with several environmental advantages: fertilizers made from algae. There is agreement on the advantages. An increased nutrient tansfer and beneficial microorganisms, stabilized soil aggregates or the decreased reliance on fossil fuels or some examples of the benefits of algal biofertilizer.
Soilalgae Goes a Step Further
Soilalgae, a small startup from the US, takes the step from theory to praxis and developed an algal biofertilizer allowing to discard your chemical fertilizers. Offering their product on Kickstarter, every urban farmer can seize the opportunity to boost yields organically. Supported by solar radiation, water, and temperature, cyanobacteria – a special kind of algae – have the power to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and provide it directly for your plants. In contrast, chemical fertilizers are commonly produced by using harmful fossil fuels.