Fertiliser costs continue to rise, yet many growers still struggle to see consistent returns from their nutrient programs. One of the most common reasons is not the fertiliser itself, it's how efficiently plants can access and use those nutrients.
EM™ biostimulants work at the biological level to improve fertiliser efficiency, reduce nutrient losses, and lower overall input costs. By restoring soil biology and supporting nutrient cycling, EM™ helps growers get more value from existing fertiliser programs rather than relying on increased application rates.
Why Fertiliser Efficiency Is Often Low
Even well-designed fertiliser programs can fall short due to:
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Nutrients becoming locked in the soil
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Poor microbial activity
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Compacted or biologically inactive soils
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Nutrient leaching and volatilisation
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Weak root systems
In these conditions, a large percentage of applied fertiliser never reaches the plant, leading to wasted inputs and rising costs.
What Are EM™ Biostimulants?
EM™ biostimulants are formulations containing beneficial microorganisms that enhance natural soil and plant processes.
Rather than supplying nutrients directly, EM™ biostimulants activate biological pathways that improve nutrient availability, uptake, and efficiency.
How EM™ Improves Fertiliser Efficiency
1. Unlocks Nutrients Already Present in the Soil
Soils often contain adequate nutrient reserves that are unavailable to plants. EM™ microbes help:
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Solubilise bound minerals
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Convert nutrients into plant-available forms
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Improve chelation and nutrient transport
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Reduce nutrient fixation
This allows plants to access more nutrients without increasing fertiliser rates.
2. Enhances Root Uptake and Nutrient Absorption
EM™ improves the soil environment around roots (the rhizosphere), resulting in:
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Increased root growth and branching
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Better root-microbe interactions
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Improved nutrient and water absorption
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More efficient plant metabolism
Healthier roots mean fertiliser is used more effectively.
3. Reduces Nutrient Loss Through Leaching and Volatilisation
Poor soil structure and low biological activity increase nutrient loss.
EM™ helps by:
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Improving soil aggregation
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Enhancing water infiltration and retention
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Stabilising nutrients in the root zone
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Reducing nitrogen losses
This keeps nutrients where plants need them, not lost below the root zone.
4. Supports Plant Growth Regulators and Metabolism
EM™ biostimulants support natural plant growth regulators such as auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins. These compounds:
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Improve nutrient transport within the plant
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Support cell division and expansion
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Enhance photosynthesis efficiency
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Improve stress tolerance
As a result, plants use nutrients more effectively.
How EM™ Biostimulants Reduce Input Costs
1. Lower Fertiliser Requirements Over Time
As nutrient efficiency improves, many growers find they can:
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Reduce fertiliser application rates
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Maintain or improve yield and quality
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Apply nutrients more strategically
This leads to direct cost savings season after season.
2. Reduced Need for Corrective Inputs
Biologically balanced soils require fewer:
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Soil conditioners
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Nutrient corrections
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Stress recovery products
EM™ helps stabilise soil function, reducing the need for reactive inputs.
3. Improved Crop Consistency and Yield Stability
More efficient nutrient uptake leads to:
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More uniform crop growth
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Fewer deficiency symptoms
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Reduced crop stress
Consistency lowers risk, a critical factor in managing input costs.
Real-World Benefits Observed by Growers
Across horticulture, viticulture, pasture, and cropping systems, EM™ users report:
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Better response to fertiliser programs
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Reduced nutrient losses
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Improved soil performance
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Stronger root systems
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More predictable yields
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Lower overall input costs
These benefits accumulate as soil biology strengthens over time.
Where EM™ Biostimulants Fit in Nutrient Programs
EM™ biostimulants integrate easily with:
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Existing fertiliser regimes
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Liquid or solid nutrient programs
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Fertigation systems
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Foliar feeding schedules
They do not replace fertiliser, they make fertiliser work more effectively.
Rising input costs make fertiliser efficiency more important than ever. EM™ biostimulants improve nutrient availability, uptake, and retention by restoring soil biology and strengthening plant systems.
By working with natural biological processes, EM™ helps growers reduce waste, lower input costs, and build more resilient, cost-effective farming systems.
