Incredible new technologies and products are being launched across the potato value chain, including this entry from Heliae Development, LLC
We requested nominations for innovative products leading the Canadian potato industry forward and received excellent submissions from across the industry. With the help of our Editorial Board, we selected winners based on their industry impact, market potential, and scalability. Stay tuned as we highlight these innovations alphabetically over the next few weeks.
PhycoTerra® Soil Microbial Food
Heliae Development, LLC
www.phycoterra.com/products/phycoterra/
Launched in Canada: PhycoTerra in 2019, PhycoTerra ST seed treatment in 2023, and PhycoTerra FX foliar treatment coming soon (estimated launch: 2025).
PhycoTerra® is a soil microbial food sourced from nature and powered by microalgal technology. It activates the soil microbiome (up to 33x) by delivering a balanced meal to dormant, native microbes. Waking up microbes, both bacteria and fungi, early in the season can help support crops throughout the growing season by enhancing soil structure, NPK availability, and soil water retention. In third party field trials conducted between 2019 and 2022, PhycoTerra showed an average ROI of 10:1.
“There are little to no other whole cell microalgae products on the market today,” says Cassidy Million, Heliae Development’s VP Ag Science. “Our concept is very unique in that the mode of action focuses on leveraging the native microbes present in your soils [rather than] adding foreign biology into the soil. Our product is innovative in terms of offering a diverse food source to the microbiome to feed multiple types of microbes leading to increase soil health including water holding capacity, soil aggregation and higher yields.”
PhycoTerra® is a shelf-stable solution that can be utilized in a variety of ground application methods, works in all soil types, and provides exceptional mixability with common agricultural inputs during the growing season.
“Our product is unique in terms of shelf-life and handling. As it is pasteurized, it is compatible with other crop inputs such as liquid fertilizer, pesticides, and bio stimulants. These products will not reduce its efficacy. In addition, storability on farm is flexible as the product can freeze and thaw as well as be heated and this will not impact its efficacy,” says Million.
Made from a natural, renewable resource (microalgae) that facilitates healthier soil, PhycoTerra® products help farmers incorporate sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices within their current programs to improve soil health and achieve an increase in marketable yields and higher ROIs. PhycoTerra® is registered for all crops in Canada including potatoes.
This year’s line-up of Top Innovations is a great list! We will be introducing one Winner each week. So far, we’ve introduced:
AL-Bio 7- A&L Biological Inc. – subsidiary of A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.
Vive Crop Protection – AZteroid FC
John Deere – John Deere 8 Series Tractor Electric Power Generation with Spudnik AirSep harvester
