Bioinoculants to increase crop nutrient density and reduce nitrate leaching
Microbial bioinoculants (LEM and FLEM) designed to enhance soil biodiversity, boost crop nutrient density in calcium and zinc, and reduce nitrate leaching through improved nitrogen and phosphorus cycling.
Overview
This solution offers two microbial bioinoculant formulations, LEM and FLEM, developed to improve soil health and crop nutrition naturally. LEM is a consortium of locally sourced microorganisms including photosynthesizing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, and fermenting fungi. FLEM is a targeted blend of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and fermenting fungi. Together, these bioinoculants work to increase soil microbial diversity and functional redundancy, which supports more efficient nutrient cycling in agricultural systems. The expected outcomes include higher plant-available nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, improved crop nutrient density (particularly calcium and zinc), and reduced nitrate leaching into groundwater. Benefits may vary by crop type.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- LEM formulation combines photosynthesizing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, and fermenting fungi sourced from local environments
- FLEM formulation contains lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and fermenting fungi optimized for plant health and nutrient density
- Supports multiple nutrient pathways including phosphate solubilization, associative nitrogen fixation, phytosiderophore production, and mineralization
- Preliminary studies show increased soil microbial biomass, biodiversity, and redundancy of function
- Reduced losses of ammonia and nitrate observed in preliminary testing, depending on formulation, fertilization method, and timing of application
- Compatible with mineral fertilizer and broiler litter applications
- Applicable to soil or compost treatments
Technology readiness level
This technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Preliminary studies have demonstrated improvements in soil biodiversity, plant health, nutrient density, and reductions in nitrate leaching. Ongoing and planned validation includes pot studies within a rainout shelter across cool and warm growing seasons using Tuscano kale and Provider bush beans. Treatments will compare mineral fertilizer and broiler litter combined with LEM, FLEM, and no bioinoculant controls. Simulated rainfall events at days 21, 42, and 63 will generate leachate for analysis of ammonium, nitrate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total Kjeldahl phosphorus, phosphate, and microbial populations. Crop tissue and biomass will be analyzed for nutrient content and yield to confirm efficacy under controlled conditions before broader field deployment.
About University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university serving a large student body across multiple campuses, known for applied scholarship and community partnership. Industry partners access core facilities and pilot‑scale capabilities—including the Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center—for prototyping, scale‑up, and product validation. A downtown Innovation District and a statewide Cooperative Extension network link campus expertise to companies across Georgia, while proximity to Atlanta’s corporate and logistics hubs lowers barriers to engagement. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP services, licensing, startup support, and incubator space to accelerate commercialization.
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