Microalgae and Soil Health.

Microalgae represent a large number of microbial organisms having markedly different characteristics. Surprising to many, microalgae also represent one of the most abundant types of organisms typically present in healthy soils. In this respect, microalgae appears to play critical roles in the activity and characteristics of soil microbiomes and soil health. Despite these facts, the role of such organisms in soil health and the use of microalgae as a soil amendment has been the subject of relatively little research to date. Research performed over the past year at Heliae has provided evidence demonstrating that application of of microalgae species to soil can have significantly positive impacts on soil health, and indirectly plant growth and/or plant health. This session will examine some of the positive soil health effects that have been observed by amending soils with Heliae microalgae products. The results of this emerging data are expected to lead to continued development of a new class of agricultural products aimed at improving soil health and crop performance.