Atmospheric nitrogen from the air could be a valuable source of this nutrient. However, plants cannot absorb it or integrate it into biochemical processes on their own. Therefore, despite its abundance in the atmosphere, it is entirely useless to plants. Some plants, through symbiosis with nodule-forming bacteria, can utilize atmospheric nitrogen after it has been converted into accessible forms.
Nitrogen form the air
Air is very rich in nitrogen, containing 78%. However, it exists in molecular form (N₂), which plants cannot absorb or use to build biomass.
Some plants have developed the ability to symbiotically interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This mainly concerns legumes—soybeans, lupines, peas, alfalfa, vetch, faba beans, and broad beans. Characteristic nodules by Rhizobium bacteria can be seen on their roots. These bacteria absorb N₂ and provide plants with nitrogen in a form they can use for growth and development.
In legume crops, it’s beneficial to use products that support the formation of root nodules. PRIMSEED NOD PEA is a seed treatment product that stimulates nodule formation on legume roots. In addition to peas, it can also be successfully used in preparing seed materials for faba beans, vetch, and broad beans.
Nitrogen from the air for plants other than legumes
Atmospheric air is a widely available and inexpensive source of nitrogen for plants. Other plants (besides legumes) do not live in symbiosis with nodule-forming bacteria and thus cannot obtain nitrogen from the air for nutritional purposes. Therefore, INTERMAG has conducted extensive research on different bacterial strains for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, aiming to identify the most effective strain.
After thorough analysis, the BACTIM ENDOFIX product was developed, containing the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa, which performs very well under Poland’s climate conditions.
How does the BACTIM ENDOFIX work?
The Paenibacillus polymyxa bacteria in BACTIM ENDOFIX convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can easily absorb—ammonium ion (NH₄⁺). By using BACTIM ENDOFIX, plants can access nitrogen even in conditions where nitrogen availability is limited. This provides excellent support to standard nitrogen fertilization, helping to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers, which is particularly important given EU restrictions.
The bacteria in the product easily enter the plant’s interior, meaning that rain or other unfavorable weather conditions do not diminish its effectiveness.
When to apply BACTIM ENDOFIX?
It is beneficial to apply the product as early as possible. The bacteria will help nourish crops with nitrogen and better prepare them for winter by stimulating intense growth, thanks to the available ammonium ions.
In winter cereals, autumn application of BACTIM ENDOFIX is recommended from the beginning to the end of tillering, and in winter rapeseed, from the 4-leaf stage.
Additional benefits of BACTIM ENDOFIX A major advantage of the product is that it can be used in combination with most crop protection products available on the Polish market. This allows BACTIM ENDOFIX to be applied as part of a tank mix, without the need for a separate field application.
Studies have shown that the product remains effective from autumn application through to harvest, but for even better results, it is recommended to repeat the treatment in spring, for example, in conjunction with the first fungicide treatment.
Reducing mineral fertilization and other benefits guaranteed by BACTIM ENDOFIX
Providing crops with nitrogen is the main task of the product. However, BACTIM ENDOFIX also has a biostimulant effect, helping plants cope better with abiotic stress and speeding up recovery after it occurs. This is made possible by the bacteria releasing amino acids, enzymes, proteins, and compounds similar to phytohormones.
