Proudly made in Spain – Ficosterra’s sustainable algae-based fertilizers is now a UNDP Ocean Innovation

Nutrialgae, the novel sustainable algae based fertilizers manufactured by Ficosterra, a marine biotechnology company that manufactures biostimulants and biofertilizers in Burgos (Spain) and Ensenada (Mexico), has been selected by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) as one of the nine exceptional solutions that can help accelerate progress on Goal 14 – Life Below Water of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources. Ficosterra is the only organization among the nine ocean innovators that is based in Spain.

 

What is the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 14?

Nine organizations around the world have been selected to meet this challenge. The Spanish startup Ficosterra is one of them.

 

 

Ocean Innovation Challenge: Ficosterra’s great challenge

Ficosterra is a marine biotechnology company that manufactures biostimulants and biofertilizers from algae extracts and microorganisms to promote the maximum development of crops and plants.

These inputs are a 100% organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly solution that helps reduce the use of agrochemicals. They also help the soil to hold water, increasing drought tolerance of plants and soils.

One of the consecuences of the overuse of mineral fertilizers is the acidification and contamination of seas and ocean, caused by residue of phosphorus and nitrogen in these agrochemicals that are carried by rivers to the sea.

The amount of pollution caused by these compounds of mineral origin has tripled since pre-industrial times. According to UNDP data, about 13 million tons a year reach our seas and oceans, causing an exponential growth of contamination and large areas with a lack of oxygen.

 

 

The use of biostimulants and biofertilizers from algae extracts and microorganisms allows a significant reduction in the use of agrochemicals without reducing crop productivity. In addition, by sustainably cultivating the kelp, the process returns the algae to its place of origin, a value now considered an essential aspect of the Circular Economy.

 

Ficosterra’s biostimulants, 100% BIO, are able to increase crop productivity without polluting aquifers, rivers, oceans or seas.

Ficosterra will address this challenge in research centers belonging to the Hassan II University of Morocco and the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada, Baja California (CICESE), Mexico. 

The main objective of the research project is to demonstrate that the biostimulants ficosagro® (microbial complex with algae extracts) and cystium-k® (pure extract of the algae Macrocystis Pyrifera), when applied to the soil and plants respectively, are capable of increasing crop productivity by 6 to 15% (depending on the type of crop) while significantly reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. This leads to a reduction in the nitrogen and phosphorus load that leaches from the crops into our seas.

 

 

They will be carried out on broccoli crop in two different scenarios: laboratory and field.

In the laboratory, the leachate generated by the untreated and treated soil will be measured in pots. Other parameters to be measured include plant productivity, vigor and health.

The field trials will also provide information on the latter parameters, while bringing the results closer to the farmer’s day-to-day reality. In this way, the farmer will receive a first-hand introduction to the management of a new agriculture, that of the 21st century.